"There is contentment and joy in my heart that I never hoped to have." This is my favorite quote in the book. Both Brandon and Cassie have reasons to not be joyful and content but they find it in unsuspecting places. Cassie has recently lost her father and has an accident that makes her unable to work. Brandon had promised Cassie's father that he would look out for her. They develop a strong friendship that may lead to more. An unexpected twist of intrigue leads them to become closer to each other and to God. ( )

Under the Starry Skies by Tracie Peterson is the third book in Love on the Santa Fe series. This is a wonderful story with clean romance, life challenges, faith and forgiveness. The plot is engaging with unexpected twists and turns and the characters just jumped off the pages and pulled at my heart strings. I loved reading this book and I highly recommend it!

I received Under the Starry Skies for free. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are my own. Thanks to Ms. Tracie Peterson as well as Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book. ( )

Title: Under the Starry Skies (Love on the Santa Fe #3)
Author: Tracie Peterson
Pages: 304
Year: 2022
Publisher: Bethany House
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Each book in this series can be read as a stand alone or in order. The novels are Along the Rio Grande, Beyond the Desert Sands, ending with Under the Starry Skies. The setting for the stories is San Marcial, New Mexico during the early 1900s with the Santa Fe Railroad expanding its operations.
Here, in the final installment of the series, the story is told of Cassandra Barton’s life after recently losing her father in a train derailment. Cassie, which is how her friends and neighbors refer to her, is an excellent seamstress and a woman whose faith guides her every day. She has been a friend of Brandon Dubarko for years. He worked alongside her father. When Cassie is injured and can’t sew, she sets out to write down the curious stories told to her by her father and others who work for the railroad.
Brandon is a man who carries a heavy load in his heart that has been there for several years. Brandon promised Cassie’s father that he would look out for the man’s daughter and has been doing so faithfully. However, something is changing in their relationship, and Brandon isn’t sure he can pursue Cassie unless the past mistake comes to light. Only then might he be free to pursue Cassie and see if she wants a future with him as much as he does with her.
The series is well-written and at times exciting to read. There are threads of faith, hope, and redemption throughout the story that make for a delightful time of reading. As usual for this author, Tracie Peterson, also has some twists and turns in the plot that took me by surprise. The ending was really touching and full of promise for the characters. In March 2023, the author’s new series, Pictures of the Heart, debuts with Remember Me. I can’t wait to read the new novel!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )

Under the Starry Skies was an attention catching and keeping novel. Through the novel, you experience life's struggles with Cassie and Brandon. Cassie is struck with tragedy and Brandon helps Cassie through her time of need and continues to help even after she becomes self-reliant again. Bandon needs to learn how to let go of the past and forgive himself to move on to a happy future.
Cassie and Brandon are both reliant on God and look to Him to help forgive others, protect them, and help them heal. Peterson gives realistic views on what life would have been like while developing and protecting the railroad coming into the Great World War. She also shows the dependency we need to have in God to help us forgive, heal, and protect.
*I received this through the Bethany Publishing House and I was not required to publish a positive review.* ( )

In a heartwarming story that takes on some difficult subjects, Ms. Peterson engaged me in the lives of the characters.
Cassie has much to deal with after an estrangement with her sister. Her memories of a loving but harsh and hurting father, along with her faith have sustained her.
I like the way the author not only presents problems encountered in every day but provides the spiritual answers. The setting was interesting and I learned a lot about the early railroads and living in a desert town. She crafted a believable villain who was sneaky but did not pull the wool over the eyes of Cassie or Brandon.
Brandon was a steady force but had things in his past that haunted him and needed to be resolved. The conclusion was satisfying.
A theme that was woven throughout was that we need to yield to God and trust in Him. “It is all about Him and not about us.” Other themes presented were forgiveness, reconciliation, reward in honest work and that truth will be revealed.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* ( )