"When You Are Near," by Tracie Peterson

"When You Are Near," by Tracie Peterson

After her father's death, Lizzy Brookstone, a trick rider in the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, wants nothing more than to quit her role as the star of the show and live a quiet life on her family's ranch. But returning home would bring Wesley DeShazer, the ranch's foreman and the man who broke her heart, back into her life. In addition, the troupe's new manager fears that Lizzy's departure could doom the already cash-strapped show.

Hope grows in Lizzy during a stopover at Fleming Farm. Ella Fleming not only has a natural talent for trick riding and could easily replace Lizzy, but she's eager to join the show to flee a forced betrothal. However, while there, one of the show's wranglers is killed in a manner Lizzy finds suspicious. And during her escape from the farm, Ella stumbles across a secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.

This book moved along at a great pace and it kept you interested in what was going on.  The descriptions and details of the trick riding were interesting, as it's something I know nothing about.  As this book is the first in the Brookstone Brides Series what I thought would happen and what actually happened were two different things.  However the ending does pave the way for the next book in the series so that's good.

Tracie's books are always good and not overly taxing on the brain I find.  I would like to read the other two books in the series; they come out later in the year.

Stars out of 5 : 4 A good book to read over a couple of afternoons.  You'll enjoy the characters and the overall message in the book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".