I loved this book so much! I’ll definitely be reading more books from this author. Most Christian romance books just describe a character that goes to church, or prays in their mind. This book actually describes the plan to salvation! I loved how this sweet romance could be used to describe the Lord’s love. Great story!

There are a few things that will automatically grab my attention and put a book on my TBR list. One is a friends-to-more scenario and another is marriage of convenience… and A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson has friends who are in a marriage of convenience. Yes please!!

The heroine Marybeth is so lovely in spirit, and I loved spending time with her on the pages of this book. Despite the fact that we meet her on one of the worst days of her life and that she later faces harsh living conditions in Cheyenne, she remains gracious and displays an admirable inner strength and trust in God. Her 2-year-old sister Carrie not only has the best name (lol) but she’s also such a sweet little girl and instantly lovable. The scene where Marybeth is reading from the Psalms and teaches Carrie the verse that says, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee,” perfectly illustrates a childlike faith, and it’s one of my favorite moments between them.

Our hero Edward is one of the genuinely good guys in this story, and the way he steps in to provide for Marybeth and Carrie with an offer of ‘in name only’ marriage made him incredibly heroic in my eyes. Even if his stubborn refusal to risk losing another wife to childbirth eventually causes him – and Marybeth – unnecessary angst as their feelings for one another deepen past friendship, I don’t begrudge him those very human fears. I also thought the author portrayed his struggles quite authentically, including how he works through his feelings toward God and the moments (however briefly at first) that he lets his feelings for Marybeth slip past his carefully-fortified walls.

Bottom Line: A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson begins her newest series with characters that readers will quickly embrace, including a fledgling little family born of need, based on friendship, and tested by life. We grieve with them over shared losses, we rejoice with them over God’s provision, we cringe with them over the harsh reality of life in Cheyenne, we wrestle with them over fears and frustrations, and we smile with them as love comes softly into their union. (And oh my word, I’ve never wanted so badly to purse whomp a fictional pastor – in fact I believe this is the first time lol – but he really needed it.) Edward and Marybeth are both layered and relatable protagonists whom I immediately liked, along with the friends they made in Cheyenne. I’m looking forward to reading Melody’s story next, and I’m curious as to which (or none) of the other females we met in book one will be the subject of book three. In short, A Love Discovered is a lovely reading choice for fans of Mary Connealy and Janette Oke!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I have always enjoyed Tracie Peterson’s books.
It was interesting how the characters came together and made friends with others.
Curious about the history of the railroad towns. Did the lawlessness continue when the railroad moved on?

I'm always so excited to read a new Tracie Peterson book. This is the start of a new series (The Heart of Cheyenne).
Marybeth Kruger is convinced she can care for her stepsister after her father's death, she has been left her father's house but not much money. The church is not so sure. I'll admit I didn't like the minister who stuck his nose in her business. Her best friend is a widowed man, Edward Vogel. Their marriage is a marriage of convenience, she'll get to keep her stepsister and he'll become a family man.
They move to Cheyenne, it's pretty lawless right now but this railroad town is looking to establish itself with law and order. Edward is a law enforcer and now a family man. This marriage of convenience will work for them both.
I enjoyed reading Marybeth's thoughts on being a young mother to her sister, the only one she remembers as her mother died at her birth. We also get Edward's thoughts on the danger in lawless Cheyenne as he tries to control the men who think they're above the law.
Edward and Marybeth both want this marriage to stay strong and work out but are afraid to let their true feelings show for one reason or another.
Carrie, the young girl is so sweet, smart and polite. I enjoyed her character a lot.
You can see how the characters in Cheyenne are trying so hard to just raise a family and have a normal family life and so many obstacles in their way. The emotions as you're reading the characters are experiencing become your own. I just wanted the best for these characters and wanted to see them succeed despite so many things against them. So realistic, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in this series.

Pub Date 05 Mar 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

The historical aspects of this book were very interesting- life in Cheyenne before it was very settled, renting a tent instead of some sort of house or apartment!
I appreciated Marybeth’s devotion to her sister & her determination to keep her. I wish the ending would have felt more complete to me- felt lacking between Marybeth & Edward.

A Love Discovered, by Tracie Peterson, is the first book in the Heart of Cheyenne series. Marybeth’s father has past away leaving her and a very young daughter. The local minister is trying to take the little girl away from Marybeth. Meanwhile Edward’s friend has offered him a job thinking Edward was a married family man. Marybeth and Edward have both suffered great lost and decide to marry in name only.

This is a very well written, easy to read and imagine story that caught my attention from the very beginning and held it to the end. This story shows the depth of their friendship and commitment to each other. I especially enjoyed how realistic this book in with the feelings the women have of living in such a city, where women are scarce and it isn’t safe for them to be out by themselves. I enjoyed how strong the women are and how they watch out for and help each other. This is such and enjoyable story that is easy to get lost in.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson is a story about friendship, unselfish love, and overcoming fears and anger by putting one’s faith in God.

