New Mexico Sunrise: Faith and Love Hold Generations Together in Four Complete Novels

New Mexico Sunrise #1-4

by Tracie Peterson

Join the Lucas, Monroe, and Dawson families as they stake their claim to the "Land of Enchantment." Their struggles and triumphs blend into the sandstone mesas and sweeping sage plains of New Mexico, and their tracks are still visible along the deeply rutted Sante Fe Trail and the chiseled railways they traveled. Award winning author Tracie Peterson brings their stories to life. Garret Lucas was hired to take Maggie Intissar from Kansas to her estranged father's ranch in the New Mexico territory. But Maggie will do anything to avoid the painful memories of her past. Can she find A Place to Belong? Lillie Philips thought she had the Perfect Love, but the loss of her husband and baby sent her into depression. Could a visit to her friend Maggie give her new hope? Or will the arrogant Dr. Daniel Monroe force her back into her shell of seclusion? In the midst of Tender Journeys into womanhood, Jenny Oberling was left alone along the Santa Fe Trail. Victimized by a wicked woman, Jenny needs help - but will the caring David Monroe be able to save her in time? Riley Dawson has brought relief to a dying mining town, but Zandy Stewart sees a cruel side of him when he presents her with an impossible ultimatum. Can The Willing Heart of faith link them before disaster strikes? Love and faith in God will conquer any adveristy. This enchanting collection combines four complete novels of inspiring love that you'll cherish.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian Romance, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Historical Romance

480 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler...


This was my first time to read Christian romance, and I LOVED it! The first 3 stories had me engaged all the way through, but I have to admit the 4th was a difficult read. The man was an abuser (not physically, but he was abusive nonetheless). I admired her courage, but I felt so uneasy reading about his actions and then knowing that somehow the author was still going to bring him together with the girl. As the girl was falling in love, I still kept thinking "But he's an abuser and hasn't changed yet! This isn't right!" It made me sick to my stomach, actually. But to the author's credit, she did find a way to resolve it all. You have to read it to the very end, but the resolution is there. (Sigh of relief).

Overall, I loved reading this book, and I'll definitely be picking up some more by this author. 😊

[Charissa James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains four historical Western stories that can be entertaining if you're able to look past the need for better editing. There were several typos/grammatical errors which have a tendency to draw me out of the story, and there was also a lot of head-hopping mid-scene which added some confusion. However, if you don't let those issues bother you, you're sure to enjoy stories of feisty heroines overcoming trials and finding love in New Mexico (and Colorado for some reason). I appreciated that each story in this book featured an unashamed presentation of the gospel. This is definitely one to read for its emphasis on faith themes if for nothing else.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a good book

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Place to Belong is the first section in this book of four novels. It is fabulous. The story is about a young girl who has one thing in common with her father, they both lost her mother and brother in childbirth. He left and the girl, Maggie, was raised by her paternal grandmother. Years go by with bitterness left unresolved until the father tries and tries again to win over the love of his missed daughter. Only on his deathbed does he start to get through to her with his dearest friend and basically adopted son, Garrett Lucas; and then Maggie begins to find love both in the eyes of her father, the arms of Garrett Lucas, and in the heart of God.

Perfect Love is the second novel and the continuing story of A Place to Belong. Here Maggie's best friend from childhood Lillie is starting out her life of a perfect marriage, with a perfect husband, a perfect child in her womb, and just all around perfect love. Things begin to happen quickly, first Lille's husband becomes a Christian and she feels that she is losing him to a God that is not worth her money. Then she does lose her husband and her child. Lille thought she had it all and it is only when she is completely humbled and losing all material things, that she can see what she is missing. Here is where Dr. Monroe, a friend of Garrett's comes in... A widower of a wife lost in childbirth and an estranged Christian he understands Lillie's pain. It is by divine providence that they are both brought to the New Mexico ranch and both given second chances on life. Second chances through love, and forgiveness as each has their own struggles and burdens to pass. In this story, a reader is able to experience the necessity of actions that God allows so that his will maybe done. When you think you have something wonderful, it is hard to believe that sometimes God has something even better in mind for you, if you will just listen.

