Book review The Icecutters Daughter

 The Icecutter’s Daughter (The Land of the Shining Waters)

Author: Tracie Peterson

Year: 2013

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

From the back of the Book: 

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 fiancée 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 reflections:

First off I have to tell you I am a big Tracy Peterson fan. So when I had the opportunity to review another of her books, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mail man.

This book is set in 1895, in the chill of a cold Minnesota winter.

 Merril is a feisty self-determined gal who has responsibilities that zap her femininity, and leave her yearning for relief. Being that her mother has passed away and has left her the only female in a family of men it is up to her to hold the Krause clan together.

Rurik is running from an obligation he can’t bring himself to commit to. When a letter from his Uncle comes in the mail, asking for his assistance, Rurik jumps at the chance to get out of town and away from the restraints. He can’t wait to leave and aide his Uncle, and perhaps even pursue a career he loves.

While helping his uncle he lends a hand to a neighbor. He finds his senses are not only numbed by the frigid cold but also by the unexpected sight of Merril. There is an instant attraction, but complications soon arise. Will love be able to bloom or will the chill of the past forever hamper any sort of relationship?

I very much enjoyed the cultural aspect of this story. The traditions of the Swedish as well as German people brought the story to life for me. This era was ripe for change and the struggles the people had to endure were many and hard won. Generations of trades’ people had to adapt and make way for change and often times a complete transformation in occupation. I was smitten with the peppering of language and food throughout this book. It was so much more than a mere story for me it was the way of the times and people of this era that I fell in love with.

As always with Peterson’s novels the characters are real, vibrant and their struggles heart stirring. There is always an undercurrent of truth, love and family values that I especially appreciate! I can’t wait to read her sequel in this series, it is already planned to be released in the summer of 2013, and is titled The Quarryman’s Bride.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is searching for a heartwarming historical novel.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
About the Author:

Tracie Peterson is an award-winning, best-selling author of over 95 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 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..