A Surrendered Heart

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series of the three Broadmoor cousins. This last book is the story of Amanda. She is in her element helping Dr. Blake Carstead provide medical care at the Home for the Friendless in Rochester, New York when the cholera epidemic of 1899 breaks out. The rest of her family flees the city to their estate on the Thousand Islands just as the Home is quarantined - and Amanda becomes deathly ill. Once she is on the mend, she reluctantly goes to join her relatives for a complete recovery, although her heart remains with her patients and the doctor who is her mentor and friend, and she looks forward to returning and to, hopefully one day, attending medical school herself. As the summer weeks progress, Amanda's plans are suddenly thwarted by the disturbing news that the family fortune is about to disappear. Her father's unethical business practices are catching up with him, and to save his finances and his reputation before both are destroyed, he promises Amanda's hand in marriage to a business associate many years her senior. She quickly discovers the type of man Ellert Jackson is, but there is no escape from the future laid out for her. Sophie and Fanny, Amanda's cousins who were featured in the first two books of the series, face their own continuing challenges. The bond between the three girls is tested, as is their faith. I love the way the authors wove the cousins' stories together and brought the series to a satisfying conclusion.

This is the second book by Tracie Peterson that I have read. She is becoming one of my favorite authors. Even though this is the first book that I have read in this series, it was easy to get "caught up" with the characters. A couple of the reviews have commented on her agreement to a loveless marriage for the sake of her family. However, that was probably more common than we realize back during that time. It is very common in many parts of the world today. I found it to be an excellent book that was hard to put down. I am looking forward to reading more by her!

As the book opens, Cholera has struck in epidemic proportions, causing a panic among the citizens of Rochester. Enter, Amanda Broadmoor, the daughter of one of the city's most prominent families. Having aspirations of becoming a doctor, and over her parent's objections, she goes to work for Dr. Blake Carstead in the Home for the Friendless. Although, she is a seemingly strong, healthy young woman, Amanda becomes a victim of the dreaded disease. However, cholera is not the only problem the Broadmoors will face. Hidden financial difficulties are also looming on the horizon. Deception, uncertainty, and division begin to take its toll on the family. This is the first book I've read in this series, but I found it well-written, fast-paced, and passionate, all combining for a fascinating story. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Cholera is running rampant in Rochester, NY and in order to protect the family, the Broadmoors stay at their family castle in the Thousand Islands. Amanda, however, contracts cholera and is quarantined in Rochester and later remains to help Dr. Carstead care for the others suffering from the disease. Unknown to Amanda and the rest of the family, her father has been secreting money from her cousin's inheritance and has almost ruined the family. He banks on Amanda's loyalty and attempts to sacrifice her future to save the family name by marrying her off to a man that neither love her or values her the way Dr. Carstead longs to. _____________________________________ A Surrendered Heart is the third book in The Broadmoor Legacy by Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller. I had already been looking forward to reading the last book in the series, but enjoyed this book even more than the first two. We recently took a trip to upstate NY and went on a boat tour of the Thousand Islands. Seeing some of the large estates helped me visualize the Broadmoor's castle home and I was caught up into the book so much more.

When I was given the opportunity to review another book by Tracie Peterson, I jumped at the chance. I remembered enjoying her detailed story telling and engaging plots when I had the chance to review her book "A Dream to Call My Own" back in June. This book, co-authored with Judith Miller, did not disappoint. Once again, I found myself lost in the story, anxious to turn the page to reveal more of the plot. I found myself lost in the characters, hoping and wishing alongside each of them. I couldn't wait to see how the story would end. As I came closer and closer to the end of the book, I sat on the edge of my seat in anticipation. Would the story end "happily ever after" or would evil prevail? Would Amanda be stuck in a loveless and abusive marriage? Would she find a way out? If you are a lover of historical fiction and love a good romance with a Christian theme mixed throughout just right, you will fall in love with this book. This book is the third in "The Broadmore Legacy" series these two ladies have co-authored. I can't wait to read the first two and many other books by these ladies.