Due to the many books that I have started and not finished lately due to the unrealistic, cliche or unoriginal, or lacking a faith base in a book from a Christian author or publisher. I've found too many and am just leaving this book as a did not finish due to my not getting into the book... I have previously really enjoyed Tracie Peterson's books very, very much, she has been a favorite historical fiction author of myself and one of my sisters, however. This one and other more recent releases however have been repetitive and I haven't really gotten into them due to the fact that they seem like they were pieced together from her former works.

Secrets of My Heart
by Tracie Peterson
Pub Date 03 Mar 2020
Bethany House, Bethany House Publishers
Christian



I am reviewing a copy of Secrets of my Heart through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:



Journey back to 1879, Portland Oregon where we meet Nancy Pritchard who finds herself a widow with a world of problems after discovering her deceased husband's schemes. As she searches through the pieces of her loveless marriage, Nancy realizes there is a lot that she didn't know about this man.




Seth Carpenter is a childhood friend of Nancy's who has recently returned to Portland. He’s beyond excited to see her again, and as a lawyer he can help her sort through the legal aspects of her husband's death. But there's more to him than meets the eye, and his job will take him into a darker side of Nancy's life, a side she didn't even know existed. As they search for the truth behind her husband's death, their attraction to each other creates complications, and the threat to Nancy increases. Can Seth be honest with her about who he really is and why he's come to Portland? And can Nancy bear another betrayal?



I give Secrets of My Heart five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I have long been a fan of Tracie Peterson and I was thankful for the chance to read and review this book.
Tracie does a wonderful job of creating her characters and showing their growth as they overcome obstacles. They are flawed individuals who make mistakes and learn from them.
The theme of this story was faith in God and trust, even when we don’t understand. I related to the main character and her faith struggle.
The romance was tender and well rounded. I liked how the relationship was challenged and tested as most stories paint a rosy picture without any miscommunications or misunderstandings between the couple.
There are a few references to infertility which may be difficult for some readers. I myself have struggled with infertility and I couldn’t read about it for several years. So just a heads up.

I have yet to read a Tracie Peterson novel that I didn’t love. Her books have action, mystery, romance, history and Scripture. I really loved this book because this trilogy is focusing on the daughters from the women of the Hearts of the Frontier series. I liked Nancy. She was running from God. Grief and anger just made her think what’s the point, so I liked that part of her story was that she was coming back to God. I also really liked Seth. Childhood friend and now love interest. The historical part was very interesting. White hatred, amongst some in the Oregon area, of Native Americans was so strong that some took it upon themselves to sell them guns and whiskey to agitate them into attacking white people, causing the US government to take even more land. Tracie Peterson us one of my most favorite authors and I will be reading the remainder of the trilogy. Thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Secrets of My Heart was written by Tracie Peterson, and is book one in the Willamette Brides series.

Summary: Nancy Pritchard is suddenly a widow. She never really knew her husband, even after eight years of marriage. He kept his affairs private, and shut her out almost completely.

But now he’s gone, and she is finding out more and more about the secret life he led, and the danger its brought to her doorstep.

Will she be able to get to the bottom of the treachery and lies? And can she finally learn to trust God-even through all the heartbreak?

My Thoughts: I really liked the plot in this book. It is pretty different than books I typically read from this time period, and I enjoyed it.

I did think it seemed like the ending was rushed. Everything was all laid out, but then it was over and there wasn’t really a resolution to the problem, and I don’t know if it will get answered in the next book, or not.

I am assuming the next book will be about a different Willamette bride, so then I feel like this story wasn’t really finished.

It’s like it got to the romance part, and then it was done. So, I feel like things just didn’t get resolved.

I do enjoy this author’s style of writing, and I liked the plot and interesting characters.

I just don’t know that the book gave me enough to want to continue on with the series. We’ll see.

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you.

Tracie Peterson is one of the first historical fiction christian authors that I discovered. She will always hold a special place in my heart. This is the first book in the Willamette Brides Series. This book is set in Portland, Oregon, 1879. Nancy discovers that her husband led a whole double life. Once he passes, Nancy slowly starts to uncover who he really is. Seth, a lawyer, and a childhood friend is happy to help Nancy try and settle the affairs. As they go along, Nancy is brought to places she never thought she would - and she starts to be attracted to her childhood friend.

Well written, great characters, this was a great book.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley - all thoughts are my own.

Secrets of My Heart is a great start to the Willamette Brides series. I thought it was a really good read and am giving it four and a half stars.

