I love a book that introduces a new thing to me. In When You Are Near we get to see the inside of a wild west show. In fact this show is even more unique because all of the performers are women. The main character is Lizzy Brookstone and she is a trick rider.

I enjoyed the suspenseful aspect that was included in this book. The tension seemed to speed the story along.

This is the first book in a new series. And it has somewhat of a cliffhanger ending. If that drives you crazy you may want to wait until the whole series is out. I'm too impatient for that so I will just anticipate the release of book two.

I love the setting of this story! Filled with mystery and suspense, I enjoyed getting to know the characters and getting a taste of their world.

My thoughts: 5/5 stars

The book got off to a definite Tracie Peterson start!

A woman spurned by the man she's always loved.

The man dealing with ghosts from his past.

A girl running away from a dangerous marriage.

A woman seeking answers.

The one thing they all have in common?

They all must learn to put their trust and lean on the only One who can give them the answers they've been searching for.

I have to say, I was a little disappointed concerning the trick riding stuff. I wasn't as captivated by the details Peterson usually writes.

I was expecting to be able to see the trick riding in my head, but the writing didn't really allow for that. It was odd because this author is a favorite of mine and I can always expect good detail. Not saying there wasn't good detail through out the rest of the book, just when the girls were trick riding. 😉

This story was amazing. When it ended I was sad. But things did turn out exactly the way I wanted, and then some!

It was a quick read for me, at least it would have been if I'd not had to take a few days off of reading. (Busy life.)

I hadn't realized how many pages slipped by until I was almost done. I was so immersed in the story, I never wanted to put it down!

Peterson's stories always leave me happy and filled with a new love for Christ.

Tracie Peterson has a way with stories. I'm always blessed by her words.

I cannot wait to read the next two in the series!!

Definitely, DEFINITELY pick this book up!! It was absolutely amazing and I hate to say goodbye to these lovely characters.

This new series by the talented author is a blend of adventure, intrigue and wonderful characters. I loved reading about trick riding. The description is well written and was easy to picture Lizzy as she did death defying tricks that made the audience gasp. I remember watching a few shows when I was younger where there were trick riders in the show. They were a crowd pleasure and was exciting to watch. The author is very knowledgeable in horses and I loved reading about the different types.

Lizzy is a wonderful character and amazing trick rider. She has total trust in her horse and the crowds flock to see her. It was funny to read how many proposals she received from total strangers at the shows. She has been riding for a long time and thinks maybe it is time to retire from the Wild West Extravaganza. The death of her father has changed her outlook on life and she doesn't seem to be into the show as much anymore. Her mother didn't seem to surprised by Lizzy's decision and I think maybe she was a little happy to know her daughter wouldn't be doing the show anymore. Lizzie's father was the heartbeat of the family and his death has taken a toil on members of the family. It was interesting to meet Wes and how vital he is to the story. I loved reading about the relationship between him and Lizzy. They have a past together that only God will be able to heal.

Ella is introduced into the story and is anxious to run away from her life. I wanted to help her after I read about her father. He raises champion horses that are perfect for trick riding. There is something about him that I didn't like. He is determined to marry his daughter off to a man who Ella has no feelings for. The author gives us a bit of mystery that heightens the story and made me want to not put the book down.

The story is a wonderful look at ranch life and the time period that brings the Old West to life. I enjoyed getting to know the Brookstone family and how they made a living. There is a faith element in the story that shows us how important family, trust and forgiveness is. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

WHEN YOU ARE NEAR

BY TRACIE PETERSON



BETHANY HOUSE

BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS

CHRISTIAN

PUB DATE 05 MAR 2019





I am going through When You Are Near through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:





Lizzy Brookstone, The Star trick rider of an All female Wild West Extravaganza called Brookstone finds she has lost her interest in performing after her Father died. She does want to build a life with the Brookstone ranch Foreman Wesley Deshaver, despite the fact he already broke her heart once. In the meantime Jason Alder, son of the show’s new financial partner, comes to help with the show and soon he is vying for Lizzy’s affections.



Ella Fleming fled a forced engagement when she stows away on the Brookstone train. Lizzy finds her and helps her out by giving her a job in the costume department, unfortunately Ella has a dangerous secret that could affect all of them , as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.



Mary Reichert, a former sharpshooter for the show, learns that her brother, August, has been killed at the Fleming farm, she does not believe it was an accident. She comes back to the show to find answers, but is she really looking for the truth or is she looking for revenge?



