Touching the Sky (Land of the Lone Star)

by Tracie Peterson

Paperback, 2012

Status

Available

Call number

813.54

Publication

Bethany House Publishers (2012), Edition: 1, 336 pages

Description

When Laura's sister, Carissa, marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation when she overhears plots to kill Union soldiers. Though in her heart she feels she should share this information with Union officer-and-romantic interest Brandon Reid, Laura fears she will betray her sister's trust and possibly endanger her sister's life.

User reviews

LibraryThing member ReviewsFromTheHeart
Laura Marquardt soon learns that being a strong, smart and independent women will win her the attention of two very different men and for two very different reasons in the historical fiction, Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson. Set in the mid 1800's at the end of the civil war between the states,
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hostilities still run high between the North and South and those who remain loyal to either side. The Marquardt household even though residing the Texas maintain loyalties with the North with the Ironclad Oath. It seems however that some animosity still resides among their own citizens in Texas to the Marquardt family.

Most of their friends and family believed that the Emancipation Proclamation wasn't such a good idea and now will Lincoln dead, many feel that the war needs to rise up once again in the South. So when Malcolm Lowe arrives to begin courting Carissa Marquardt and eventually marry her, he has more on his mind that just wedding plans. Malcolm Lowe served in the Southern army and isn't so happy to have people like Captain Brandon Reid living among them as well as most of colored troops that he served over from the North. Now Malcolm is making plans with other men who feel the same as he does to make sure that the South will rise up and claim what they feel is their just reward and to take as many of the Yankees and colored with them.

Captain Reid is assigned to find out information about Malcolm whom the Northern Army feels is up to no good in Texas, so when he is asked to attend a party at the Marquardt's, he doesn't plan on falling for Laura in the process. Yet trying to keep both of his obligations separate, he struggles with wanting to tell her the truth about his actions so she doesn't believe that he is using her to get close to Malcolm. So when an opportunity presents itself that Laura finds out information about Malcolm that she believes he is planning to murder innocent people, it provides an open door for Brandon to help her without telling her everything. But will he have the opportunity to be completely honest with her before Malcolm's plans have a chance to be carried out, or will Laura find herself in danger without an opportunity to know just how Brandon feels?

I received Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and found this story captivating. On one end you have the building tension between Malcolm and his hate for the Northern supporters and on the other side, the romance building between Brandon and Laura which keeps you wondering just where this will all end. This is the second book in the Land of the Lone Star series and I can't wait to see where this one will conclude. If you haven't read the first book in this series, this book can be enjoyed as a stand alone. However, being a huge fan of Tracie Peterson's novels, I know you will want to go back and enjoy the first one as well. She writes so well and is noticeable of her time periods. I think this is the draw readers enjoy as they immerse themselves into the story. For that I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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LibraryThing member mel247
Touching the Sky is the 2nd book in the Land of the Lone Star series by Tracie Peterson. This book is set in Texas directly after the end of the Civil War.

Laura and Carissa are daughters of a high powered Union supporter - amidst angry and bitter Confederate supporters and soldiers. Tensions run
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high between the black Union soldiers in Texas and the bitter Confederate soldiers. Laura and Carissa get caught in a backwooded conspiracy by Confederate soldiers to show the Union supporters once and for all who is in charge of Texas.

Laura is caught between her fierce love and protection of her sister, who is caught up with a leader of the Confederate soldiers, and her newly blossomed love interested Brandon - a former Union soldier.

Great read! Love, truth, and God's protection and care are evident throughout this story.
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LibraryThing member Robin661
Touching the Sky (Land of the Lone Star Book #2)
Tracie Peterson

Book Summary: Her heart is caught between the man she loves and the sister she's desperate to protect. Though their first encounter is hardly auspicious, Laura Marquardt soon discovers herself drawn to the dashing Captain Brandon Reid.
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As an officer over the colored troops, he eagerly supports her desire to educate blacks and seek harmony in a town where the defeat of the South is a bitter reality. When Laura's sister marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation after overhearing a discussion with frightening consequences. In her heart she feels she should confide in Brandon, but Laura fears to do so may endanger her sister's life. Yet as the stakes continue to rise and Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into doubt, Laura questions where to turn...and wonders if her own dreams of love may be forsaken.

