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Striking a Match #3
Hope Rekindled
The Anticipated Conclusion to Tracie Peterson's Texas Series!
At long last, Deborah Vandermark is preparing for her own wedding... but the groom suddenly goes absent. Tragedy has befallen Christopher's family in Kansas City, upsetting the doctor's future with Deborah. With five siblings now under his care, can he return to Texas and impose a ready-made family on Deborah?
Deborah herself finds her resolve faltering as her fears about marriage and career start to overwhelm her. How can she marry and be a mother to Christopher's siblings, and still be able to pursue her work and training as a physician? When an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah's life seems to be spiraling out of control. How can God possibly work this for good? And can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in their way?
At long last, Deborah Vandermark is preparing for her own wedding... but the groom suddenly goes absent. Tragedy has befallen Christopher's family in Kansas City, upsetting the doctor's future with Deborah. With five siblings now under his care, can he return to Texas and impose a ready-made family on Deborah?
Deborah herself finds her resolve faltering as her fears about marriage and career start to overwhelm her. How can she marry and be a mother to Christopher's siblings, and still be able to pursue her work and training as a physician? When an old adversary reveals a contract that may spell ruin for Vandermark Logging, Deborah's life seems to be spiraling out of control. How can God possibly work this for good? And can Christopher and Deborah find a way to claim the future they long to share when so much stands in their way?
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
208 people are currently reading
825 people want to read
About the author
Tracie Peterson
249 books3,120 followersTracie 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
pen name: Janelle Jamison
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 14, 2020
Great Christian Fiction book. You care about what is happening with the characters. They all have struggles and some question why God is allowing these horrible things to happen. But after being reminded to put their faith in God they will get through the storm. This book helped strengthen my faith in God.
August 24, 2022
This ends the trilogy Striking a Match from Tracie Peterson. Please read them in order and together. This gives you the full impact of the characters, emotions, and backstory of this time period.
One of the unresolved items I wanted closure on was who the KKK members were. Surely they had to be local and living amongst or near this town. For such tragedy to be part of this novel, there was no resolving of this because it wasn't the actual story line. Just that this did happen in that time period.
I was always waiting for the shoe to drop and when the characters we didn't care for would get their comeuppance. Issues with each of the characters seems to be resolved enough that I felt there was closure for this to end. A story of trusting God was veined throughout this novel in different aspect for each of the characters.
The second installment was not my favorite and just seemed filler to get to this one without making it a 500 page novel.
One of the unresolved items I wanted closure on was who the KKK members were. Surely they had to be local and living amongst or near this town. For such tragedy to be part of this novel, there was no resolving of this because it wasn't the actual story line. Just that this did happen in that time period.
I was always waiting for the shoe to drop and when the characters we didn't care for would get their comeuppance. Issues with each of the characters seems to be resolved enough that I felt there was closure for this to end. A story of trusting God was veined throughout this novel in different aspect for each of the characters.
The second installment was not my favorite and just seemed filler to get to this one without making it a 500 page novel.
June 23, 2023
A wonderful finish to three book series.
October 23, 2024
Good finish to the series, I honestly wish there was a 4th book about Mr. Albright and how his character changes!
February 18, 2020
I truly love Tracie Peterson Christian Historical Fiction and although this series was not my favorite from her, this was the best book in the series. The entire series must be read to get the full impact of this story however and I would definitely not suggest reading them alone. Otherwise you make get the hope, but not the full effect with out the depression or the sadness and despondency without the hope!
The first book in this Striking a Match Series Embers of Love was a good Tracie Peterson read. It was a different narrative voice than what I am used to with her but I take that with it being in Texas as opposed to Montana, Pennsylvania or Alaska. However the second book in the series Hearts Aglow is purely dreadful.
Hope Rekindled truly brings it all together. There is completion and although not 100% happy ending it is real and as it should be in a very satisfying manner. This series pretty much follows the main character of Deborah through out and hers is a journey than any reader can learn and grow with. I do not regret having read this series. I'm glad I stuck in there.
