Sophia Rose is here with the second historical romance in the Love on the Santa Fe series. Come see why lovers of sweet historical romances will want to pick up Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson.

Beyond the Desert Sands
by Tracie Peterson
Series: Love on the Santa Fe #2
Genres: Faith-Based Fiction, Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Heat Level:

After living an opulent life with her aunt for the last few years, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to have to celebrate Christmas in the small silver-mining town her father and mother founded in the desert. She’d rather stay in California with the handsome Diego Morales who is courting her. Isabella is further miffed to have to bear the company of Aaron Bailey, a businessman with the Santa Fe Railroad, whom her father has sent to escort her safely home. Aaron finds Isabella spoiled, and she finds him judgmental.

But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father’s health has become. Then Diego shows up with news that her aunt has died. Isabella is saddened by the loss of not only her aunt, but also her place of escape.

Faced with all these changes, she struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope Isabella stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.

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Sophia Rose’s Review

A willful young woman gets the life she wanted to live in wealth and privilege back in California with her aunt and far from the desert and mining town her parents have settled in, but now after years her father has called her back escorted by an impossible man who forces her to see herself through another lens.  A new to me author, but an exciting time period in the historical American southwest had me eagerly giving this one a go.

Beyond the Desert Sands is the second book in a series.  I was unaware of this until later and had no trouble reading it out of order.  It’s definitely a standalone story that seems to just share the same time period and setting of the Santa Fe Railroad.

Isabella Garcia is a spoiled and pampered rich young girl when the book opens.  She throws a hissy fit and keeps wearing down her father to let her leave the silver mining town to return to her easy life, friends, and the family home back in Los Angeles.  She is ornery and disrespectful and can’t see any other perspective.  At the age of twenty-five, she is still the same, but has been fawned over by others and even courted by a charming man from good family who has reasons other than love for cultivating her infatuation.  It was difficult to read the first half of the book because she is rather detestable and I really wanted to reach through the words to smack her in the back of the head (and maybe everyone else who allowed her to get this way without checking her attitude and behavior).

But, there is Aaron who works for the Santa Fe Railroad and is a friend of Isabella’s father.  He agrees to escort his friend’s daughter to him. She is a beauty, but her ugly attitude toward him, her parents, and anything not of Los Angeles turns him off her and he has no compunction stating what he thinks of her rotten attitude.  I thought it was hilarious during their first meeting when she tries to fling her wealthy class at him and he tells her that his family could buy her family and not feel a pinch. He is part of helping her get her head on right and develops feelings for her as she changes over the course of the story.  Aaron kept me reading through the first half, as well as the southwest backdrop and the mining town and railroad historical elements.

There are strong inspirational themes of redemption and forgiveness. Aaron is a Christian and part of the reason Isabella’s turned around is her new beliefs. Her parents had belief, but that made me scratch my head as to why they and Isabella’s aunt whom she lived with in LA let her behavior get so atrocious when she was still younger. But, I definitely liked seeing the changes in her and the way she started to care for family and for the Silver Veil community. She really stepped up. I’m not a better person because I wanted more comeuppance for the villains than they got.

The romance was slow burn and background because of all the other matters going on including Isabella being infatuated with a charming wastrel for a good part of the book. I thought they had a good spark between them even when Isabella and Aaron were antagonistic, but I did love seeing them partnering and coming to care for each other.

All in all, I thought this sampling of new to me author and series went well. I could see how the author gave good attention to the historical backdrop and her characters, so I would definitely pick up another of her books.  The audience recommended to is definitely sweet historical romance and inspirational fiction fans.

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2022/09/beyond-the-desert-sands-by-tracie-peterson%ef%bf%bc.html

Death Throes of the Broken Clockwork Universe is Wayne David Hubbard’s first book of poetry. This is a collection of anecdotal observations from the author’s experience with change, time, and love. The book is split into two parts: Part One, The Time Studies, and Part Two, The Love Studies. Several of the author’s poems were featured in various journals, magazines, and other publications, though the majority of poetry included in this book is published for the first time as a part of this collection.

