THE HEART’S CHOICE by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse
SERIES: The Jewels of Kalispell #1
GENRE: Inspirational Historical/Western Romance
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: May 16, 2023
PAGES: 337
First of all, before I say anything else about The Heart’s Choice, I have to mention the cover. I was drawn to the mauve tones right from the beginning, but as I read this compelling story the various elements of the cover took on new meaning & I liked it even more.
Second, I have two words for you: bookish. hero. Oh yes, I said it. The hero of The Heart’s Choice is – drag that fainting couch closer to you for safety reasons, dear readers – a LIBRARIAN! And he loves the smell of new books. (Are you hooked yet?) And reading serial mystery novels. And he loves shared reading with the people he cares about. And he thinks about doing a story time for children at the library. I mean… be still my readerly heart!!!! I was all aswoon before we got any farther than our intro to Mark Andrews where he indulges in the smell of the library’s books and I blissfully-sighed into fictional-character love with him.
I also love that the ‘typical gender role’ swapping doesn’t just stop with Mark as a librarian (a role typically given to females in historical and contemporary fiction alike). For onto the scene comes our delightful heroine, Rebecca Whitman, and her newly acquired job which makes her (fictionally, anyway) the first female court stenographer in Montana. Neither Mark nor Rebecca are fussed with each other’s profession of choice over the course of their growing friendship; rather, they show deep respect for and enjoyment of the other’s talents and ambitions. I adored watching their friendship become more layered and less platonic as the story progressed, and I just plain had fun reading about them together. The sidewalk scene in the blizzard is one of my very faves, and I caught myself grinning like a fool and chuckling like one too.
Oh goodness, there are so many other things I want to talk about. Judge Ashbury and his determined wife Marvella who steal almost every scene they’re in. (And if one of them doesn’t, then their dog Sir Theophilus will.) The way Rebecca and Mark team up to try and clear an innocent man of murder. The intriguing things we learn about Montana history. And – most importantly – the faith journeys that both Rebecca and Mark take throughout the book. Because of the different stages they are at when our story begins, the faith element not only presents the gospel message clearly and organically but it also addresses rubber-meets-the-road issues that longtime followers of Jesus need refining too. I thought this was very sweetly done in a way that fit the story flow and the characters.
Bottom Line: The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse is a sweet friends-to-more romance, an entertaining look at an intriguing time of history, and a compelling story with different layers. The characters are relatable and engaging, and dashes of humor throughout made my heart happy. The solid faith thread will tug at your heart and doesn’t feel preachy or forced. This is one of my fave reads by these two authors so far, and I look forward to the next book!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. In the interest of full disclosure, the company for which I freelance as a blog/review tour coordinator was hired to promote this book with a social media tour, with which I have no involvement. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 4.5 stars / loved it!
KissingBook Level: 3 / may forget to breathe on occasion
Tracie Peterson is the award–winning author of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with nearly 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Connect with Tracie at her website.
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. Kim and her incredible husband of 30-plus years live in the Poconos, where they play golf together, spend time with their kids and grandbaby, and research all the history around them. Connect with Kim at her website.
Other Recently Featured Books by Peterson & Woodhouse
Bethany House is offering a print copy of The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse to TWO of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.
What about you? What makes you want to read The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse?
I would like to read The Heart’s Choice by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse because it has a bookish hero!
This looks like a brilliant novel. Very excites to read it.
The authors
It sounds like an interesting historical mystery novel. I always like Tracie and Kimberley’s books.
If I enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed reading Carrie’s review, I will be a very happy reader. Knowing who the authors are, I have no doubt that the book will more than meet expectations.
Wonderful book. Loved
It sounds like a fun read! I’m in the market for a new book to read.
Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Phenomenal authors who whose novels are epic page turners!
A captivating historical. A real treasure.
I’ve been meaning to read both of these authors! This one looks great!
Great authors, therefore, would love to win a print copy! I know it will be good! Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! God bless!
Sounds like a good read.
Nice cover. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Main character a librarian? I’m wanting to read it.
right?
Sounds like a great book. Want to read it.
yay!
Sounds like a book I will enjoy. I like the cover.
isn’t it pretty? 🙂
Two authors I really like, and a bookish hero, did you say? I’m in!
oh yes! That bookish hero is very lovable 🙂
I would love to read this book, thank you for the giveaway.
you’re welcome, Judi 🙂
❤️❤️❤️ your review! The story sounds interesting and unique by two great authors!
thank you, Sandy! ❤️
This book sounds like a fascinating love story and I just love reading stories by these two authors!
Sounds like a good read.
looks like a fun one
Sounds like a good read.
sounds so good.
This looks like a lovely read
it definitely was 🙂
New series, sounds good!
yes!
Loved the review and the cover of this book is beautiful.
thanks!
The male librarian in a Christian novel by these authors is enough for me!
exactly!!
Wonderful authors! Great cover.
indeed 🙂
I love the beautiful cover! After reading your review, I have to read this book to find out what happens!
yay!!
It sounds good
it is!
Sounds like an interesting read! Love the cover!
Beautiful setting, bookish character, and great authors! I enjoyed your thoughts about the book!
thanks, Cathy 🙂
It’s always fun to get a copy of the first book in a new series!
I want to read because they are great authors!
yes!!