Now this is the third book in this series, and you might want to treat yourself and read them too, but you can read this one alone, the author gives you enough to keep you up to date.

We are now in the clean up phase after the devastating earthquake that shook San Francisco, and are offered some interesting facts of what was really happening there. We are caught of in the lives of several of the characters, with more to come.

There are times here when evil really raises its ugly head, and you will be holding your breath at the outcome.

I loved the epilogue we are given! You don't want to miss this great read filled with love, compassion, and forgiveness!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Tracie Peterson is such a great write she know how to draw you from the first page. I loved this story, it fits with what Our world is going through right now! How we need to sometimes step back, slow down and evaluate our lives!! It is a clean period romance!

Synopsis:
After getting left at the altar, Kenzie Gifford flees to San Francisco to start her life over, determined never to love again. She's made new friends and has a good job in the office of her cousin's chocolate factory. The only thorn in her side is Dr. Micah Fisher, who insists on pursuing her despite her constant rejection.

Then the Great 1906 Earthquake strikes the city, and everything changes. The devastation all around her makes Kenzie reevaluate her outlook on life--and possibly even her feelings for Micah. But then her world is rocked again when her ex-fiancé appears, full of apologies and determined to win her back. But Arthur already broke her heart once. Does she dare trust him again? The sudden arrival of a hidden danger will expose the motivations of all involved, but it could cost Kenzie her life--as well as her heart.

What a lovely story of family, regrets, hopes, and drama. I liked that it featured a doctor and nurse helping out in a city recovery effort after a major natural disaster. It was wonderful to see friends sticking up for and supporting one another. The way these characters overcome obstacles was inspiring.

The one drawback for me was that the leading lady used deception to accomplish her goal toward the end—and never recognized this as a wrong and devious method of getting what she wanted. It was hard for me to believe she had lowered herself to the same level as the bad guy instead of standing tall and firm for her morals and for what is right in the face of trials. This completely took the steam out of the finale for me, which was quite a let-down after the buildup of the previous two books (and even the story within this book).

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for this partnership.

Her husband having dropped her at the altar, Kenzie escaped to San Francisco to start from scratch and never fall in love again. At work in her cousin's chocolate factory she makes lots of friends. Dr. Micah turns around him except that an earthquake in 1906 attacks the city which is devastated and his ex-fiancé resurfaces full of regret.

A third book read in one go so much I found the story so moving, captivating and full of suspense and twists and turns. Looking forward to reading the full series.

Normally I don't like romance stories. But this series is so much more than a romance story it is also a great mystery novel. I throughly enjoy this book series.

In Times Gone By is the third novel in Golden Gate Secrets series by Tracie Peterson. It is April of 1906 in San Francisco and the city has just suffered devastating earth quakes. Kenzie Gifford and her friends have relocated to a large warehouse to help those in need. The warehouse will be turned into a shelter for women and children which will be called Shelter Rock. Kenzie, at her friend’s urging, recently wrote her ex-fiancé, Arthur to let him know she forgives him for not showing up at the church on her wedding day. She is currently worried about Dr. Micah Fisher whom she has not seen since the earthquake. Kenzie has been keeping Micah at arm’s length because she is afraid of getting her heart broken again. The destruction and number of deaths makes Kenzie rethink her decision. She does care for Micah and is willing to let him court her. Then Arthur arrives full of apologies and explains his father orchestrated the wedding day mishap. Arthur states he still loves Kenzie and wants to marry her. Kenzie is full of mixed emotions and unsure what to do. Caleb wonders at Arthur’s true motivations and decides to do a little digging. Victoria Whitley, Judith Whitley’s cousin, arrives in town and is outraged to learn that Judith controls the purse strings as well as being her guardian. Victoria is determined to get free. An unexpected ally can help Victoria achieve her goal. What decision will Kenzie make in the end? How will Judith, Kenzie and Camri’s stories play out?

