"Icecutter's Daughter" Book Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Icecutter’s Daughter Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013) by Tracie Peterson
MY REVIEW:
      Icecutter's Daughter is the first in what I believe to be a trilogy that is set in Minnesota way back when. Tracie does a beautiful job setting the stage with Rurik coming from Kansas to help out his sick uncle with his furniture business and leaving behind his best friend and his arranged marriage to a woman he doesn't actually love. Then she introduces us to Merrill who is the only woman in a house full of men with her dad and many brothers. After her mother died she took on all the responsibilities of the household along with still doing the work with the guys. Consequently, she is still not married, too busy with everything to court... and her brothers tend to run off any interested guys that do come along. This may be the set up but it doesn't even scratch the surface of what really starts going on... romance develops between Rurik and Merrill but then the road blocks start rising up. The former fiancé comes looking for Rurik claiming that she is pregnant and he is the father and needs to do right by her. What is the truth and will it come out - I look forward to the next books in this series. Tracie is a master of historical fiction!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
She 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 to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.


ABOUT THE BOOK

As the lone female in a houseful of men, Merrill Krause dedicates her life to caring for her family and their business, as her dying mother asked. Besides, it suits her; she's never felt like she fits what most people expect in a girl--she'd rather work with her father's horses and assist with the ice harvest. And though she's been mostly content up to this point, a part of her wonders if there will ever be anyone who will notice her amid the bevy of brothers determined to protect her from any possible suitors.

When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small Minnesota town to join his uncle's carpentry business, 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. The attraction between them begins to build...until Rurik's former fiance shows up with wild claims that bring serious consequences to Rurik.



Can Rurik and Merrill learn to trust God--and each other--when scandal threatens their newfound love?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Icecutter’s Daughter, go HERE.