Touching the Sky

The second volume of Peterson’s Land of the Lone Star series centers on Laura Marquardt and her family, Union supporters in Corpus Christi, Tex., shortly after the Civil War is over. The conflict has ended, but feelings are high and raw. Those who supported the losing side are quick to react to the black Union troops stationed in the city. Against that backdrop, Laura meets Union Capt. Brandon Reid. Laura’s younger and immature sister, meanwhile, casts her lot with former Confederate lieutenant Malcolm Lowe, whom Reid is asked to keep an eye on when incidents of vengeance occur. Peterson has done her history homework and writes with the confidence acquired over the course of authoring more than 90 novels. Dialogue moves things along, and Brandon and Laura’s relationship is chaste, in keeping with Christian fiction, as well as clever. The villain is not deep, but a sprinkling of social concern about racial issues adds some substance. Peterson’s many fans will certainly be pleased with this foray into Texas history. (June)