A Surrendered Heart

The Broadmoor Legacy #3

by Tracie Peterson, Judith McCoy Miller

When cholera strikes Rochester, N.Y., most of the members of the Broadmoor family flee to their castle home in the Thousand Islands. But Amanda Broadmoor resolves to remain in Rochester to help control the spread of the dreaded disease. However, much more than Amanda's health hangs in the balance. Mishandling of the family fortune threatens to leave the Broadmoor family penniless and scorned by society unless Amanda is willing to sacrifice her future. Will she be forced to marry a man she disdains in order to save the Broadmoor legacy?

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

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Hillary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first couple books in this series, but this one was too far-fetched for me. I found Amanda's fixation with saving face for her family really hard to believe. As Ellert showed more and more of his truly awful character, Amanda's stubbornness in remaining with him made no sense. She loathed the man and had no obligation to him except an agreement her father made, which she did not have to uphold (since she was legally and adult). She was supposed to be level-headed and reasonable in all the books, but she lost all credibility in this one. When her parents are proud of her decision and say she has maturity beyond her years, I just think she's playing the martyr and showing very little self worth. I'm glad the creep ended up overboard, but I didn't think it was as plausible as it should've been. I understand the underlying message of the Christian author, but it's the way it was laid out was too unbelievable. That goes for both Ellert and Uncle Jonas in this book. They're just too over-the-top.

[Hannah Beth (Hannah's Book Cafe) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series! Loved all the books and I love these authors writing together. I'll definitely be back again!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the final volume of a trilogy about three Broadmoor cousins, and this was Amanda's story. Things become much more tense in this one than the previous two; a real page turner at times. I did feel that Sophie seemed unreal at times because of the quick way her emotions seemed to go from one extreme to another, Two characters were so evil I didn't like them at all, but that added to the story for me. Financial ruin, betrayal, family relationships, forced marriage,and true love are all part of this novel, and the ending was wonderful. I would have liked to hear a little bit more about Fanny and Michael, though.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe I couldn't get as into this story because I hadn't read the others in the series? It was a little bland with law and not a lot of action for half of the book. I did like the end as the action picked up, it was an exciting ending to an other wise slow read. I loved the location as my family is from The Thousand Island area, so it was fun to imagine it as it was so long ago. Worth the read, but I probably wouldn't read it a second time.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the final novel in The Broadmoor Legacy series, and is set in the Gay Nineties. It focuses on Amanda Broadmoor Amanda has a great desire to become a doctor and having been denied medical school by her miserly father is working with Dr. Blake Carstead, a single man, at a Home for needy people run by her Uncle. Little does Amanda know that her father has found himself in financial troubles and is trying to dig his way out any possible way whether legal or illegal. What will he try and will Amanda be the one who takes the punishment for her father's faults?

I felt this one moved rather slowly and was somewhat predicatable as far as the plot line. Quite a few things were repetitive and just didn't have the flow I normally see from Tracie Peterson. This is one of her older series though.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracie Peterson was one of my favorite authors about 20 years ago. I got started on "The Broadmoor Legacy" after buying the first book on Kindle when it was on sale for $1.99. While on Spring Break vacation a week ago, I read the entire trilogy.

The series is about three cousins: Fanny, Sophie & Amanada. Set in the 1890's, their grandfather's death leaves wealth to the three families. Each book tells the story of one of the cousins.

Book 1... Fanny, the only cousin who actually inherits a share as her parents are deceased, has fallen in love with the boat handler... which isn't acceptable to the family.

Book 2... Sophie falls in love with a man during a boat trip to England... but, is he all he claims to be?

Book 3... Amanda's father has mishandled the family's fortune, and she might have to pay the price.

