When You Are Near

Tracie Peterson

Mar 2019 · Brookstone Brides Book 1 · Baker Books

About this ebook

After her father's death, Lizzy Brookstone, the star trick rider of the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, loses interest in performing. What she longs for is a life with the Brookstone ranch foreman, Wesley DeShazer, the man who once broke her heart. Meanwhile, Jason Adler, son of the show's new financial partner, comes to help with the show, and Lizzy soon finds him vying for her affection.

Ella Fleming is fleeing a forced engagement when she stows away on the Brookstone train. Lizzy finds her and gives her a job in the costume department, but Ella has a dangerous secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.

When Mary Reichert, a former sharpshooter for the show, learns that her brother, August, has been killed at the Fleming farm, she refuses to believe it was an accident. She returns to the show to find the truth, but is she seeking justice or vengeance?

As the three women work together to discover how August died, Lizzy strives to hold the show together. Can she keep the Brookstone Extravaganza alive without losing the desire of her heart?

Ratings and reviews

When You Are Near is the first book in the new Brookstone Brides series. I thought it was well-written story with strong female characters. The pacing is just right for this story (not too fast nor too slow). Lizzy Brookstone is a clever and determined woman who can do tricks on horses (wow). Her father’s death has hit her hard and her heart is no longer in the show. Plus, she is now twenty-eight and the tricks are beginning to take their toll on her body. Unfortunately, Lizzy is the shows main attraction. The show would not last without her unless she can find someone else to fill her saddle. After seeing how her father’s death affected her mother, Lizzy is afraid to let her love someone that completely. The author included historical details that enhance the story. The Christian elements are woven into the story beautifully and I appreciated the Bible verses included. One of my favorite phrases was “God guides us through our sorrows”. I completely understood what Lizzy was going through since I lost my father three years ago. What Lizzy needs to realize is that God is always there for us. I enjoyed the adventure and action in this story. There are characters for readers to love and root for as well as those we will love to dislike. Tracie Peterson crafted wonderful characters for this series. I like that there is a mixture of people from an English gentleman to a horse wrangler. It was interesting to learn what went into to running a wild west show. When You Are Near has love, loss, faith, friendship, family, justice and God. I am eager to read the next Brookstone Brides novel.

This is the first book in the Brookstone Brides series, what a great place to start. I enjoyed getting to know the Brookstone family, no matter if they were born into the family or joined it in unique ways. I enjoyed many of the characters in this novel and look forward to learning more about them as the series continues. Lizzy Brookstone has much to overcome, love and trust do not always come easy. She has a heart of gold and a stubborn streak. Will Lizzy be able to open up her heart again and risk the pain of loss? Ella is seeking refuge. When Lizzy, Mary and the entire Brookstone family surround her with love and protection will it be enough?

This is a fabulously well-written Christian historical novel with marvelous men and women of faith, suspense, and romance. It is the first novel I have read about wild west trick riders and their unique horses and found it fascinating and hard-to-put-down. The author shares a wonderful story in which we see how Christians react in situations that are beyond their ability to go through in their own strength. In 1900, the Brookstone family travels the country in their rail cars to present the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, the only all-female show of its kind. Mark and Oliver Brookstone, brothers, Rebecca, Mark’s wife, and Lizzy, their daughter are the heart of the show. Mark passed away of a heart attack on the tour; he made them promise to finish the year’s schedule. This will be Rebecca’s final tour. Lizzy, an accomplished trick rider, is the long-time main attraction. Other ladies in the show include a sharpshooter and Roman riders. Lizzy loves this life on the rails, has performed for three presidents, and seen countless historical sites. She will stop traveling after this tour, also, partly because she’s lost heart for it after losing her dad. Oliver and Mark sold a part of their show to Henry Adler, who had given them financial means to start the show after saving his life. His son Jason joins them on the tour to help Oliver manage the finances and learn the business. He is attracted to Lizzy, but her heart belongs to another. Wes, the foreman at the Brookstone ranch, started working there when she was young. She followed him everywhere; he saw her almost like a little sister. Her feelings ran far deeper for him. When he married a girl about her age, her heart was broken. His wife passed away a couple years ago and he has avoided her since. Between that and watching her mother grieve for her father, Lizzy hardens her heart to ever marrying. The tour stops in Kentucky to pick up twin mares her father purchased from the Fleming horse farm. Lizzy and his daughter, Ella, are close friends. Ella talks with her about running away to avoid marrying the man her father has arranged for her. Jefferson has several mistresses, is twice her age, and is ruthless and cruel. She planned to meet up with them before their train left, escorted by August, the Brookstone’s wrangler. August had an accident at Fleming’s, however, and was trampled to death by a horse. Ella arrives alone and hopes her father and fiancé can’t track her down. Oliver, Jason, Lizzy and Ella pay their respects to August’s family. His sister, Mary, was the best sharpshooter they ever had and she is going to re-join the show. Mary knows how well August knew horses and is convinced his death is no accident. Being back on the show will help her ask questions and find the truth. Each character is defined with care. With few exceptions, these are folks I would want to have as friends. It is one of the best Christian novels I have read this year, based on how the characters are transparent to each other in terms of their faith or struggles. The plot twists, mystery, fear of Ella’s father and fiancé finding them, and how each of the primary characters interact with each other is amazing; I can’t say enough good about it! I highly recommend this novel to women of all ages who appreciate Christian historical fiction, westerns, and are fans of this author. From a grateful heart: I received an e-ARC of this from the publisher and CelebrateLit; a positive review was not required.

About the author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 100 novels. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Learn more at www.traciepeterson.com.