Tender Journeys is both a prequel to both of the first two stories as well as a caught up sequel as of chapter 12. Here you learn the story of Jenny and her past where her family was viciously murdered and she was left to live with a despicable woman of greed. Also, is the story of David and how he came to the ministry and New Mexico. They meet and learn to love each other and then make a life. From one escape and then to heart break three times, to Jenny being kidnapped and David being set up for another heart break that could be his ultimate chance of healing... Both Jenny and David have to deal with the past and things that they thought they were past and had forgiven. How many times can something be taken from you before you break? Can you ever be truly whole? Things are all things that are explored in this tale.

The Willing Heart completely tops all of the other stories in this set. Although, it has nothing to do with New Mexico as it is based in Colorado and Missouri. Here a woman, still a child as well as big sister, is set in a similar situation as the biblical Job. A man comes along appearing to all to be their hope and salvation, while only Alexandra knows the truth. The amazing power of God is fully shown in this story as Zandy can work through the evil skin of this man and find his innocence and help him find God. Tracie Peterson did an amazing job with this story making you really hate the evil and not the person. The empathy is amazing as you just strive to believe what is true, and what just cannot happen. This story was fabulous and so far my complete favorite. It was bold and daring, and quite enjoyable through the end.

[ASC Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was bought in a small, little, out of the way book store and I LOVE IT!!! It is a MUST read!!! It holds great stories set in my home state of New Mexico (and yes NM is a part of the United States and no you don't need a passport to visit! LOL!) Anyway back to New Mexico sunrise. This book holds complete stories, some linked together. I LOVE this book SO much the spine is worn and creased because I have read it over and over again (and I'm not one to re-read books). All of the stories are unique, surprising, and awesome!!! It shows how God's love is for each and every one of us, no matter what we've done, where we've been, or what we've gone through. These stories will touch your heart and at times shock you! I can't wait to get the sequel! You MUST read this book! Trust me you WON'T be disappointed!!!

My songs for this book are: "How Great Is Our God" by Kimberly and Alberto Rivera, "When You're Gone" by Avril Lavigne, "Just Like Jesse James" by Cher, and "Lead Me To The Cross" by Francesca Battistelli These songs can be interchanged with the stories, but "Just like Jesse James" goes, mainly, with "The Willing Heart" with God always with her Zandy stands up to persecution and is the better for it! The Willing Heart is also my favorite of the four though I do love them all. Read and see which one is your favorite! :)

Exodus 14:14

~ASC

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is super cute and heartwarming! In the book A Place To Belong, I fell in love with Magie and Garret. Maggie's hatred for Garret as he takes her away to New Mexico made me think it wasn't going to end up well, but Maggie learns to love Garret; and...Garret...well, let's just say he's loved her for a long time.
Lillie and Daniel's story in Perfect Love brought me to tears and got me clinging to every word as they fell in love.
David and Jenny stole my heart in Tender Journies! I was bawling throughout the book :)
Now this book is my all time favorite! Riley catches Alexandra's attention, but when Riley's sinful desires get in the way of real love, Alexenadra's attitude changes. In the end, though i wont tell you what happens 'cause that would be spoiling it, they fall madly in love!
This is a total romance series, lol! I loved it! Tracie is truly amazing!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

most books that have 4 stories in one, like this one, all are relevant to the title. the 4th story was not. it took place in Colorado. I kept waiting for it to move to NM but it didn't. i felt mislead, and was expecting something to happen... then the book ended.
don't get me wrong, i loved all the stories, always well written by Tracie, but i felt let down. could have just done the first three since the last book didn't meld with the other characters, and made another Colorado book.

[Tinker bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

[ANNETTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done ! Loved all 4 stories . This book is about faithfulness of God and the people that hold on to his love.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so refreshing to read a romance novel that is G rated.