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A Choice Considered–building a railroad
A Choice Considered
by Tracie Peterson
Narrated by Jeanine Bartel
This work of historical fiction, set in the Wyoming Territory in 1868, as the railroad prepares to move further west, has strong Christian themes. The main characters try to make their choices and actions according to Christian principles. The female protagonist is Melody Doyle, a very sweet young lady devoted to her “Da.” Sadly, her father has never been the same since a railroad accident, but he insists he will move on with the railroad when the time comes. Melody doesn’t want to be separated from her dad but is tired of living in a tent and moving constantly. If she stays in Cheyenne, she could get a job and still see her father frequently through short trips.
Charlie is from a banking family, and his father sends him to Cheyenne to supervise the bank that his brother Jacob opened there. Jacob returned east due to illness leaving the bank in the hands of Jefferson who seems to resent Charlie’s arrival, especially when Charlie begins to examine the bank’s books. Charlie has a heart for education and wants to start a school. However, he does not want to disappoint his very strict father who has high banking expectations for him.
Da agrees to Melody’s staying in Cheyenne if she gets married before he leaves. Known for his gift of discernment, her father will interview and let appropriate young men take Melody on a date.
Charlie doesn’t sign up for this process because he wants the woman he marries to be his friend first.
A Choice Considered follows Melody, Charlie, and Da through the decisions they have to make in their lives, from their spiritual growth through their relationships, and in their professional lives. They all have supportive friends who pray with and for them in their journeys. The interactions of the characters are the basis for the plot and there are good events that will make the reader smile, but there is also a backdrop of impending tragedy.
The narrator of this audiobook, Jeanine Bartel, does a good job with all the voices but especially with the men. During the first part of the book, I found her voice for Melody to be a little too saccharine sweet. I think she was trying to show what a sweet person Melody is. As we moved into the story, I got used to the voice and found it more suiting to the character than I had thought.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Historical Fiction, Christian
Notes: #2 in the Heart of Cheyenne series. I had read the first and third books in the series. While I enjoyed all three books, I would have been happier reading them in sequence. Out of order, I found myself a little confused; and the third book, of necessity, had some spoilers for the second book.
Publication: July 2, 2024—Bethany House
A Love Discovered–Wild West
A Love Discovered
by Tracie Peterson
When Marybeth Kruger’s father dies in a wagon accident, he leaves Marybeth and her two year old stepsister without money. Marybeth is the only “mother” little Carrie has ever known and she refuses to part with her. She is offered a way out of her situation by Edward Vogel, her friend and the husband of her deceased friend Janey.
Cheyenne is a booming town in the Dakota Territory. Edward receives a job offer as a lawman there, but the preference is for a family man. Marybeth and Edward agree to a marriage of convenience. They will not be intimate as he feels responsible for the death of Janey during childbirth. Neither anticipates the feelings that blossom as they struggle together to adapt to life in Cheyenne.
Marybeth is a tough young lady, and if anyone can survive the cold and windy winters of Cheyenne in a tiny tent, she has the fortitude to do it. Any sacrifices are worth it to keep Carrie, a precious little girl who soon calls Edward “Papa.” He loves Carrie right back and is continually concerned about the dangers of the railroad town that is truly the wild west where murders are a frequent event and justice is meted out by vigilantes when it is clear that a hanging offense has occurred.
The historical aspects of life shortly after the Civil War as the country looks westward through railroad expansion are fascinating, but the real focus of the story is Marybeth and Edward’s relationship. Edward has to come to grips with his trust issues with God before he can move ahead with Marybeth. There were a few times that progress in the book seemed slow and the relationship issues repetitive, but I liked the characters especially little Carrie. Tracie Peterson is a prolific writer and was recommended to me by a friend as a good author of Christian historical fiction. I will return to read more of her books to evaluate her works more thoroughly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Historical Fiction, Christian, Romance
Notes: #1 in The Heart of Cheyenne series
Publication: March 5, 2024—Bethany House
Memorable Lines:
“Ah, ya’ve a wee daughter. A greater blessin’ can’t be had. Oh, a son is a fine thing, but a daughter is somethin’ special.” The man’s eyes seemed to twinkle in the the dim light.
I remember my parents sayin’ that folks need a Savior, but they also need a friend.” He smiled. “Pa also said we need to be careful and not try to be both.”
“Sometimes we do a thing out of obligation, and in time, we learn to take joy in it.”
education pathways 