Chasing the Sun

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When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but also for the Texas ranch her father recently acquired.  A marriage of convenience could ease her predicament…but is it the true desire of her heart?

 

Wounded soldier William Barnett returns home only to find out that his family’s ranch has been seized.  Though angered at this turn of events, he’s surprised to discover that it is a beautiful young woman with amazing fortitude who is struggling to keep the place running.

 

Despite these circumstances, Hannah and William form an uneasy truce…and an undeniable attraction builds between them.  In a land where loyalties are divided in a country ravaged by war, is there any hope that the first blush of love can survive?

 

Review

 

I have been a long-time Tracie Peterson fan.  My favourite novel of hers is and always will be Castles, which is actually a four-in-one book.  Tracie creates wonderful characters and plots that never fail to keep the reader entertained.  Chasing the Sun reminded me of some of the things I love about Tracie’s writing.

 

The characters were believable and the story was engaging.  While the plot was a bit predictable, I still felt swept up and planted in the frontier in the midst of a battered country torn apart by Civil War.  Tensions were further raised at the ever-present threat of Comanche Indian attacks.  Throw in an unwanted and devious suitor, and you have a recipe for turmoil.

 

I`m excited to know that this is the beginning of a new series for Tracie, and I will be looking forward to the coming books.  Fans of Tracie Peterson would readily like this novel, and it is a great one to start with for those new to Tracie and her writing.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Prize of My Heart

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Three years ago, Captain Brogan Talvis’ late wife abandoned their son, leaving no clue as to the boy’s whereabouts.  After searching relentlessly, Brogan discovers his son was adopted by a New England shipbuilder.  And the man’s daughter, Lorena Huntley, acts as loving guardian to the child.

Lorena, who hides a dark truth, finds herself falling for the handsome captain and ex-privateer who’s come to secure ownership of one of her father’s ships.  She’s unaware of Brogan’s own secret when another’s deceit has her sailing toward Europe against her will.

Haunted by thoughts of Lorena in peril, Brogan is compelled to choose between the boy he longs for and the woman who has captured his heart.

Review

Captain Talvis is a giant of a man with a tender heart.  He never gave up hope in finding his son, even though the chances of success were slim to none.  When faced with the opportunity to actually regain guardianship of his son, Captain Talvis, as a former privateer, is haunted by a moral dilemma of whether or not “taking back what is yours by right is not stealing”. 

Lorena was a lovely supporting character, in her mothering role to the young boy, and throughout the budding romance with Captain Talvis.  I especially enjoyed the young boy, who has enormous imagination and a lot of pluck.

The last few chapters held several twists and turns to the plot, as the reader discovers that the Huntleys’ deep secret is not as simple as one would originally believe. 

In all, while Prize of My Heart has an air of intrigue and adventure, the more prevalent theme is about a father’s deep-rooted and unwavering love for his child. 

A story cannot get much sweeter than that.


Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.