Dawn's Prelude by Tracy Peterson

I have a huge respect for Tracy Peterson. She is such a prolific writer and has given us some truly wonderful stories. This one, however, is formulaic. After the first section which is excellent and has so much potential to be one of her best novels, she writes the girl into Alaska where it becomes the most predictable edition ever of her love stories.

I have loved most of her stories. They give great snapshots into Christian life, no matter which century the stories are set. Yet, this one is sadly flat. Frankly, I think Peterson should take a break for about 6 months and go live again. Shake the computer bytes out of her system and restart her engine with some refreshing adventure. Maybe try a different venue, or different genre, because the gal can write, make no mistake about that.

I want to be able to trust a Tracy Peterson novel. I want to be able to buy the things without having to read the back cover and decide if it's the kind of story for me... and without having to read the first 10-15 pages to see how she writes. Of course it's challenging. How can anyone write more than 80 novels and have every single one of them a fresh story? Well... Barbara Cartland didn't seem to have too much trouble, but even her well went a tad dry now and again. That is when Barbara changed centuries, changed continents, and it seemed to work. Agatha Christie did very well. Of course back in those days, an author had to really write. Today, it seems that a write merely needs to have some semblance of a story and they get published. That is NOT Tracy Peterson, but if she doesn't watch out, she'll lose her readers because once the trust is lost, it is rare to earn it back.

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Dawn's Prelude
(Bethany House - October 2009)
by
Tracie Peterson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 70 novels. She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Ephesians 1:18 has become a cornerstone verse for a new non-fiction book she's been working on -- its also become a cornerstone in her life. The verse reads, "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Tracie and her family live in Belgrade, Montana.






ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dawn's Prelude, go HERE