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New Mexico Sunrise #1
A Place to Belong
Maggie hates Garrett Lucas, despises her father, and is running from God.
Stong-willed Magdelena Intissar has a temper that matches her auburn hair. She always gets her own way, and she is not about to let Garrett Lucas drag her away from her childhood home to rejoin the father who deserted her when she was eight years old.
After failing to sneak down a rose trellis at her Topeka home, Maggie boards a westbound train with Garrett. Feigning cooperation but bent on escape, late one night, she slips off the train and starts walking east across the prairie. The risk of death is preferable to facing her father and her painful memories.
But Garrett—and God—have other plans.
Stong-willed Magdelena Intissar has a temper that matches her auburn hair. She always gets her own way, and she is not about to let Garrett Lucas drag her away from her childhood home to rejoin the father who deserted her when she was eight years old.
After failing to sneak down a rose trellis at her Topeka home, Maggie boards a westbound train with Garrett. Feigning cooperation but bent on escape, late one night, she slips off the train and starts walking east across the prairie. The risk of death is preferable to facing her father and her painful memories.
But Garrett—and God—have other plans.
170 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 29, 2020
More of a 2.5 because I kept wanting to slap the heroine in the face for acting like a five-year-old. I liked her quite a bit once she acted more adult. There was a lot of stuff going on in the story, and I felt like the bit with the cattle rustlers was more of a minus than a plus because it really threw in all the stereotypical “western” sort of things and it didn’t honestly advance the plot at all. I really liked all the Scripture lessons in it, though. I’ll be reading more in the series.
July 15, 2021
This book has made me laugh and cry. It's helped me to realize the importance of Trusting in God and having Faith in Him ❤️
I thank God for authors who include God in their stories because this reader really admires that! 😊 Definitely a 5 star read for me! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
I thank God for authors who include God in their stories because this reader really admires that! 😊 Definitely a 5 star read for me! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
March 17, 2024
A Place to Belong by Tracie Peterson is the first book in a four book series New Mexico Sunrise. I generally enjoy Ms. Peterson's books, and I will finish the series, but this was a difficult read.
The main female character is seventeen year old Maggie. When the book begins, as well as for most of the book, she is a self centered, stubborn, spoiled girl. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if I was guilty of the same attitude and character flaws when I was 17, but I am 64 now, and don't remember.
Maggie is living in Topeka, Kansas with her grandmother when the story begins. Her father sends a representative to bring her to his ranch in New Mexico. She doesn't want to go, tries to run away several times, and makes it quite difficult for those around her, especially for her escort.
Once in the ranch, she continues to be difficult. She is rebelling against God, as well as her father.
Her father is dying of heart disease, and she doesn't make it easier on him.
This is a Christian romance, and the Christian message is not subtle. As a Christian, this does not bother me, but others might find it too intrusive in the story. For most of the story, Maggie is rebelling against and striking out at both God and all people in authority over her. I kept wanting to tell her to grow up and to act her age.
I had the honor and privilege of caring for my parents in their final illnesses. I was able to see them safely home to God's welcoming arms. Both lingered, and both passed in a similar way to the one described in the story. Enough time has passed that I wasn't triggered, but at one time I probably would have been.
The main female character is seventeen year old Maggie. When the book begins, as well as for most of the book, she is a self centered, stubborn, spoiled girl. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if I was guilty of the same attitude and character flaws when I was 17, but I am 64 now, and don't remember.
Maggie is living in Topeka, Kansas with her grandmother when the story begins. Her father sends a representative to bring her to his ranch in New Mexico. She doesn't want to go, tries to run away several times, and makes it quite difficult for those around her, especially for her escort.
Once in the ranch, she continues to be difficult. She is rebelling against God, as well as her father.
Her father is dying of heart disease, and she doesn't make it easier on him.
This is a Christian romance, and the Christian message is not subtle. As a Christian, this does not bother me, but others might find it too intrusive in the story. For most of the story, Maggie is rebelling against and striking out at both God and all people in authority over her. I kept wanting to tell her to grow up and to act her age.
I had the honor and privilege of caring for my parents in their final illnesses. I was able to see them safely home to God's welcoming arms. Both lingered, and both passed in a similar way to the one described in the story. Enough time has passed that I wasn't triggered, but at one time I probably would have been.
February 20, 2020
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.
August 9, 2025
A good read. Loved the setting (traveling to New Mexico at the turn of the century). Simple love story - of how love grows on you. Relying on Christian faith (not too many or too little references). A little unbelievable how someone could change from a big time spoiled brat to ther maturity of a grown woman in .... what .... several weeks? But, its a story you know. I do like Tracie Peterson books - shes a good narrator, good descriptions, believable characters and a bit of suspense built in.
July 31, 2021
Oh my gosh!
Tracie Peterson's writing certainly stirs up a lot of emotions as you turn from page to page! I was shocked and sickened by the unexpected tragedy nearing the end of the story, but the love and tenderness as it came to the final pages soothed me! A very enjoyable book!
Tracie Peterson's writing certainly stirs up a lot of emotions as you turn from page to page! I was shocked and sickened by the unexpected tragedy nearing the end of the story, but the love and tenderness as it came to the final pages soothed me! A very enjoyable book!
April 11, 2014
Every human has the need to belong and Maggie was no different. She felt comfortable being with her grandmother in the city. In her child's mind she had felt guilty she was alive n her mother n brother dead. Her father abandoning her in his grief. But he was wanting to make it right. The story is a Gomer n Hosea story,in that the father sent Garrett to bring Maggie home to New Mexico before he died. Maggie only wants to stay with grandmother, but has only two hours to get packed n on the train. To leave the known to the unknown is risky for all of us. When Garrett tells Maggie he was going to be her husband n he wouldn't do that until she reconciled with her father n was saved n friends with God. Maggie has a lot to decide so the story begins.
May 9, 2011
This book was written by Georgia Williamson's granddaughter. We deliver books to Georgia in Topeka. The book was pretty good. A girl goes out west to live with her father who she doesn't know. The girl falls in love with the ranch hand . . .
Now almost a decade after I read this book I find out that Janelle Jamison is now Tracie Peterson! Georgia Williamson would be so proud.
Now almost a decade after I read this book I find out that Janelle Jamison is now Tracie Peterson! Georgia Williamson would be so proud.
June 20, 2015
Great book. It explains salvation and God's love for us beautifully
It also shows the value and importance of being equally yoked in marriage and keeping God at the center of your marriage
It also shows the value and importance of being equally yoked in marriage and keeping God at the center of your marriage
April 26, 2016
Faith Found
Stories about stubborn self absorbed people aren't always fun to read but this one is full of truth and flows so sweetly into the miracles that happen when faith is found and Jesus is the answer.
Stories about stubborn self absorbed people aren't always fun to read but this one is full of truth and flows so sweetly into the miracles that happen when faith is found and Jesus is the answer.
August 28, 2009
Quick read and very uplifting christian story.
January 6, 2015
I love Tracie Peterson so mcuh
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews