It is always a pleasure and a privilege to read and review books by Tracie Peterson. This story will bring your emotions to the surface as the characters face grief, loss, and new beginnings all with Gods help.
This book has two excellent books; The House on Windridge by Tracie Peterson and as a bonus, Lucy’s Quilt by Joyce Livingston another talented author.
THE HOUSE ON WINDRIDGE BY TRACIE PETERSON
STORY LINE:
Gus Gussop had the world by the tail; a ranch doing well; a large ranch house, a wife he adored, and a baby on the way. Then fate stepped in and took his wife during childbirth. The anchor of Gus’ world was gone. Gus has no idea what to do with a child and no desire to try. He sends his baby daughter, Jessica, to his wife’s Aunt Harriet Nelson to raise; unknowingly sending Jessica to a woman who loves appearance, status and social standing. With the help of Buck, former foreman, and his wife Kate, the housekeeper/cook, and Devon Carter, foreman, whom he treats as a son, life goes on. Gus has loss the desire to live, his life is not worth living without his wife.
Years later, grown and now widowed, Jessica and her baby son are asked to come to the ranch as soon as possible. Her father has dead and she’s needed. Jessica had lived through an abusive marriage orchestrated by Aunt Harriet; Jessica, with her small son, journeys to Kansas and hopefully a new life which will provide the security her never-do-well husband did not give.
The story that follows is full of emotion, revelations, and new beginnings. Things are not as she hoped at Windridge. Come also with Jessica and the people of Windridge as they move forward; secrets, insecurities, motives, and romance are waiting.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:
Author Tracie Peterson talent in story telling is very evident in this book. The characters are wholesome, natural, and real. Ms. Peterson’s character development is progressive throughout the story as we watch the characters come to terms with life’s issues and demons of the past.
Faith plays a huge part in this book, as each character has faith-based belief. Devon and Jessica will wrestle with issues and rely on God to provide the solutions. Jessica has many insecurities she must admit and overcome. Ms. Peterson expertly wove faith into this story without being pushy or preachy. You do not need to be religious to enjoy Ms. Peterson’s books. Ms. Peterson never offends the reader with forced religion, rather the character’s and their beliefs show the depth of God’s love.
This is a sweet clean romance, revealing the personality of each character as they fight for survival of the ranch and their way of life, battle gossip, and insecurities, to live the life God has in store for them and find a foundation for love.
The plot of the book kept me interested and glued to my E-reader. The pace never slowed or lagged. Ms. Peterson’s stories are always well-developed and crafted. Her story-lines are intriguing, revealing the depth of the human condition and the need for God as an anchor.
LUCY’S QUILT BY JOYCE LIVINGSTON
STORY LINE:
Juliette Baker Martin, widowed and mother of a baby boy, has loss the love of her life; she now lives with her family in Dove City, Kansas. Her mother is physically weak and sick after the journey across the country to Kansas and birthing a set of twins. Her father manages a hotel in Dove City, along with his wife, and children.
Stone Piper’s beloved wife, Lucy, dies; he sent his two small sons to his sister as he could not raise two small children and ranch at the same time. Stone wants his two children home and the only solution is marriage.
Stone proposes a marriage of convenience which Lucy immediately refuses, however, she finds she must reconsider this decision as her family’s situation has dramatically changed. Several crisis’ have arisen and Lucy will to come to terms with a marriage of convenience. Stone also has secrets he has not revealed to Lucy; oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice first to deceive.
This is the story of hardships, secrets, revelations, mysteries, grief, family, a marriage of convenience, and faith in God. Come along as Stone and Lucy journey from barely knowing each other to find the love God has in store for them.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:
Author Joyce Livingston has crafted a clean sweet western romance that is full of heart and feeling. Her characters are real and believable.
I found the plot very intriguing as Ms. Livingston reveals the history of Stone and his first wife, Lucy, along with the secrets of the locked room.
Stone’s growth in this story was a complete reversal from the man he was in the beginning of the book. Stone had demons he had to conquer and a Heavenly Father to accept. Juliette’s character growth was steady and progressive as she comes to understand herself and Stone.
Faith also plays a large part in this story; the author masterfully portrayed Stone’s character. Ms. Livingston skillfully presented the fact we will show a face to the public that is not lived nor alive in our heart.
The author also addressed the issue of a child with a physical handicap. Ms. Livingston masterfully shows love and patience can work miracles.
Ms. Livingston masterly paced and plotted this story and the characters and story-line was well-developed. This is a clean solid story of mystery, secrets, love, and faith. Ms. Livingston expertly wove faith into this story without being pushy, preachy or overwhelming.
RECOMMENDATIONS: 5 STARS
I highly recommend this book by two talented authors. These are clean sweet westerns that anyone would enjoy. They are easy to read and vastly entertaining.
I received this book from Netgalley.com in return for an honest book review. Book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion; all book reviews on line under my name and on my blog, are my opinion.
ABOUT AUTHOR TRACIE PETERSON: PHOTO & BIO PROVIDED BY AUTHOR
Tracie Peterson is the best-selling, award winning author of over 100 books. Her work in historical romance garnered her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 by True West Magazine. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.