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Thursday, May 18, 2023

My Thoughts - The Heart's Choice Authors: Kimberley Woodhouse, Tracie Peterson

 





Title: The Heart's Choice
Authors: 
Series: The Jewels of Kalispell, Book 1
Genres: FictionHistorical Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Year: May 2023


After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca McCutcheon--the first female court reporter in Montana--is now determined to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn't sit well with her about the case, but no one except for the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.

Librarian Mark Andrews's father sent him off to college hoping he would take over the business side of the family ranch. Mark would rather wrangle books than cows, but when a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man's innocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.

In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark be able to find the evidence to free the man before it's too late?

Escape to Kalispell, Montana, for a daring and romantic tale from the talented pens of bestselling authors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.



About the Authors



Kimberly Woodhouse

Kim is a devoted wife and mother, and a third generation Liszt student.  She has passed down her love of music and the arts to hundreds of students over the years, recorded three albums, and appeared at over 2,000 venues to more than a million people. Her quick wit, enthusiasm, and positive outlook through difficult circumstances have gained her audiences at conferences, retreats, churches, military functions, and seminars all over the country.

The Woodhouse family’s story has been on the front page of newspapers, in magazines, articles, medical journals, and most famously featured on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They were also asked to share their story on The Montel Williams Show and Discovery Health Channel’s Mystery ER along with hundreds of other TV appearances and radio interviews.

Kim has been writing seriously for more than twenty years. Songs, plays, short stories, novels, picture books, articles, newsletters – you name it – she’s written it. It wasn’t until a dear friend challenged her to “do something with it” that she pursued publication. Now, she is a best-selling author of more than two dozen books, with more on the way. She has won The Carol Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Holt Medallion, and has finaled in the Selah Awards and the Spur Awards.

She is passionate about Bible study, reading, music, cooking, and pretty-much-all-things-crafty. Kimberley has been married to her incredible husband for twenty-nine years and counting and they have two married adult children.




Tracie Peterson


Tracie Peterson gave her life to Jesus at the age of six. Tracie knew at an early age that God was calling her to ministry, and writing for Him has allowed her to offer the Gospel message and encourage people to hope in the Lord. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory.

Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction earned her the Best Western Romance Author of 2013 award from True West magazine and the USA Best Books 2011 Award for best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love. She was given the Life Time Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers in 2011 and the Career Achievement Award in 2007 from Romantic Times, as well as multiple best book awards.Tracie received her first book contract in November 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row. Eventually, Tracie also managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line—overseeing the production of 52 books a year.

In December 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers/Baker Publishing Group. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse, and Tracie’s daughter Jennifer.

Tracie, a Kansas native, now makes her home with her husband, Jim, in the mountains of Montana.



My Thoughts


The Heart’s Choice is a Christian Historical Fiction book that is written by two of my favorite authors. Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse collaborate and write some of the best historical fiction I’ve ever read. This is book one in the new series: The Jewels of Kalispell. I cannot wait until the next book is released.

Rebecca has become the first female court reporter in Montana. She moves from Chicago and is excited. She witnessed a wrongful conviction when she was younger and has always been interested in law. She settles in and is taken under Judge Ashbury’s wife, Marvella is very involved with the community and made me laugh so hard. Especially her little dog, Sir Theophilus.

Mark has returned home from higher education with a job at the new Carnegie library. He grew up on a ranch with his father and sister. His father has always expected him to take over the ranch and is not happy when Mark makes it clear he won’t be doing that. Mark was mentored by Judge Ashbury and really looks to him for advice. When he meets Rebecca she makes it very clear that she is not looking for a relationship. However they build a friendship based on their love of books.

Rebecca and Mark soon get caught up in a murder that has happened in Kalispell. They start to realize that the facts don’t add up. They start digging deeper and the results are unbelievable. Can they save an innocent man before it’s too late?

I loved learning about this city. The authors put in a lot of historical research to bring this story alive. Rebecca and Mark are both amazing characters.

Thank you to the authors and publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

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