With Each Tomorrow by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

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1904 – Montana

Even in the midst of adversity, love and faith can flourish.

As the formation of Glacier National Park takes Eleanor Briggs and her conservationist father on a journey west to advocate for public lands, her heart carries the weight of a painful past. Since the death of her mother, she has spent her life traveling the country with her father and helping him with his work, but now he’s considering settling down and writing a book–and she’s not sure what that means for her future.

Carter Brunswick faces trials of his own when the Great Northern Railway’s departure threatens his family’s livelihood and the entire town of Kalispell. In the visiting conservationist’s daughter, Ellie, he finds a spirited woman who challenges his convictions in ways he never anticipated, and his own dreams for the future begin to change.

When tensions over the railroad’s departure boil over, Ellie and Carter are drawn together on a daring journey that tests the depths of their feelings and their faith in God.

2 Comments

The reason I like historical fiction is that I always learn something. This time it was the early foundation of Kalispel, Montana and how the railroad helped the town expand and threatened its future when it left. I also learned about the clashes of the conservationists and landowners during the quest to set aside lands for a National Park.
The characters brought the scenes to life, from the not so cute meet of Ellie and Carter to the nefarious plotting of the villains who took matters into their own hands.
The sweet romance moved slowly because Ellie and Carter were struggling personally. Carter was a strong Christian who was attracted to Ellie but was not willing to compromise his beliefs. Ellie wanted to please her father but learned to think for herself and to build on her spiritual heritage to make her faith personal.
I appreciate the clear gospel message that these authors include in their books. The historical information and suspense elements made it that much more enjoyable.
* A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

1895-1912 Kalispell, Montana
This series (The Jewels of Kalispell) pairs each book with a historical landmark in Kalispell, Montana. This particular book is centered upon the Great Northern Railway Depot and has this railroad as its primary focus.

What makes this story appealing to me is the strong spiritual thread and the characters, so it is only fitting that I include some of my favorite quotes to introduce them-

–Eleanor “Ellie” Briggs is the daughter of a conservationist who advocates for national parks. Since she lost her mom to cancer at age fourteen, she has been traveling with her father. On this trip, she comes to realize that father may not be right about everything.

“Eleanor grew up in society, was taught etiquette and rules, and participated in all the grand events and activities. All while her father traveled and spoke around the Eastern Seaboard about conservation. That was, until Mother became ill.”

“Losing Mother changed her perspective. About money. About God. About what she wanted out of life.”

“After an awful night of tossing, turning, and reviewing her life, Eleanor was sure about one thing. She had no idea who she was anymore. She’d so poured her life into assisting Father with his work that his beliefs and opinions became hers. His conversations, her conversations.”

“Still, without God, Ellie would continue to struggle. She was searching for a way to make sense of the world. She was looking to feel the love her mother had given her—a love she believed was stolen from her.”

—Our H, Carter Brunswick owns the wheat mill and comes from a family devoted to a very large wheat farm they have owned for generations. With opposing opinions, Carter and Ellie do not get off to a good start.

“But his gut held him in check. Eleanor Briggs was clearly wrestling with God. Carter wasn’t about to get in the middle of that battle. Still, the one thing he could do was get down on his knees and pray.”

—Then you have, among a few other characters, two motherly figures who try to help things along…

—Marvella Ashbury is an assertive, motherly figure-the Judge’s wife-a pillar of the community-who hosts the Briggs in their home.

“At some point, you are going to have to patch things up with God, my dear. And we will most assuredly be having that conversation soon.”

“Eleanor Briggs was a challenge. Not only did the poor thing seem to have been in the company of men much too often since her mother died, but she also was cold toward God. And that simply wouldn’t do.”

—And lastly, we have Carter’s mother, Mrs Brunswick, who is a great shoulder to cry on.

“Mothers are so very dear to us that their loss creates impossibly difficult spaces in our lives. I’ve found that only God can fill those holes.”

“It’s hard to accept that a loving God would let such things happen. Allow sickness. Take a mother from her child or a child from its mother. I don’t think I’ll ever completely understand, but I take comfort in His faithfulness to never leave me to bear it alone.”

See! I knew you would agree with my praise for this book. Now, put it in your TBR pile or on your TBR list.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book in a LibraryThing giveaway, free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

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