When You Are Near

Written by Tracie Peterson

Narrated by Pilar Witherspoon

After her father's death, Lizzy Brookstone, the star trick rider of the all-female Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, loses interest in performing. What she longs for is a life with the Brookstone ranch foreman, Wesley DeShazer, the man who once broke her heart. Meanwhile, Jason Adler, son of the show's new financial partner, comes to help with the show, and Lizzy soon finds him vying for her affection. Ella Fleming is fleeing a forced engagement when she stows away on the Brookstone train. Lizzy finds her and gives her a job in the costume department, but Ella has a dangerous secret that could affect all of their lives, as well as the future of the Brookstone Extravaganza. When Mary Reichert, a former sharpshooter for the show, learns that her brother, August, has been killed at the Fleming farm, she refuses to believe it was an accident. She returns to the show to find the truth, but is she seeking justice or vengeance? As the three women work together to discover how August died, Lizzy strives to hold the show together. Can she keep the Brookstone Extravaganza alive without losing the desire of her heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781980018476

Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson (TraciePeterson.com) is the bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary, with nearly six 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.

Reviews for When You Are Near

[hes7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What fun! Set within an all-female Wild West show, Tracie Peterson’s When You Are Near delivers a delightful blend of adventure, mystery, and romance.When her father dies, trick rider Lizzy Brookstone has some difficult decisions to make. She takes over management of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza, but her heart desires a simpler life. Her story unfolds with drama, danger, and suspense, and through it all, she proves capable and strong, an immensely relatable character I enjoyed getting to know.When You Are Near is a wonderful historical read, especially given its unique focus on trick riding. It has all the elements necessary to please fans of the genre. I recommend it and eagerly look forward to reading the next books in the series.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This new series by the talented author is a blend of adventure, intrigue and wonderful characters. I loved reading about trick riding. The description is well written and was easy to picture Lizzy as she did death defying tricks that made the audience gasp. I remember watching a few shows when I was younger where there were trick riders in the show. They were a crowd pleasure and was exciting to watch. The author is very knowledgeable in horses and I loved reading about the different types. Lizzy is a wonderful character and amazing trick rider. She has total trust in her horse and the crowds flock to see her. It was funny to read how many proposals she received from total strangers at the shows. She has been riding for a long time and thinks maybe it is time to retire from the Wild West Extravaganza. The death of her father has changed her outlook on life and she doesn't seem to be into the show as much anymore. Her mother didn't seem to surprised by Lizzy's decision and I think maybe she was a little happy to know her daughter wouldn't be doing the show anymore. Lizzie's father was the heartbeat of the family and his death has taken a toil on members of the family. It was interesting to meet Wes and how vital he is to the story. I loved reading about the relationship between him and Lizzy. They have a past together that only God will be able to heal. Ella is introduced into the story and is anxious to run away from her life. I wanted to help her after I read about her father. He raises champion horses that are perfect for trick riding. There is something about him that I didn't like. He is determined to marry his daughter off to a man who Ella has no feelings for. The author gives us a bit of mystery that heightens the story and made me want to not put the book down. The story is a wonderful look at ranch life and the time period that brings the Old West to life. I enjoyed getting to know the Brookstone family and how they made a living. There is a faith element in the story that shows us how important family, trust and forgiveness is. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I am so looking forward to finding out what happens to everyone of the people who are part of the Wild West show. I really loved Lizzie and how she helps people and can do such wonderful tricks on a horse. This is a wonderful western historical fiction romance. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is 1900 and the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza is a very successful wild west show that is made up entirely of young women performers. Elizabeth "Lizzie" Brookstone is the star performer but she is about ready to hang it up at the end of the current tour and return with her mother to the family ranch. Lizzie is 28, she is still grieving the death of her father and she has decided that she will never allow herself to love someone so completely that she would be destroyed if they should die and leave her alone. As Lizzie struggles with these doubts and with the feelings that she has long felt for the ranch foreman, she also finds herself offering protection to Ella Fleming, a young woman who has fled from the unscrupulous man that her father has chosen for her to marry. This famous wild west show is the focus of When You Are Near and if features horses, trick riders and even a female sharp-shooter. There is also a mystery concerning the death of a wrangler on the Fleming farm and the possibility that Ella's fiancee has committed several murders.This is a warm, family oriented story and I truly enjoyed the special relationship between Lizzie and her mother and the strong faith element that Rebecca Brookstone possesses. She often mentions that physical death is not truly the end and she also encourages Lizzie to not be afraid to love. In one conversation, she admonishes Lizzie "Don't avoid loving Wes because you fear what might happen should you lose him. Don't harden your heart against loving Wes."I found myself hoping that Lizzie could overcome her fear of love and loss and find true happiness with the young man that she has always wanted. When You Are Near is the first book in The Brookstone Brides series and I look forward to learning more about these special young women who are part of the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza.I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebration Lit Tours and I have chosen to leave this review.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

