Across the Years

Desert Roses #2

by Tracie Peterson

When Harvey Girl Ashley Reynold's supposedly dead husband reappears has too much happened to reunite their family? Desert Roses Book 2.

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

381 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

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

[Megan Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book and I enjoyed reading it.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley Murphy was raised well off, but when she went against her parents wishes and married Ethan reynolds all that changed. Her mother disowned her and told her she was dead to their family. Then her new husband went off to serve in the great war after only a new months of marriage, never to return or so she thought. He was deemed a hero for risking his life to save others. Ethan didn't even know he was to be a father and when his parents died of influenza, Ashley was forced to ask for help from her Grandfather Whitman, who also had been disowned from his family for disolving his wealth and turning to religion. They moved from CA to Winslow, AZ where Ashley worked as a Harvey girl and raised her daughter with the help of Grandfather. She raised her daughter, Natalie to know of her father and his hero status and then EJ Carson came to town to work on the new resort. Natalie latched onto him instantly with her dream to become an architect like her deceased father. EJ turns out to be Ethan her real father. Ethan had been wounded in the war and then when he returned to CA, Ashley's mother said she was dead. He never recovered the heartache nor the war nightmere and was transient in his work calling no place home because he was an only child and his parents had died with the influenza before he returned from the war. The truth comes out when grandfather requests the audience of his two daughters and Mrs. Murphy tells Ashley that her husband is really alive. Ashley has never gotten over loosing Ethan or her anger at her mother for turning her away when she was so in need. Hearts are softened and mending happens as forgiveness is given and accepted. Lessons of God's love are given: : "God may seem silent for a season (when bad thinks happen), but be assured, He is never absent. He won't leave you to bear things alone, unless that's the way you choose to bear them. He leaves it up to you."

[Perrianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley has lived with her grandfather and daughter Natalie in Winslow, Arizona working as a Harvey House Girl for the last 11 years. When her grandfather falls ill, she is faced with re-opening old wounds with her family that rejected her all those years ago after marrying a man that did not fit in their path to wealth. It’s been hard for widowed Ashley but her grandfather and precious daughter have been such a blessing in her life. Ashley also has the blessings of a tight knit community who look out for each other. When a handsome young architect comes on the scene of Harvey Corporation remodel and expansion, young Natalie is intrigued.
This story is deeply woven with a warm thread of faith, hope and forgiveness. It remains to be seen whether her family can change and if Ashley herself can accept herself as a child of God. The novel is well written and researched. The Harvey House was a hospitality industry in the late 1800’s that were a welcome alternative to rancid roadhouse fare that was the only option, as this time period preceded railway dining car service. These restaurants were located near the railway and employed young women of good character. Ashley fit into this mold quite well and the Harvey Girls story is always a delightful twist depending on the setting of the restaurant, which included about 45 restaurants in 12 states.
This is Book 2 in a series, Book 1 is Shadows of the Canyon, but they can be read as standalone novels.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eagerly looking forward to picking up the second book in the Desert Roses series at the library because I wanted to learn more about Alex and Luke (who were in the first book) but this second book was about an entirely different sent of characters.

Readers spend their time getting to know another Harvey Girl (this one works in Winslow) - Ashley Reynolds, her daughter, and her grandpa. Into the story we also see E.J. Carsons arriving to help Mrs. Colter complete the dream of the new Harvey Hotel being built.

I think I cried from the very first page. With Grandpa Russell dying, we see the struggles of Ashley as she tries to find her peace with God and her family - who kicked her out years ago. We also see Natalie trying to match up Ashley and E.J. as a couple.

I can't wait to pick up book 3!

[Eddist Rhett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Rides number 2

I'm very happy Ethan. Ashley and Natahli found one another again. Again Tracie is amazing with detail and character. The setting and time all worked well for this 2nd book of 3! Each member even the woman architect Mary Colter gave a real feeling for a place like the The Harvey Company ; it must have been the place to "be". Grandpa gave spiritual and love to his input as did Pastor Mcquire. Glenda , aunt Lavelle and mother Murphy also gave delight to this wonderful inspirational story.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel similarly about this book as I did the one preceding it. I found it extremely cheesy and felt it to be fairly long and drawn out for the plot. I liked the characters but it read like a low-budget B movie that Hallmark might not even get behind; and I quite like Hallmark movies. Although I didn't dislike it, I don't exactly see myself reading it again. Three stars because two is a bit harsh.

