But For Grace

by Tracey Bateman

With Mama dead and no way to provide for herself, Star Campbell barely escaped from Luke's Saloon and ran straight into Michael Riley's arms. Suddenly doors open for her to start a new and better life. The only hitch is, she has a secret past that she cannot shake. Michael Riley is a simple farmer. Once burnt badly by love, the last thing he's about to fall for is a beautiful woman. When his chivalrous streak has him take Star into his home, she wins both his mother's and daughter's hearts. God forgives and forgets - but can man?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance, Westerns

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Tracey Bateman is also published as Tracey Cross, is the Christy award-winning author of more than thirty titles and has nearly a million books in print. She lives in Missouri's Ozarks with her husband and four children.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice, fluffy read to end the year on. I liked Star, but I didn't like Michael all that much. He didn't make any sense, hence my three-star rating.

[Oleander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for excellent story telling. Star is the daughter of a saloon prostitute. When her mother is killed trying to protect her, Star flees. Her rescuer is a man who has been burned before by a saloon girl. There are secrets, misunderstandings, and lots and lots of fireworks between the two. There is also an adorable 5 year old who steals your heart. The story is clean and inspirational but never boring or preachy. I highly recommend it.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

A uplifting read

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐

[Melissa Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story, it was definitely a fast one for me. I've said this many times before but I'm not religious whatsoever, I usually don't have any issues when reading a religious kinda story. The fact that the Jebus-y stuff was kinda 24/7, if you know what I mean, was a bit too much for me. But I finished it!

First off, how was "Howdy do" ever considered a curse word? I actually looked online but couldn't find anything.

What was with Michael believing that Star stole money from Luke? I mean it wasn't till the end that he finds out the truth. Yet, the whole time he thinks she's guilty and waits for her to confess. I didn't get that. I mean if she HAD stolen money then where was it? She didn't even have anything with her.

So this story took place in 1855. Jeans were invented in 1873. Yet, there's a part where Michael "stripped off his jeans..." I can't imagine he was wearing any other kinda pants, and referred to them as jeans when jeans weren't actually around yet.

Michael was such a contradiction to his own believes. That's the right word for this right? For example: the bible (I think) says something about how if you've sinned you can confess to Jebus/God and everything will be hunky dory again. Yet, Michael seemed to think Star needed to confess to him.

Whatever. In the end, I was satisfied with this story. And glad that Star and Michael ended up taking Lila back home with them.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Chances.

Michael had loved before, but not forgiven Sarah. So it was easier for him to believe the lies told (Clem and Luke) about Star than the Truth when she finally told him.

I loved the scenes around the box-social. The bidding for Star's lunch got up to $10. Wonderful speech follows.

Star learned a few lessons about hard work when she served meals at Joe's. I love how she put her faith in action toward Joe's unkind daughter.

My favorite character is Aimee, Michael's young daughter. She speaks her thoughts freely. Has learned her Bible. Loves and forgives easily. Tells wonderful stories of town-people and Bible-people. Champion for puppies.

Even Lila the cook gets a hopeful change at the end. I'd like to hear more of her story. How did she and her strong husband get to OR? How did they come to be working in the saloon?

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Christian romance, sweet but a little too slow. The pacing could have been improved and it lacked something. I think the premise was excellent, a girl raised by her saloon girl mother protected until her mother forced to protect her daughter is murdered. She runs and her protector a God fearing man, sweet and kind. I think more could have been done with the characters, more in way of interactions, though they "thought" of each other with racing pulses the battle between good and evil. Other than the ending you never felt this couple was truly in jeopardy... more with the immoral men searching for her, coming closer even stalking her would have added a lot to this tale. Length had a lot to do with the limited storyline, sometimes a story needs to extended to make you really, really fear or care for the couple. Sweet and enjoyable, but memorable no.

Rating 3.25

[Holli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was compelling enough that I finished it in one sitting. However ... I do wish the author would have taken a little more time to give the ending more closure. It was a bit too abrupt for my liking. I am also confused on how the book got it's name. There is no link to the name in the book. Regardless, it was an enjoyable read. Very reminiscent of Francine Rivers, "Love Redeemed". It tackles some pretty raw topics and shows that beauty comes from ashes.

Full review to come when my brain is working on all four cylinders! ;)

4 Stars

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance story of an innocent daughter of a prostitute in the old West who runs away to escape the fate of her mother. It tells of how she learned that God loved and accepted her in spite of her past and what others told her.

[A.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book and cannot wait to read more of her work. This is the first time that I have read anything by Tracey Bateman and it is really good. I enjoyed reading it and hated to put it down.

[Frances Chrisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

But for grace

This story was wonderful. It showed the love a Christian Family gives even to a complete stranger. There is forgiveness, understanding, love and faith. This story was very exciting. I enjoyed it very much.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story. Really very touching. And here is where I learned that a guy can tell if a girl's been kissed before or not. ;)

[Teresa Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story of forgiveness and love. Although Michael thought he was teaching Starr about God and forgiveness, Starr taught Michael about true love and Gods forgiveness.

[Alyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read before already. Maybe in Oregon Brides?

[LaSonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Gonna look for more work by this author.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyable read

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5. It had great messages...but it was very predictable and at times felt like the writer spoke in "christianese". I'd recommend it but I didn't just LOVE it.