Publisher Description
“After her father’s death, Lizzy Brookstone, the star trick rider of the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, loses interest in performing. What she longs for is a life with the Brookstone ranch foreman, Wesley DeShazer, the man who once broke her heart. Meanwhile, Jason Adler, son of the show’s new financial partner, comes to help with the show, and Lizzy soon finds him vying for her affection.
Ella Fleming is fleeing a forced engagement when she stows away on the Brookstone train. Lizzy finds her and gives her a job in the costume department, but Ella has a dangerous secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza.
When Mary Reichert, a former sharpshooter for the show, learns that her brother, August, has been killed at the Fleming farm, she refuses to believe it was an accident. She returns to the show to find the truth, but is she seeking justice or vengeance?
As the three women work together to discover how August died, Lizzy strives to hold the show together. Can she keep the Brookstone Extravaganza alive without losing the desire of her heart?”
My Review:
I’m not sure of how many Tracie Peterson books I’ve read over the years, but I’ve read a bunch of them. I’m never disappointed in her books. I know whenever I begin reading one that it’s going to be an interesting story. I found that to be true with this first book in her new series.
The background of this story caught my attention. The “Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza”, an all-female Wild West snow, was a fun and different approach to a historical novel set in the year 1900. This story finds the Brookstone show at a crossroads. One of their founders, Mark Brookstone, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack, and now the family must decide what changes need to be made to keep the popular show financially stable and on the road. Lizzy is the star of the show with her daring tricks on horseback, but her heart is broken over the unexpected death of her father. She no longer wants to be part of the show. She’s made another resolution as well: She does not want to fall in love and get married so as to avoid the heartache she sees her mother experiencing. But two men have an ambition to change Lizzie’s mind. Jason Adler has joined the management team of the show in order to help make it more profitable. Lizzie’s beauty and bravery capture his attention from the first moment he meets her. Wesley DeShazer is the long-time manager of the Brookstone Ranch. He’s know Lizzy since her teenage years, and is just coming to realize how much she means to him. Both men vie for Lizzy’s affection in this story, and that keeps the storyline moving at a good pace.
There’s also a suspenseful storyline that revolves around Ella, who is trying to escape her cruel father and avoid being forced into a dangerous marriage. Lizzy helps Ella find safety and peace on the Brookstone ranch, but that peace is soon shattered. It takes all of Lizzy’s loyalty, friendship, and courage to protect Ella.
All of this makes for a story that held my attention all the way through the book. I’m looking forward to reading more about the Brookstone family and the ladies of the “Wild West Extravaganza”.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.