Amanda S. (homemomma) reviewed A Sensible Arrangement (Lone Star Brides, Bk 1) on + 38 more book reviews
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive" ~ Sir Walter Scott had it pegged. While there are many underlying issues and themes we can get from this novel, the major is that a little lie goes a long way in hurting others - but especially yourself. Most of us make excuses for our actions and even convince ourselves that it's not really lying if we pretty much tell the truth and just leave a few important details out. That it'll all work out in the end. But God has a way of calling us out for those actions we thought were hidden and were sure wouldn't hurt anyone else.
Marty has had more than her fair share of trials and troubles and there were times I could almost feel her pain and hesitation. Nor did I ever blame her for the decisions she made. I probably would have done the same had I been in her shoes. Leaving Texas under false pretenses between her sister Hannah and herself, Marty can't wait to shake the Texas dust off her shoes and never return. But she doesn't realize what she's giving up and hurting by telling half truths and only with the gentle prodding and leading of the Holy Spirit does she realize that relationships are worth telling the truth and nothing but the truth.
Most of the time, when the heroine is a strong, take charge kind of woman, I don't much care for her. It seems that they're written as hard and uncaring; almost hostile and hateful. This isn't the way Marty is written and I appreciated it. She had a strong inclination to be kind, yet was strong and caring toward others. Those are some difficult traits to write into one character and have them dovetail so nicely together to make them believable.
Jake was the perfect gentleman and I only wish more would have been said regarding their blossoming romance.
This is a promising beginning to a new series by Tracie Peterson. I enjoyed spending my time in its pages and wouldn't hesitate recommending it to any of my Christian friends.
*My thanks to the publisher and LitFuse for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required they be positive.*
Marty has had more than her fair share of trials and troubles and there were times I could almost feel her pain and hesitation. Nor did I ever blame her for the decisions she made. I probably would have done the same had I been in her shoes. Leaving Texas under false pretenses between her sister Hannah and herself, Marty can't wait to shake the Texas dust off her shoes and never return. But she doesn't realize what she's giving up and hurting by telling half truths and only with the gentle prodding and leading of the Holy Spirit does she realize that relationships are worth telling the truth and nothing but the truth.
Most of the time, when the heroine is a strong, take charge kind of woman, I don't much care for her. It seems that they're written as hard and uncaring; almost hostile and hateful. This isn't the way Marty is written and I appreciated it. She had a strong inclination to be kind, yet was strong and caring toward others. Those are some difficult traits to write into one character and have them dovetail so nicely together to make them believable.
Jake was the perfect gentleman and I only wish more would have been said regarding their blossoming romance.
This is a promising beginning to a new series by Tracie Peterson. I enjoyed spending my time in its pages and wouldn't hesitate recommending it to any of my Christian friends.
*My thanks to the publisher and LitFuse for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. I was not required they be positive.*
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
A Sensible Arrangement is the first book in a new series written by author Tracie Peterson. I found the plot quite interesting and having an arranged marriage with a widow and widower was new for me. Tracie always knows how to capture the attention of the reader and reel them in with a fine story.
Marty is a widow whose husband was gored to death by a longhorn steer. She has basically given up on God and sees no reason to trust Him with her future, much less her daily life. So she answers an ad for a bride and moves to Colorado, not telling her family what she is doing. That was one of the big problems I had with Marty. She lies constantly throughout the book. And at the end she realizes that lying is just as much a sin as anything else, but it really bothered me reading about her deceit.
Now Jake was a different story. Very upright and quite dashing. His first wife was dishonest and he can't stand it now so I was waiting to see how it would play out when he realized what Marty was doing. Of course, it was a marriage of convenience anyways so there were no feelings involved, NOT! :)
I liked how the author put real events and history in the novel. Finding out about the impact silver had on Colorado and the common person made for a good story. Oh, and the servants were so entertaining! I loved Brighton and Samson the most, excluding Alice. My only complaint? I wish the story hadn't ended so abruptly! I felt like I was left hanging with not everything solved. Hopefully that will be taken care of in the next book. There will be another one, right? lol:)
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Marty is a widow whose husband was gored to death by a longhorn steer. She has basically given up on God and sees no reason to trust Him with her future, much less her daily life. So she answers an ad for a bride and moves to Colorado, not telling her family what she is doing. That was one of the big problems I had with Marty. She lies constantly throughout the book. And at the end she realizes that lying is just as much a sin as anything else, but it really bothered me reading about her deceit.
Now Jake was a different story. Very upright and quite dashing. His first wife was dishonest and he can't stand it now so I was waiting to see how it would play out when he realized what Marty was doing. Of course, it was a marriage of convenience anyways so there were no feelings involved, NOT! :)
I liked how the author put real events and history in the novel. Finding out about the impact silver had on Colorado and the common person made for a good story. Oh, and the servants were so entertaining! I loved Brighton and Samson the most, excluding Alice. My only complaint? I wish the story hadn't ended so abruptly! I felt like I was left hanging with not everything solved. Hopefully that will be taken care of in the next book. There will be another one, right? lol:)
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed A Sensible Arrangement (Lone Star Brides, Bk 1) on + 811 more book reviews
Really loved this by Tracie Peterson!. I'm so glad there are two more in the series! Highly recommended!