With all that said, I love most all of Tracie's older historical series and will not hesitate to continue to buy her books. There is bound to be a book here and there that I do not enjoy, but that doesn't make up for missing out on all the others that I love.
*Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy for review through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.*
Originally posted: http://wp.me/pYHD5-2bA
The first book in this Striking a Match Series Embers of Love was a good Tracie Peterson read. It was a different narrative voice than what I am used to with her but I take that with it being in Texas as opposed to Montana, Pennsylvania or Alaska. However the second book in the series Hearts Aglow is purely dreadful.
Hope Rekindled truly brings it all together. There is completion and although not 100% happy ending it is real and as it should be in a very satisfying manner. This series pretty much follows the main character of Deborah through out and hers is a journey than any reader can learn and grow with. I do not regret having read this series. I'm glad I stuck in there.
With all that said, I love most all of Tracie's older historical series and will not hesitate to continue to buy her books. There is bound to be a book here and there that I do not enjoy, but that doesn't make up for missing out on all the others that I love.
*Thanks to Bethany House for providing a copy for review through the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.*
Originally posted: http://wp.me/pYHD5-2bA
March 8, 2023
Loved this last book in the series. I have a number of series that I have wanted to read this year and have worked them into the 52 books challenge. There are also a number of books I have wanted to read that I have fit into the challenge. There are very few books/prompts that I am NOT looking forward to reading and I am trying to get those less desirable books/prompts out of the way at the beginning of the year. In between reading those undesirable books I am reading some that I was really looking forward to reading. This was one of those. This was a great series by a wonderful author... one of my very favorite authors. I have had this trilogy on my TBR for a long time. I am grateful that I got to put all three books on my list for this year.
The conclusion to this series did not disappoint. Even though I assumed and hoped that good would win out over evil there were twists and turns that I did not expect. Fear... this book was so much about fear and how to deal with it.... especially if you have Faith in God our Savior. It was also about Trust, especially between couples... Deborah and Christopher about to get married and Jael and Stuart who married for convenience and do not love each other, though Jael had hoped it would grow.
"'So you're just gonna ruin the man? I guess I should have figured on that. It seems that sturrin' up trouble and makin' folks miserable is what you do best.'
Albright shrugged. 'It's a gift.' He laughed and got to his feet. 'I came in good faith to offer you a decent price on the business. It seems to me, a mill owner should handle his own lagging. If you aren't of a mind to cooperate, I'll simply wait until the bank takes over your property, and then I'll buy it for a pittance of it's former worth.' ....
Prayer seemed the only hope any of them had. (pg 163)
"'I lied. I never loved you or anyone else. I wasn't raised to love-I was raised to prosper. You nearly cost me everything. Had Jael not needed my help as much as I needed hers, I might have seen the end to my fortune. All thanks to you.'
'I feel sorry for you, Stuart. At first I worried about causing you pain, but now I just hold pity for you. You have no idea what real love is all about. I'm blessed to know it for myself, and there is nothing so wonderful.'" (pg 164)
"Lizzie shrugged. 'But you know as well as I do that evil men proper all the time. Wickedness abounds and the weak suffer.'
'Yes, but we are not weak. We have Jesus and the armor of God. Remember those versed in Ephesians six that Pastor Shattuck spoke on several weeks ago? The armor of God will protect us. And above all, the Scriptures say, we need to take up the shield of faith in order to deflect the darts of the wicked. God has made provision for our protection. We simply need to trust him.'" (uipg 167)
It was quite a journey through the three books... and quite a satisfactory ending.
Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2023 Challenge prompt #4 - Title starting with the letter "H"
The conclusion to this series did not disappoint. Even though I assumed and hoped that good would win out over evil there were twists and turns that I did not expect. Fear... this book was so much about fear and how to deal with it.... especially if you have Faith in God our Savior. It was also about Trust, especially between couples... Deborah and Christopher about to get married and Jael and Stuart who married for convenience and do not love each other, though Jael had hoped it would grow.
