Newly widowed Lydia Sellers discovers that through an unforeseen fluke, she is the sole recipient of her husband’s fortune. But instead of granting her security, it only causes strife as her adult stepchildren battle to regain the inheritance for themselves. Lydia, longing to put the memories of her painful marriage behind her, determines to travel to Alaska to join her aunt.
Lydia’s arrival in Sitka, however, brings two things she didn’t expect. One is the acquaintance of Kjell Bjorklund, the handsome owner of the sawmill. Second is the discovery that she is pregnant with her dead husband’s child. What will this mean for her budding relationship with Kjell? And what lengths will her stepchildren go to reclaim their father’s fortune? Lydia soon finds her life — and that of her child’s — on the line.
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.
Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com.
My Impressions:
I take research into vacation destinations very seriously. That’s why I extensively read fiction before I travel. 😉 My trip to Alaska does not include Sitka as a stop, but I chose Dawn’s Prelude by Tracie Peterson because her historical romance novels feature well-researched historical details and great descriptions of setting. This one did not disappoint. The time is the 1870s, and Alaska has recently been bought from the Russian. Sitka, once a thriving city, is suffering from the departure of the Russians, but is holding its own on the Last Frontier. Lydia comes to the remote island in search of her aunt and to escape the machinations and danger posed by her dead husband’s family.
There’s much to love about Dawn’s Prelude — suspenseful action, endearing characters, despicable bad guys, and a stunning setting. I found the historical context very interesting. Travel to Alaska from the lower 48 was daunting — train and ship. The American army was in charge of Sitka, and the native population, though posing no threats, were treated poorly, forced to live in a sequestered part of the city and under curfew. Nature, along with the bad guys, was a formidable foe. Peterson captures the time and place well. Many obstacles are placed in front of the characters throughout the course of the book, but there is definitely a HEA. A meaningful faith thread is presented as well. The only thing I did not like about the book was the quick wrap-up — things just seemed to resolve too quickly. The book is part of a 3-book series, but the next book is set 15-20 years after Dawn’s Prelude, so it can certainly be read as a standalone. I listened to the audio version, and the reader did a great job of telling the story.
For action, adventure, suspense, and romance, Dawn’s Prelude is a good choice whether you are traveling to Alaska or in need of a great staycation.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
To purchase, click HERE.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
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