Portland, Oregon, 1879. Nancy Pritchard finds herself a widow with a world of problems when her deceased husband’s schemes start to come to light. As she searches through the pieces of her loveless marriage, Nancy realizes there is a lot that she didn’t know about this man. Seth Carpenter is a childhood friend of Nancy’s who has recently returned to Portland. He’s delighted to see her again, and … again, and as a lawyer, he is able to help her sort through the legal aspects of her husband’s death. But there’s more to him than meets the eye, and his job will take him into a darker side of Nancy’s life–a side she didn’t even know existed. As they search for the truth behind her husband’s death, their attraction to each other creates complications, and the threat to Nancy increases. Can Seth be honest with her about who he really is and why he’s come to Portland? And can Nancy bear another betrayal?
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Secrets of My Heart by Tracie Peterson is the first book in Willamette Brides series. In a way, it is a continuation of Heart of the Frontier series featuring Grace Armistead, Nancy Pritchard’s mother along with Hope and Mercy. All three ladies appear in Secrets of My Heart. Secrets of My Heart, though, can be read on its own for those who have not indulged in Heart of the Frontier novels. I thought Secrets of My Heart was well-written and it captured the time period. Indians were living on reservations in Oregon and certain people want that land. Other issues addressed in Secrets of My Heart is the education of black children and women’s suffrage. The arguments were realistic and prevalent. I like how the author showed both sides of the issues. We can see that attitudes of people in the 1870s is very similar to those of some people today (which is shocking and upsetting). Nancy is wrestling with God. There are many discussions on the matter along with prevalent scripture verses. I did find it a little much for me. I would have preferred a lighter touch. The mystery of Albert Pritchard was intriguing. It turns out that Nancy knew very little about her husband who was a private man. Unfortunately, the mystery is not fully resolved in Secrets of My Heart. There is a great villain in the story. It is one of those that you love to hate (and cannot wait to see him get his comeuppance). I liked that Nancy established a female boarding house. She had some diverse tenants from the reclusive Mrs. Weaver to the pious and proper Clifton sisters. The romance between Sean and Nancy is sweet and representative of the time. Nancy is naturally reluctant to marry again (her first marriage was not ideal). Sean falls for Nancy, but he is naturally worried about her reaction to the information he withheld from her. I found Nancy a conundrum. At time she claims she is too weak and tired to deal with an issue. Then she gets upset when she feels excluded. I would have liked her to have been take charge with regard to her deceased husband’s business affairs. I thought the book ended abruptly. I would have liked an epilogue that could have been an introduction or lead in for the next book in the series. The Willamette Brides series continues with The Way of Love which features Hope’s daughter, Faith Kenner who is attending medical school. Secrets of My Heart is a complex novel with vile villain, secreted stores, a bounty of boarders, palpable pressure, soul searching, and a tender romantic relationship.
Another winner:
What a great start to a new series that picks up after the Heart of the Frontier series (which followed sisters Grace, Hope and Mercy). Now we get to explore the lives of their children, starting with Grace and Alex’s daughter Nancy.
Newly widowed Nancy lives in Portland where she discovers her late husbands illegal activities and association with a deeply racist group of people. It was interesting exploring the continued plight of the Native Americans and the deplorable lengths some people went to in an effort to drive them out. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding this and look forward its continuation in future books.
Additionally, there is a tender and sweet romance between Nancy and Seth, the lawyer/investigator. Initially it was a little hard for me to bond with Nancy as she is rather closed off emotionally, however I came to very much enjoy her perseverance and spunk. Her struggles seemed authentic and I liked how she overcame them. Overall this book contains a wonderful message about forgiveness and surrendering our lives to Christ.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This was a most captivating and intriguing read! It has something for everyone…suspense, heartache and loss, deceitful dealings, romance and so much more. I love the time period of America and the trials and situations of the times as well. I highly recommend it.
I was thinking Nancy would have more scary consequences for her disregard for her safety, but glad she finally put on her big girl pants.
