Review: The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson

I'm using the book description from Amazon... because no way am I going to try this one on my own.

1886 Montana stands on the brink of statehood, and Dianne Selby finds her world turned upside down. Cole takes her and the children to Kansas to care for his dying father, but after the funeral, Cole's mother insists he stay and take over his inheritance. Unable to deal with her mother-in-law's cruel treatment, Dianne takes the children back to Montana alone. There, blizzards devastate the area, trapping a now pregnant Dianne at the ranch. Through the twists and turns of life and nature, Dianne comes to realize that the hope within--Jesus Christ--is the only hope that lasts. Book 4 of the bestselling Heirs of Montana.

Now I'm gonna use purple words... because I can.

This is book 4 in a series, and while I started book 1 once a very long time ago, I never finished it. So yeah.... this was a little confusing at first but I think Tracie does such a good job with giving you enough back story to just jump in anywhere and go with it. Although I'm sure I would have had more emotional connections to the characters if I'd done the sensible thing and read them in order. But as it is, I was already crying at the end of the book. This book is full of painful emotional moments that don't let up. And so many subplots at once that it threatens to make your head spin if you aren't careful. But since I was careful, (;P) I found it kept the pace going and the crazy thing is, I was ready for all of them. I wanted them all. The book wouldn't have been the same even if they had dropped just one little bitty subplot from the rest. And wow. What a bad guy. Tracie always gets my blood simply BOILING with her bad guys. And actually, there were multiple people in this story that deserve that label. So great job. And I love the Montana setting. I'm telling you the what, Tracie's books have inspired me to go so many places. Not the least of which is Alaska. And one day Lord willing I'll get there! But that is completely random and has nothing to do with this book. Which, by the way, has completely earned its 5 stars for its wonderful characters, beautiful setting, and deeply emotional writing. And because of the wonderful spiritual transformations of multiple characters which definitely made me want to cry. This book didn't drag, didn't falter. It's a keeper. For sure!