Customer Reviews

From a Distance (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 1)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the first book I've read by Tamera Alexander, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Compelling characters must deal with the aftermath of the Civil War as well as their own personal secrets. The majestic mountains and setting of Colorado Territory come alive through Alexander's vivid descriptions.

The developing relationship between Elizabeth and Daniel crackles with energy as they each face their fears and shortcomings to drop their facades and be the people God intended them to be. The secondary characters are well developed, particularly Josiah, a former slave whose story is just as engrossing as that of the main characters.

From A Distance is a wonderful beginning to the Timber Ridge Reflections series. I look forward to the next book, and many more from this talented author!

I couldn't wait to pick up FROM A DISTANCE and fall in love with another book by Tamera Alexander. That is why I was so surprised when I found the beginning dragging. I felt the story got off to a slow start. All the key ingredients were there but somehow it didn't grab me. I was determined to hang on because of my love of Alexander's previous series . . . and I'm glad I did. Though it took about seventy pages before I felt the momentum building, the rest of the book was a pure delight.
As we follow Elizabeth Westbrook in her quest to become the first female photojournalist of the Washington Chronicle, we meet Daniel Ranslett and Josiah Birch. Daniel, a hunter, is a private man who keeps to himself. His withdrawal from city life is obviously fueled by a regrettable past that we only get glimpses of as he struggles with painful memories. Josiah, a former slave, wrestles with his own demons and losses. And even though he is now a free man, thanks to the Civil War, he is still disregarded and looked down upon by many people.
When Elizabeth finds out that Daniel is exactly the person she needs to help her in her quest for breathtaking pictures of the great Colorado territory, she does all she can to convince him to help her in her journey. Daniel, feeling only slightly responsible for ruining one of the pictures Elizabeth had taken on her quest, begrudgingly agrees to take her hunting so she can photograph the wildlife.
And of course, that is where it all begins. Sparks ignite between Daniel and Elizabeth. And even though they both are slow on the uptake, it's not long before they both realize there is more between them then the Colorado Wilderness.
I really enjoyed FROM A DISTANCE, once the pace picked up. I thought the characters were fascinating and multi-dimensional. Josiah, was a wonder third character, and Elizabeth and Daniel made for a great heroine and hero. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.

After reading and enjoying Tamera Alexander's Fountain Creek Chronicles, she became one of my few `must-buy' Christian authors. I was very excited to see she had started a new series. But Timber Ridge Reflections, at least this first installment, is not as good as I had hoped it would be. I just couldn't get to like the heroine and the plot was very predictable. I'm hoping that the series isn't doomed from this less than promising start... Hopefully there is a better hero/heroine. Elizabeth Westbrook is just not a very likeable heroine. You're supposed to identify with the main character; you're supposed to be able to imagine and feel all that they go through. And while I can imagine what she goes through, I can't relate to how she acts or how she responds to certain things. I couldn't empathize with Elizabeth, she aggravated me too much. She is very selfish, uppity, and at times, pretty rude. I guess that she can be described as a stereotypical Yankee upper middle class woman. You don't really blame Daniel Ranslett for his comments; I cheered him on. (Daniel is a sweet hero. He has been through a lot and lives in seclusion from the townspeople. He likes it that way. So when Elizabeth needs a knowledgeable guide of the area, he is none too happy to be found the most suitable candidate.) He and Josiah, Elizabeth's assistant, were the only two characters that I really enjoyed. They were well able to deal with and react to her brashness and outspokenness. I felt like Elizabeth needed a good talking to so that she could understand how she was coming off. She seems innocent of her behavior, probably because that's how most other people she had previously dealt with acted. Out in the wild and unsettled Western world, though, she is not the norm. Most people are kind and welcoming, but look at her sideways in confusion and almost contempt (because at times she acts better than these common folk).

Overall a good enough story that I was able to keep reading, but not as good as I had expected. It was interesting to learn about turn of the century photography and what went into getting a photograph in those days; it's so complicated compared to the click of a button nowadays. So it's pretty amazing to see how far that technology has come. I'm hoping the second installment is better and that this was just a fluke. I am a fairly picky reader; maybe others won't find Elizabeth as annoying as I did. Maybe they'll enjoy the story more because her personality won't bother them. In that case, things are looking good for those readers because they'll be in for a good read. I'm hoping that Ms. Alexander finds a more likeable heroine next time around.

3 ½ stars- I don't see myself re-reading this one.

If there were more than five stars, I would give it dozens. This book was fantastic!! Hard to put down. Well written, all loose ends tied up. Looking forward to the next in the series I just ordered. Clean language. Suspense, mystery, romance, heart to heart story.

There's conflict as soon as Tamera Alexander's strong willed, fashionable, aspiring photojournalist, Elizabeth Westbrook, bursts onto the 1870's Colorado Territory from Washington DC, and her upbringing as a decorated Union commander's daughter. Elizabeth hires a freed slave, Josiah, who becomes a trusted friend with a story to tell. Elizabeth's battling a mysterious disease, and turning more than a few heads while annoying others, especially former Confederate sharpshooter Daniel Ranslett, the man she plans to use to establish her career. The plot is believable and characters endearingly drawn. There's a mystery to solve when one of her photographs becomes evidence in a murder, plenty of girl meets and loses guy romantic twists, adventure when her life is endangered, and enough interpersonal conflict to make the pages turn. The setting is breath-taking, almost like a secondary character. This award winning author has done it again. From a Distance is recommended for all.

In 1875 photographer Elizabeth Westbrook arrives in Timber Ridge, Colorado Territory to take pictures of the legendary beauties, Maroon Bells. She also plans to photograph the nearby recently discovered cliff dwellings. Elizabeth has another reason to come to the Rockies; she prays that the clean mountain air and the hot springs will help cure her from a mysterious illness.

Daniel Ranslett is also in town still trying to move past the Civil War and the guilt he feels as a Confederacy sniper although a decade has passed and he rationalizes he was doing his job However, Elizabeth's life is threatened when a picture she took becomes key evidence in a murder case. Daniel vows to keep her safe even as they argue constantly; he also knows what is ailing her and how to fix her health issue while they fall in love.

Readers will believe that Tamara Alexander employs a time machine as the audience will feel they have been transported to 1875 Colorado Territory. Provide yourself plenty of time for a one sitter as interruptions will feel annoying. The lead couple is a wonderful pairing as both have issues to deal with to include falling in love and keeping her safe though their interests differ.

Harriet Klausner

Although I rated this book with only 3 stars, I really don't think it had anything to do with Tamera Alexander's writing or the story itself. I enjoyed the main plot and the way the other details of the sub plots were woven into the story. I especially enjoyed Josiah's character. I think I just had a hard time connecting with the heroine which I've found lately either makes or breaks a book for me. Elizabeth was a likeable personality but I didn't feel that she put God first in her life. She claimed to want to follow God but then lied to everyone to manipulate her life into what she wanted rather than what God wanted for her. She would then justify her actions and question why God wasn't blessing her efforts to become the photographer she felt He wanted her to be. I know we all deal with putting God first in our lives on a daily basis but I never really saw her repent and ask for forgiveness from those she lied to and manipulated. I think that may have made me feel like she had changed for the better and learned from her mistakes by the end of the book.

Sadly, I had to make myself push to the end of this one but it won't stop me from reading Tamera Alexander's other books. I would highly recommend her Fountain Creek Chronicles series.

After reading the Fountain Creek Chronicles by Tamara Alexander I wanted to read everything I could put my hands on that she wrote as I was thrilled with that series. I have to admit, I wasn't as thrilled with this first book in this series, however, it certainly wasn't a terrible book either just would not rate a 5 star in my ratings but it was okay ... I have to admit I think I struggled with all the lies that Elizabeth told. She was a lady photographer back in the 1870's that chose to go West to try and make her name and become a big time photographer for a East Coast publication! Her lies, of course, built and built, as they have a way of doing and it all fell in on her ... Now, Daniel was someone that I admired and really felt more attached with than Elizabeth throughout the book and I feel that was because of her deception. But, again that was my take on this. Now, I DO feel this serie is worth reading ... I have since read the 2nd book of this series, which I enjoyed reading even more and I look forward to the 3rd that is to be published in the fall of 2009! Tamara Alexander is definitely one of my favorite Christian authors (which are the only authors I truly enjoy these day) and one that I look forward to reading for many, many more years to come! I do believe this is a book that many will enjoy and one does have to understand the struggles of those many years ago that women had to go through and appreciate all they did to get us to this point.

I have never read a Tamera Alexander book that wasn't good. She doesn't disappoint with her new series. The characters are likeable and believable. I disagree with one reviewer who didn't think Elizabeth was believable. She was absolutely genuine and very likeable. Josiah was a wonderful character also and the ending was superb. I look forward to the next installment in this series.

Book was in good shape arrived promptly and all lived up to my expectations. It was a good find for me.