This book was wonderful overall. The family aspects were fabulous, and I especially adored that we had stepped into the next generation from the Heart of the Frontier series. (Definitely go back and read that trilogy before this one to fully experience the growth of the family.) It was intriguing to me to see unfold the hidden agenda of Nancy’s late husband. I cannot imagine how utterly shocked I would be to find out the things about someone so dear to me that she discovered in this book. This was written well and in a way that kept me hooked from one chapter to the next, and I suspect the mysterious elements weighed heavily in keeping me riveted.

The big thing that bugged me and knocked a star off the rating was the term “people of color.” This phrase wasn’t used within the story’s context until the 1970s. This book was set in the 1870s, so a full century prior to the common usage of that particular phrase in the intended context. Frankly, the usage of such a modern phrase in a clearly historical book shocked me, because Mrs. Peterson has proven to me through at least ten different books that her research is generally spot-on. I’m hoping this is an anomalous blip on the radar.

That being said, I felt the bigotry and racism was handled expertly beyond that one phrase (which was used many times). Those ideals were clearly shown to be wrong, and it was great to see that characters could overcome this way of thinking. It gives me hope for real-life issues of the same vein.

I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.

Content: alcohol

What a fun novel! I love this author and this is a great new series that I have loved reading. Nancy is a character with a lot of differing feelings. She questions her faith and Christianity in general. Plus of course, she didn't love her husband and that eats at her.

When Seth comes back in her life just after her husband dies and her life starts to get more complicated she's grateful for his presence. He keeps her grounded and safe. But what happens when she learns what she feels is the real reason he's been hanging around? And why did she not know what her husband was involved in?

This was such a great book. I loved the characters and how complex they are. Those sisters at the boardinghouse just kept giving me laughs too.

What I really loved about this book is how it challenged me to dig deeper into history. I had to research Oregon and their segregation laws. Or really the laws they had that said no one but whites could even live in the state! I thought for sure it was something just made up but it wasn't. I love history so this was great for me to read a wonderful novel and come away knowing more about history than I had before.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

As widow from a loveless marriage, wealthy and mid-20s Nancy Pritchard turns her large Portland city home into a boarding house for single women. A collection of women come together and provide companionship for Nancy. A childhood friend, Seth Carpenter, ends up in town for an investigation of the business doings of Nancy's late husband. Seth, though, needs to keep his work secret from Nancy in order to get to the truth. When she catches wind of the real reason Seth is in town, Nancy bristles at his motives. Their history is strong, though, and Nancy and Seth need to collaborate to solve the case and keep an unwanted suitor from harassing Nancy.

This is book one in the Williamette Brides series, so what a great place to start. If you enjoy historical christian romance you will love this book and look forward to more in this series.

Nancy Pritchard has much to learn and overcome. She is a stubborn, hard hearted woman who has learned she never really knew her deceased husband. When Seth Carpenter, an old childhood family friend, is once again in her life Nancy must decide if she can trust him.

I look forward to book two and hope we continue to reconnect with many of the characters in this book.

After the death of her husband, Nancy Pritchard finds herself in entangled in a myriad of troublesome issues as secrets are revealed. Childhood friend, turned lawyer, Seth Carpenter lends her a helping hand.

I haven't read a Tracie Peterson book that I didn't love. This one is no different. It is a wonderful start to this new series - filled with mystery, intrigue, a dash of romance. Relaxing conversations over tea on the front porch. The story flowed well as we're swept into the historical setting.

Portland, Oregon March 1879 Fabulous read - as are all of Tracie's books. Full of Christian lessons and wisdom for anyone trying to find their way in the world. The perceptions that we have can be so skewed, even though we feel we have reasoned out everything properly. We have that reasoning ability, but limited knowledge, even though we think we know it all. How do I know this?
Nancy is newly widowed, but doesn't know everything her deceased husband had been doing. Seth is a family friend who had originally been assigned the job of investigating a couple for Indian Affairs, but didn't realize that one of these people was Nancy until his investigation began in Portland. Deftly woven tale of mystery and discovery, for Nancy personally and of the crime. Takes place at a time of Indian displacement on Reservations that kept changing as their land was desired by men who didn't care about them, or anyone except themselves and their personal gain. A time of great discrimination. Part of this family are Missionaries from a previous series. It's not necessary to read the other series first, but you will be glad if you do since they are such good reading.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #SecretsofMyHeart #NetGalley

Really enjoyed this new novel from Tracie Peterson. A gentle mystery runs through it and there’s the possibility that a murder has been committed. There’s no doubt, though, that some very bad guys are after the pretty new widow’s home, store, and perhaps even her hand in marriage too. All she wants is the chance to run her new boardinghouse in peace and enjoy getting to plan her own life for a change.

