A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Summer has been a relaxing and enjoyable time for me this year. I feel like there is a lack of time, but yet somehow, it feels like we are doing a lot. One thing that has been limited, but very enjoyable when I have the time is reading. Most recently, I finished reading A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson. I didn't realize it (even though it is clearly noted on the cover), but this is the second book in the Sapphire Brides series. I must admit, I have never read anything by Tracie Peterson before, so I was not familiar with her work, but learned on her website that she has over 100 titles to her credit.

I enjoyed reading A Beauty Refined. The historical setting of Montana in the early 1900s was the backdrop for this tale of discovering the truth and the faith needed to face it. The author did a nice job of developing the landscape for the story, including the hotel that once was and was once again. I enjoyed reading about Phoebe's clothes, many of which were the latest fashion. Despite the fact that the thought of wearing the accoutrements associated with the fashion of that day do not appeal to me, there is something so fun about the thought that there were clothes for each type of day and even for the different 'occasions' of the day. How often do you get to dress for dinner?

I must admit that I had to make a small effort to overcome the coincidence of Phoebe and her father arriving in Helena at the same hotel where her mother now worked. I recognize that without that coincidence, there would have been no story, but in the early 1900s it seemed a little bit of stretched opportunity for the German Count and his daughter.

As the story unfolded and Phoebe began to learn that what she had always held as true, was not actually her reality, I really felt for her. The reader journeyed with her as she went through the stages of denial, recognition of the signs, many that she had dismissed, that supported the truth, and the recognition of the truth for what it was It takes exploration of her faith to allow her to come to terms with this new reality and in that journey, she finds that Ian is the one she can turn to and becomes a more important part of her life.

If you enjoy historical fiction and a touch of romance, A Beauty Refined is a book that you should consider reading. I am curious to check out some of the other historical fiction stories written by Tracie Petterson.

A Beauty Refined
by Tracie Peterson
Historical Romance
Bethany House

What does it take to reveal the true beauty of a hidden gem?

Phoebe Von Bergen, the daughter of a German count, is excited to visit America for the first time while her father purchases sapphires in Helena, Montana. Little does she know, however, that her father's intentions---both for her and the gemstones---are not what she thinks.

Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the dignified young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie---a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Meeting Ian has changed everything for Phoebe, and she begins to consider staying in America, regardless of her father's plans. But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger that results when her family's deception begins to unravel.

Meet the Author
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Find more information about her and her other books on her website.

See more reviews and learn more about the book on the Blog Tour Landing Page.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Her One and Only by Becky Wade

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

I really enjoyed the two books that I have read by Becky Wade, so when I heard that she had another book out and it was part of the Porter Family series, I jumped on the chance to read and review it.

This is the fourth book in the Porter Family Series, I have read the second and third story, but since each story can be read as a standalone, readers can jump in with any of the stories. This book focuses on Dru, the youngest sibling and only daughter in the Porter family. A former Marine, she is now working as a body guard and is assigned to the protection detail of Gray Fowler a popular, successful football player in the NFL.

Becky Wade does a great job in developing the characters. The way that she shares the story from multiple vantage points allows the reader to get to know the characters through their thoughts and actions and through their perspectives of the other characters, as well as the backstory that they share with one another. This three-dimensional view, helps make them realistic and allows the reader to feel a connection with them. The book appeals to the romantic side with the great love story, but also has a nice stream of suspense that keeps the reader wondering who is stalking Gray and wondering what lead up to the events in the prologue. As with the other books in this series, the characters are challenged and flawed. Their spiritual needs are woven into the story and as they put their faith in God, they are able to forgive, learn to trust and love again.

I thoroughly enjoy the chance to see a glimpse into the ongoing story of the other Porter siblings, who we got to know in the earlier books. Keeping up on the lives of those we met in earlier books is something that I really like about reading books in a series. I was bummed to realize that with the stories of all four Porter siblings told, the series is complete. I can only hope that the author features them again in another book.

This book is a must read for anyone that loves a good story with suspense, love and discovery.

About

After ten years in the NFL, superstar Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans. But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?

Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt--none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she's determined to find Gray's stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.

Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they'll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives--and their hearts--to one another.

About the Author
Becky Wade

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and an INSPY Award. Learn more at www.beckywade.com.

No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

Now that summer is here, I look forward to evenings relaxing on the porch or deck and reading, when my schedule allows. As luck would have it, our Memorial Day weekend was plan free - so I had a couple of times between the things we did to relax and read. The book I read was the new book from Shelley Shepard Gray, A Daughter's Dream. A Daughter's Dream is the second in a series called The Charmed Amish Life, conveniently set in the community of Charm.

I had read A Son's Vow, the first book, but A Daughter's Dream can be read as a stand alone book. The story focuses on Rebecca, a sister of Lukas from the first story, and a new to town man and niece, Jacob and Lilly. Darla and Lukas and several other characters from the first book make appearances in the story, but it is not about them. Rebecca is still trying to discover what her dreams are. She has longed to be a school teacher and fortunately, her friend Rachel has offered to allow her to help in the school and her brother offers support to allow her to spend time in the school. It is while volunteering at the school that she comes to meet Jacob and Lilly, when Jacob comes to enroll Lilly in the school. As both Rebecca and Jacob learn about themselves and the future that will make them happy and successful, they grow individually and find themselves growing together.

I enjoy how Shelley Shepard Gray has the ability to write a book about the Amish with a plot that transcends the setting and the faith of the characters. She develops such a captivating set of characters and as you join them on their journey of discovering themselves, it is hard to not feel a connection with the characters. As with the first book in this series, much time is taken in developing the characters and allowing the story to unfold, and yet again, the book seems to end with a flourish of activity to tie together the loose ends. Despite this, I found the overall story an easy, enjoyable read.

I look forward to the next book in this series, as I know it will likely be about some of the other shadow characters in this story and that it will allow me to follow the progress of the stories of those characters that I came to love in this story.

About the book:

A Daughter's Dream (Avon Inspire, May 2016)

A young teacher and farmer discover they have much in common, especially when it comes to healing old wounds from the past . . . and finding love in one another.

Rebecca Kinsinger has always dreamed of being a teacher. But when she's given the opportunity she's been waiting for at Charm Amish School, she's dismayed to discover that teaching is hard work---work she's afraid she's not very good at.

That is, until Lilly Yoder joins the class. A thirteen-year old who's just lost her parents, Lilly is in need of someone like Rebecca. For the first time since starting her new job, Rebecca feels a sense of purpose. But when she meets Lilly's uncle, Jacob, his good looks and sweet, easy-going temperament are hard to ignore. How can she even entertain romantic thoughts of Jacob when his niece is her student?

Suddenly becoming Lily's sole caregiver, Jacob Yoder never thought he'd be a single parent---or a farmer. Having been living in Florida as a carpenter, Jacob feels more at home wielding a hammer than a backhoe. The only bright spot in his life is Rebecca Kinsinger. As Lily and Rebecca develop a bond, Jacob's fondness for the pretty teacher grows, too.

But when a fateful accident brings them together, Rebecca and Jacob must choose between duty and desire. Will they follow the path before them? Or set out to find true happiness . . . and true love?

Purchase a copy here.

About the author:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Connect with Shelley: website, Twitter, and Facebook

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Learn more about the book and find more reviews on the Blog Tour Landing Page.


No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.