A family promise and a lack of lady-like qualities have kept Merrill Krause single. When a chance at love appears, can it overcome the challenges?
Merrill Krause longs for a family of her own, but she's bound by a promise to her dying mother to care for her father and older brothers until they no longer need her. She enjoys being part of the family business, harvesting ice during the brutal Minnesota winters. Merrill actively takes part, possessing a keen ability to work with the horses--despite the advice of her good friend, who disapproves of her unladylike behavior.
When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small town to join his uncle doing carpentry, he soon crosses paths with Merrill. But unlike other men, who are often frightened away by her older brothers, Rurik isn't intimidated by them or by Merrill's strength and lack of femininity. As he thrives under the mentorship of his uncle, Rurik dreams of inheriting the business and claiming Merrill as his wife. But while he is determined to start a new life, the past is determined to follow him when his former fiancee and her brother show up in town. Soon Rurik is put in the center of a major scandal that may damage his relationship with Merrill. Can they learn to trust God--and each other--and embrace the promise of love?
MY REVIEW: Set in Minnesota close to the end of the nineteenth century, "The Icecutter's Daughter" is the first book in author Tracie Peterson's "Land of Shining Water" series. I loved the heroine of this story, Merrill Krause, who is strong, caring, hard-working, and feminine in her own way. Merrill became the "woman of the house" at ten years old when she promised her dying mother that she would care for her father and all her brothers. An excellent cook and housekeeper, Merrill inherited her mother's beauty and artistic flair. However, Merrill works just as hard as the male members of her family, toiling alongside them in the family icecutting business. She enjoys the physical labor, most especially working with the big work horses with whom she has a special bond. Rurik Jorgenson, the nephew of the Krause's family friend, Carl Jorgenson, arrives from Kansas to help his uncle, who is in failing health. Before leaving his home, Rurik's arranged engagement to young Svea Olsson had ended badly, causing hard feelings with Svea's brother Nils, who was Rurik's longtime friend. Working for his uncle in his furniture business is a pleasure for Rurik, made even more enjoyable each time Merrill comes to visit and bring delicious baked goods. Rurik is drawn to Merrill's unpretentious strength and kindness, and she is taken by his admirable work ethic and his respect and affection for his uncle. When Rurik discovers Merrill's artistic talent, he encourages her to join the furniture business adding her painted designs to specialty items. When Svea and her brother arrive unexpectedly from Kansas, they bring trouble with them, and soon Rurik's life is laden with unwelcome complications. Svea tries everything in her power to force Rurik to marry her, and Nils supports her efforts. A scandal ensues, and the consequences could ruin not only Rurik's reputation and livelihood, but also bring to an end his hopes of a future with Merrill. Almost twenty-one years old, Merrill had spent her life putting her father and brothers first, with her own dreams being pushed aside. Rurik is the only man she's ever met with whom she wants to share her heart, but can she trust him with her life and her love? Will they both have the faith and the fortitude to survive their time of tribulations? Tracie Peterson is one of my favorite storytellers, and with each book of hers that I read, my admiration grows for her skill in combining history and romance with inspiring faith.
Separated by duty, yet bonded by love, can Emmalyne and Tavin dare to dream that God could change the hearts of those keeping them apart?
Emmalyne Knox and Tavin
MacLachlan were destined to be together...until the tragic deaths of
Emmalyne's youngest sisters. Family tradition mandates that the youngest
daughter should remain single to care for her parents in their old age,
and now that daughter is Emmalyne. Her father unyielding, Emmalyne
surrenders to her duty, heartbroken. Tavin leaves town, equally
devastated.
Years later, Emmalyne's family moves, and she and
Tavin meet again. Their feelings for each other are as strong as ever,
but their painful past and Emmalyne's father still stand between them.
Soon both families are in the midst of the growing conflict rising
between the workers at the granite quarry that Tavin's father owns and
operates. When a series of near-fatal accidents occur, Tavin must figure
out who is behind the attacks before someone gets killed.
Bound
by obligation, yet yearning for a future together, can Emmalyne and
Tavin dare to dream that God could heal a decade-long wound and change
the hearts of those who would stand in the way of true love?