[Gail Barger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has different characters from the first book of this Desert Roses series but it's still about a Harvey Girl. This time Harvey Girl Ashley works at the Harvey House in Winslow Arizona. She's widowed with a 10 year old daughter, living with her beloved Grandpa and estranged from the rest of her family. I enjoyed it!

[George H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best!

One of Tracie's best! A panoply of humanity's best and worst are on display - love, sorrow, grief, despair, greed, pride, anger, regret, forgiveness. Most importantly, hope and faith in God are woven throughout the story.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved each story in the series and especially the fact that they were all different. I also love the fact that she wrote about the Harvey Hotel chain. I wasn't sure if it was authentic history or fictional but I spoke with my mother (now 77yrs old) and she verified their existence. LOVE that!

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harvey Girls, architect Mary Colter, Winslow AZ, meteor crater ... lots that appealed

reminded me of a Hallmark movie

good characters, but story devolved into too much religious preaching

I will avoid Bethany House pubs.

[Pat Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Unexpected twists that kept it interesting. Very God and faith centered.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different characters in this book compared to book 1 of the series. You won't miss a thing by reading book 2 before 1.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I will be reading more of her books.

[Ruthie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book! Loved the plot twists and the clear resolution of the ending!

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. A lot of pain, tempered with joy. New beginnings and happy reunions. Forgiveness!

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0-3.5 Stars. I enjoyed this one, but not quite as much as the second one.

[Sally Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

another inspiring story. great read

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have heard really great things about Tracie Peterson, but maybe this was one of her earlier books and she has progressed as a writer since than. Maybe it wasn't as good to me because it was unfortunately abridged (I much prefer unabridged if possible), but I listened to this on my mp3 player and it's all they had online, so maybe it had lost some things? I thought this book was alright. Way too predictable though. It reminded me, however, so much of another novel: Rekindled (Fountain Creek Chronicles #1), by Tamera Alexander... it had a similar storyline, but I really loved that one. I would say if you are bored Across the Years is a nice little story-- I read it easily in part of a day, but otherwise you're not missing much. I, however, am bored so I'll likely read the 3rd book tomorrow since I have it. We'll see how that goes : )

[Stacia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was another fun book from Tracie Peterson. I enjoyed it but was able to predict that EJ was Ethan the first time he and Natalie met. THankfully she didn't take too long in revealing it to the audience thinking it was a great mystery. I usually like her work for the historical aspect that it brings, but this one doesn't really have anything except for mentioning the stock market crash at the beginning of the depression and the belief that it was a short-term problem. I became bored at the end and skimmed through the epilogue, they get remarried, yada, yada. There wasn't too much of a climax in this book, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Its a fun book, but not one of my favorites from her.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I checked all three books in this series out together, with the obvious plan to read the entire series. But, the first one wasn't great. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing very original. Since I had the other books, and they weren't a continuation of the same story I decided to read this one too. It was ok, but a lot of the story was similar in many ways to the other one. I guess I've read too many books lately that involved people not communicating when they have the opportunity, and thus more problems arise. Come on people, spit it out.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ashley marries the love of her life to only have him die a hero in World War I. When her mother rejects her marriage, she goes to live with her grandfather. Ten years later in Winslow Arizona grandfather is about to die and Fred Harvey is building a new resort with the help of Mary Colter and a young architect that reminds her of her died husband.

[Theresa Petoskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great re-read I first read this not long after it was published and the series quickly became one of my favorites from Tracie Peterson. A young lady that has faced painful loses and estrangement from all but one member of her family finds love and forgiveness in the past, present, and future.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I also enjoyed this story and the characters were very likeable. I however feel the same way about this book as I did the first in the series. A lot of the references I felt were too modern for the time period in which they occured. An easy enjoyable story though.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #2 in this series was much better than #1. I enjoyed this story very much. Love the way this author includes an explanation to obtaining Eternal Life in every book but never in a "preachy" way. Great reading!

[Tristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i finished this in one night i really liked it alot.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little predictable but still a pleasant read. Useful when needing to pass the time.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Winslow, AZ
Now I want to go visit and see the La Posada hotel the last one of the Harvey chains. It was finished in 1930.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

not much of a story, kind of preachy, but a clean story

[Krysti]

The first time though this book I listened on CD, this time I actually read it. Both times it was a good book.