Beyond the Desert Sands

Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Love on the Santa Fe #2
Release Date: July 5, 2022

Can she reconcile who she's become with who she's meant to be?

Accustomed to an opulent life with her aunt, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to celebrate Christmas in her parents' small silver-mining desert town, leaving her handsome beau, Diego Morales, behind in California. Adding insult to injury, she must bear the company of Aaron Bailey, the disapproving Santa Fe Railroad businessman her father has sent to escort her home, who clearly finds her spoiled.

But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father's health has become. Then a surprise visitor shows up with news that entirely upends the comfortable life she's been leading.

Faced with all these changes, Isabella struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope she stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

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Reviewer: Nancy J. Brown

Beyond the Desert Sands was interesting, well-written, and had very well-developed characters.

It's a story a lot of people should read today, one of a selfish, self-centered, snippy young woman who was born into wealth and, being an only child, was pampered and spoiled. Because circumstances were deliberately hidden from her, she reacted to
being denied her wants with childish bad manners. After being forced to travel back home with one of her father's best friends and confidantes, she eventually learns why things are the way they are. After being born again, the Lord opens her eyes, and she has appropriate remorse and shame for the sins she committed against her family. She matures into a more stable, reliable woman, capable of helping to run her father's business.

There is so much more to this book, and I'd love to read the others in this series. I highly recommend Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson to anyone who enjoys a clean, wholesome Christian historical fiction book.

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

Beyond the Desert Sands, set in the early 1900s, is an impressive addition to the Love on the Santa Fe series. Once again, Ms. Peterson, with her exceptional storytelling skill and fluent style, has crafted a captivating, inspiring story. The smoothly flowing plot relating a tale of estrangement, heartache, deception, revenge, and love kept me turning pages. 

Wonderfully descriptive prose dropped me into the New Mexico desert setting, allowing me to feel the atmosphere and experience the action. The well-crafted characters found a place in my heart very quickly. I enjoyed the slow and sweet unfolding of Aaron and Isabella’s unlikely romantic relationship. 

I greatly appreciate the strong faith thread throughout the story with themes of forgiveness and redemption. I love the way Isabella’s heart was transformed by faith. Aaron and Daniel are my favorite characters because of the strong faith that they evidenced daily. 

The educational and interesting history of the Santa Fe Railroad and New Mexico are expertly woven into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, especially for historical romance fans. Note: This book is easily read as a standalone. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

Beyond the Desert Sands takes place in New Mexico around the time it became a State. It can be read as a stand-alone.

Ms. Peterson treats us to a romantic and colorful setting in Silver Veil, New Mexico, and parts of California. She writes her heroine, Isabella, as a spoiled heiress who doesn’t realize how fortunate she really is. But this gives time for her to grow up and progress in her faith. There is a lot of emphasis on her parents and how their faith has shaped them, resulting in generosity and offering second chances.

Aaron, the hero, is well written with a compassionate and honest heart who is not afraid to tell the hard truth. There are plenty of scenes when hard choices are to be made and mercy to be shown. Danger lurks in unexpected places against a backdrop of rugged mining country.

Fans of romantic stories set in the old west will find a great story here.

A complimentary review copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Joy Hannabass

Spending Christmas with her parents in their small silver-mining desert town and leaving her beau Diego in California is not how Isabella Garcia planned the festive celebration.

Isabella has been upset with her parents since she was young. Because they turned her life upside down when moving from California to the small mining town of Silver Veil. At 25, she could make her own decisions, but her parents insisted that she visit. Surprisingly, the visit goes nothing like Isabella thinks it will.

Tracie Peterson writes a deep, thoughtful story in Beyond the Desert Sands. There were deeper reasons the Garcia's wanted their daughter Isabella in Silver Veil for Christmas. She begins to change as she is there a while and takes inventory of her life. Life takes on a more profound meaning the more she learns. 

Beyond the Desert Sands is the second book in Love on the Santa Fe, and this is turning out to be an awesome series. These are the first books I have read set in New Mexico. I am excited to learn more about this place through the vivid descriptions of the area, the food, the people, their ways, and just living in historic mining towns. I also love how Peterson weaves the Christian life and faith in her characters. Faith plays a huge part in this story and shows the importance of trusting God. 

As always, there is much more to this story, but you need to read the book to find out. If you love history and historical books, this one is an awesome clean read you should try. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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