Lizzy, Ella and Mary work together to discover how August really died, Lizzy works hard to hold the show together but can she keep the Brookstone Extravaganza alive without losing the desire of her heart?





I enjoyed this journey back to the beginning of the twenty century, the book captivate me throughout so I give it five out of five stars!





Happy Reading!

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 Brookstones’ 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.



My Thoughts: This was such an entertaining and exciting read! The lead character "Lizzy" is a strong-willed, talented young woman. She knows what she wants and she does it. She and her two horses Longfellow and Thoreau make a fantastic team for trick riding in the Brookstone family Wild West show. The passing of Lizzy's father brings changes not only to the show but in her and her mother's lives.


This is a novel full of action, emotions, murder, romance, mystery, and some great wild west rodeo is thrown in. The author has given the reader a wonderful picture of what traveling and performing in the 1900's wild west performance would be like. In this novel, we learn how to trust in God, even when it seems like life is falling apart around us; that God is always there waiting for u,s. I truly enjoyed this novel, and I am sure readers who are interested in historical fiction, those who love horses and romance will surely enjoy this novel as well.

Her in-depth research shows in her writing. The characters are well developed and easy to like. She gives us a good look at life is like at the turn of the century 1900's out west.


This is the first book in the Brookstone Brides series, and I look forward to reading the next books.

I am so looking forward to finding out what happens to everyone of the people who are part of the Wild West show. I really loved Lizzie and how she helps people and can do such wonderful tricks on a horse. This is a wonderful western historical fiction romance. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

WHEN YOU ARE NEAR BY TRACIE PETERSON

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? … from the Publisher
This title like all of Tracie Peterson’s book features strong women. The story interweaves the three main characters and the emerging of women strength in the early 1900s. Intreague, sisterhood and the grief all are all interwoven in this fast-paced story. Readers of historical fiction will enjoy learning about the wild west shows of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Those women, who loved horses as little girls, will embrace the world of trick riding and the strength and daringness that it takes to compete in this sport will enjoy this story. Fans of Tracie Peterson will embrace this new series and find familiarity in the strong women of When You Draw Near.
Ms. Peterson in her books always introduces her reader to the time period in such a way that the reader quickly feels apart of the world and era. Her strong characters and interaction between characters always leave the reader feeling sad to come to the end of the book and wanting to know more about their lives. When You Draw Near is no exception. The positive from this title is that it is the beginning of a new series and fans will have several more titles to learn and explore more with Ella, Lizzy, and Mary.
This book is highly recommended to fans of Tracie Peterson, historical fiction or reads with strong female characters. Fans will be awaiting the next installment of this series with anticipation.
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher, Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

It is 1900 and the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza is a very successful wild west show that is made up entirely of young women performers. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Brookstone is the star performer but she is about ready to hang it up at the end of the current tour and return with her mother to the family ranch. Lizzie is 28, she is still grieving the death of her father and she has decided that she will never allow herself to love someone so completely that she would be destroyed if they should die and leave her alone. As Lizzie struggles with these doubts and with the feelings that she has long felt for the ranch foreman, she also finds herself offering protection to Ella Fleming, a young woman who has fled from the unscrupulous man that her father has chosen for her to marry.
This famous wild west show is the focus of When You Are Near and if features horses, trick riders and even a female sharp-shooter. There is also a mystery concerning the death of a wrangler on the Fleming farm and the possibility that Ella's fiancee has committed several murders.
This is a warm, family oriented story and I truly enjoyed the special relationship between Lizzie and her mother and the strong faith element that Rebecca Brookstone possesses. She often mentions that physical death is not truly the end and she also encourages Lizzie to not be afraid to love. In one conversation, she admonishes Lizzie "Don't avoid loving Wes because you fear what might happen should you lose him. Don't harden your heart against loving Wes."
I found myself hoping that Lizzie could overcome her fear of love and loss and find true happiness with the young man that she has always wanted. When You Are Near is the first book in The Brookstone Brides series and I look forward to learning more about these special young women who are part of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebration Lit Tours and I have chosen to leave this review.

This book definitely took a few chapters to pull me in, but once I started getting invested in the characters, I found myself wanting to read more and more. I definitely grew to appreciate the complexity of the characters. The plot has twists and turns that are not altogether predictable. The history about trick riding and wild west shows was interesting and made me really want to go to a show! Readers will find themselves connecting with the main characters over loss and hardship and rejoicing when there are moments of joy. I think this authors creates such delicious villains that you learn to love to hate! The story is interesting and definitely worth a read. Overall, I did really like this book and do recommend it to readers of historical fiction.

