We set off on an adventure in my folks “Minnie Winnie” that took us to the gorgeous Whidbey Island. Some cold mornings but sun shone most days. Layers, sunglasses, late nights around the campfire, way too much eating and thankfully a lot of reading. I took along Tracie Peterson’s When You are Near and I am so glad I did. I’ll be honest and say that the cover was not as appealing to me as the last series. But I also didn’t truly know what I was getting myself into. It does the story justice. I loved following along with this Wild West Extravaganza and I couldn’t stop thinking, “I’m so glad this is the first in the series!”
The main character Lizzy Brookstone is relatable and honest. Her companions on the tour were equally engaging and I cannot wait to see who’s story is next in the series. My fingers are crossed that we learn more about Ella Flemming and where her story goes next. In When You are Near we follow Lizzie through her grief, back into history in a romance that fell flat, back into her present day where she is determined to keep grief at bay and to resist the urge to let anyone in too close. All the while she is brave, in helping and supporting her friends Ella and Mary and also in seeing the tour of her family’s Wild West show to it’s season’s end fulfilling her father’s last request. But the story doesn’t end there, and boy am I glad.
I really did read this in two days, thankfully with little boys napping and the olders off fishing with their Papa, Uncle and cousins I was able to read loads. The only sad part is that now i have to wait for the next one. I hope you’ll read on to see more about the story and the author. Her guest post below is so fun, and don’t miss the giveaway!
This really is a wonderful read and so true to the delightful and exciting stories Peterson has written in the past. Great news that book 2 Wherever You Go releases June 4, 2019 and is followed by book three What Comes My Way on October 1, 2019 so we do not have to wait long for the whole series!
I have read and reviewed Treasured Grace, Beloved Hope, and Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson and truly LOVED them all! SO if you need some reading while you wait for the next book to release you can grab those too!
Thanks to Celebrate Lit Bloggers for a copy of the book. All the thoughts expressed here are my own.
About the Book
Book: When You Are Near
Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 5, 2018
After her father’s death, Lizzy Brookstone, a trick rider in the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, wants nothing more than to quit her role as the star of the show and live a quiet life on her family’s ranch. But returning home would bring Wesley DeShazer, the ranch’s foreman and the man who broke her heart, back into her life. In addition, the Brookstones’ new manager fears that Lizzy’s departure could doom the already cash-strapped show.
Hope grows in Lizzy during a stopover at Fleming Farm. Ella Fleming not only has a natural talent for trick riding and could easily replace Lizzy, but she’s eager to join the show to flee a forced betrothal. However, while there, one of the show’s wranglers is killed in a manner Lizzy finds suspicious. And during her escape from the farm, Ella stumbles across a secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.
Click here to purchase your copy.
About the Author
Tracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.
Guest Post from Tracie
Introducing…When You Are Near!
I’m excited about the new Brookstone Brides series and had so much fun researching for the various characters and locations. This is a story about a fictional Wild West show with all female performers. Prior to the rodeos we see today, the Wild West shows traveled throughout America and Europe to entertain people and give city dwellers a taste of what the American frontier was like. At least their version.
Buffalo Bill Cody was famous for his shows, which brought Native Americans and their culture into the world of people who might otherwise never have even seen an “Indian.” Pawnee Bill was another entertainer who sought to keep these shows alive.
For the fictional show in my novels, I wanted to focus on three female characters who became a part of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza for varying reasons. Lizzy Brookstone is the heroine in book one, When You Are Near, and as the daughter of one of the show’s owners, she has enjoyed a starring role as a trick rider.
For research I went to Pueblo, Colorado to the ranch of Karen Vold, a famous trick rider and rodeo star. Linda Scholtz, a famed trick rider, was teaching a clinic there along with Karen at the Red Top Ranch Trickriding School.
These are two remarkable Christian trick riders who have long worked to keep the sport alive. I spent three days getting to know them and what they do and learned so much. And just to prove that we weren’t all work and no play, I thought I’d share my attempt at trick riding. What I won’t do for research!
The series will have three books, as usual, and each book will focus on a different lady and her skills. Mary is a trick shooter like Annie Oakley, and Ella is a Roman rider who stands on the backs of two horses for her part in the act. It was so interesting learning about each of these types of performers, and I hope you’ll get a chance to read all three and enjoy the stories of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza.
Blog Stops
Among the Reads, March 26
The Power of Words, March 26
Christian Author, J.E. Grace, March 26
Inklings and notions, March 26
The Meanderings of a bookworm, March 27
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, March 27
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 27
Vicky Sluiter, March 27
Carpe Diem, March 28
The Avid Reader, March 28
Genesis 5020, March 28
The Lit Addict, March 29
Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 29
Back Porch Reads, March 29
Just the Write Escape, March 30
Splashes of Joy, March 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 30
Emily Yager, March 31
Daysong Reflections, March 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 31
Life of Literature, April 1
EmpowerMoms, April 1
For the Love of Literature, April 1
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 2
Through the Fire Blogs, April 2
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 2
For Him and My Family, April 3
Remembrancy, April 3
Inspiration Clothesline, April 3
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 4
Pause for Tales, April 4
Older & Smarter?, April 5
Stories By Gina, April 5
Book by Book, April 5
Bigreadersite, April 6
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, April 6
Connect in Fiction, April 6
Godly Book Reviews, April 7
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 7
Texas Book-aholic, April 7
Blossoms and Blessings, April 8
janicesbookreviews, April 8
A Reader’s Brain, April 8
The Becca Files, April 8
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away a grand prize of When You Are Near, Tracie’s A $25 Barnes and Noble Gift card, and the three books in The Heart of Alaska series and three other winners will receive a copy of When You Are Near!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dcdd/when-you-are-near-celebration-tour-giveaway