Taming The Wind by Tracie Peterson, Book review & Giveaway

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
ISBN-13: 978-0764206177

Synopsis:

 A young widow nursing the wounds of her past...
A cowboy with demons of his own...


Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has accepted that widowhood is her lot in life. Bound by fear and mistrust, she feels incapable of opening her heart again.

Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa. When he discovers she's living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined with the lovely widow's. And Carissa's daughter, Gloria, seems determined to wrap herself around his little finger. But while Tyler longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an obligation he feels unable to fulfill.

Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who call it home?

My thoughts:

I was more than ready to read a good western and 'Taming the Wind' was not a disappointment!
Book # 3 in the Land of the Lone Star series written by Tracie Peterson, this novel gives us a lot to reflect upon. 
Tracie Peterson is after all a prolific writer with more than 95 novels to her credit and she writes passionately about the West. Her novels are always entertaining and clearly shows good research (loved the Longfellow poem addition!) but it also reflects her longstanding faith. 
Each character has its definite personality: passionate, hopeful, tenacious, caring, angry, vengeful...
The Lone Star land is harsh, often unforgiving yet beautiful in its rawness. Homesteading was not for the faint soul!

In her latest novel Tracie describes a little of the hardships endured by Southern sympathizers following the (US) Civil war. I for one had no idea land was confiscated simply because of allegiance. 
Both sides lost much to the war and the resulting animosity was very much alive even after three years of peace as we see in Taming the Wind. 
Cattle drives were dangerous enterprises, with countless obstacles including Native Americans raids, rustlers, stampedes and so on. Yet it also gave an opportunity for struggling ranchers to regain losses...

Taming the Wind depicts not only the many facets of ranching but a sweet love story. Carissa and her little girl Gloria are both ready for better times and the young widow has not forgotten the young rancher who saved her life two years prior.
In turn Tyler has often thought of the young mother and child but stands to loose much if his confiscated ranch is not returned to him. He also cannot forgive the raid which took his father's life...

Of course, God has a plan and with Tracie's flair for a good adventure, we learn love and forgiveness can be found even in these most challenging times!

Note: 
Just a suggestion of course: 'Chasing the Sun' and 'Touching the Sky' are pre sequels  in the series well worth reading albeit the author gives a rundown in Book #3 for those of us who have not read these titles.
A good reason for reading more of this entertaining author!

4 Stars!


About the Author:

Tracie Peterson is an award-winning, best-selling author of over 95 books. Having given her heart to Jesus at the young age of six, Tracie has always felt called to some form of ministry, and writing fulfills that mission field.
Tracie received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

More on this prolific author on her website (here).

And for those of you interested in Tracie's GIVEAWAY....

Celebrate with Tracie by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 See what people are saying about Taming the Wind.

One winner will receive:

• A Brand New Kindle Fire with Wi-Fi
• The entire Land of the Lone Star series by Tracie Peterson

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 9/25/12. Just click one of the icons below to enter. The winner will be announced at Tracie's "Taming the Wind" Author Chat Party on 9/26! Connect with Tracie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Taming the Wind and join Tracie on the evening of the September 26th for a chance to connect with Tracie and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN, RSVP TODAY. TELL YOUR FRIENDS VIA FACEBOOK or TWITTER AND INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 26TH!

I received this book free from LITFUSE as part of their blogger review program.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.