In Times Gone By is the final book in the Golden Gate Secrets series. I do recommend reading the books in the Golden Gate Secrets series in order. I found In Times Gone By to be well-written with a gentle pace. I would have preferred more of a page turner. Tracie Peterson captured the time period with the devastation of the earthquake, the clothing, conveyances, politics, and attitudes of the people. Tracie Peterson manages to incorporate the historical events seamlessly into the story. Corruption was rampant in government and it was tough to fight the political machine as we see with Patrick Murdock’s story. The characters are developed, and they continued to grow over the course of the series. While In Times Gone By focuses on Kenzie, we also find out what happens with Camri and Judith. Plus, Judith’s relation, Victoria comes to San Francisco and manages to cause problems. I was not fond of Victoria and her shenanigans. I was especially disappointed that the villains did not get what was coming to them (a great injustice). Kenzie’s indecision where romance is concerned is understandable, but I felt it was drawn out. I admired Micah’s persistence where Kenzie was considered, but it can come across as pushy (nowadays it would probably land him in jail and with a restraining order against him). Christianity is an essential part of the story. The main characters beliefs are a part of who they are, and it shows in their everyday lives (having faith, praying, following God’s will and the path he has for their lives). The action picks up near the end of the book and the conclusion will leave readers smiling. I was happy the author provided an epilogue. I am giving In Times Gone By 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Fans of historical fiction and Tracie Peterson will be satisfied with the final book in the Golden Gate Secrets series.

Another well written book by Tracie Peterson. I would recommend reading the books in this series in order as there are lots of recurring characters and even some point of views from them occasionally. This is an easy, light, enjoyable read if you want to get lost in the world of San Francisco’s after the earthquake.

In Times Gone By is Tracie Peterson’s conclusion to her Golden Gate Secrets Series. I really enjoyed this book and think it was worth my time to read. I would recommend this book only if you have read the previous two books in the series, In Places Hidden and In Dreams Forgotten. Since Kenzie’s story is told throughout the first two book and then concluded in this last book, I think that someone who hadn’t read the other books would be confused by the missing information. However, if you have read the first two books, then you definitely want to read this book because it concludes not only Kenzie’s (although the focus is on her in this book), but also Judith’s and Camry’s stories as well. If you enjoy series because, like me, you don’t want to have to tell all the characters goodbye after the first book, then this whole series is worth your time to read. I really enjoyed each book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

In Times Gone By is the third installment from Tracie Peterson‘s Golden Gate Secrets series. I believe this one is my favorite from the series. I instantly felt connected to Kenzie. Especially, when her strength showed through when tragedy strikes and how she started to change. I enjoyed the historical details, making me want to learn more about the events.



I give In Times Gone By a well-deserved 5+ stars. I highly recommend it. It is such a wonderful and inspiring story.



I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

This book was a lot of fun to read. After reading the first two in this series I was dying for this book to come out. The characters are fun to watch and I enjoy the way they work together. It’s not rare to find them putting others before themselves, even if it is begrudgingly at times. In Times Gone By we follow Kenzie as she is confronted with a man from her past. He not only broke her heart but skewed her view on men. Micah has shown her that not all men are so selfish, but her heart can’t belong to two people at the same time. Her ex-fiancé sounds pretty believable, but there are some things that don’t make sense. Can they get to the bottom of it before Kenzie is forced to make a decision?