MY REVIEW: With "The Quarryman's Bride", author Tracie Peterson returns readers to
Minnesota of the late 1890's. As the twentieth century approaches, and
modernization invades, many of those whose families work as manual
laborers wonder what the future will bring. Emmalyne Knox has a father
and brother who depend on the rock quarry trade to earn a living. Her
father, Luthias, had begun as a laborer, but his way with figures led
him to work as a bookkeeper and office manager. Emmalyne's brother,
Angus, worked in the quarry itself. More than a decade had passed since a
devastating storm had passed through their home area of St. Cloud,
wreaking havoc and taking lives, including those of Emmalyne's two
younger sisters. The Knox family was emotionally torn apart, and Luthias
moved the remaining family to Minneapolis, forcibly ending Emmalyne's
engagement to Tavin MacLachlan. Claiming an old Scottish tradition,
Luthias declared that with his two oldest daughters married and living a
distance away, and his two youngest daughters dead, it was Emmalyne's
familial duty to remain with her parents and care for them as they grew
older. Already a harsh and unyielding man, Luthias could not be
dissuaded from this heartbreaking path. Tavin begged Emmalyne to elope
with him, but she was a dutiful and devout daughter, and she would not
go against her father's wishes. Tavin bitterly let her go, leaving
Emmalyne in despair. Now the Knox family has returned to St. Cloud, and
this time her father and brother will work for Tavin's father, Robert,
who has his own quarry business. Tavin had left St. Cloud not long after
the Knox family moved away, and he and Emmalyne had not seen each other
or had contact in all those long years. Tavin has traveled and worked
all around the country, and when word reaches him that his father had
been ill, he returns to St. Cloud to help his father with the quarry
business. He is unprepared to be working with Luthias, the man who
ruined his life, and when he sees Emmalyne again, he knows that he loves
her still. Emmalyne is overjoyed to see Tavin again, but his bitter
attitude is still very much in evidence. As circumstances bring them
more and more into each other's company, the longing for what should
have been grows deeper and deeper. Emmalyne's father is just as
dictatorial and demanding as ever, and her mother has grown weaker and
more melancholy as the years have passed. Is there hope that abiding
faith and true love can change the hardest of hearts? Can the future
leave the hurt of the past behind? When threats to the safety of the
quarry and their families force them to fight side-by-side, will old
wounds be healed? A stirring addition to Tracie Peterson's "Land of
Shining Water" series.
Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books
When Chantel's sister falls in love with a sworn enemy, will Chantel's
attempts to aid the couple result in a romance of her own?
When Chantel Panetta's
younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows
there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for
decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two
iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel
agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a
run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.
Chantel
can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a
tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has
simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's
hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?
MY REVIEW: "The
Miner's Lady", Book Three in author Tracie Peterson's "Land of Shining
Waters" series, tells an emotional tale of two feuding Italian families
who work the iron ore mines of late nineteenth-century Minnesota. The
Panettas and the Calarcos brought their decades old dispute with them
from the Old Country to the United States. When young Isabella Panetta
falls in love with Orlando Calarco, she turns to her older sister,
Chantel, for guidance. Isabella needs Chantel to run interference and
prevent Orlando's older brother, Dante, from keeping the young
sweethearts apart. Dante is determined to carry out his father's edict
that a Calarco can have nothing to do with a Panetta, and Chantel is
offended by his abrupt, insulting manner. As Chantel and Dante continue
to cross paths and be at cross purposes, an attraction between them
grows. Neither of them expected to be so drawn to the other, and their
admiration for each other only adds to the complexity of a very
problematic situation. However, Isabella and Orlando are determined to
be together, and there is as much assistance from Chantel as there is
resistance from Dante. After surviving an accident at the mine,
Chantel's father begins to make overtures of peace to Dante's father,
who is highly opposed to ending the long-standing feud. When tragedy
strikes, and strikes again, can faith pull together hearts and lives and
allow love to conquer all? A very enjoyable and recommended series from
author Tracie Peterson.
Book Copy Gratis Bethany House Books
Tracie Peterson
Tracie Peterson is an award-winning, best-selling author of over 100 books. Having given her heart to Jesus at the young age of six, Tracie has always felt called to some form of ministry, and writing fulfills that mission field.
Tracie received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings’ Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership’s vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.
In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers. She has co-written with a variety of authors including Judith Pella, Judith Miller, James Scott Bell, Kimberley Woodhouse and her daughter Jennifer.
Throughout her writing career Tracie has found time to speak at writer’s conferences where she has a special heart for new authors. She is often joined by her husband Jim, whose background in history offers new authors insight into research. Besides teaching at conferences, Tracie also at one time managed Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents book line – overseeing the production of 52 books a year. Tracie teaches at women’s conferences around the country and shares her testimony and insight for Christian living through the eyes of an author passionately in love with her Heavenly Father.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests, including USA “Best Books 2011” Awards, best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love!
Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family–especially her three grandchildren–Rainy, Fox and Max..
https://traciepetersonbooks.com/
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