Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson

Carissa Lowe's first marriage ended with a disaster that would have taken her life if not for the heroic actions of Tyler Atherton. Little more than two years later, Carissa finds herself living near attractive, vengeful Tyler. As Tyler struggles with his father's murder, Carissa is bound by fear and mistrust. Although drawn to each other, their inability to move forward with their lives holds them apart. It will take a cattle drive, the danger of the Texas frontier, and a miracle to hold them together. Read more in Taming the Wind.

Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson is the third book in the Land of the Lone Star Series. Somehow, I read the first book, Chasing the Sun, but missed the second book, Touching the Sky. Taming the Wind worked reasonable well as a stand alone novel since some background information was given. However, even with that information, I felt a disconnect from the main characters. Perhaps it would have been different if I had previously read the second book.

To me, Tyler Atherton was the shining character of the book. When the romance element of the story seemed to stagnate, Tyler's personal struggles and the resulting development kept the story moving. In addition to the romance and character development, there was an element of suspense. Unfortunately, during the height of the suspense, I put the book down and didn't read it for several days. The plot just never hooked me and when I should have been glued to the story, there was no pressure drawing me back to the book. I do love the gorgeous cover of this book, but for the aforementioned reasons, I recommend renting it from the library before buying.

Click here to read an excerpt from Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

When Hannah Dandridge's father came to a Texas, the Union gave him a ranch as a reward for services rendered. After his disappearance, Hannah is left to care for her younger siblings and maintain the ranch in his absence. Herbert Lockhart, Hannah's father's business partner, sympathetically offers Hannah his protection and even marriage, vowing his love for her. Meanwhile, William Barnett, original owner of the land, returns to his ranch to find it has been seized by the government and given to Hannah's family. Angered, yet drawn to Hannah's beauty and spirit, William forms a uneasy friendship with Hannah. Amid Civil War prejudices and Comanche raids, Hannah and William find themselves thrust together by outside situations, but it is the secrets of the past and questions of the future that will truly test them both.

Chasing the Sun is the first installment in the Land of the Lone Star Series by Tracie Peterson. I personally wish there had been more spark between Hannah and William. This is not to say that there wasn't conflict, tension and attraction. However, I felt their budding relationship was a little lackluster until the last two chapters of the book. The plot itself was unique and Hannah's character was well-developed. I think Peterson's writing style is just not as engaging as some other Christian author's I've read recently and therefore, I didn't enjoy the story as much as I expected. I'm aware that some people will probably love this book, but I am going to recommend renting from the library before purchasing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."