Bestselling Author Unveils New Historical SeriesMerrill 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?
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The Icecutter’s Daughter is one of my favorite Tracie Person books and I’ve read many of her over one hundred novels! I highly recommend this story and the entire series!
This is one of those books that you know the ending you want but it keeps slipping away and then you see a new angle, hoping it will turn out. Keep turning those pages!
once again a great read!! Can’t wait for her next one!!
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.
I usually like the writing of this author but this book was easy to let go of….the story was not memorable for me. .
Good read!!!
I loved that the heroine wasn’t the perfect, exquisite, irresistible woman that so many romantic books describe. This woman had qualities of strength, hard working, loyal; a woman worthy of being called a valuable “helpmate”. The family and friends helping each other through trials wove a fabric of unity in a close community that had to rely on each other for survival. Good story.
Loved it!
This is one of my favorite authors. I read any of her books that I can get my hands on!
This was just okay for me. It was hard to get into the story with the changing dialects. It was a story that I had to concentrate on. The plus side is that even though it is part of a series it can stand on its own.
Daughter, is more comfortable in the barn, caring for a cow, giving birth, than girlie interests, like boys.
Very interesting story with many twists and turns.