"'So you're just gonna ruin the man? I guess I should have figured on that. It seems that sturrin' up trouble and makin' folks miserable is what you do best.'
Albright shrugged. 'It's a gift.' He laughed and got to his feet. 'I came in good faith to offer you a decent price on the business. It seems to me, a mill owner should handle his own lagging. If you aren't of a mind to cooperate, I'll simply wait until the bank takes over your property, and then I'll buy it for a pittance of it's former worth.' ....
Prayer seemed the only hope any of them had. (pg 163)
"'I lied. I never loved you or anyone else. I wasn't raised to love-I was raised to prosper. You nearly cost me everything. Had Jael not needed my help as much as I needed hers, I might have seen the end to my fortune. All thanks to you.'
'I feel sorry for you, Stuart. At first I worried about causing you pain, but now I just hold pity for you. You have no idea what real love is all about. I'm blessed to know it for myself, and there is nothing so wonderful.'" (pg 164)
"Lizzie shrugged. 'But you know as well as I do that evil men proper all the time. Wickedness abounds and the weak suffer.'
'Yes, but we are not weak. We have Jesus and the armor of God. Remember those versed in Ephesians six that Pastor Shattuck spoke on several weeks ago? The armor of God will protect us. And above all, the Scriptures say, we need to take up the shield of faith in order to deflect the darts of the wicked. God has made provision for our protection. We simply need to trust him.'" (uipg 167)
It was quite a journey through the three books... and quite a satisfactory ending.
Using this book for the The 52 Book Club 2023 Challenge prompt #4 - Title starting with the letter "H"
August 6, 2018
Hope Rekindled doesn’t find its hope rekindled until the very end. As a series, the first book started out with an even balance of joy and trial, but the second two books were much heavier on the trial and struggle aspect of the story. In the third book, Deborah becomes a worrywart, irrationally worrying about everything. Even after she receives advice and reassurance from those around her, she presents an unstable and uncertain figure in the story, not at all reflective of the capable and confident woman she presents in the first book. Adding to this a very heavy story with some sorrowful trials and you have a story that overall is not as pleasant to read because it is encased in sadness. Despite this, the story does end happily. You just have to wade through a lot to get there. Overall, the characters are loveable and enjoyable to learn more about. The storyline with Jael is great in this book. At the end of the day, I wanted a better balance between heavy and happy.
July 21, 2018
Overall, I'm kinda disappointed.
I really liked the plot of the series, but I'm not a big fan of Tracie's writing style anymore. I felt like everything compacted into the three book series could have been told in one. I really didn't feel super invested in some of the secondary characters and they really didn't add anything to the plot.
For example:
Overall, I would tell someone to give it a try because its so easy to read and I read the whole series in less then a week.
I really liked the plot of the series, but I'm not a big fan of Tracie's writing style anymore. I felt like everything compacted into the three book series could have been told in one. I really didn't feel super invested in some of the secondary characters and they really didn't add anything to the plot.
For example:
Overall, I would tell someone to give it a try because its so easy to read and I read the whole series in less then a week.
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September 24, 2024This book was a wonderful conclusion to Tracie Peterson's Striking a Match series. Set in Texas, Deborah Vandermark is set to marry her fiance, Christopher, when everything that could possibly go wrong does; and the wedding has to be put off. It seems like perhaps they won't be able to get married after all when everything seems to stand in their way. Will Deborah and Chistopher be able to get through the many things blocking their wedding and have the life they believe God has intended for them? Read this amazing conclusion and find out how this wonderful story ends!
May 25, 2017
Hope Rekindled is one of the best of TrCi
Tracie Peterson 's books that I have read. I have enjoyed all of them, because she keeps us wonderind what will happen next and how she works in God's hand in reminding us that we can depend on Him to work things out in the right way which is always the best way!
Tracie Peterson 's books that I have read. I have enjoyed all of them, because she keeps us wonderind what will happen next and how she works in God's hand in reminding us that we can depend on Him to work things out in the right way which is always the best way!
