Within My Heart

This was the first book by Tamara Alexander I had the opportunity to read. I enjoyed the book. It has a strong educated femalelead in this book. Generally, I like historical fiction for the strength in the women who were able to take care of themselves. I enjoyed the storyline of two hurting people allowing themselves to fall in love again, without the story feeling sappy/cheesy...I kept the book and will be adding it to my romance collection. Thanks Bethany house for the opportunity to review!!!

Within My Heart is about so much more than two people falling in love. It's about celebrating life, about living it to its fullest, about stepping out in faith even when fear holds you in its grip, it's about saying goodbye to the people you love. It's beautiful, gorgeously written, layered, and utterly and completely delightful.

A good book asks you to join in on the journey of the characters. I gave my heart and soul to Rachel and Rand's journey, and I was not disappointed. In fact, as embarrassing as it is to say, I cried a few tears of joy at the end. It is a beautiful heartfelt story and the very best kind.

Rachel Boyd has been struggling to keep her husband's dream alive since his death two years ago. His dream(which became her dream too) was to have a successful ranch that would be a legacy for her two young sons Mitch and Kurt. Some days she wonders if she has made the right choices.It is a major struggle to keep the ranch afloat, with cattle dying and unable to make her payment to the bank she is forced to go to the bank and ask for more money, she also knows she will need to make some tough decisions where the ranch is concerned, but she is no longer sure that the ranch is her dream. Her father was a physician, not always there for his family, but Rachel learned from him the skill of taking care of the sick, she has a natural talent show more for it.
Rand Brookston is the local physician and sometimes veterinarian, he has issues from his past that he struggles to deal with, but he has been watching Rachel for some time. He admires her greatly often asking her to assist in medical procedures, so when Ben Mullens the local store owner and dear friend of Rachel needs a life saving medical procedure preformed Rand asks Rachel to assist. While she judges Rand based on the way her father was she soon comes to see that Rand is nothing like her father.Can she let down the protective shield she has placed around her heart and learn to love again?

Even though this was the third book in the Timber Ridge Reflections series, I missed the first two and had no problems becoming quickly immersed in this story. I really enjoyed reading this historical romance. Rachel's character had to be tough to run a ranch and raise two boys as well, she relies on God and also has support from friends and family. Her brother is a steady influence in her life, as well as Ben and Lydia. I was so glad when she finally gave in to her feelings for Rand, they needed each other, and he was so good with the boys.

This book was really so much more than just another romance, we saw a young boy deal with behavior issues, a man with heart issues learn that he didn't have long to live, and makes sure his wife is taken care of. We also got a small glimpse of what happened with Rand during the civil war, combine this with Rachel's struggles and you have a book that you won't be able to put down. On a scale of one to five this book easily rates a 5.

Even though I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House for review it in no way alters my opinion of this book! show less

Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander is an extremely well written, honest, enjoyable and thoughtful book. Although it is the third book in a series (Timber Ridge Reflections), I found that it worked well as a stand-alone title. I am motivated to read the first two books in the series now.

The setting of the book is a small town in Timber Ridge, Colorado, in the year 1877. The struggles of recent widow Rachel Boyd and others in the town are realistically described. I look forward to reading more from Tamera Alexander.

I enjoyed the fact that this is a book written with Christian beliefs in mind yet did not hit you over the head with those beliefs. In addition, I enjoyed the decriptions of the Colorado countryside and life during the late 1800s.

Widow Rachel Boyd is struggling to keep her husband's dream alive of a thriving ranch for their two sons. But problem after problem plus her younger son's constant misbehavior are making it difficult. Then a dear friend has medical issues and Rachel gets hurt forcing her into closer contact with the town's doctor Rand Brookston. Rachel's ability to hold on to misunderstandings and grudges has caused her estrangement from friends and inability to open herself to new friendships. This book is basically about breaking down the walls she has built around her. Good story.

I have always been a huge fan of historical romances (can't ya tell with all my reviews?) and so the chance to jump on reviewing Tamera Alexander's book, Within My Heart was one I definitely wouldn't pass up! And I am glad to say, that Tamera's excellently skilled hand has penned a novel that instantly captured my heart and mind when I opened the book.

I loved all the characters in this book. Even the secondary characters. But Rand Brookston was the one that really pulled at my heartstrings. I just couldn't stop praying for him as I read this book. He felt real to me and came alive next to me, as I read his trials and his efforts to win the affections of widowed Rachel Boyd, whom didn't want anything to do with love or doctors again. I show more felt a sisterly pull to Rand and wanted to wrap my arms around him and pray and pray for Rachel to open her eyes and see what a wonderful man she had in front of her.

I am saddened to know that this is book 3 in a series....I love to read a series in order, and certainly wish I would have done so with this! However, that being said, I was not confused by the events or details in this amazing story, a story of hope, love, forgiveness and letting go, and that makes it a great stand alone also. But my personal opinion? Read them in order! I wish I would have simply because I want to know more about the town of Timber Ridge and it's God filled characters and I will be reading books 1 and 2 as soon as possible!

I definitely recommend this book with 5 stars and then some! It's history and God filled plot will instantly captivate you and draw you into the loving families of Timber Ridge. When you close the last page, you'll feel like you've left home. Tamera Alexander has amazing talent and any Alexander fan will want to add this book to their collections, and if you're not an Alexander fan already, this is one author whom you'll want to be checking out! Fantastic work!

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House Publishers* show less

This whole series of books, Timber Ridge Reflections, was great. I got to know and love the folks of Timber Ridge and Tamera does such a good job. Alot of times when I read a series one of the books may not be as good as the others, but in this series it would be very hard to pick which one I liked the best, cause they were all good. I would like to thank Bethany House for sending me a free copy for review, and thank Tamera for also sharing a little bit of herself in her books. I especially felt blessed to read "A Note From Tamera" at the end of book 3. I appreciated her thoughts on the 2 main characters, Rand and Rachel, when she said, "Rand and Rachel each took steps of faith into the life God was calling them to, though they couldn't show more see what that life would look like. Because, like us, if they could see, then it wouldn't be faith."
This story is about Rachel Boyd, who is struggling to maintain her late husband's dream of a ranch for her two young boys. She is a very stubborn woman, who has a hard time forgiving and forgetting and seeing the good in some folks. She also has a tender heart, easily hurt.
Dr. Rand Brookston is a great doctor and person, who has come West to make a difference in the healthcare of this small town. He has had an interest in Rachel for quite awhile, even though she has shown no interest in him. When they both are needed to help the life of a dear friend, they have choices they must make and their feelings for each other become quite apparent.
I had a range of emotions while reading this story and even had to get out the Kleenex box during a part in this book. The whole series has become a "favorite" in my book collection. (I also want to say the the person who had charge of selecting the covers for these stories did a awesome job!)
I would like to leave my review with a quote from the book that really meant alot to me, where Rachel is thinking back over hard circumstances in her life, it "didn't change the eternal truth that God was sovereign, that His provision was unfailing, and that His love was perfect." This story brought that truth home very well. show less