In Wayne David Hubbard’s own words, “these poems are portraits of where [I] have been.” I’ll be clear about the theme of the author’s poetry with the following disclaimer: this collection is not for you if you’re looking for an easy read. The author uses metaphorical wording and tackles abstract ideas and themes that will force the reader to think. If you’re a fan of mainstream poetry collections, you may initially find it takes a while to grasp some of Hubbard’s concepts and meaning, though it’s a worthwhile investment. Once you dive into the book, you’ll find his writings thought-provoking, providing interesting ideas to ponder as you develop an understanding of each poem.

As I became familiar with the author’s work, I enjoyed his style and how he approaches aspects of life from a refreshingly new perspective. His collection is shareable with anyone who enjoys a read that conjures a new way of thinking about life and experience from Hubbard’s personal perspective. He focuses on the universal and familiar topics from a new angle, without regurgitating standard ideas but instead breathing new life into subjects in such an evocative way that readers can connect with the unknown or an unseen layer of the familiar.

Death Throes of the Broken Clockwork Universe provides a great opportunity for readers to expand their impressions of the world around them and of themselves. I recommend this book for its creative originality and the author’s ability to recognize a deeper connection to humanity as a whole.

Pages 68 | ASIN: 1639884750

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/14/death-throes-of-the-broken-clockwork-universe/

When Baseball was King The New York Yankees were King of Baseball recounts some of the greatest baseball players ever. Author Dr. Len Bergantino is able to recount many of their stats, from how fast pitchers could throw and how fast the greatest players could hit! From Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Jackie Robinsons, we get to read about how great each player was. While mostly discussing great Yankee players, Dr. Bergantino also discusses some of the other great players from other teams, such as the Cleveland Indians and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I enjoyed reading about some of baseball’s greatest players in this enlightening book. The author is correct about baseball not being such a loved sport anymore. Most people seem to enjoy football now. While I have personally heard about most of the players mentioned, I didn’t know their stats. Reading about the batting averages from back then compared to the players now was eye-opening. It makes me wonder what has changed in the players between then and now.

I enjoyed reading the letters that Dr. Bergantino wrote to Carl Erskine. It was nice to see that Mr. Erskine replied to his letters as well. He even sent a copy of his book. While he originally disliked Carl Erskine because he was a great pitcher for the Dodgers, he realized he did like him in the end because he was such a great player.

There are scans of other books that Dr. Len Bergantino wrote inside this book. There are excerpts from those books as well. They are printed multiple times as well leaving the actual story to be about 45 pages. The rest is from the other books.

This is an illuminating book that conjures a nostalgic feeling while providing readers with interesting facts about great baseball players. I enjoyed this story, especially when the author talked about watching baseball as a kid. This is a great read for any fan of the New York Yankees and anyone interested in baseball history.

Pages: 98 | ASIN: B085WMX5P6

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/14/when-baseball-was-king-the-new-york-yankees-were-king-of-baseball/

When Stars Align is a captivating story about how love and goals intertwine and the beauty in how two people make their relationship work despite the challenges they encounter. Elsie McCormick and Augustus Owens meet one night at a college party. Their lives forever change from that point onwards as they quickly fall in love and begin a relationship. This whirlwind romance develops into a bond full of promise and dreams.

The love story between Elsie and Augustus begins to unravel throughout the novel. Though it is not a smooth road, the two analyze the situation before continuing their journey together. The author depicts the reality of people who face conflicting goals and difficulties, even as they grow to love each other and support each other’s careers. The story does a great job of raising important questions about who is right or wrong in a relationship and whether an intense romance and love can overcome unexpected decisions. Can fate bring two people together and sustain their love through challenges?

E.K. McCoy approaches the story from the perspective of destiny and whether the love of our dreams will last for a lifetime. Elsie and Auggie have another priority on their list – their dreams. Elsie wishes to become a well-established musician, while Auggie plans to become one of the country’s best doctors. They move forward with their plans as they strike the perfect balance between their priorities. As they progress, their paths take them in various directions, ultimately impacting their life together.

