1. A Sensible Arrangement, Lone Star Brides Series #1
    Tracie Peterson
    Bethany House / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$16.88 Retail Price$18.00 Save 6% ($1.12)
    4.3 out of 5 stars for A Sensible Arrangement, Lone Star Brides Series #1. View reviews of this product. 33 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW210587
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Displaying items 11-15 of 33
  1. lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    April 17, 2014
    lcjohnson1988
    Indiana
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    To one and all I am happy to share with you this review of Tracie Peterson's 100th book. Congratulations to the author! Here is a brand new series that begins with the introduction of two characters, Marty, who is a young widow living in Texas and Jake, living in Denver, but born in Texas. Jake's highest dream is to return to his beloved place of birth, but he has to work in a bank to save money to purchase a ranch. Marty is a young woman who without forethought or prayer answers an ad Jake places for a Texas wife, both parties agreeing it is in name only.

    The setting is the late 1800s, and there is a mystery along with the romance and how Jake and Marty are struggling in their faith due to deep heart wounds. To make it seem safe, both appear to put boundaries on their relationship. Will it indeed work to protect their hearts from further devastation? In the tale, other characters are introduced that are of a mixed fashion. For instance, a couple of the high society people don't care a whit about those less fortunate. While others like Jake's servants seem to be examples of faith and trust as they have learned to hold loosely to the things of this earth.

    My favorite novels by Tracie are her Alaskan series which now share a place in my heart with this new series. I wondered the further along I read if the conclusion was going to end up with the story being developed to a point like a well-wrapped gift. While I won't tell you how it ends, I can share that I thought it was a great ending!

    I loved how no matter what station in life mankind has here on earth the soul questions and the deepest of heart longings know no boundaries. The characters are like a reflection of many people we might know in any society. The heart longs to be loved and not rejected; more so, within all hearts God wants us to know Him individually. When life rips away the ones we love or things we hold dear, how do we react or respond? As you are introduced to some of the interesting characters in the novel, don't be surprised if one of them might remind you of someone. I loved this book and can't wait for the next novel to be released in June 2014 titled, A Moment in Time.
  2. Wanda
    NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Hard to Put Down!
    April 11, 2014
    Wanda
    NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Denver, Colorado 1892

    ____________________Book Quote____________________

    "Texas-born man now living in Colorado, working as a banker, wishes to correspond with a Lone Star lady. Seeking potential wife who would display the virtues, sensibilities, and wisdom of a strong Texas woman. Must be willing to leave Texas for Colorado."

    ____________________End Quote____________________

    Martha "Marty" Olsen answered the classified ad in the Dallas Daily Times Herald because she was desperate to leave Texas. After her husband of ten years was gored by a bull on their ranch she wanted nothing to do with Texas or ranching. Marrying a total stranger and moving to Colorado seemed to be the best solution. Now if she could only absolve her anger at God. Will she ever be able to forgive Him for the death of her husband? And will she be able to live with the arrangement she made with her new husband, or does she want more?

    ____________________Book Quote____________________

    "You mean do they know about our sensible arrangement? This marriage of convenience?"

    ____________________End Quote____________________

    Jacob "Jake" Wythe needed a wife for appearances sake as required by his job at the Denver Bank but, after two failed relationships, he didn't want to risk his heart. The only way to avoid the entanglement of his heart was to find a wife that agreed to a marriage of convenience, a sensible arrangement. The only requirement was that she be a lady of Texas because as soon as he set aside enough funds he intended to return to Texas and do what was in his heart--buy a ranch. When the threat of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act being repealed is brought to light and the very livelihood of the people is threatened, it begins to weigh heavily on Jake's heart. What hurts even more is the betrayal of the wife he has come to love. Will they survive the oncoming depression. And will God heal the very relationship he brought together?

    This is my first book by Tracie Peterson and I must say there are many things I love about it. It starts out in Texas in 1892 and very soon moves to Denver, Colorado. The story flows in such a way that usually only comes from a seasoned writer and she is a very seasoned writer (This is her one hundredth book!). The attention to detail and the research that obviously went into writing this book, really draws you in and holds your attention. It's like you're there and you can see the entire scenes played out in your mind. I love the entire plot and feel that If one aspect were left out the story wouldn't have held together as well. Something I believe Tracie Peterson is very good at is holding a story together from beginning to end.

    I also loved the characters. Marty was a strong woman that could take care of herself and anyone else for that matter. She could shoot with the best of them and drive a team of horses without batting an eye. I love strong heroines in stories so it's safe to say I loved Marty. She also had a lot of anger at God because of her husband's death and it was interesting to see her wrestle with her own mind and heart when it came to working through her anger.

    Jake had his own form of demons chasing him. He had been hurt badly by his wife and because of this he worked harder to guard his heart. His job at the bank was a huge burden, too, and the heartlessness of his employers weighed heavily on him. He had also turned from God, not as severely as Marty but enough that he had to find his way back.

    My favorite character was Alice Chesterfield, a seventeen year-old girl hire by Marty to be her ladies' maid. She is the very one that helped Marty work through her anger the most. The faith and wisdom she displayed at such a young age was remarkable and I loved the personal talks she had with Marty. She was an inspiring character and I hope to see more of her.