This story has so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. The world after a tragedy can be unlike anything we are used to. There are those that will seek to make gains from it, and others who give so freely to help their fellow man. This group of friends is the latter of the two, and I enjoyed watching them come up with ways to help those in need. This book would be fine as a stand alone, but I think you’ll enjoy the journey from the beginning as well. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have enjoyed this series by Tracie Peterson, and this third book brought a satisfying conclusion to the stories of Judith, Kenzie, and Camri. The historical details of the aftermath of the great San Francisco earthquake added much to this storyline and helped me grasp a little better the difficulties of daily life after the destruction of the city. As always, though, the author has given us a suspenseful and romantic end to the series. I also love the way that Tracie Peterson is able to share trust in God in her books in a way that fits perfectly with the story. This story has its share of twists nd turns, and held my attention to the end of the book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This continues the story of three young women who met on a train to San Francisco, each with their own agenda. They are at different levels of faith. All of the books teach a full understanding of Christian faith, and the characters all grow in their lives through that faith. Its during a time of great corruption within the city, which they are fighting to keep their businesses and homes. This story happens during the big earthquake. Even with the struggles they have personally, they reach out to the displaced and provide shelter and food. Each girl has a man in the story, and each has a degree of wealth. However they also encounter difficulties being without wealth. Mix in love, danger, struggles in figuring out where their path goes, and desires to be part of a family - which they form by their closeness and support of one another. Tracie Peterson's stories never disappoint! A full, rich story that you'll be glad you spent the time with. Isn't that the most gorgeous cover?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

In Times Gone By was written by Tracie Peterson, and is the third book in the Golden Gate Secrets series.
This book follows a young lady by the name of Kenzie Gifford. She has fled to San Francisco to escape her painful past, and has managed to find a good job and new friends-only to be caught up in the Great 1906 earthquake.
Amidst the ensuing devastation, can Kenzie help her city with recovery efforts while opening her heart to a new love?
My Thoughts: I enjoyed this series so much. You CAN read this book on its own, but to really get the back story-and enjoy some seriously wonderful writing-I highly recommend reading all three books. They are all very well-written, and this book brings about a neat conclusion to the series. There are plenty of twists and turns, interesting characters, and the book gives a good picture of what was happening in San Francisco at that time in history.
This is historical fiction at its finest, and I hope you will pick up the series and enjoy!
As always, I thank Bethany House for providing me with a free copy of this book for my unbiased review.

Set right after the 1906 Earthquake in San Francisco, the story opens with Kenzie Gifford and friends. Kenzie is sealing her heart against love, due to being left at the alter. Dr. Micah Fisher believes she is worth the wait, though, and pursues her honestly and slowly. With the aftermath of the earthquake, Kenzie and her friends are staffing a shelter for displaced persons. This keeps them quite busy, along with Kenzie’s search for her uncle, a chocolatier who has been unheard from in several days. Luckily he is found soon enough and the relief efforts continue. Ex-fiancé Arthur appears on the scene to add intrigue to the plot.
I’ve read all 3 books in the series and I think that is extremely helpful in knowing the characters. This book gave an interesting portrayal of the city after the earthquake. It spoke of the clean-up work, the martial law, the corruption of government, and the efforts of all the citizens to bring San Francisco back to life.

The setting of this book was well done. Even in the aftermath of an earthquake, the beauty of San Francisco could still be seen. The fact that this is the third book in a series, and I have not read either of the first two, was never a problem. That in itself speaks of a well written book. It was a joy to get to know these characters and feel myself step into the past. Their strong sense of faith in God and love for one another was an unshakeable bond. While this book is focused on Kenzie and Micah, we are allowed to see the perspective of several other characters. I always find that interesting since you experience a fuller range of emotion as everything unfolds. There are plenty of characters to love, and a good number that I wanted to 'bless their heart' right up to God's doorstep. My favorite part of the book was when Micah explained true love to Kenzie. For me, that was the heart of the book.

First off let me say I was reluctant to read this book when I did because I live less than 45 min away from San Francisco and would be there at least 3 times while in the middle of this book and the Anniversary of the 1989 Loma Preita October 17 was coming up which I was extremely traumatized from and my husband was in San Francisco at Candlestick for. Of course to top that off the show 911 had an episode of a 7.1 earthquake that I just had to watch!

Getting past all my personal stuff... I LOVED this series! This book was one of my favorite books of the series. From the conflicts and mysteries to the romance. I want to hear more about Victoria... maybe another book will have her in it! You are in for a treat when you read this series! Enjoy!

