Faithful of Heart by Tracie Peterson

 

What are you reading this weekend?

Judith Stanford is surprised to learn that her estranged grandfather, James Ashton, wants her to travel to Minnesota to determine whether she should inherit his fortune.  She has never met the man, but he offers her a sum of money to travel that she can use to help Civil War widows and orphans.  She decides to use this money for her charities and make the trip.  She also hopes to cross paths with Dr. Roman Turner, a man she met years before who interested her as no man has done since her husband passed away.  The problem is that the only man that Roman hates is Judith’s grandfather as he ruined his father financially and caused his early death.  Can Judith and Roman work through these issues from the past?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a clean read, inspirational, and Christian novel.  I enjoyed that the characters prayed throughout the novel.

·       It was fun having Judith ride in a luxurious train from Philadelphia to Minneapolis in 1870.

·       It was interesting how Judith and her grandfather had very different philosophies in life.  Judith has a life of giving and helping others while her grandfather is consumed with making more money.  He reminded me of Ebenezer Scrooge.

·       I loved the sermon in a chapter of the novel that focused on the teachings of Jesus including his greatest commandment to love your neighbor as yourself and the parable of the good Samaritan.  I have tried to live my life following these teachings however imperfectly.  I think they are very important and something that needs to be emphasized in today’s world.

·       I loved how Judith stuck to her own self and values and did not bend to her grandfather’s will.  I also appreciated that she tried to help people harmed by her grandfather.

·       Chapters were told in alternating perspectives between Judith and Roman.

·       Roman has the same values as Judith and is always helping others.  I enjoyed their relationship.

·       This novel had a theme of forgiveness.

·       I greatly enjoyed the suspense at the end of the novel.

·       I would say the tropes are slow burn and second chance romance.

·       This is the first book in a new series, Minnesota Legacy.  I’m very interested to read the next book which is about Judith’s daughter.  There is an excerpt at the end of this book.

Overall, Faithful of Heart by Tracie Peterson was a great historical romance novel with a wonderful theme of faith and forgiveness.  I enjoyed the journey of the characters throughout this novel.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @authortraciepeterson @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo for the review copy as part of the Great Reads Book Promotion Tour.