    Mrs. Landry the housekeeper and Mr. Brighton the butler were a highlight of the book for me. Their sparring made me laugh and I looked forward to each time their paths crossed because I knew it was going to be interesting. They were the one spot of humor in the book and, I think, the perfect element to keep a reader entertained on a less serious level. The spiritual content is perfectly balanced. It deals with forgiveness and the characters' condition of the heart. Alice's conversations with Marty are so amazing and so well written it will inspire you to deepen your relationship with God, too. You can't ask for more in a book. A Sensible Arrangement is a total package. Everything you need to be thoroughly entertained all wrapped up in one neat little package. It's the first book in the Lone Star Brides series and it can be read alone, but you will definitely want to read the next book in the series to learn even more about the characters in this book. I'm a huge historical fiction fan and this book more that satisfies my craving for an historical romance I can sink my teeth into. I couldn't put it down and I am not-so-patiently waiting for book two. This book could rival any book by Janet Oke, only with a stronger emphasis on the romantic aspect, and that's saying a lot. Tracie Peterson is now one of my go-to authors. If you like historical romance and you want a story that will pull you in and hold you until the end, you'll love A Sensible Arrangement!

    Disclaimer: I received a copy of this books from the publisher for my honest review. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I received no monetary compensation for this review.
  3. Callie
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Interesting, Sweet Romance
    April 9, 2014
    Callie
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    A Sensible Arrangement follows Marty - as a Texan widow she has decided to leave her old life behind and become a mail order bride for Jake Wythe, a banker in Colorado. After their marriage she soon discovers that Jake dreams of returning to Texas and owning his own ranch - which is just the life that Marty wanted to get away from. As their feelings develop for each other and a financial crisis threatens the bank that Jake works at, Marty has to decide whether to tell Jake the truth.

    I really enjoyed this book! All the characters were likable, and the romance between Marty and Jake was really sweet, though subtle in it's development. I also thought the message of the book was strong as we read about Marty turning back to God after blaming Him for her husband's death for so many years.

    The one thing that I have to say is that I feel like a couple of the plot elements weren't fully resolved - through the book Marty's maid, Alice, is being followed and threatened by a Mr. Smitth, who thinks she is in possession of some gold bonds that were lost when her father was murdered. At the end of the book we still don't know what happened to the bonds, or whether Mr. Smith will be caught. We also don't get to see how Marty and Jake's life will pan out - will Jake keep his job at the bank, or will they go back to Texas? I'm thinking (and also hoping) that we get to see what happens to these characters as this series continues? Regardless, this book left me wanting to read more!

    Note: I received this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for this review. This is my honest opinion.
  4. Darlene Dye
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    I love this story
    April 8, 2014
    Darlene Dye
    This was great the only thing I missed was a better ending .kind of left me hanging .but still enjoyed the story.
  5. Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Christian Western Romance Fans will LOVE this one!
    April 7, 2014
    Heart2Heart
    Victorville, CA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Whenever I hear the name Tracie Peterson, I know I am in for a great novel, that will completely captivate me heart and soul. There is something about the unique way she writes so well that you are simply not just reading her novels, she takes you along for the ride and you become part of the story along with her amazing characters you can't help but love. In her latest series, The Lone Star Brides Series, she picks up on one of my favorite topics dealing with life in the west, mail order brides.

    In the novel A Sensible Arrangement, Marty Dandrige Olson is looking for a way to escape her life in Texas. Since losing her husband to being gored by a long horn she is struggling with how to move forward in her life without him and without God. Blaming God for not answering any of her prayers, she answers an ad for a banker in Denver searching for the same thing as she is. A marriage without the possibility of love. One simply of convenience and in name only. Seems like Jake Wythe would be the answer to a prayer but Marty has all but abandoned any notion of God or prayer in her life.

    Leaving behind all her worldly good, she takes a stagecoach to Denver believing it is more suitable for women traveling alone without a chaperone, at least that what she has been told. Now traveling in the company of other women, her stagecoach is attacked by bank robbers. Rather than become a victim of circumstances, Marty pulls the pistol she always keeps handy and aids the drivers in putting a stop to the robbery. When the stage comes to a full stop, Marty learns that neither the driver or shotgun are fit to drive the stage into town. Without help they will surely die, so Marty does what anyone would do, and drives the stage into town. She not only saves the lives of the two men on the stage, but also becomes the talk of the town.

    Fearing this won't lead to a good impression on Jake Wythe as a women of good character, she fears she will be rejected and sent back to Texas. But Jake sees something more in Marty than just a good candidate for a banker's wife. He sees her heart of compassion and softness without any fear of what others may think of her. Fortunately for both of them, theirs will simply be a marriage in name only and he won't have to worry about where his heart may take him instead. But it seems like God has other plans in store not only for Marty and Jake, but for those who are surrounded by their good natures as well.

    I received A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson compliments of Bethany House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions are strictly my own. I love this book because it took me back to a much simpler time in a sense, where Marty is struggling with coming to terms with leaving behind her cattle ranching days for a life of leisure as a banker's wife, being waited on hand and foot wanting for nothing. Jake on the other hand, would gladly give up the life in Denver for his own cattle ranch. He's doing all he can to save up for his own, when rumors of an economic fallout begin to rock the social world in Denver. Will Jake and Marty be able to come to terms with a new future of compromise or will they both be faced with holding back secrets that they know will hurt the other if they should ever come to light? You'll have to see how these two work to make their differences work together and I for one can't wait for the next novel in this series. Warning: a bit of a cliff hanger ending but one I would easily give a 5 out of 5 stars for!
Displaying items 11-15 of 33