This is book three in the Golden Gate Secrets series. It is somewhat of a stand alone book, however you will miss lots of past history of all the characters and even on some things that are solved in this novel from previous books. So I would suggest reading the series in order for best understanding.

This novel focus' on Kenzie Gifford and Dr. Micah Fisher. While San Francisco is rebuilding much is happening with Kenzie, Micah and all their friends. There is history, romance and suspense in this novel.

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake comes alive in the conclusion of the Golden Gate Secrets series. Readers will be happy to learn Kenzie's story as she sorts through her emotions concerning Micah. A figure from her past will suddenly appear to create discord. This is a very enjoyable book with many references to historical figures, a little mystery and a lot of faith. Recommended!

After the horror of being abandoned at the altar, Kenzie Gifford starts life all over again on its altered scale, with new friends and a good job, being finished with love forever. But Dr. Micah Fisher pursues her despite her rejection. When an earthquake strikes the city, the utter devastation makes Kenzie reanalyze her views of life. She is horrified when her ex-fiancé resurfaces, determined to marry her at any cost. Can she trust him again? And what of her feelings for Dr. Micah Fisher? Latent dangers expose the intentions of everyone involved, but it costs Kenzie dearly as her heart is wrung dry. What should she do?

In Times Gone By by Tracie Peterson

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Tracie Peterson concludes her Golden Gate Secrets series with a story of loss and love that begins well but the ending leaves readers wishing for more valuable content.

I’ve read Tracie Peterson on and off throughout most of my high school and early adult life but have not kept up with her writings of late. Thus, when I was offered this book for review and accepted, I was unaware that it would be the finale of a series. That being said, I was able to gather the important information for this story easily. And while it was a little odd to not know the references to earlier books that were peppered throughout, I did feel like this book might stand fairly well on its own. There was much to like about this story from the long coming romance between Kenzie and Micah, to the rebuilding of lives, homes and businesses and further, to the justice that finally came for those of the city managers who had abused their position of power. I have visited the beautiful city of San Francisco and enjoyed walking the streets and seeing the sights. As I read this story I was able to picture the areas mentioned and that added much to my reading experience. The romance between the two main characters was well done, with plenty of excitement and much learning about the other throughout the pages. As Kenzie and Micah work through their trust and faith issues, they both learn that love is willing to give and accept all for the good of the other person. However, there was much about this story I did not care for, from the lack of comeuppance for Victoria and Arthur to the lack of backbone that Kenzie showed, as well as the overall slow pace at which the story moved. Victoria was such a vicious and backstabbing character that I was hoping to see get what she deserved in the end, but that never came – she just got to walk away leaving destruction in her wake. Arthur, too, was a two-faced character who deceived, kidnapped, beat and stole from others and in the end his money got him free of any charges. I know this sometimes happens in real life but it was a big letdown to see that none of the “bad characters” were really thwarted in their pursuit to get what they wanted. And, as much as I wanted to like Kenzie, I just couldn’t. She was a wishy-washy character who was very selfish and immature. I realize her father did her a great injury by not accepting and showing her more affection, but when it comes to accepting love from others she simply chose not to. I also don’t see how she fell for Arthur in the first place if he acted the same before as he does in the pages of the book. Controlling and arrogant would surely not appeal to a young woman who looked for love and kindness her whole life. Her inability to see the kind and sacrificial love that Micah offered her was a bit ridiculous and made me roll my eyes on occasion at her silliness. The other negative I had from this book was the slow pacing. I felt like the story had extra padding from extensive conversations that were not necessary to the progress of the plot and slowed it considerably. By the time I got half-way through, I started checking how many pages left quite often as I was getting bored, not a good thing for a story in my opinion. So while I enjoyed some parts of the story, there were others that just made the book hard to finish. I was pleased to see the ending for the main characters but very disappointed with the lack of retribution for those who did wrong. I will recommend this book as a clean read but will warn others that they may get bogged down with all the extra wording. I am hopeful that Ms. Peterson will begin another series soon and I will be looking out for those works in the near future.

I received this E-book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.