A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson.....A Book Review

I received this book from Bethany House, through their blogger program, in exchange for an honest review.

From the back of the book:

Marty Dandridge Olson is ready to leave behind the pain of the past.  Answering an advertisement for a "Lone Star bride," she leaves her Texas ranch and heads to Denver to marry a man she doesn't know. Jake Wythe is the man waiting for her.  Burned by love, he marries now simply to satisfy the board of Morgan Bank, which believes a man of his standing in society should be we. Together Hake and Marty agree they are done with romance and love and will make this nothing more than a marriage of convenience.  When missing money and a collapsing economy threaten his job, Jake's yearning  to return to ranching grows even stronger, much to Marty's dismay.  But a fondness had grown between them, as well, further complicating matters.  What will happen when their relationship shifts in unexpected ways...and dreams and secrets collide?

A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson is book one in the Lone Star Brides series. This is Tracie's 100th book!  The book is based in the 1890's in Texas and Denver, Colorado.  Marty is a widow who lost her husband after he was gored by a bull on their ranch. Jake, a widower, lost his wife after she decided she was not in love with him and ran off to another country. She later died of a fatal disease. 

Jake, who is originally from Texas, is now living in Denver , Colorado and working for a prominent bank in the city.  The owner's of the bank decide that a man in his position should have a wife.  He decides to advertise for a mail order bride from his home state..."A Lone Star Bride". Marty answers the ad and travels to Denver to be married.  

They both agree that the marriage will be one of convenience as they are both done with romance. Jake's dream is to go back to Texas and own his own ranch.  Marty owns a ranch that she has never told Jake about. As Marty and Jake grow closer she decides it is time to tell him the truth about her ranch.  

There are a lot of interesting characters in this book.  Along the way you will meet Mr. Brighton the butler and Mrs. Landry the head maid.  They love to bicker with one another.  Then you will meet Alice. Jake replaced her father at the bank after he was murdered, and now she is hired as Marty's chamber maid.  You will be able to read more of her story in book two of the series...A Moment in Time.

I loved this book and had trouble putting it down. I was sad to see it end and I can't wait to read the second book to see what happens next in the lives of these characters. I love all of Tracie's books and have read almost all of them. All of Tracie's characters are so alive that you feel like you are a part of each one of her stories. If you would like to read more about Marty's earlier life you can find her in Tracie's Land of The Lone Star Series. You can also find out more about Jake from Tracie's Striking a Match Series. The Lone Star Brides series ties the other two together.

If you would like to read this book or any of the others listed please visit Tracie's author page at Bethany House or Tracie's Website to find out more information.