By Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
Paperback

Alex Keegan was never going to marry. Why would she after seeing the way her father hurt and humiliated her mother day after day by his philandering? Nope, men could not be trusted.

Four years ago, she left her home in Williams, Arizona, to be on her own as a Harvey girl at the El Tovar Resort on the Grand Canyon. The El Tovar hosted parties for the rich, famous and powerful – the perfect place for her to make enough money to take her mother somewhere far away from her father.

Luke Toland is the cowboy in love with Alex Keegan and it cuts him clear through to his soul when she can’t see past her father’s infidelities to open her heart to another. When presidential candidate Senator Winthrop of SC comes to town with his beautiful, young, flirtatious daughter who has her eyes set on Luke, Luke has a difficult time convincing Alex he has no desire to take Valerie Winthrop up on her offers.

Shadows of the Canyon Excerpt Alex felt her cheeks grow hot as embarrassment washed over her. How many times would she have to endure this shame upon her family? How could her father go on humiliating her mother like this, never concerning himself with the pain he caused? Alex felt tears come to her eyes at the thought of all her mother had endured. "Bernice, please go to the main dining room and bring Mrs. Godfrey." Alex steadied her emotions. She knew it would be better to have the dining room manager and housemother take charge of the situation. ©2002 Tracie Peterson Published with permission from Bethany House

To make matters worse, Rufus Keegan, Alex’s father, joins the Winthrop party and she must witness his thirst for power and position no matter what the cost. For Rufus, the cost may be his youngest daughter, Alex.

Winthrop’s top aide, Joel Harper, who happens to be his daughter’s fiancée, has his eye set on Alex because she presents a challenge to him. He usually has girls falling at his feet.

Alex sees him as a man like her father and wants no part of it. He also has a very unsavory past that threatens to rear its head every now and then.

With Valerie chasing Luke and her fiancée chasing Alex, Alex’s perceptions of men and marriage are confirmed until Luke convinces her to look in the mirror. Just as she is doing nothing to encourage Joel he is doing nothing to encourage Valerie.

When Valerie approaches him after Joel has been especially cruel, he senses that something has changed. She isn’t the calculating flirt she once was. She is confused and lost. Luke decides she needs God in her life and he’s willing to share what he knows with her and trusts that Alex will understand why he’s spending time with Valerie.

Throughout Alex’s day to day struggle with father, her confusing jealousy where Luke and Valerie are concerned and the aggravation of Joel’s attentions, Alex’s mother is invited by the Winthrop’s to attend one of their lavish parties. Rufus Keegan is furious – not only because she is there, but also because of the reason she decided to accept the invitation and join her husband in El Tovar. When she arrives, the story takes a turn from the battles raging in Alex’s head – her feelings for Luke and trying to honor God by respecting her father – to the drama playing on the rim of the Grand Canyon.

Bookworm's Briefing
Though set in the 1920's during the Prohibition era, Alex Keegan is a modern woman. She set out on her own to make money and to take care of her mother.

Though there is a trace of romance and love, the story centers on Alex moving from friendship to trust. There is even a hint of mystery and a plot twist towards the end.

Tracie Peterson has written more than fifty historical and contemporary novels. Other titles include Treasures of the North and City of Angels.