The book addresses the unique challenges of relationships, the power of following one’s personal journey, and how this impacts Elsie and Auggie’s life as a couple. E.K. McCoy explores fate, and whether it plays a role in the outcome of their love and relationships. I found the book to be well written, providing an in-depth look at each character’s thoughts and conversations, with solid character development that draws the reader into their world.

When Stars Align is a fantastic read that uses compelling storytelling and rich emotions of joy, confusion, sadness, and acceptance in a brilliant style. This book tells a compelling romance story that would make an excellent adaptation to film. It’s a great novel for anyone who has faced the challenges of following love and a career path at once. The author offers a fantastic tale that reminds us of how we have to choose the place in life that will allow us to grow, with or without someone else.

Pages: 298 | ASIN: 1727884191

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/14/when-stars-align/

The Denial of Reverse Racism in America by Dr. Len Bergantino is an attempt to prove the theory that reverse racism exists and is a serious problem. From the start, the author makes his views clear on the subject, using anecdotal experiences throughout his life as a means to support his argument. He believes his experiences, which include his perspective on programs and organizations attempting to address racial inequality, substantiate his stance, though his argument to support this case comes from deeply held personal beliefs rather than using statistics and research to support the topic.

While this book may be a difficult read for many, it serves as an interesting glimpse into the mind of someone who feels strongly about this topic. Throughout the book, the author references his experiences from childhood, university, and his years working as a school counselor. He frequently uses capitalization to emphasize his points throughout the book, though the overall tone feels intensely emotional and abrupt.

I found the book interesting from a more critical perspective, and how the author eagerly argues the point for reverse racism by mentioning various anecdotal scenarios as proof for this case. While I found it compelling, I would have appreciated more hard evidence to support his views. While the author approaches the topic from a particular viewpoint, he manages to stay with the theme consistently.

The Denial of Reverse Racism in America by Dr. Len Bergantino serves as an intriguing look into the mind and thoughts of someone who strongly believes in the concept of reverse racism. I suggest reading the book, and the author’s explanations, as it’s like a case study into one individual’s views.

Pages: 88 | ASIN: 1648032680

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/14/the-denial-of-reverse-racism-in-america/

Surviving Master Joshua: The BDSM Memoir of An Unfaithful Wife by Karma Said is a memoir of the author’s experience as she retells her journey into the world of BDSM. Karma’s initial intention for getting involved begins with an investigation of the lives of religious people who are considered kinky or a part of the fetish community. She initially investigates BDSM for a story on religious people that are kinky. We quickly learn that the author’s real intention to get involved with this community is due to her feeling incomplete in her life and marriage. When she meets Master Joshua, he gives her life a new sense of enjoyment and purpose, but at what cost?

As Karma dives into the exciting world of BDSM, she struggles with compartmentalizing two sides of her life: her husband and two children on one side and Master Joshua’s ability to open her mind to a new, thrilling experience. Throughout her relationship with him, Karma is encouraged to divulge her activities to her husband, as Master Joshua values honesty and communication as a significant part of their relationship. This predicament creates a dilemma for Karma: does she disclose her involvement with BDSM and Master Joshua to her husband, risking everything, or keep it a secret against her dominant’s wishes?

When I initially began reading this book, I wasn’t sure which direction the author would take in handling the intriguing world and experiences with BDSM. It’s more than discovering innermost needs and fulfilling a new fantasy; it’s a tale about the impact of communication and how honesty, or a lack of it, can be destructive to a relationship. The author further explores the dynamics of each character and the complex nature of their personality. We see the ordinary side of Master Joshua and how he’s like everyone else, despite his dominant presence in the BDSM world.

The author portrays the depth of each character’s needs, Karma, her husband David, their emotions, and how they cope with life while battling their inner struggles. I found Surviving Master Joshua to be an exciting and well-written book. There is a great combination of intense sexual and power dynamics with the importance of interpersonal communication and honesty.

Pages: 232 | ASIN: B09SQBVL1Z

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2022/09/14/surviving-master-joshua/