It was really enjoyable getting to know the diverse and interesting residents who come to Nancy’s ladies-only boardinghouse. Each one is so unique and interesting that I would like to meet them all in person. And then there’s her old friend, the man who’s working on tracking down local river smugglers and whose sister is Nancy’s first resident.

Overall, I enjoyed the story of Nancy’s new life and consider it one of Peterson’s best. I’m eager to read book two as well and see what happens next, because only part of the mystery is finished so far.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

So I did enjoy the story of this book but to be honest I had a hard time with the main character, Nancy. She frustrated me to no end. Maybe it’s because she’s a lot lot me… I hope not but… well maybe that is exactly it. I’m on to read the next book in the series…

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

This is the first time I had the opportunity to read a Tracie Peterson novel. This story interested me because I live in the area that this story takes place, and I love Oregon history. In addition, I enjoy a good suspenseful mystery. While I loved the rich detail of history. The character Nancy Pritchard's plight of being a young widow in such harsh times not to mention being in a loveless marriage.
Then her childhood friend, Seth Carpenter arrives on the scene and a sweet love story develops between them encased in intrigue and danger.
However, the mystery of what happened to Nancy's late husband seemed unresolved. The dastardly villain seemed to walk off the pages without having to pay for his crimes. The ending left me rereading it to see if I somehow missed the punchline.
This book started off very strong with strong characters, intriguing story line but didn't leave me with the awe, yes that was wonderful feeling I had hoped for. I like to see the bad guys caught. The question of who done it, answered. Maybe that will come in the next book in the series?
Over-all, Ms. Peterson's writing is fresh and descriptive.

Secrets of My Heart tells the story of Nancy Pritchard, a woman recently widowed who is bitter with life, her family, and God. After her husband, Albert, is found dead, floating in the river, Nancy finds herself almost relieved to be released from her loveless and lonely marriage, but she is thrown into trouble as it is discovered that her husband was involved in illegal activities. Seth Carpenter is a young lawyer and an old family friend who arrives in town and begins working for Nancy’s lawyer. As he tries to unravel everything that Albert was involved in, Nancy discovers that his motives for investigating are not what they seemed. His deception is heartbreaking, but will they be able to reconcile the hurt to finish the investigation and finally be able to admit their feeling for one another?

I enjoyed reading Secrets of My Heart. The story flowed and moved at an appropriate pace, and the dialogue was well written and sounded appropriate for the time period. I appreciate the focus on faith, trust, and God’s love, and I appreciate that the author writes clean romance. My only disappointment was with the ending of the story. The whole book built up this plot, all the illegal dealings that led to a much larger conspiracy, and at the end, it was never really resolved. I really hope that part of the story line is continued into the second book, because I want to know how it is all resolved and who was at the top of it. But overall, it was an enjoyable, clean, uplifting story that kept me interested from beginning to end.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read many of this author’s books and always find her stories to be quite interesting. Her use of historical details in this book made a great setting for this intriguing story. As much as I enjoyed the story, I never did quite warm up to Nancy, the main character. I appreciated the way she changed after her conversation to Christ, but she never really showed much warmth towards others all throughout the story. I did very much like the other characters, however, especially Seth, Clementine, and the ladies at the boarding house. So I’ll be interested to read the next book in this series to see what happens next with those characters.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Secrets of My Heart is the first book by Tracie Peterson in her new Williamette Brides Series and it’s an incredible start to the series. Nancy Pritchard, a newly widowed young woman discovers disturbing facts about her husband after his death. Seth Carpenter, a childhood friend has returned to Portland and as a lawyer he is perfectly willing to help Nancy.

There secrets uncovered about her late husband that leave Nancy shocked and in a dangerous situation. I though the storyline was interesting, the characters were well crafted and learning trust. There’s a bit of mystery woven throughout the storyline which added to my overall enjoyment of this novel. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are completely my own.

I haven't met a Tracie Peterson book yet that I wouldn't rate a five star.
This is the first book in the Willamette Brides series and in it we find a young woman, Nancy Pritchard who is newly widowed.
After his death she finds the person he presented to the public is not his true self but in actuality he is a sneak and a liar.
With his death his shady business dealings see the light of day .
In her time of uncertainty Nancy is not sure who to turn to .
Lawyer, Seth Carpenter has been a friend of hers since childhood and offers to help her sort through the legal ramifications of her husband's life.
Along the way he unearth's dark secrets Nancy had no idea existed and really wishes had still not seen the light of day.
Will working together cause a spark to blossom from friendship and with what is found along the way can this fragile start take root and grow or will it wither away?

I have been a long time reader of Tracie's books and admire her greatly as an author. I eagerly await the next instillation of this series.

Published March 3rd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.