In this sweet marriage of convenience story set in the old west town of Cheyenne, Marybeth Kruger, who after the death of her father enters into a marriage of convenience with Edward Vogel, who is the widower of her best friend in order to keep custody of her little sister and in return helps him as his new job requires married men with families.

Life is not easy and both Edward and Marybeth putting aside their fears learn how to rely on each other and trust in God through the good times and bad.

Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite authors and as usual this story did not disappoint. I would highly recommend this story to those who love slow burn historical fiction with strong faith elements.

I am looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for this ARC of A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson. All opinions are my own.

I am really struggling between a 3 or 4 star rating for my review.

I LOVE Tracie Peterson and devoured this book in just a few hours. I was so invested in all of the characters and as always, Tracie's writing drew me completely into the story. I was all in and fully devoted until the end. Not only did I feel like it was a EXTREME cop out on an ending, we spent the WHOLE book building towards something for it to fizzle out at the end. There was no huge resolution, no epilogue, no follow up. I felt very let down at the end for all the hope I built up for these 2 and this group of friends. I actually said out loud "that's IT?"

Some of my favorite Christian fiction books have been written by Tracie and I WANT to give the book 4 stars for everything up to the last 2 or 3 chapters but... they ending really ruined it for me. Especially when I have other works to compare it to :(

Tracie Peterson has become one of my autoread authors. This book was no different in loving another new story to read by her. I enjoyed it very much. It was a sweet story and from the beginning I wanted to see how the characters story was going to play out. Marybeth's character is adoring. She is patient and lives in a very peaceful contented way. Edward being her faithful friend and her late friend's husband is caring and very attentive. They are both real & humble. The couple has a mutual respect for one another that I appreciate. They both have their struggles but mostly get along and I love to see the camadrie and working together of their characters. The book ends in a way that leaves you anticipating the continuation of characters within the story like true Tracie Peterson fashion.

This was a sweet marriage of convenience story set in the old west town of Cheyenne. It was not without heartache and danger. Edward is encouraged by a Civil War friend to relocate to Cheyenne to help with law enforcement in the somewhat lawless boom town along the railroad. Marybeth is in a predicament when her father dies and the care of her two year old sister is questioned by so-called well meaning people. Edward and Marybeth agree to marry to help eachother but plan to keep their relationship as friends only.
Much hardship is shown of life in a town that is both growing and partly abandoned when the construction of the railroad moves west. The characters struggle with trusting God to order their steps, but godly wisdom is dispensed within this story.
A bright spot was the portrayal of two year old Carrie and her sweet, trusting nature.
This was a good start to a new series by a favorite author.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

A Love Discovered
by Tracie Peterson
Pub Date 05 Mar 2024
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance



Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers have provided me with a copy of A Love Discovered for review:

Even in the most unforgiving frontiers, the heart finds its way.


A friend invites Edward Vogel to trek west and establish Cheyenne after his wife and son died, and he is ready to leave behind the haunting memories of their deaths. The only problem is the corrupt new railroad town wants men who can establish law and order, so Edward proposes marriage to his friend Marybeth in desperation.



Her father's death leaves Marybeth Kruger with no means of supporting her two-year-old half sister. In order to escape both their troubles, she cannot refuse Edward Vogel's offer of a marriage of convenience, the widower husband of her best friend.

It's dangerous to live in Cheyenne, but is this arrangement enough to rescue Edward and Marybeth from their pasts? Will life with each other put their hearts--and their lives--in greater danger?


I give A Love Discovered five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Reeling from the death of her father, Marybeth Kruger suddenly finds herself the lone caretaker of her toddler half-sister. When there is pressure to give the child up for adoption, a platonic marriage to her friend, Edward, seems like the perfect solution. After moving and taking a job as a deputy in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Edward discovers that his growing feelings for Marybeth are anything but platonic. Does Marybeth feel the same? Find out in this well-researched, fictional tale of the wild western frontier during the days of railroad construction.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

A great beginning of what I’m sure will be an amazing series. This book pulled me in from the very beginning. It is a heartbreaking story of loss, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. It has a marriage of convenience between two friends, a preacher who oversteps boundaries, railroad construction, tent towns, vigilante justice, and a rowdy pair of brothers who get what they have coming to them. It made me fall in love with the character’s and then broke my heart in the end. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this 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.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Bethany House for this novel.

Tracie Peterson is a wonderful author and never disappoints. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next installment in the series.

The plot, setting, and characters were amazing. I read this book over the period of 48 hours and put it down only to tend to my family needs.

Edward is a wonderful man when Marybeth finds herself falling in love with him my heart is full. He is great husband and father material. Marybeth can do no better for herself and her orphaned, sister Carrie. His willingness to marry her in name only to give Marybeth and Carrie a home is testament to his character.

It is an amazing book. I can not recommend highly enough.

