From a Distance (Timber Ridge Reflections, Book 1) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Miss Westbrook, Timber Ridge, Miz Westbrook (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the interesting topic and suspense element will keep readers engrossed to the very satisfying end." -- Vickie McDonough, TitleTrakk.com

"The characters ... are well written and incredibly believable.... the intrigue will keep the reader turning the pages." -- Penny Goodwin, LoveRomancesandMore.com

"I found From A Distance a rewarding read. Fans of romantic Americana won't want to miss it." -- Violet Nesdoly, BlogCritics.org

"Ms. Alexander has woven a message of faith that of following God's path for our life over following our path." -- Wendy Keel, TheRomanceReadersConnection.com

"The author has done a superb job making this book believable, enjoyable and memorable..." -- Dee Dailey, TheRomanceStudio.com

"This first installment in Alexander's new historical series is fast paced and emotionally charged, with beautiful descriptions of the landscape." -- Romantic Times

Product Description

What happens when the realization of a dream isn't what you imagined... and the secret you've spent a lifetime guarding is finally laid bare?

Determined to become one of the country's premier newspaper photographers, Elizabeth Westbrook travels to the Colorado Territory to capture the grandeur of the mountains surrounding the remote town of Timber Ridge. She hopes, too, that the cool, dry air of Colorado, and its renowned hot springs, will cure the mysterious illness that threatens her career, and her life. Daniel Ranslett is a man shackled by his Confederate past, and he'll do anything to protect his land, and his solitude. When an outspoken Yankee photographer captures an image that appears key to solving a murder, putting herself in danger, Daniel is called upon to repay a debt. He's a man of his word, but repaying that debt could reveal secrets from his past he would prefer remain buried.

Forced on a perilous journey together, Daniel and Elizabeth's lives intertwine in ways neither could have imagined when first they met from a distance.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764203894
• ISBN-13: 978-0764203893
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,520 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Start to New Series!, June 5, 2008

By	Jennifer AlLee (Nevada USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3 1/2 stars, June 2, 2008

By	C. Widman (CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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 empathize 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 empathesize 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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Slow Start with a Great Ending!, July 4, 2008

By	Tamara Tilley (Hume Lake, CA) - See all my reviews

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.