A Veiled Reflection

Westward Chronicles #3

by Tracie Peterson

Jillian struggles to fill the shoes--and identity-- of her identical twin sister amid the strict rules and routines of the Arizona Harvey House. When the local doctor inadvertently discovers her ruse, he creates a plan of his own. Westward Chronicles Book 3.

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

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 1999

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Arjaye-Rose Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful setting and historical read. I loved the parts about the Navajo people too and their way of life. Jillian takes her sisters place at the Harvey house and makes friendships along the way. There’s just one thing her lies that she has told to her new friends and those around her. Jillian finds more than she expected and a new life for herself in the process.

There’s quite a bit of action, suspense and drama to be had. I found I couldn’t put this book down halfway through and read the second half in a night.

[Félise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting in Arizona and conflict with the Navajo, and think being a Harvey House girl is an interesting historical occupation. The twisted ankles and girlie drama were a bit much for my taste.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐

I don't think there was ever a dumber pair of "smart" people than in this story. 🤦 The "romance" was so aggravating from beginning to end.

Why is it so hard to take 5 seconds and say: "Oh Mac, how deeply I love you (despite the fact that I hardly know you). Let us get married for real!"

And then Mac: "Gasp! Me too!"

End of absolutely mind-numbing drawn out despairing conflict of idiocy.

But nooo... Instead we must spend 270 pages vacillating in asinine, willful ignorance, beating our head against the wall as the storyline grows less and less feasible. And then, finally... It requires a middle school resolution with Mary acting as go-between to tell girl that boy loves her, and then pass a note back that *gasp* girl loves boy too! No way! 🙄🙄🙄 Good grief.

[Edwina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story the best because she wrote about my tribe - Zuni Pueblo! 👏👏👏
And I appreciate that she spoke the truth about the mistreatment. My mom spoke of the times her mouth was literally washed out with soap because she spoke our language. And my friend Suzie, an Navajo, ran away from the boarding school many times also due to mistreatment.
Things are much better now, for my tribe at least, but unfortunately there are times they still going without. My family is blessed because they make a living selling their turquoise jewelry, and their creations are in demand, THANK YOU JESUS!!! And, thank you Tracie Peterson!!!

[Eddist Rhett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracie series again held me

An awesome back ground The Harvey House had to be outstanding place; seems something that could benefit is today and a many young woman trying to find her way! for this is my 6th book that included the Harvey girls and Mr. Fred's girl working the dining area near railroads and towns! I hope I got them all Tracie did again an amazing work on this story in a small Arizona town ( Pintan), real or not all characters came alive in this wonderful story.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supurb

As usual, Tracie Peterson wove a tale oh love, history, and the railroad that kept me reading into the wee hours of the morning. Her ability to incorporate the Lord as indispensable in ones life is phenomenal.

[Kathryn Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this book so much.

Another good
☝.

Tracie Peterson has me hooked totally. Can not wait to see where she takes next.
Enjoy everyone.

[Denise Calkins-weldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to force myself to put this book down to do other things. 😂 so so good!

[Beth]

A

[Ame Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series, and the third book does not disappoint!

[Anna Nolley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Returned

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jillian Danvers didn't know all that she was in for when she agreed to go to Pintan, Arizona to fullfill the last 3 months of her twin sisters Harvey Girl contract. She was the timid one of the sisters while Julian was the adventurous type who was willing to make waves with her strict, proper, well to do parents. Julian was going to elope with her childhood sweetheart and Jillian was going to an unknown place to bail her sister out, but also to escape her mothers matchmaking. She meets Dr. Macallister or Mac and he discovers her secret and befriends her. She stumbles through her duties at the Harvey house, but doesn't foul her two roommates. She finds that actions are more of an indicater of Christianity than mere attendance at church. She sees firsthand the prejudices that she was surrounded with in her life at home...the greater than thou attitude of the rich because of social statis. She also sees the growing struggle of the arizonian people to accept the Indians as humans. She learns of the mistreatment of the Navajo woman and the white mens actions deemed as acceptable while the squa's deemed as the devil's advocate. Jillian's lieing started with her false identity, but the lies continued when she wrote that she was engaged to Mac in order to keep her mother from senting suitors to Pinton. The lie was accepted and now her parents are coming to meet Mac. She admits the lie to Mac, but he wants the engagement to be true even though he told himself he would never love again after his failed attempt and betrayal. He goes along with the engagement and even stands up to Jillian's father's bribes of money. Finally the truth of feelings of love are expressed and the Danvers learn to accept that Jillian is changed for the better and that even they need to change to be more accepting of others that are different than them. Baby Hope is left with her people.

