Dawn's Prelude (Song of Alaska Series, Book 1)

Kept you reading to see what might happen next. Was very informative, yet made you angry and sorry for the step children and their attitudes and actions. Am anxious for the next book to see how they all fare.

From the first page, this book had me hooked. There were so many twists and turns to the plot that I can't begin to describe it. Just when everything seemed in doom, there was hope, then there was another tragedy, then more hope. I liked that it wasn't predictable and that I went through certain emotions right along with main character Lydia. When her wicked brother in law seemed to have a change of heart, I experienced her skepticism, but longing to trust right along with her. I could feel the pain of rejection and of upper class arranged marriages gone bad.

This is a story of redemption, of coming to trust God despite unexplained hardship. It has a satisfying ending, despite having more books in the series (which I plan to read too).So often, books in a series leave the reader hanging.

If I could come up with one drawback it would be that for the mid-1800's this area in Alaska seemed a little too civilized. I could be wrong, but it seemed too easy for a women to travel alone to a trading port that was outside of US territory. But the historical details of the territory and the author's account line up well.

I enjoyed the book and I think the author demonstrates remarkable writing skill.

I don't think I have said this in a while, so I am allowed to say it again right...Tracie Peterson is an amazing author! After a few months of not being able to read, this book was a great one to start back up with. I finished it in two sittings as I could not put it down! It was mostly an historical romance novel with a splash of mystery and suspense thrown in to keep you turning the page.
The story starts in Kansas City, but the majority of the book takes place in a little town called Sitka, Alaska. It follows the life of newly widowed Lydia, a 28 year old who was forced to marry a man 20 years her senior at the age of 16. By a fluke in the will Lydia is left the inheritance of both her father and husband, which only causes more strife as her adult stepchildren are livid. Lydia's only remaining family is an Aunt in Alaska, so she leaves her lawyer in charge of the money and business ventures and travels to Alaska. Lydia's relationship with her husband was a very abusive one, so she was sure she could never trust a man again...that is until she meets Kjell Bjorklund. Kjell is of Russian decent, but had grown up in Alaska. He was married, but lost his wife many years ago and thought he would never marry again. Despite Lydia and Kjell's instant attraction, they are thrown through the ringer as Lydia discovers she is pregnant with her dead husband's child and her stepchildren are out for blood to get their inheritance back.
After two days I am already half way through "Morning's Refrain", book 2 in the Songs of Alaska series. I can't wait to go home and finish it tonight. I will post my review as soon as I am done. Unfortunately I will then have to wait the 3rd book, "Twilight's Serenade" until August :(

Again, Tracie Peterson is a great novelist & I love her stories. Her characters are likeable & you really get into the stories & want to know what happens next..hard to put them down.

The thing that stood out for me in this book was the author's beautiful writing style. The storyline caught the readers attention immediately, then held it rapt through all the twists and turns of the plot while keeping an almost lyrical feel to the words being written. The only downside was some of those twists and turns were a little beyond the fray of even suspended belief. [possible spoiler alert] Repeated situations such as the "kidnapping" where nothing was done about it, when any normal person would be tearing the world apart until proof was found, made parts of this otherwise delightful read a little hard to accept.

Reed it , You will love everything about this book. I was so glad it had a seaqual loved it, could not get enough.

Abesolutely wonderful reading,Tracie Peterson is one of the best authors to hold your attention all the way to the end of book. Again thanks for the extreme pleasure of a good read. Hester Lee Sandlin

Dawn's Prelude, Song of Alaska series, Book One

Lydia Gray has recently come to a rich inheritance in less than ideal circumstances. Her abusive older husband and distant father have just died from an accident. She finds herself alone but finally free from that weight upon her, only to be the sole target to the Gray family's abhorrence. She flees for her own safety to live with her only living relative, an aunt who lives in Sitka, Alaska.

Not until after the arduous journey does she realize that there is a good reason why she should hold on to some of the Gray family's inheritance, and another reason for feeling so seasick. As she gets to know herself anew, she also comes to realize that she can love and trust God as never before, as well as the likable Kjell Lindquist, who has obviously lost his heart to her since she fell into his arms.

The Gray family is not done with Lydia, however, and they scheme and manipulate the people around them to get what they want. They will stop at nothing to take away what is most precious to Lydia and to see their fortune restored.

The story has a happy conclusion that is satisfying to the reader, but there could have been a bit of mystery left open for the next book. As it is, the book can be a stand-alone. I thought it was a nice beginning for a series. It is an easy read with just enough intrigue, history and romance integrated into it, making it appropriate reading for teens and adults.