Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star) [Paperback]

Tracie Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2012 | Series: Land of the Lone Star (Book 1)

Tracie Peterson Embarks on a New Texas Series

When her father disappears in war-torn Mississippi, Hannah Dandridge finds herself responsible not only for her younger siblings but for the ranch her father recently acquired on the Texas plains. Though a marriage of convenience could ease her predicament, she determines to trust God for direction.

Wounded soldier William Barnett returns to his home only to discover that his family's ranch has been seized. Though angry and bitter 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.

Hannah, desperate for help, and William, desperate to regain his family's land, form an uneasy truce. But nearby Comanche tribes, the arrival of Confederate soldiers, and a persistent suitor all threaten the growing attraction that builds between them. Will they be able to set aside their own dreams and embrace the promise of a future together?

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Though reluctant to leave her Mississippi home, Hannah Dandridge follows her father west to care for her siblings. When her father is awarded a ranch on the Texas plains for his support and work for the Confederacy, she begins to blossom in this new way of life.

But when she receives word that her father has been taken prisoner by the Yankees, her future becomes uncertain. An offer of marriage could solve her problems, but Hannah's heart falters at the thought. Instead she determines to remain on the ranch with her siblings and the hired help.

Then wounded Union soldier William Barnett arrives, claiming the ranch as his own... --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

Hannah is desperate for help...
William is determined to regain his family's land...

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?

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076420615X
• ISBN-13: 978-0764206153
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (153 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #360,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than eighty-five 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.

Visit Tracie's web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#13 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#43 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#56 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#97 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

#13 in Kindle eBooks > Religion & Spirituality

#43 in Books > Religion & Spirituality

#56 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical

#97 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Beginning To A New Series! March 9, 2012

By Lynne Young

Format:Paperback

I have been a Tracie Peterson fan for a long time. I know when I pick up one of her books I won't put it down until it's finished, and this book was no different.

Strong willed Hannah Dandridge is valiantly trying to keep things going on her Texas ranch in her fathers absence while at the same time raising her young brother and sister. Not having heard from her father in a while she becomes concerned and asks his law partner, Herbert Lockhart, to find out if her father is okay. Mr. Lockhart however, has other ideas.

In comes William Barnett, the son of the former owner of the ranch back from the war. Not knowing his families ranch was given to the Dandridges he assumes he is "home". What ensues between Hannah and William and Herbert, not to mention the Indians, makes this a well rounded book full of suspense, intrigue, romance and faith.

I highly recommend this book which is Book 1 of the Land Of The Lone Star series. I cannot wait until Book 2! Ms. Peterson does not disappoint. You will be glad you picked up this book!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian fiction that doesn't make you wince! May 6, 2012

By Wooble85

Format:Paperback

I was drawn to this book because I'm a sucker for any ranch/western themed romance stories (like the ones you see on Hallmark channel). The heroine, Hannah Dandridge, has to care for her younger siblings on the ranch her family recently acquired, but her father is missing. The hero, William Barnett, is returning home from the battlefields of the Civil War, headed to his family's ranch not knowing that it no longer belongs to his family. Hannah and William meet and while they like each other, both feel their own claim to the ranch should stand. This review will completely contradict some other reviews, but there were three major things I liked about this book:

Characters-the heroine was "feisty" (I hate to use that word since that's what EVERY heroine is described as in Christian fiction books) but Hannah has spirit without being a hotheaded brat. There is one scene where she does something foolish but the hero takes her to task for it. William also was a refreshing change from the typical hero that is brooding with walls around his heart, etc. Instead William is strong, moral without being preachy, and realistic.

Conflict/plot- the conflict between the hero and heroine was believable. I find that often the conflict in a romance book or movie is extremely contrived, lasts way too long and could easily be resolved with a 2 minute conversation. The ranch is a very believable point of contention, and the arguments between Hannah and William build tension while making sense (again, a major quibble I have with the Christian fiction books is the characters argue often to show their attraction, but the arguments are usually very forced, about nothing and just an excuse for snappy dialogue).

Relationship- William and Hannah each have reservations about the other, but their relationship builds naturally throughout the book. The reader gets to see how each is feeling and that their feelings build in a realistic way rather than the generic romances where the characters are instantly obsessed based on physical attraction or I hate you *poof* I love you!

Overall, it's a light romance, with a little bit of adventure and not heavy handed with the religious themes. The Christian elements are handled well with the faith demonstrated by Hannah and William not being over the top or the other extreme of the author sprinkling in random God references that are totally out of left field. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

This book was reviewed for Bethany House Publishers. A review copy of this title was supplied free of charge through the Bethany House Book Reviewers Program. This review was my own opinion and not compensated by Bethany House Publishers.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I found a pleasent read in my first Tracie Peterson novel March 5, 2012

By Katie McCurdy

Format:Paperback

Set during the tumultuous years during the War Between the States, Tracie Peterson's newest release, Chasing the Sun, turned out to be a very pleasant read. Hannah Dandridge's life has been anything but easy, and when she is left to care for her siblings and stands to lose the ranch...the very thing she needs is a handsome cowboy to ride in and save the day--even if she won't admit it!

Hannah and William were both likable characters, with their own flaws and problems threaded into the story. Their romance seemed a bit cliché to me--heart flutters at first sight and all--and I never really saw much progression. They just saw met and took an instant liking to each other that they (of course!) refused to admit to for the longest time.

I don't normally find this problem in Christian fiction...but I felt there was too much dragged-out preaching in the book. And that's a lot, coming from me--as I like a strong Christian view-point! But in Chasing the Sun, I just felt as if it was too heavy. Just kind of "dropped" heavily into selected scenes instead of sprinkled and woven throughout.

The storyplot was interesting, if somewhat overused. But, for fear of giving away anything in the book, I'll refrain from saying anything more. The story moved along well enough, but there wasn't a lot of tension throughout. Oh, there were several climatic moments, yes...but none ever held out for long or went very high, in my opinion (this coming from an action-and-suspense lover).

With all that said, Chasing the Sun was a pleasant, one-time read for me. I think fans of Peterson's work will be delighted with her new Land of the Lone Star series. Not sure if I will read the rest in the series--will have to see how the synopsis intrigues me! ;-)

I reviewed this book for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Thanks to the publishers, Bethany House, for sending me my review copy. It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done.