I think The Heart’s Choice was such a wonderful beginning to The Jewels of Kalispell series. I always enjoy the writing of both Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse and when they team up, it’s even better! I could really relate to Rebecca and how she felt when it seemed like nobody would listen to her when she went a child and how she used that experience to help her find the courage to stand up for someone else who was being falsely accused. The relationship between Mark and his father truly made me sad, at first. I know what it feels like when you’re made to feel like the way you are is just wrong. I truly enjoyed the Judge and his wife and how they believed in Rebecca from the beginning, even if the Judge didn’t always follow her advice. Rebecca being a court stenographer in a time that this field was predominantly men. Rebecca had such a passion for justice and doing the right thing and it ruined made me lose her all the more. I loved watching Rebecca become a Christian and grow in her faith. I thought the way Rebecca’s and Mark’s relationship grew from acquaintances to friends to more. This was truly a sweet, easy to read story and I am absolutely looking to reading the rest of the series!

There were things I loved about this story. The story revolved around a love of reading. The theme of “good works” not being enough to save us was fantastic and factual (only Jesus Christ can save a person’s soul, by His sacrifice for us and our faith in Him in accepting Him as our personal Savior). The questions and analogies put forward on this aspect of the story were well thought out.

The major disappointment for me was that real history was changed by having a man be the first librarian of Kalispell. That was shocking from this pair of authors, who usually make sure their facts are accurate.

I loved the story itself, but changing historical facts is a huge hang-up for me.

Content: alcohol, gambling, tavern

"Women are the glue that hold the country together. God made us that way. We are the nurturers, the encouragers...
That’s why a relationship with God is so very important. He has given us an incredible job. A mission.”

I loved this quote! 🥰

This was a very nice read with great characters, a nice setting, and a beautiful cover!

Rebecca was a kind and relatable character, and her devotion to seeking justice was admirable.

My thanks to Bettany House Publishers for the complimentary e-book I received to review. A positive review was not required of me and the thoughts above are my own.

Triggers: blood

The Heart's Choice
by Tracie Peterson; Kimberley Woodhouse
Pub Date 16 May 2023
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley sent me a copy of The Heart's Choice to review:


Before it's buried forever, they have to uncover the truth.

As a little girl, Rebecca Whitman witnessed a wrongful conviction, which inspired her to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn't sit well with her about the case, but no one listens to her except the handsome new Carnegie librarian.



Mark Andrews' father sent him to college thinking he'd take over the family ranch. But he'd rather wrangle books than cows. Mark is immediately drawn to a patron who's trying to prove a man's innocence by researching it.



Will Rebecca and Mark find the evidence they need--and open their hearts to love--before it's too late?


I give The Heart's Choice five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Even if Tracie Peterson wasn't one of my favorite authors, I would still have given this book the 5 stars! It is so well written with believable events and likeable characters. Even the setting was described in just the right amount of detail. The conversations flowed and enhanced the story. I liked the strong female characters and thought they were written with heart not just smarts. Another great collaboration with Kimberley Woodhouse. I am looking forward to the second in this series.

What An Interesting Story! Full of Surprises!



This book had so many surprises and was very enjoyable to read! I can’t tell you how many times my jaw dropped. The characters are so interesting and the storyline unfolds with perfect timing.



Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse are an awesome team and I cannot wait for the next book in this series!



Audiobook: Narrated by Pilar Witherspoon 
I went back and forth between reading, listening and listening while following along in the book. Pilar was easy to listen to. She did not distract me from the storyline and did a great job at drawing me further in.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

3.5 ✨

I don’t read many books from this time period, but I did enjoy this one. The writing was very well done, though there were a few spots that lagged for me. Like I said, however, I don’t normally read from this time period.

I did enjoy the setting and the characters had very distinctive personalities to root for!