Be prepared to delve into the lives of a family of trick-riders in 1900 running an all female show, Brookstone Wild West Extravagansa.

This new series about the three Brookstone sisters is well-written. I love the characters, and getting to see Lizzy and her sisters interact with each other in an authentic way.

Strong women, horses, and a good-looking and charming cowboy, what’s not to love about this clean, Christian romance. Fast-paced and filled with trails and struggles families overcome and faith and friendships.

Tracie Peterson’s books never disappoint. There’s not a book of hers that I have read that I have not enjoyed. This is a great start to this series and I can’t wait until the others come out.

I am an avid Tracie Peterson fan. I’ve made it my goal to read and own every book she’s written and will write. I love her books and When You Are Near did not disappoint. My only beef with this book is that it wasn’t longer!
When You Are Near is like Annie Oakley, “Oklahoma,” and Nancy Drew all rolled into one! This book had the romance, adventure, and spiritual depth I’ve come to expect from a Tracie Peterson book. I love to read of the characters' struggles as the try to live the Christian life and follow God’s principles. And on top of everything else, this book added a new layer with a murder and trick riding to boot!
The Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza is a fun element to the story, and I learned so much about trick riding. As a kid, I was crazy into horses, so I loved all the equestrian talk. I’m so glad that the characters’ parts in the show weren’t just a side note but were forefront in the story. Mrs. Peterson’s descriptions of each trick were well written, and I could easily picture what the rider was doing.
It had several moments that made me laugh because, "It is, after all, 1900." It was funny to think of it being "modern times" in a historical novel.
I enjoyed the fact that while each book is stand-alone and wraps up the main character’s personal arc, several of the subplots will continue into books 2 and 3. I can’t wait to read them!
My favorite quote from the book:
"It's not good to be alone--at least not for long. God knows exactly the right person to send along on our journey. Whether it's parents when we are young or friends... or a mate. But it's God Himself who is our mainstay, our comfort, our hope. People do what they can, but they will leave or die... just as I will one day. It doesn't mean we can't cherish them while they're here, but we mustn't depend on them for our hope. That comes from God alone."

When You Are Near starts off a rather interesting new series by author Tracie Peterson. Taking place during 1900, before our modern day entertainment, people would go and see Wild West shows and this story deals with one that is made up of all female performers. We are introduced to Lizzy Brookstone the main star of the show and also the daughter of the late owner. Dealing with her father’s death, Lizzy is thinking about retiring and going back home to their Montana ranch with her mother. However the show is not doing as well as she thought and her Uncle has brought an investor, Jason with new ideas. Jason also has some ideas about courting Lizzy.
After the death of her father and her broken heart by her long time love of Wes, her ranch foreman, Lizzy has decided to close her life off of any ideas of marriage or romantic love. Will anybody be able to change her mind and will Lizzy soften her heart again?
We get to meet the other two ladies that will also be featuring prominently in the rest of the series. The story took some interesting turns as the train that the show traveled on also picked up these two ladies who have secrets and goals all their own.
This story certainly takes these ladies on quite a wild ride with their lives, not to even mention the show. All three have important decisions to make and I liked watching the growth of these characters. I look forward to more in this series as each of them take life by the reins and work on getting their happily ever after.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

With her new Brookstone Brides series, Tracie Peterson creates a homey, faith-filled, adventurous ambiance in which romance and excitement coalesce. As a horse lover, I was immediately drawn into the story and thoroughly enjoyed reading about trick riding and the care of the horses, including some details about purchasing them from breeders. The Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza embodies the spirit of the Wild West era while uniquely being comprised of all female performers. The respect and equality that the women receive demonstrates how progressive this setting is, a rarity that adds depth and dimension to this tale. While the plight of a young woman fleeing a desperate situation indicates circumstances more typical of 1900, the actions of the main characters prove the prevailing love of Christ.