[Kate (The Shelf Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Veiled Reflection is actually my favorite book from the Westward Chronicles. It is a little different from the first two books. The main character is new to the series, however, we do have a returning minor character.

A Veiled Reflection follows Jillian as she sets out on her own adventure. Her whole life, she has sat at home and watched as her twin sister Judith set off to go and try new things. On a visit home, Judith reviles to Jillian that she is going to get married, and that Jillian needs to go in her place to Arizona to finish her contract with the Harvey Girls. She needs the money, and if she is to quite, Fred Harvey will require that she pays back her share, for not fulfilling her agreement. Jillian agrees, but soon, she realizes, playing her sister isn't going to be easy. They may be identical, but their actions are completely different.

It isn't long into her act that Jillian is discovered by the town doctor Terrance "Mac" MacCallister. Instead of giving her away, Mac offers her friendship. It's from there that we watch life in Pinton plays out and we are introduced to Mary. An older lady who has a passion to help the Navajo Indians in the area.

Jillian is a girl who has always done what has been asked of her by her parents. In A Veiled Reflection, we get to watch Jillian as she grows into the person she is meant to be and to follow her own passion in helping others.

We get to experience the beauty of Arizona through this story. The area adds a fantastic element to the story and is able to carry you there.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book would be more about what a 'Harvey Girl' did in the 1800's. A man named Harvey started restaurants next to train depots in the US and had girls go through a 3 month training before they were hired at a Harvey house to bus tables, clean, and cook. They were very famous becuase each girl was taught one skill, such as pouring coffee, or serving food. Then when each girl did her one duty, the service was very quick. Anyway, the book turned out to be historically interesting, but then it turned into a Christian novel. The main character spend more time wondering about God then doing anything. An interesting read, I enjoyed it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tracie Peterson's historical fiction books and I must say this is one of her best. Easily my favorite out of the three in this series. :) What she said about trusting in God and worrying being a sin really caused me to think and ponder about my own lack of trust. Everytime I read one of her books it strengthen's my walk with the Lord. The historical accuracy of this book was on point and I loved the character's personalities. The romance of the two main characters "Jillian and Mac" was such a good love story and held passion but yet chaste. Needless to say "I loved this book"! :)

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WESTWARD CHRONICLES is a delightful three-book series set around The Harvey House, an establishment offering fine dining along the stops of frontier rail travel. Each book highlights a Harvey Girl and the circumstances and situations that brought them to serve at the Harvey House. Originally published in 1999-2000, THE WESTWARD CHRONICLES were re-packaged in 2005. A sucker for the Old West, I enjoyed the simple charm of these books and the loveable characters created by Tracie Peterson.

[Annette White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian Finds Herself and Mac

I chose a 5 star rating because I loved, yet another Tracie Peterson book! I only want to go on and read more of her books!!
I love the era that these books are written. The characters are well described. And the Christian attitude is one that I can relate to.
Thank you Tracie for the books that I've been looking for!

[Gail Redmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. She is amazing and it is reflected in her faith in God. It is refreshing to read a story that includes our Lord throughout the framework of the reading. I highly recommend you read this trilogy and also the Montana series as well .

It too is a delightful story filled with the holy scriptures and the teachings of the bible. A joy to read.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. I was hesitant to read it at first, because it didn't have anything to do with the previous characters in the series. However, I decided to read it and I'm glad I did. I truly did enjoy the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Torn between 2 and 3 stars..would like to give it a 2-1/2 because it was such a drastic improvement over Book 1 in this series and I really liked most the characters. However, based on its own merit there were too moments where I just wanted to skim read over.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting story of a set of twins, one is a Harvey's girl, but decides to get married & instead of pay off her contract, convinces her sister to finish it for her...it's only 3 months! This is set in Arizona & includes info on the Navajo.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 3 of 3

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of boring. Had to force myself to finish it.

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great historical read with a different plot.

[Stacey Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I think this was a wonderful story! Two hearts that were not expecting to find love, did. This was a wonderful story!

[Charity Tinnin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

A nostalgic reread for me, yet I was surprised by how current the racial identify/inequality threads felt.

[Kristin Smale-forrester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read with excellent characters!