I enjoyed this book. I thought it might be a little slow and therefore a struggle, but it wasn’t. There was a nice element of suspense in it that kept me engaged. I would read these authors again

3.5 ⭐️ This book features women at the forefront of the suffrage movement at a time where some states, like Montana, were starting to grant voting rights to women. Rebecca Whitman, who is the first female court reporter in Montana, sets off on her own to the small town of Kalispell determined to be independent, and not marry the first man she meets. 😉

Mark Andrews is also blazing his own trail, instead of taking over the family ranch he pursues college and becomes the town librarian. I definitely love a bookish guy and I appreciated his character. I felt like he was relatable and well-balanced.

For me, the overarching storyline this book is more about Rebecca and her faith conversion. It seemed to take over the plot. If you are looking for romance to be the main focus, I think you will be disappointed. There is a mystery woven in as well, as someone is convicted of a murder that Rebecca and Mark believe is innocent, but I felt like it took a little too long to get into that part of the book.

I would’ve liked more romantic tension and chemistry, although I did enjoy Rebecca and Mark‘s friendship and how he helped her and brought out the best in her.

I liked the questions Rebecca presented to Mark as she explored her faith and tried to strengthen her relationship with her Savior. There is definitely some thought-provoking moments.

I think if you are someone who is struggling with your Christian faith or appreciate fictional stories of people finding their faith, then this is a book you would enjoy.

Thank you to Bethany House fiction for the complementary copy, all thoughts on my own.

The Heart's Choice, by authors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse, is set in the early 1900s in rural Montana. I enjoy historical fiction and this one did not disappoint. The authors did a great job blending faith in God into the story, even presenting the gospel message. The characters were portrayed realistically and were people I'd like to have as friends, well, except for the villain! I enjoyed this first book in the Jewells of Kalispell series and am looking forward to reading more books by these authors. I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

A fun read, set in a beautiful part of the country! I enjoyed the mystery, the clean nature of the romance, the developed characters. Thank you for the opportunity to read and to review this!

I'd never read anything by either of these two superstar authors before, so I thought this collaboration would be a great place to start. From the start, I had trouble getting invested in the story because the motivations for the two MCs felt very run of the mill to me. Ultimately, it was a solid member of the genre and I enjoyed a lot of the little details as well as the MMC's arc with his father, but there was nothing that wowed me or made me feel like this book was memorable.
I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to try these authors. I know that readers who like to know what to expect and a good faith message will like this book. All opinions are my own.

Love, redemption, mystery, and justice all come together to make this novel a very good read.
There is a tendency to predict how a novel under a type of genre will play out based on previous read works under such genre. Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse’s, The Heart’s Choice has disproved my assertion. The first book in The Jewels of Kalispell series is different because of the spiritual journey of the female protagonist. Rebecca Whitman is a young woman who moves from Chicago to Kalispell, Montana to take up a job as the first female stenographer of a court. It is this place that she meets people like Mark Andrews, Judge Asbury and his wife, the vivacious Marvella. Through interactions with these people, she finds romance, friendship and most importantly salvation. Almost all female protagonist I have read under this genre are already Christians. It was therefore new and interesting to read about Rebecca’s doubts and difficulties on her journey to salvation and seeking justice.
The novel was a bit difficult to read at first because the first aspect was quite slow. However, the second part of the novel picked up nicely to the extent that I could not put the book down. I loved the authors’ description of Kalispell. The description makes one want to add the place to one’s bucket list of places to travel to. Overall, a very good novel to read, any novel that places the gospel at the centre will always get a nod from me. If you are look for a solid Christian novel with a taste of romance, justice, friendship and women rights, this novel is one to check out.
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews

The Heart’s Choice is the first book in the Jewels of Kalispell.
I was drawn to this book for many reasons, first off it had a very eye-catching cover. The shades are just lovely. Secondly the author is one of my absolute favorites of historical fiction and my absolute favorite go to authors. I’ve been reading Tracie Peterson books for 30 years. And thirdly, Carneige libraries. I was so excited when I saw this book has the setting of a Carneige library. I grew up going to the Carneige library in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oakland Branch. Imagine towering ceilings and the old-time architecture of a building built in the 1800’s. This library is magnificent. I never knew there was a Carneige library in Montana, so I was most excited to read about it and the author has researched it so well and it’s written with such accuracy.
When she was a young girl Rebecca Whitman witnesses a brutal murder, mustering up the courage she goes to the police and tells what she had seen. Since she is a child, she was not believed, and the wrong man was convicted of murder. As an adult she becomes the first female court reporter as a way to defend the innocent. An upcoming murder trail will have no one listening except the librarian of the newly opened Carnegie library in Montana. Librarian Mark Andrews grew up in a farming household and his father has the highest hopes of his son taking over for him upon his retirement. This fascination with books and research and opening an exciting new library is surely a passing fancy for Mark his father believes. When it doesn’t turn out this way it leaves Mark feeling as though his father is disappointed in him and not accepting of him. Surely Mark can help Rebecca out with some important research in proving a man is innocent and if he succeeds will his father finally be proud of him? A wonderful slow burn romance that started out as friendship while trying to prove a man’s innocence. A fascinating book I’ll be looking forward to more books in the series.

Publication date May 16,2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Rebecca Whitman witnesses a crime and a grave injustice as a young child. She grows up and becomes a court stenographer with a passion for justice. She leaves home to become the first female court stenographer in Kalispell, Montana, and she's determined that she will not fall in love with the first man that she meets.

The first man that she meets is Mark Andrews. He grew up on a ranch, and though his father is determined that he will take over the ranch along with his sister, Mark has no interest in ranching. His passion is books, and he has his dream job opening the first library in Kalispell.

The Ashburys have helped and guided Mark since he was young, and Mr Ashbury is the district judge. His wife, the interesting wife, Marvella Ashbury. She is determine that Rebecca will meet both God and Mark Andrews. The Ashburys offer apartments in the same building to both Mark and Rebecca.

As the story unfolds we see Rebecca caught in another case of serious injustice, we see her wrestle with faith as she works her way through the Bible, and watch her relationship with Mark blossom. Meanwhile, Mark's father grows mysteriously weak and ill at the ranch, where family tensions are high. His sister has a mysterious new husband who seems quite willing to take over the ranch. Mark doesn't want to break his relationship with his father, but neither does he want to be a rancher. All these things come together as the court case unfolds.

**************
I genuinely enjoyed this story. The characters are rich and unique, from the delightful Marvella Ashbury to the loathsome Mr Tuttle. The mystery unfolds at just the right pace, and it kept me up reading at night. I always enjoy Christian fiction that has a gospel message in it, which this does. I will definitely be looking for more books by these authors.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Mystery, romance, and a darling little dog named Sir. Theophilus! I thoroughly enjoyed The Heart’s Choice. I was first pulled in by the gorgeous cover and then when I saw it was by long time favorite Tracie Peterson and new favorite Kimberley Woodhouse, I had to read it. Set in beautiful Kalispell, Montana at the turn of the century, a librarian and court stenographer work together to solve a murder mystery and find friendship, love, and faith along the way.

Mark Andrews is not the typical early 20th century man. His father allowed him to go to college expecting he’d come back and work on his successful ranch. Instead, he’s returning home to accept the position as the town’s first librarian. He loves the smell of books, and delights in the written word. He knows his sister and her husband are fully capable of running the ranch, but when his ailing father becomes even more ill, he questions if he’s made the right choice.

Rebecca McCutcheon witnessed a terrible crime as a child which left a lasting impression and a desire to seek justice. She’s leaving her family in Chicago to take a job in Montana as the first female court stenographer for Judge Ashbury. To assuage her parents’ misgivings, she promises not to fall for the first guy she meets despite the fact that the first man she meets is Mark Andrews and every booklover’s dream. When a horrible murder occurs and the man they accuse is an unlikely suspect, Mark and Rebecca work together to try to prove the man’s innocence and find the real killer.

