A Matter of Heart (Lone Star Brides #3)
By Tracie Peterson
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: Oct. 7th, 2014
Genres: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western
Pages: 313
Buy at: Amazon, B&N, CBD
Add on: Goodreads
Find the author at: website, Facebook
Texas born and raised Jessica Atherton is a wealthy young woman whose heart was broken when the man she intended to marry wedded another. But her world is upended when two new men come into her life, and both manage to stir her heart.
Harrison Gable is a successful young lawyer with ambitions that match Jessica’s dreams. His warm, attentive manner and thoughtful gifts make her feel special.
Austin Todd, a former Secret Service agent, enjoys working now as a Texas Ranger cattle inspector. But after learning of forged gold certificates and missing printing plates, he’s drawn back into the world of intrigue and agrees to help solve the case. Jessica is drawn to his kind nature and the unspoken pain she sees in his eyes.
If Jessica follows her heart, where will it lead?
Rating: ★★★ (3 out of 5 stars)
My Review:
Jessica Atherton thought she knew what her life would be, and what man she would marry, but after things don’t go as planned she struggles to find her purpose in life. She’s always been considered one of the prettier girls in her Texas town, but at twenty-one (practically an old maid to her neighbors), she still hasn’t found the one and worries she never will. Everything changes when two men manage to make her feel again. Harrison Gable- a handsome, ambitious lawyer who is attentive and generous. And Austin Todd- a former Secret Service agent with a tragic past and guarded heart. When Austin, now a Texas Ranger, gets swept up in a case concerning the Barnetts and counterfeit money, danger soon follows. Who will Jessica choose?
I haven’t read the first in this series but I have read the second, A Moment in Time. This book had all of the same characters, and even continued a storyline (the missing printing plates and counterfeit gold certificates) from the previous book. While I did enjoy A Matter of Heart, I feel I would of enjoyed in more if I had remembered A Moment in Time a little better. My suggestion to other readers- read these books consecutively.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of this book was Jessica’s character growth. She goes from being a worldly, somewhat selfish girl into a beautiful young woman, inside and out. I enjoyed seeing her become in tune with herself, and grow closer to God. That in turn made it all the lovelier to watch romance bloom between her and a certain someone (no spoilers here!).
I had some issues with the quick pace and some skipped-over parts, but other than these minor quibbles I really have nothing to complain about. Tracie Peterson has always been a favorite author of mine, and I’ve never not enjoyed any of her stories. Overall, A Matter of Heart was a sweet western romance that entertained me throughout.
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