A Beauty Refined (Sapphire Brides Book #2)
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4.6 • 19 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Tracie Peterson Delivers Bestselling Historical Fiction with Romance and Adventure
Phoebe Von Bergen is excited to accompany her father when he travels from Germany to purchase sapphires in Montana. Little does she know that her father's plans--for the gemstones and his daughter--are not what they seem.
Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie--a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.
Meeting Ian has changed everything. Phoebe is determined to stay in America, regardless of her father's plans. But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger as the deception begins to unravel.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Peterson continues her faith-based historical journey with this feel-good second Sapphire Brides romance (after A Treasure Concealed). The year is 1907 and German-born Phoebe Von Bergen has come to Helena, Mont., with her father, Count Von Bergen. They're on a grand tour of the world for the count's business interests specifically the acquisition of sapphires. The journey brings Phoebe more than she was prepared for as unexpected dark secrets await in the American West. Ian, who lives in Helena, is a man of strong faith who abhors a lie. He finds himself wrapped up in the beautiful young Phoebe's life after he discovers that the woman living in his home is Phoebe's long-lost mother a convenient coincidence. In a situation fraught with betrayal and facades, Ian is the only person Phoebe can turn to. Peterson employs a boilerplate plot and unimaginative characterization, concentrating most of her attention on the flowing descriptions of the pre-WWI American West. Despite the story being light on substance, the underlying message of the triumph of faith and honesty makes for a satisfying if saccharine read.
Customer Reviews
Second book in series!
A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson is the second book in the Sapphire Brides series. Graf Frederick Von Bergen (Graf is like an English Count) has come to Helena, Montana to purchase sapphires for his client, the Sapphire Duchess. Frederick has brought his daughter, Phoebe with him on the trip. Phoebe has always been an obedient and doting daughter. Ian Harper, a lapidary, is visiting the hotel to speak with his mother when he sees Phoebe from afar. Phoebe looks just like someone he knows (but he is also drawn to her). Phoebe is walking around the grounds of The Broadwater Hotel where they are staying and sees a woman who looks just like her mother. Phoebe was told that her mother, Elizabeth, passed away when she was twelve (and still feels the loss deeply). It turns out that Phoebe’s mother is alive. There are aspects of her father that Phoebe is unaware of (or ignored). While the Graf is away for two weeks looking at a sapphire mine, Phoebe gets to know her mother and Ian. What Phoebe learns changes her view of her father and what she wants in life. What will the Graf do when Phoebe no longer bows to his wishes?
A Beauty Refined is a lovely story that focuses on truth/honesty, faith, and the power of prayer. It contains good characters (like Phoebe, Elizabeth, Ian, and Kenny), a lovely setting (of Helena, Montana), and interesting time period of 1907 (summer). The novel is well-written (as are all of Tracie Peterson’s books) and easy to read. You can enjoy A Beauty Refined without having read the first book in the Sapphire Bride series (each book can be read alone). There is some violence in the books (fair warning) that can be disconcerting. I give A Beauty Refined 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I will definitely be reading the next book in the Sapphire Bride series (as well as any others books by Tracie Peterson).
I received a complimentary copy of A Beauty Refined from NetGalley (and Baker Publishing) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book. The opinions and comments expressed above are strictly my own.