Summer of the Midnight Sun

Leah is turning 30 years old with no prospects of a future husband. The one man she fell in love with, Jayce Kincaid, rejected her 10 years earlier. Leah and Jacob, her brother, live in Last Chance Creek, Alaska. Their mother died while they were young and their Dad moved them all to Alaska with dreams of the Yukon Gold Rush. After their parents' death, Karen Ivankov became their legal guardian while growing up, but now they live in the Alaska territory with the natives. Helaina Beecham and her brother Stanley both work for the bounty hunter agency the Pinkertons in Washington D.C. Their parents, along with Helaina's husband were murdered by some random shooting. Leah manages the trading post for the little community and they were running very low on supplies. Jacob braved the cold weather and headed into town to restock. Upon his arrival Leah was surprised to see her brother return with their old friend Jayce Kincaid. Leah was not happy to see the man who rejected her 10 years earlier and also struggled with the awakening of dormant feelings Leah had suppressed. An unexpected injury Jayce experienced brought all three of them back into town in hopes of saving his life. Waiting in town for Jayce was a young investigator who challenges Jayce's past deeds. Helaina would do anything to find justice and that would mean capturing Jayce and bringing him back to Seattle for trial. But first she has to get her hands on him. Leah struggled with her feelings for Jayce while at the same time finds conflicting information about his past. Jacob sets out to prove his friends innocence by find out more about this investigator Helaina Beechman. Unfortunately time might be running out for all of them. During the hot summer months I enjoyed reading about the cold Alaska territory. Tracie Peterson in the first book of her Alaskan Quest series takes readers on an adventure of love, adventure, and history. The story keep me riveted while I learned more about the harsh living conditions that came with living in Alaska in 1915. Peterson does a great job of showing what it looks like to live God's will in every day life. Jacob witness' to Helaina and tries to show what it means to be a Christian. Even when it becomes very difficult, Jacob shows what faith in action looks like and what a gift of mercy we have with Christ. Can not wait to read book two of Tracie Peterson's Alaskan Quest Series.

I am not typically a fan of historical romance books, however being a homesick Alaskan I couldn't resist when I found Book 1 and 2 at a local bookstore. Tonight I picked up "Summer of the Midnight Sun" and I didn't put the book down until I had devoured each and every page in this wonderful book. Not only is the story well written and fascinating, you quickly find yourself lost in the story line and in love with Leah and Jacob then eventually Jayce. There is definitely a religious tone to the book, a quality that would typically turn me off, but it really does seem to fit perfectly in this story and isn't really distracting. I recommend "Summer of the Midnight Sun" and immediately purchased book 3 tonight, because I have a good feeling book 2 will be just as wonderful. I am excited to read more from this talented author!

Okay, so before I get started on my review let me just say that I didn't realize before I picked this book up that it is a spinoff of the "Yukon Quest" series. So, if you want to get the backstory on the Leah and Jacob (two of the main characters), you should read the Yukon Quest series first. Now that I got that out of the way... This was the first book I've read by Tracie Peterson, and it made me want to read more of her stuff. I have to agree with some who said the book was pretty predictable, but I read so much that most books are predictable to me, especially romances...I mean what romance book isn't predictable? Anyway, I loved that this story held a little bit of everything, romance, adeventure, betrayal, and even history. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the Alaskan wilderness and the dangers and struggles the characters went through while living there. All in all, this book is fabulous, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical Christian fiction; however, if you're not into the whole historical fiction scene, don't buy this book because you probably won't like it.

I really enjoyed "Summer". The story felt as real as the characters. Nothing was hurried as often is the case in books. You felt like you were there with Leah and Jacob. I am looking forward to book 2 due out in July. One thing I will mention is that Tracie's Yukon Quest Series..."Treasures of the North", "Ashes and Ice" and "Rivers of Gold" are excellent as well and in these books we first meet Jacob and Leah when they were young. You also meet Karen and Adrik who are mentioned in "Summer". It's always great to get the history! It makes the story more complete. I read "Summer" first then went back and read the Yukon series.

In 1915 in Last Chance Creek of the Alaska Territory, Leah Barringer anxiously waits for the return of her beloved brother, Jacob, who left two months ago by dogsled to get needed supplies from Nome. While waiting for Jacob's expected arrival, Leah reflects back to when she lived with her guardians in Ketchikan and told her brother's friend Jayce Kincaid that she loved him, but he not so delicately reminded her she was not even of legal majority age and he saw her as Jacob's kid sister. Jacob returns accompanied by Jayce who has changed since his cold rebuff of Leah's opening of her heart to him. He has found the Lord and plans to make up what he did to Leah who he realized after he rejected her that he wanted her. Leah fears being burned again by him. The two male friends discuss an Arctic expedition which frightens Leah who loves both of them. Pinkerton's Helaina Beecham arrives from DC to bring Jayce to justice for killing two agents and robbing a bank. He insists he is innocent yet he hides the entire truth from his friends, the law and his beloved Leah. In spite of witnesses affirming his innocence, Leah wonders if his expedition is a farce to escape law enforcement from the Lower Forty-Eight. The first Alaskan Quest tale is a terrific historical thriller that provides an appreciative audience with a powerful look back to life in the Alaska Territory. Little things like the transportation to get there provide an incredible glimpse at the era. Mystery, romance and inspirational elements interweave within a vivid picturesque character driven early twentieth century tale that will have new readers seeking Tracie Peterson's back list like the Heirs of Montana series. Harriet Klausner