This author is my very favorite. The stories are always interesting. Good clean writing
Enjoyed this book
What a great story set in 1800’s Oregon. Ms. Peterson does a wonderful job of weaving a story of death, life, and learning to live again. The character development, setting description, and plot all work splendidly to create a happily ever after.
I highly recommend this story for lovers of history and happily-ever-afters!
Love author Tracie Peterson’s stories, Secrets of My Heart, book one of the Williamette Brides is a fine example of this author’s refined writing skills.
I absolutely loved Secrets of My Heart, in fact I just placed an order for the second in the series, The Way of Love! Eek!
Secrets of My Heart tells the story of Nancy Pritchard, a woman recently widowed who is bitter with life, her family, and God. After her husband, Albert, is found dead, floating in the river, Nancy finds herself almost relieved to be released from her loveless and lonely marriage, but she is thrown into trouble as it is discovered that her husband was involved in illegal activities. Seth Carpenter is a young lawyer and an old family friend who arrives in town and begins working for Nancy’s lawyer. As he tries to unravel everything that Albert was involved in, Nancy discovers that his motives for investigating are not what they seemed. His deception is heartbreaking, but will they be able to reconcile the hurt to finish the investigation and finally be able to admit their feeling for one another?
I enjoyed reading Secrets of My Heart. The story flowed and moved at an appropriate pace, and the dialogue was well written and sounded appropriate for the time period. I appreciate the focus on faith, trust, and God’s love, and I appreciate that the author writes clean romance. My only disappointment was with the ending of the story. The whole book built up this plot, all the illegal dealings that led to a much larger conspiracy, and at the end, it was never really resolved. I really hope that part of the story line is continued into the second book, because I want to know how it is all resolved and who was at the top of it. But overall, it was an enjoyable, clean, uplifting story that kept me interested from beginning to end.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A wonderful beginning to the Willamette Brides series. Nancy and Seth’s story is surrounded by secrets and shadows from Nancy’s late husbands illegal businesses dealings. Dealings that may have been the cause of his sudden death. Nancy is forced to determine what she believes and who she can trust after countless times of hurt and betrayal. When secrets are revealed, loyalties are questioned, and dangers rise, Nancy and Seth must turn toward each other and God for help and answers.
This was an intriguing story, and it was fun seeing familiar characters again. “Secrets of My Heart” brings into focus the importance of strong relationships with those you love, and the truths that no matter how far we run, God will always pick us up when we fall.
Another lovely story from Tracie Peterson!
Peterson knows just how to blend history and story, and this novel was no exception. Peterson did a wonderful job of outlining the ways people thought and rationalized their bigotry and racism back then, and it was haunting to see some parallels to the present day. The inclusion of historical facts and figures never draws the reader out of the story, which makes the story all the better.
Readers will love seeing characters from the Heart of the Frontier series again, and it was a pleasant surprise to see that all three heroines in this Willamette Brides series are the children of characters from the former series. It was so fun to see their children all grown up and having adventures of their own.
Nancy is a flawed heroine, which allows readers to grow along with her as she receives lessons in life, love, and faith. Her doubts and fears are all very relevant and relatable in the lives of readers, and Peterson does a wonderful job of creating side characters who help her through her struggles, and can in turn help readers examine their own lives.
4/5 stars
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Nancy Pritchard became a widow under mysterious circumstances. Her life with her late husband was not a happy one, she did not love him and he was not in love with her. So she is not grief stricken and does not try to appear as if she is. Her husband’s love was his business and making money. Which she had no knowledge of all his business activities. He is found dead in the river and seems to have been involved in the criminal activity of selling fire arms and whiskey to people who in turn sold them to the Indians to stir up an uprising among them. Seth Carpenter arrives to investigate this matter and finds that Albert Pritchard’s widow is a childhood friend. He cannot tell her why he is really in town and then he becomes closely involved with helping her and falls in love with her. I thought the plot was good and kept moving at a steady pace. Peterson is an excellent writer and this book is no exception. Although I felt that the ending was incomplete. I guess we will find out more in the next book in this series.
If you enjoy historical romantic suspense, this will be a good book for you.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for this eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review.