The stories are all entertaining and I love how Tracie Peterson weaves messages of hope and love and God throughout.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read one other in the series, I think. I liked the doctor, but it felt like we jumped in the middle of his relationship with Amanda. Liked the banter between the two in the beginning. Couldn't understand why Blake left such a vague note. I also didn't prefer Amanda's attitude about the forced marriage. Her father seemed like a jerk and for all her willfulness she should have stamped her foot down. But I loved the last page.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The conflict and its eventual resolution in this novel is a bit ridiculous, actually, incredibly ridiculous, and because of that, I hated most of the book. But at least it had a happy ending.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lacked a good editor. Any Christian emphasis is tangential. It was okay to read on a cold day with a blanket covering you but not a book to learn anything. I did not find it particularly entertaining. While not mushy or sentimental, it was too perdictable.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine conclusion to the series. I believe a happily ever after was provided for the three leading ladies. This is a Christian novel so it is a clean book but it was missing the fun. You can still have a fun book and be clean at the same time.

[Kellie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy! The cheese!!!! :) The first book in this series was quite good - this last one was a bit much.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

lame dialogue, only one character that I cared about and wanted to see what happened, really crazy plot

[Cynthia L. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I completed the third book in the Broadmoor Series, hoping that there would be some redeeming qualities, because these authors are well-known and prolific. I was disappointed.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great conclusion for the series! and excellent read!

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Surrendered Heart is the culmination of the Broadmoor legacy. Everything really comes together and starts to build as the end of the series approaches. I really enjoyed the way Fanny found out about Jonas’ deceit. I was expecting a big public family squabble, but instead the secrets and behind the back maneuvering made for excellent intrigue within the plot. Additionally, the horror, tension, and impossibility of Amanda’s situation made the surprise ending all the more unexpected and wonderful. The themes of praying and letting God handle an impossible situation, second chances, and looking for the best in others were great traits of this novel. The 4th of July with Fanny and Michael was a heartwarming and romantic scene. Overall, with all of the drama and fast pace of the story, this book was on pace to be my favorite of the series. It was until the end. The ending itself was sweet and hopeful, but it left some serious issues unresolved. What happens to Jonas? After not only spending much of this book but much of all three books learning of his deceit, all we get in the end is a few lines about how he will have to face the consequences of his actions and maybe do some jail time. How can that be all we are given? I understand if Jonas’ story is supposed to be about grace and how anyone can turn their life around to start down a better path. However, if you choose to devote so much of a series to the detailed outline of the bad guy’s plans then you need to let the readers know what happened to the bad guy in the end. It makes the book feel like it is missing pages. It would have been nice for more details at the end about where the family’s financial situation ended up and how Michael and Fanny’s played out as well. Altogether, it seemed like the novel ended with the wrap up of Amanda’s story without regard for storylines from previous books that still required resolution. This is an enjoyable read if you don’t mind a few missing details at the end.

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelby, Village patron, July 2017, 5 stars:

A sequel to AN UNEXPECTED LOVE. Cholera had struck Rochester, and the medical practice Amanda and her doctor run is full of patients. Amanda comes down with the disease and the doctor realizes he cannot live without her. He finally pulls her through. Fanny has turned 18 and gets her grandfather's lawyer to handle her affairs after she discovers Uncle Jonas is stealing from her. Jonas has gotten into a financial bind and a creditor demands to marry his daughter, Amanda. Amanda cannot refuse and see her family in ruin. Besides her doctor has left the area without saying goodbye. The creditor turned fiancee is extremely cruel and does not even try to hide it. Everyone tries to save Amanda but she doggedly goes on with the wedding. On her wedding night, her new cruel husband gets into a rowboat in a storm with Jonas and is drowned. Jonas survives and repents of all his criminal habits. the doctor comes back and marries Amanda, and Fanny's fiancee returns from the Yukon with a fortune in gold. and marries her.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Amanda Broadmoor’s story to complete the series for The Broadmoor Legacy. The drama is repetitive in places as far as the devious actions of Jonas Broadmoor. At least, Fanny and Michael are finally together in this book, but poor Amanda is being forced into marrying a deceitful and power crazed man for only her father’s financial gains. Amanda wanted to become a doctor but her father put a stop to that. How is Amanda ever going to be happy again? The ending does show a chance of Jonas redeeming himself but oh the endless pain, suffering, deceitfulness he had sown for years.

A friend loaned me this series she had purchased at an estate sale, thus a review was not required. I simply state my own opinion. Tracie Peterson’s later books are lots better but Judith Miller is not on my list of authors to read.