Five stars.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for this ARC and gifted book of A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Tracie Peterson book, and I wasn’t sure what to expect since I know she’s a popular Christian historical fiction author.

I loved how she weaved Christian faith elements throughout the story naturally. It didn’t feel preachy, and I loved seeing the characters grow in their faith.

Another aspect I loved was the friendships formed throughout the story. These characters experienced so many difficult circumstances, so it was nice to see them come together to encourage and be there for one another.

The relationship between the two main characters was beautiful, and I love how they learned to communicate with each other and build each other up. It was nice to get both of their perspectives in the story as well as a third point of view from some side characters.

I do feel like the pacing was a bit slow at times, but then it was a lot faster near the end. One of the most unsatisfying things about the story was the ending. I can see how some readers will really like it, but that ending hurt me and felt unnecessary.

Overall, I would recommend this story to those who love slow burn historical fiction stories with strong faith elements.

5 stars, Blessings and Meddlers

A LOVE DISCOVERED (THE HEART OF CHEYENNE)
by Tracie Peterson

Marybeth Kruger's beloved Papa has just passed away. Marybeth has responsibility for her darling baby sister Carrie. So called "well-meaning" meddlers are trying to take her sister away from her. To split them apart, and maybe forever. Marybeth can't bear to lose another family member.

Marybeth's best friend Edward Vogel has the promise of a job in Cheyenne, Dakota Territory. He hopes that when he leaves Indiana he will leave behind the memories of his lovely wife and son who perished.

Edward has been told that married men with families are needed to grow the town of Cheyenne. He offers up a marriage of convenience to Marybeth, to save both her and Carrie.

This is a nice story, it has Christian principles without being pushy. Reminding us of the blessings that we have in our lives that need to be appreciated, and to watch out for meddlers who stick their noses in where they don't belong.

Highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of #ALoveDiscovered from #BethanyHousePublishers #BakerBookhouse #NetGalley #PetersonInk I wasn't under any obligation to post a review.

#HistoricalFiction #ChristianFiction #InspyFic #InspirationalFiction #Indiana #Cheyenne #DakotaTerritory #CoverLove #strongfemaleprotagonist

Special note: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for this review.

This was a great book to read and it did not take me long to complete. I started and finished in the same day!

Marybeth handles tough situations with grace, dignity, faith, and prayer. It's no wonder that Edward married her even though it's really a marriage of convenience. Every person should strive to find a spouse with Marybeth's qualities.

Independence/Evansville, Indiana sounds like a nice place to live, but I certainly would not like the preacher there! He sounds incredibly difficult!

The challenges they face out west appear realistic. Cheyenne is a town of rowdy drunks, gamblers, and not-so-godly people. Edward's job as a lawmen puts him in danger every day because not everyone respects the law. Some prefer to "take the law into their own hands." Sometimes you face idiots like Emory and his brother who do whatever they want with no respect for authority.

Over time, the marriage of convenience opens up opportunities to become a marriage of love, trust, and everything that comes with it. But Edward just isn't ready for that. The past leaves him feeling guilty and he just doesn't want to turn it over to God.

All in all, this is a fine story. My chief complaint is that there is no separation when changing points of view. Through out this book, I have seen a sudden "jump" from Marybeth's POV to Edward's POV to the criminals' POV. I really hope someone on the publishing team fixed that before public release.

A Love Discovered is just what I would expect from Tracie Peterson. I loved this story so much. Five stars.

A Love Discovered by Tracie Peterson
Right after the death of Marybeth's father, the local pastor and a judge threaten to take Marybeth's baby sister away from her because she wouldn't be able to provide for her. A wealthy couple wanted to adopt the child, but 20-year - old Marybeth was the only mother little 21-month-old Carrie had ever known. Her very good friend, Edward Vogel, who is the widow of her best friend, had a solution. He offered to marry her in name only. Immediately following the marriage, they left for Edward's new job a deputy Marshall in Cheyenne, Wyoming. To avoid spoilers, I'll stop the description there.

It was a very interesting story with happy times and some very sad times. Cheyenne was a wild town at that time.. I liked learning about the practical side of living in the Dakota Territory in the late 1860s.

Marybeth, Edward, Fred, Eve, Carrie and Melody were the main characters and were well-fleshed out and very likeable.
There were only two things II did not like about the story was that the author had not researched speech and language development of babies and toddlers. Sometimes Carrie could pronounce certain letters and sometimes not, Also the ending was a little abrupt.

I was given an ARC copy of the book by NetGalley, The opinions are entirely my own. I do recommend A Love Discovered

Historical fiction readers will enjoy this book set in Cheyenne shortly after the Civil War. The first in the Heart of Cheyenne sets the tone for life in this new town as the Union Pacific Railroad forges out west. The characters and their trials were realistic and interesting. Loved Marybeth and her steady character and faith. Looking forward to the next in the series. Recommended!