Universal themes clearly link “When You Are Near” to contemporary life. The 28-year-old protagonist, Lizzy, is the star of the show, yet the recent loss of her father and that of others she loved in years past has hardened her heart and caused her to build walls to keep her pain at bay: “The need for people to care about her argued with the part of her determined never again to feel the pain that came with loss.” It is a common struggle because as humans we crave that intimate connection and yet also fear losing it, and unless we surrender our hearts to the Lord we will always have an emptiness within us, as Peterson illustrates. Furthermore, the loyalty that such relationships, be they romances or friendships, foster prove to be indispensable during the inevitable trials of life. In this story, the characters must each reconcile with their past in order to become who they are meant to be and to carry out the work to which they are called. The obstacles that they encounter along the way ultimately serve to strengthen them and to make them realize that the Lord truly does work all things for the good for those who love Him. This is a promising start to a new series, and I only hope that after a somewhat abrupt ending, more details will be revealed in book two.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Horses, an all-female wild west show, and God’s redeeming grace…what’s not to love!! As soon as I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I’ll have to read every book in this series since When You Are Near was so wonderful. Plus, I’ll admit, I’ve been obsessed with horses for as long as I can remember. Win-win.

Tracie Peterson has a way of layering characters so you feel connected to more than just the main people. Being able to do this really helps when you’re building a series. While When You Are Near is Lizzy and Wes’s story, you become wrapped up in the fate of all the characters, and their troubles build the suspense from one novel to the next.

Lizzy has a typical response when she loses her father. Choosing to believe in God when things are going our way is easy. It’s when we feel the entire world crumbling around us that our faith is tested. God’s ways are not our ways. A lesson Lizzy struggles to learn. She considers love a weakness when it can be our greatest strength.

I’m a sucker for a redemption story.

The historical detail was marvelous. The characters were easy to identify with, not only in their troubles but also in their strength. When You Are Near is a wonderful representation of the timelessness of God, grief, and love.

I could go on and on about what I loved, but I’d rather you read it for yourself and discover the magic!

What a fascinating and fun setting for this new series. In When You Are Near, Tracie Peterson introduces readers to a group of people who run an all-female Wild West Show.

While the bulk of this book is about Lizzie and her struggle with loving again after loss, her revelations, and romance, the addition of Ella’s and Mary’s points-of-view enhance the story. As Ella trains with Lizzie to become a trick rider, readers experience the danger, exhilaration, and discipline involved. And Mary brings in the sharpshooter angle of the show.

Add in an unsolved mystery the women want to unravel and plenty of tension between Wesley and Lizzie, and this book was hard to put down. Plus, there’s some unresolved questions at the end of the book that I’ve already put book two of the Brookstone Brides series at the top of my TBR list because I want to continue with these ladies and the show as they go on the road.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I enjoyed the way wisdom from Lizzie’s father was remembered and shared by her and others in the troupe fairly regularly, showing how much of an impact he had on their lives. He would have been the kind of man that I would enjoy knowing. The spiritual inheritance he left behind was a legacy that was given to his family, friends, and all who had come to know him.
Lizzie loved poetry. Her horses were named after her favorite poets, Longfellow and Thoreau. While this might not have been unusual for a woman at the turn of the twentieth century, the fact that she was a trick rider certainly was. I really enjoyed the way that she was not afraid to assume a role like that, and yet didn’t come across as one trying to be like a man or challenge men to accept her as an equal. It was simply something she had learned as a child and loved to do.
Lizzie had a strong knowledge of God and yet, like many of us, struggled to make that relationship a reality in her life. In her grief and attempt at not being hurt by the loss of others she loved, she attempted to keep others at arm’s length, including God. She had to travel through her grief to learn that God was always with her and would never leave her alone.
My favorite parts of the book were the rich spiritual truths shared and the obvious heart of the author for sharing her love of the Lord with others. While the story had some mystery and elements of suspense related to Ella’s story, these were secondary to the faith journey Lizzie traveled.
I found the emphasis on Lizzie’s determination to never marry and her reasons were reiterated a few times more than necessary and she seemed to think and behave in a manner that wasn’t consistent with her age of twenty-seven.
While there was a clear “happy ending”, some unresolved issues remained and Ella and Mary were prominent enough in this story that it is clear that the rest of their stories will be told in future books of this series. I’m looking forward to seeing how those play out.

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.

Tracie gives her readers what they want. A touch of mystery woven in with a story is just what you’ll read about wen reading this story. Can’t wait for her next book.

What a fun, action-packed historical romance! Set in the early 1900s in America, When You Are Near primarily tells the story of Lizzy and her family's involvement in a Wild West show. Lizzy's father has recently died and Lizzy & her mother have continued traveling with the show until the end of the season when they return to their ranch in Montana. Two men vie for Lizzy's love and attention. Meanwhile, Ella & Mary are introduced (I'm hoping their stories will be told in subsequent books in the series!). Great first book in the series. I can't wait to read book #2!