Absolutely loved the slow burn, friends to lovers romance! Neither Rebecca nor Mark are looking for love. With a little help from the delightful Judge Ashbury, his wife Marvella, and their cute little dog Theophilus, Mark and Rebecca frequently find themselves in each other’s company. As they find mutual support and understanding, their easy friendship grows to more.

I enjoyed the way Mark and Rebecca worked together to solve the mystery. Rebecca is a strong character and both she and Mark broke the stereotypical barriers in their professions. They support each other’s dreams and goals and believe in each other. I loved the way Mark took all of Rebecca’s concerns seriously and fed her mystery loving heart with good books. I also enjoyed Rebecca’s faith journey and how Mark helped nurture her fledgling faith.

The mystery was well done and leads to a suspenseful, nail-biting conclusion! Highly recommend to Christian historical fiction, mystery, and romance fans! Looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher, but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse have created a compelling story with engaging characters, an intriguing mystery, and a strong message about the power of faith. This is my first time reading a book that these authors have co-written and I wasn’t disappointed!

This book has a lot happening as the authors skillfully build up the world and its characters. However, they managed to maintain a well-balanced pace throughout.

As a lover of books and learning, I found great enjoyment in the book’s focus on the love of literature and the pursuit of knowledge. The authors beautifully capture the enchantment that books can bring and the way they can inspire and transform lives.

The well-developed characters like Marvella and Judge Ashbury added richness to the narrative and provided additional perspectives that enhance the readers' experience.

I loved Rebecca's journey of discovering a personal relationship with God. It made her character all the more real. The authors present a heartfelt portrayal of faith, emphasizing its importance in the characters' lives without being preachy.

The heartwarming dynamics within the Andrew family and the endearing romance that blossoms between Mark and Rebecca, growing from a genuine friendship, added a layer of warmth to the story.

Let’s not forget about the mystery element! I'm a sucker for a good mystery, and we get that from Rebecca’s taste in books to the expertly crafted plot that kept me wondering and worried for those involved until the very end.

Over all I truly enjoyed this story and look forward to the other books in the series to come.
Thank you @bethanyhouse for a copy of this book to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

I have been a huge Tracie Peterson fan for years, but somehow, I have never read one of the books she has written with Kimberly Woodhouse. I will definitely be reading more of them.

I absolutely devoured this book and did NOT want to put it down. The characters were so fun to get to know and fall in love with. I mean who wouldn’t love for the male lead, Mark, to be a librarian who loves poetry as well as murder mysteries! Rebecca is also a very strong female character who isn’t afraid to speak her mind or step into a job that, at the time, was mostly done by men. Oh and you will definitely love the Judge and his wife Marvella. There was also a strong faith and family theme throughout the book.
I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series.

I was provided a copy of the book from the author/publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the setting, but unfortunately the writing and story were a miss for me.

I really liked the choice of professions for the main characters, and I thought the romance was sweet and friends-first. However, I found the writing to be a bit detached and unemotional so I had a difficult time connecting to this story.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read this book and share my thoughts.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

It was nice to feel like I was "back to normal" with Tracie Peterson's books, after a recent lackluster experience (for me, anyway)! This was a sweet story with a slow-burn romance, and a mystery that I may have guessed early on, but still enjoyed seeing how it would all pan out--and I definitely didn't guess everything!

Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse make a great writing team, and I look forward to reading more in this series from both of them. The gospel was very clearly present (and included a fair bit of Scripture and hymn text--which I both liked and also felt could have been summarized or shortened; it's hard to find a happy medium!).

Having done a fair bit of research on Montana (including Kalispell and Flathead Lake) a couple years ago for a potential move (that did not pan out, which I am totally fine with, hahah!), I especially enjoyed seeing some familiar places and learning about the historical locations still there to this day.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.