[Pam Coll · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should have been the most delightful story, it started so well and had all the elements of a great read. But! such melodrama! stereotypes, and plot predictability. Another contradictory heroine, who was incomprehensible when she might have been admirable. Hero hesitant and unconvincing, behaved like a twit at least once. Have been exploring this writer but 2 out of 3 books have been a bit of a disappointment. Am editing this review because my first response was a bit savage. On the plus side, I have to say the authors produce some great ideas for stories and characters, and I do enjoy the historical background. The writing is smooth and easy to read, so shall keep browsing the titles.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a very good book which is about the Broadmoor family. Jonas, the father, is concerned about money, any way he can get it, even if it hurts his family. He has been in charge of his niece's inheritance and has misused the money to his advantage. He is now in deep trouble because of it. His daughter wants to be a doctor against his will and is working in an under privileged clinic. While working she developed cholera which is running rampant in the city. So, Jonas moves his family to their summer home and his daughter will come when she is well.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, I'd say this book is 3.5 stars, but rounded it up to 4 for the ending.
I found this book to be quite depressing for some of the time, there was 1 person in particular who was really horrible (putting it mildly) It was quite tense in parts too. I mainly wanted to read to see what happened to Fanny in the end. I did feel that the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, it was a good conclusion to the trilogy. Not my favourite CF series, my favourite book of this series has to be book 2. I read this on my kindle .

[Martha E. Walton]

The series did not disappoint

Another good series by Tracie Peterson! I'm ready to visit the Thousand Islands. I love the variety of characters that are so similar to a typical, crazy family of the current century. The book is well-written, except one page when the name Atwell was written Atwood twice. I don't think I can pass that off as a technical flaw in the conversion to Kindle. If you're ready to start the first book, be prepared to need to read all three!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out for the water!

I kept wondering how exactly the river was going to play a part and was pleasantly rewarded. The three cousins closenesness in this story has been endearing. I'm sorry to have it end. Would make for a great Netflix series of they could keep the sordid sex scenes out of it like the network it so inclined towards to ruin such romatic love stories. I like my imagination ank you.

[Dana Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book was a little slow to start, it quickly gained momentum and kept me on the 'edge of my seat', so to speak. After the ending of the first book in this series, I figured #2 and #3 would both end in like style. However, both kept me reading to quickly finish the series and I'm now glad I did. This book had twists that I didn't see coming, but yet hoped for, and in the end it finished as I had hoped.

[Matt Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful attention to detail

My favorite books are historical fiction. This author was extremely detailed and accurate in her description of the era and geography of the area. Im a lifelong resident of upstate NY and travel to the Thousand Islands frequently. I loved seeing those places come to life in the trilogy. Rochester is now on my summer vacation list.

[Caryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peterson and Miller have crafted a riveting, historical romance. The intense drama kept me turning the pages. I so appreciated the spiritual element woven among the pages.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

I borrowed a copy from my local library. I've expressed my honest opinion.

[Sophie Cimon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve bought the 3rd book even though the second one was awful. However, I needed to know about Fanny and Michael if they would end up together.

I did enjoy the last one more than the previous two. The end felt a little rushed, and too much divine intervention for my taste. But sometimes, you just need to read a romance with a good ending.

[Mary Shreffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three, Amanda is working with Dr. Blake when cholera hits NY in 1896. Amanda catches it and with her cousins they go to thousand island. While at the island, Jonas makes a deal to solve his financial troubles with ellert Jackson to allow him to marry Amanda. Michael returns and he and Fanny marry, Sophie and Paul find happiness with baby Elizabeth.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

This trilogy was so very difficult to put down! Wonderfully written with very believable characters and situations. You will not regret reading this trilogy...but you will likely have trouble putting it down!

[Yvonne Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I read 3 of the Broadmoor Legacy Books. This was a great series. I feel sad that I've finished the last book. This is one of my favourite authors ever, and I will continue to read her books.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful end of the trilogy!

I really enjoyed this trilogy. An excellent wrapup and well written. This trilogy has also made me desire to go travel to these historic thousand islands to explore!