January 14, 2022
Third and final book in a series of older books (Striking a Match) series written by Christian author Tracie Peterson. I had read the first quite a while ago and was not able to obtain the other two in the series. My sister Gail helped clean out her church's library and read and loaned these to me, so I was able to read this conclusion to the story of the Vandermark family in Texas in the 1880's.
March 16, 2023
A very good 3 part series: historical setting in the late 1800's Texas, clean romance, conflicts and corruption, and Christian principles. I love how the author incorporates Scripture and the salvation message in practical scenarios of how God helps us to overcome obstacles when we are faithful to Him. I recommend this series.
February 11, 2018
I really enjoyed this book series. While set in the American west in earlier years, it still deals with many types of problems that people face today. Well written, an intriguing story line, several romances, some political tension, and a bit of mystery.
July 30, 2019
Tragedy
When Doc gets the telegram one week before Debrah's wedding everything looked hopeless. Then when he came bAck with his five brothers and sisters things looked even more bleak,but God brought it all together for good so that even the tragedy. Was lessened.
When Doc gets the telegram one week before Debrah's wedding everything looked hopeless. Then when he came bAck with his five brothers and sisters things looked even more bleak,but God brought it all together for good so that even the tragedy. Was lessened.
December 30, 2020
Historical fiction helps bring clarity
As 2020 draws to a close, I am grateful for the many ways God has worked to show us His loving provision in the midst of this volatile political and pandemic world. This historical novel series has served to remind me that though life is difficult and prejudices and evil have always run deep throughout all generations, He is faithful.
As 2020 draws to a close, I am grateful for the many ways God has worked to show us His loving provision in the midst of this volatile political and pandemic world. This historical novel series has served to remind me that though life is difficult and prejudices and evil have always run deep throughout all generations, He is faithful.
May 11, 2021
Tracie Peterson is quickly becoming my favorite author! I love the fact that she has shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can write great romance novels without the smut that most romance authors incorporate to sell their books.
January 29, 2023
A great ending to a great series! I love how the Vandermark family's faith pulls them through. Many amazing reminders of how we should never loose faith. My favorite part is the authors not at the end of the book, laying out the plan of salvation!
January 1, 2026
Life is real and this was too
I appreciate the honest doubt expressed in the hard time faced by the characters. I am in a hard time myself amd this has reminded me to keep looking up amd keep doing my work and resting. Great lessons taught!
I appreciate the honest doubt expressed in the hard time faced by the characters. I am in a hard time myself amd this has reminded me to keep looking up amd keep doing my work and resting. Great lessons taught!
July 20, 2017
This was terrible, sappy, and preachy.
October 15, 2018
Very good book
I enjoyed the suspense and devotion to God that went throughout this series of books. I am now a devoted fan of Tracie Peterson's work.
I enjoyed the suspense and devotion to God that went throughout this series of books. I am now a devoted fan of Tracie Peterson's work.
October 28, 2018
Holding to Faith
These 3 books showed how ordinary people held onto faith or took on His faith through obstacles and hard times. Much like our world today.
These 3 books showed how ordinary people held onto faith or took on His faith through obstacles and hard times. Much like our world today.
November 7, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
January 13, 2019
Hope Rekindled is a riveting conclusion to the series. The danger and suspense kept me turning the pages. I highly recommend this book.
May 5, 2019
Interesting romance . Enjoyed it a lot.
July 22, 2019
The storyline with Jake & the doctor confused me. I thought the story was going somewhere else which meant I never got into the book.
June 5, 2020
I enjoyed the happy ending. The journey at times was a bit tedious but glad I continued reading and listening. Happy reading and listening!
February 6, 2021
Good read.
March 16, 2021
I love Tracie Peterson's books. I thoroughly enjoyed this and will read more of her series.
April 6, 2021
She's such a good author and easy to read
August 4, 2021
This was my least favorite book. I still love her writing though
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews