A Dream to Call My Own by Tracie Peterson

There are some series when you know that it's going to end but you don't want it to because the characters have become friends. This is the case in the Brides of Gallatin County book 3 entitled A Dream To Call My Own by Tracie Peterson and published by Bethany House. What a great series it has been and it was great meeting the Gallatin sisters.

This book is the story of Lacy Gallatin, the third and youngest of the Gallatin sisters. She is strong willed and not at all like women of her day and she has a mission - to find her father's killer. Dave Shepard has been one to tell Lacy how unfeminine she is and it drives Lacy crazy - to the point where she and the deputy sheriff for Gallatin crossing bicker and fight. Neither are prepared for their feelings and are even more unprepared for what happens later.

This story is one of suspense, as the unsavory characters want to ruin Gallatin Crossing and have plans to take over the town for their own immoral and illegal happenings, regardless of who gets hurt - or killed. The characters become even more real as they have grown in the past two books in their faith in God and realize they must rely on Him and Him only for them to survive. The suspense is woven throughout the entire book, making it one that is hard to put down, at the same time though you don't want to leave the characters.

A Dream to Call My Own is also a love story, one of imperfectness, as all love is. A story of learning, truthfulness and communication. The characters realize that failure to learn can mean that they won't grow, either in their Faith or in their own personal lives such as becoming a lady. The characters emerge strong and it isn't your usual sappy love story - although I will say the kissing scenes would be inappropriate for a unmarried, young lady to read since the two kissing are not married - but the characters know when to say when because not only do they fear for their own reputations but they worry more about what God would think - much more important.

Kudos go out to Tracie Peterson for once again weaving another wonderful story! I'd love to see an addition telling her readers what happens to the Gallatin sisters, their town, children and husbands. Wouldn't it be nice to drop in again and see your friends to see what they have been up to?

My reviews for the first two books can be found at this post.

Brides of Gallatin County Books 1 and 2

I had the chance to read books 1 and 2 in the Brides of Gallatin county series by Tracie Peterson. The first one is "A Promise to Last Forever" and the second one is "A Love to Last Forever". These book are an great read and keep you in it's grips until you read the last page of the book.


A "Promise to Believe In" introduces the readers to the Gallatin sisters who also happen to live in Gallatin County in the wilds of Montana in the late 1800's. They have lived most of their lives without a mom, who died in childbirth while trying to birth her fourth child. Their father takes them and moves constantly without ever finding stability until moving to Gallatin County where he owns and operates (with his three daughters) the Gallatin House, where people traveling the stage can stop for a meal and rest.

"A Promise to Believe In" focuses on the character, Gwen, who was widowed right after her wedding. Her husband's brother comes calling to find his brother and see where a secret is hidden. Of course there is romance but there is nothing risque or un Christian about there behavior. There is discussion about the brothel in town and how the sisters can help the prostitutes but again besides mention of one of the sister's penchant for dime novels and her mind wandering once, nothing is said that would make this book unreadable to the Christian.

Book 2: "A Love to Last Forever", focuses on sister, Beth. She is the one who read the dime novels. I was shocked to learn what dime novels really were and I won't go into that here. Beth lives her life trying to measure up to her dime novel stories and when she realizes her life and real life is nothing like what is in the books makes her cherish the Bible all the more. She too evenutally finds love in a imperfect but godly man.

The two main issues I have about the books are the fact of the dime novels, it seems as if it does bother the older sister but no one makes any move to Beth she can't read them and why she shouldn't read them. From what I understand dime novels were often times trashy reads and would sully the mind and make it impure. The second issue is that of dresses, the other sister, Lacy (whose story is to come) is more tom boy and sees nothing wrong in wearing pants or split skirts. She feels being feminine and wearing dresses as being weak and terrible. Women through out time have been able to work, tend house, children, gardens, mine, ride horses, ride bicycles all in dresses.

I will say overall the books are very well written and you really feel like you are in the Gallatin House and seeing what goes on in the three sister's lives. I would recommend these books to those who are strong in their faith and convictions. They were fast, enjoyable reads and I would read them over again - if I had the time :)

You can find the information to purchase the books here: A Promise to Believe In
and here: A Love to Last Forever