With her new Brookstone Brides series, Tracie Peterson creates a homey, faith-filled, adventurous ambiance in which romance and excitement coalesce. As a horse lover, I was immediately drawn into the story and thoroughly enjoyed reading about trick riding and the care of the horses, including some details about purchasing them from breeders. The Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza embodies the spirit of the Wild West era while uniquely being comprised of all female performers. The respect and equality that the women receive demonstrates how progressive this setting is, a rarity that adds depth and dimension to this tale. While the plight of a young woman fleeing a desperate situation indicates circumstances more typical of 1900, the actions of the main characters prove the prevailing love of Christ. Universal themes clearly link “When You Are Near” to contemporary life. The 28-year-old protagonist, Lizzy, is the star of the show, yet the recent loss of her father and that of others she loved in years past has hardened her heart and caused her to build walls to keep her pain at bay: “The need for people to care about her argued with the part of her determined never again to feel the pain that came with loss.” It is a common struggle because as humans we crave that intimate connection and yet also fear losing it, and unless we surrender our hearts to the Lord we will always have an emptiness within us, as Peterson illustrates. Furthermore, the loyalty that such relationships, be they romances or friendships, foster prove to be indispensable during the inevitable trials of life. In this story, the characters must each reconcile with their past in order to become who they are meant to be and to carry out the work to which they are called. The obstacles that they encounter along the way ultimately serve to strengthen them and to make them realize that the Lord truly does work all things for the good for those who love Him. This is a promising start to a new series, and I only hope that after a somewhat abrupt ending, more details will be revealed in book two. I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When You Are Near by Tracie Peterson takes us back to 1900. Lizzy Brookstone is a trick rider for the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza. Her heart has not been in it since the death of her father earlier in the year. Lizzy and her mother promised her father that they would finish out the year before heading home to their ranch. Oliver Brookstone, Lizzy’s uncle, has been managing the show alone, but his brother’s death has affected him as well. It turns out that the show is not doing well financially, and Oliver sold part of the show to Henry Adler who has sent his son, Jason to help turn around the business. Jason is attracted Lizzy (and makes sure she knows it) who does nothing to encourage him. Lizzy’s heart still belongs to Wesley DeShazer, their ranch foreman, who hurt her when he married another woman. Wes has been widowed for two years, but he avoided her on the ranch and when they met, he treated her like a sister. Is Lizzy ready to open her heart to another?Ella Fleming has been promised to Jefferson Spiby by her father and they are to be married at Christmas. Ella has no wish to marry Spiby who has a violent reputation, a known womanizer and is twice her age. With Lizzy’s help, Ella stows away aboard their private train. Ella will be twenty-one in January and then her father cannot force her to marry. While at the ranch, Lizzy trains Ella to be a trick rider in the show. Ella is grateful for the Brookstone’s help which makes her feel guilty for the information she is concealing from them. Ella is worried what will happen when she reveals her secret.Mary Reichert is devastated by the death of her brother, August. She refuses to believe that his death was accidental. The details do not add up considering August’s experience with horses. Mary, a sharpshooter, returns to the show to get answers and justice for her brother. Lizzy, Ella and Mary become close friends while training over the winter. They are determined to keep Ella safe from her domineering father, help Mary get the answers she seeks regarding her brother’s death and help make the Brookstone Wild West Extravaganza profitable once again. Come along to Montana for trick riding, sharpshooting, horses, friendship, love and adventure in When You Are Near.When You Are Near is the first book in the new Brookstone Brides series. I thought it was well-written story with strong female characters. The pacing is just right for this story (not too fast nor too slow). Lizzy Brookstone is a clever and determined woman who can do tricks on horses (wow). Her father’s death has hit her hard and her heart is no longer in the show. Plus, she is now twenty-eight and the tricks are beginning to take their toll on her body. Unfortunately, Lizzy is the shows main attraction. The show would not last without her unless she can find someone else to fill her saddle. After seeing how her father’s death affected her mother, Lizzy is afraid to let her love someone that completely. The author included historical details that enhance the story. The Christian elements are woven into the story beautifully and I appreciated the Bible verses included. One of my favorite phrases was “God guides us through our sorrows”. I completely understood what Lizzy was going through since I lost my father three years ago. What Lizzy needs to realize is that God is always there for us. I enjoyed the adventure and action in this story. There are characters for readers to love and root for as well as those we will love to dislike. Tracie Peterson crafted wonderful characters for this series. I like that there is a mixture of people from an English gentleman to a horse wrangler. It was interesting to learn what went into to running a wild west show. When You Are Near has love, loss, faith, friendship, family, justice and God. I am eager to read the next Brookstone Brides novel.