Book Review: I really enjoyed this story the best. The female lead was most enjoyable for me. The younger sister and the dilemma with her husband. The entry of the confederate officer was fun to watch knowing that he was the good guy. The drama with Laura's sister was realistic and intense. You could taste the dust of Texas and the challenges of the west in 1860's. From the opening intensity to all the drama with Laura's sister it was a page turner. I really enjoy the crafting of the story by Tracie Peterson. The development of characters, even secondary characters and the entire plot are pure enjoyment. I am always anticipating the next book before I finish the one I am in.
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LibraryThing member mookiekat
Laura Marquardt's first encounter with the handsome Captain Brandon Reid left little to be desired. Despite the insults hurled at her by the brave Captain Laura finds herself drawn to this new man in town. Laura and Brandon find themselves both eager to support and educate the colored people that
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have come into their town. With the people of the South finding themselves licking their wounds from the loss of the war the harmony of the town she lives in doesn't share her passion. Laura's sister Carrisa, marries a Confederate soldier who uses her as a dirversion for his true motives. After overhearing a disturbing conversation from Carrisa's beau Laura fears for her sister's life and that of her own. Can she trust Brandon to protect her and Carrisa from this treacherous man?
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LibraryThing member nlpolak
In keeping with the Land of the Lonestar series, Touching the Sky continues to depict a glimpse of what it was like to be on opposing sides with how many Texans in the 1860's despised Yankee supporters. Such were the times that shaped the nation and nearly caused its undoing. In the midst of such
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tension, the lives of sisters Laura and Clarissa Marquardt face drastic changes in the aftermath of war. Corpus Christi and its people are not the same, and knowing who they can trust becomes hard for the women to do, especially for Laura - who worries about her sister's impending marriage, while finding herself drawn to the army officer Brandon Reid's charms, despite not seeing eye-to-eye with him initially, and they form an unlikely friendship.

I liked this second book, because the characters' faith was balanced in proportion to their actions, so it was not overly preachy, and was thus more natural. I do like a good Christian fiction, but not to the risk of making characters have less of a personality. Fortunately, Tracie does make these sisters have some spunk! It was also neat to hear about another major city in Texas during the same time era as the previous book, so you get a varied perspective. It also weaves in the previous plot with the reintroduction to some old characters, and keep you guessing on what book 3 has in store! This was a good read that transports you back through time and I recommend it!
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LibraryThing member lamb521
Title: Touching the Sky (Land of the Lone Star #2)
Author: Tracie Peterson
Pages: 336
Year: 2012
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
This story is set in Texas in late June 1865. The central figures are Laura Marquardt and Brandon Reid. Laura has grown up in Texas, and
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while most of the state sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War, her family supported the Union. Some see her family as traitors, but for the most part, her family has remained unscathed by their allegiance to the Union. Laura is now 21 years old and longs for a husband and family of her own. Her younger sister, Carrisa, has recently become engaged to a former Confederate soldier. Laura has a bad feeling about this man and his intentions. She tries to warn her sister to reconsider marrying him, but her sister thinks Laura is jealous of not being the first to marry.
Captain Brandon Reid of the Union Army is close to mustering out of the service. He delays his retirement when a sinister plot is uncovered aimed at harming Union soldiers. He is tasked with uncovering the identity of participants in this plot. One suspect is Malcolm Lowe, a man recently married to a Union-supporting family. If he can stay close to them, he might learn something about Lowe. He begins a courtship of Laura Marquardt due to his true feelings of love for her, but when she finds out about his sleuthing of Lowe will she think he is only courting her to track Lowe instead of really being in love with her?
I enjoyed reading about this time in our country’s history, a time after the war was officially over, but feelings were hardly settled. There was still great animosity between Northerners and Southerners in some parts of the country. Laura is loving and protective sister who relies on God and isn’t shy about saying so. Brandon has also come to know God as his source of faith. When the terrible things life can sometime bring enter their lives, they live their faith boldly.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
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Awards

Audie Award (Finalist — 2013)

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

8.5 inches

ISBN

0764206168 / 9780764206160

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