Customer Reviews

New Mexico Sunrise: A Place to Belong/Perfect Love/Tender Journeys/The Willing Heart (Inspirational Romance Collection)

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I bought this book on a whim, already having read 'A Place to Belong' and loved that story! 'Perfect Love' was good, but 'Tender Journeys' dragged out to long, and had me more then a bit bored. Although, 'The Willing Heart' was AWESOME, I could NOT put that book down until I finished that story, it was a shocker, like nothing I'd ever read by any other similiar 'Christian fiction' authors. I loved the plot, the fact that Zandy remained true to her faith, no matter what.

Try this book, you'll love it, but.... read the last story first. ;-) The first 3 are about several friends, but the 4th is totally separate, and very good!

In "A Place to Belong" Garret Lucas is sent by Maggie's father to bring her home, and he is determined to do so. But Maggie is just as determined to stay right where she is. Using every trick in the book she tries to escape Garrett, even going so far as running away from the train. Finally Garret tells Maggie the reason he was sent to bring her home, because she's to be married . . . to him. When they arrive at her father's home, Maggie's animosity toward her father worries Garret and so he leaves so that they can reconcile. Maggie, already in love with Garret, is devastated . . .

In "Perfect Love" Lillie has recently lost her husband and her unborn baby. She decides to go and visit her friend Maggie Lucas and on the way she meets the insulting Dr. Daniel Monroe who keeps on her about her increasing weight. When she arrives at Maggie's she finds that her friend isn't there, but that another house guest has just arrived, Daniel. Maggie and Garret walk in to find Lillie chasing Daniel with a frying pan. It takes a lot for these two to see eye to eye . . . but they are both lost and searching for something to give them comfort.

"Tender Journeys" goes back a few years to tell the story of Jenny. Jenny was left alone and taken in by a self-serving woman who uses Jenny like a slave. When a young pastor, David, takes an interest in Jenny, a romantic interest, the lady panics that she's going to lose her income . . . so she sells jenny to another man. Jenny hopes David will come in time . . .

and in "The Willing Heart" a new man has come to save the town named Riley Dawson. Zandy is attracted to his good looks and him with hers. When he approaches her he makes an offer . . . one she could never accept. He warns her that her family will suffer if she refuses, but she could never do what he asks. Things go from bad to worse when she still won't do what he asks, so he involves the whole town. Then in a public meeting he tells all that it's all of Zandy's fault that these things are happening to them. Everyone presumes that she just won't marry him . . . and they all turn against her. . . she doesn't know how much longer she can keep this up. She starts to wonder where God is . . .

This set of stories are excellent . . . I've read them many times over and I never seem to tire of them. Tracie Peterson has done it again.

I picked up New Mexico Sunrise and took a chance on an author I had not read before. The four seperate novels were page turners and I ended up reading a novel a day. I had to keep reading to see how it would all end. The first three stories are about characters that show up in each, but with a different lead character. The last story is totally unrelated to the other three and doesn't even take place in New Mexico. The characters are appealing, with the exception of Riley in the last story, just keep reading for some surprises in that one. The romances are each unique and pleasing to read.

Four stories in one book and all are good! The first three deal with the same general cast but each features a different family. The last story is detached from the first three and actually sounds like a different author or certainly a different slant.

A Place to Belong features the life of Maggie, a wealthy young woman who refuses to be united with her estranged father. Only a threatened kidnapping changes her mind and subsequently her life. Perfect Love highlights the lives of Lillie and Dr. Daniel Monroe. Both have suffered horrible loss. Both are unbending when it comes to personal wants. The author does a fine job blending their complicated lives. Tender Journeys is Jenny's story. Actually, the reader may be a tad confused at the placement of this story in the book but finally one gets the connection. Jenny was orphaned by Apache Indians and hates them completely until she is forced to live with them. I was completely surprised in this one. Several excellent twists finally are evident even though the storyline moves somewhat slowly in places. The last story, The Willing Heart is the life of Zandy and Riley. He is the one character you can detest. Easily. Corrupt and wealthy from gambling and owning the whole town, he always gets what his money and power can buy. The one thing that is out of his reach is Zandy. Although she and her family suffer horribly for her moral standards, the outcome of the last book is definitely worth the whole thing.

Book 2 is titled New Mexico Sunset which I have already purchased. Way to go Tracie, and thanks for some excellent Christian Fiction reading!

A Place to Belong is the first section in this book of four novels. It is fabulous. The story is about a young girl who has one thing in common with her father, they both lost her mother and brother in childbirth. He left and the girl, Maggie, was raised by her paternal grandmother. Years go by with bitterness left unresolved until the father tries and tries again to win over the love of his missed daughter. Only on his deathbed does he start to get through to her with his dearest friend and basically adopted son, Garrett Lucas; and then Maggie begins to find love both in the eyes of her father, the arms of Garrett Lucas, and in the heart of God.

Perfect Love is the second novel and the continuing story of A Place to Belong. Here Maggie's best friend from childhood Lillie is starting out her life of a perfect marriage, with a perfect husband, a perfect child in her womb, and just all around perfect love. Things begin to happen quickly, first Lille's husband becomes a Christian and she feels that she is losing him to a God that is not worth her money. Then she does lose her husband and her child. Lille thought she had it all and it is only when she is completely humbled and losing all material things, that she can see what she is missing. Here is where Dr. Monroe, a friend of Garrett's comes in... A widower of a wife lost in childbirth and an estranged Christian he understands Lillie's pain. It is by divine providence that they are both brought to the New Mexico ranch and both given second chances on life. Second chances through love, and forgiveness as each has their own struggles and burdens to pass. In this story, a reader is able to experience the necessity of actions that God allows so that his will maybe done. When you think you have something wonderful, it is hard to believe that sometimes God has something even better in mind for you, if you will just listen.

Tender Journeys is both a prequel to both of the first two stories as well as a caught up sequel as of chapter 12. Here you learn the story of Jenny and her past where her family was viciously murdered and she was left to live with a despicable woman of greed. Also, is the story of David and how he came to the ministry and New Mexico. They meet and learn to love each other and then make a life. From one escape and then to heart break three times, to Jenny being kidnapped and David being set up for another heart break that could be his ultimate chance of healing... Both Jenny and David have to deal with the past and things that they thought they were past and had forgiven. How many times can something be taken from you before you break? Can you ever be truly whole? Things are all things that are explored in this tale.

The Willing Heart completely tops all of the other stories in this set. Although, it has nothing to do with New Mexico as it is based in Colorado and Missouri. Here a woman, still a child as well as big sister, is set in a similar situation as the biblical Job. A man comes along appearing to all to be their hope and salvation, while only Alexandra knows the truth. The amazing power of God is fully shown in this story as Zandy can work through the evil skin of this man and find his innocence and help him find God. Tracie Peterson did an amazing job with this story making you really hate the evil and not the person. The empathy is amazing as you just strive to believe what is true, and what just cannot happen. This story was fabulous and so far my complete favorite. It was bold and daring, and quite enjoyable through the end.

I really enjoyed learning about the characters in this book, the first 3 really blend together as you get to know them. The last book was even more exciting and I could hardly put it down, it stayed within my thoughts until I could finish it!! Cant wait to read the Sunset series.