Recently widowed Susanna Jenkins has decided to follow her family to the booming town of San Marcial, New Mexico, for a fresh start and to aid in her family's sudden change in fortune. They are tasked with managing her uncle's new Grand Hotel, and it takes all her patience to try to help her parents see the good of their circumstances and relinquish their sense of entitlement.
She's hopeful when her brother becomes determined to get a job and make his own way, and she feels drawn to his kind boss, Owen Turner, who works as a boilermaker for the Santa Fe's train shops in town. But the hard work only seems to fuel her brother's anger, and his rough new friends give her pause.
When misguided choices put Susanna's family in an even more precarious situation, she worries her help has only made things worse. Leaving her family to fend for themselves seems like the best option, but how can she walk away from the true friendships--and love--that she's found?
My Reflections:
Tracy Peterson remains one of my favorite authors, and for good reason. Her newest book took me away to another time and place. I could not put this book down, the characters jumped off the pages and I became one with their world for a short time. Set in 1899 in New Mexico this story begins with Susanna's plight of trying to contend with not only becoming newly widowed but also trying to help her family where she can. I had a hard time with her father, brother, and mother's attitudes, whew I wanted to jump into the pages and set some boundaries!
Susanna is a hardworking kind-hearted character. She is truly invested in her family and the world around her. It is hard to believe she was raised by her parents as they are polar opposite! Many times I found myself wanting to have a good heart to heart with this character, coming from a co-dependent family I could have told her a thing or two!
Owen was one of my favorites as well. He tries to live a life pleasing to God and live by his values. Susanna and Owen are a wonderful match as they both want the same things in life. But Owen must face his own skeletons before he can truly help Susanna and her family.
This is a fantastic read. I enjoyed how the details about the job, setting, and people brought the details to life and breathed a cohesive story into the making.
If you are looking for your next Traci Peterson fix here you have it, my friends. A whole new series to binge read on! Now we just have to wait for her next installment..
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Tracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the award-winning author of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit...
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Your review has inspired me to look for this title!
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