Friday, June 8, 2012

Touching The Sky by Tracie Peterson - REVIEWED



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Touching The Sky
Bethany House Publishers (June 1, 2012)
by
Tracie Peterson


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 85 novels.
She received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

She teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.


ABOUT THE BOOK


When Laura Marquardt first meets Brandon Reid, their encounter is anything but pleasant. But when the two are seated together at a dinner party, they soon find that they share similar interests--Laura desires to educate blacks, and Brandon, as a white officer over colored troops, eagerly supports her cause.

When Laura's sister, Carissa, marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation when she overhears plots to kill Union soldiers. Though in her heart she feels she should share this information with Brandon, Laura fears she will betray her sister's trust and possibly endanger her sister's life. And when Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into question, her heart is even more conflicted. Where is God leading her?

My Thoughts:

Because, my dear man, life is a risk.”  (p. 320)

Boy, does Tracie Peterson mean that statement in her latest novel, Touching The Sky!  It’s been a while since I’ve read one of Peterson’s novels, I guess, because this story has more twists and turns than a roller coaster!  The very minute I think I’ve got this figured out, she changes directions on me! Even up to the very last chapter, when I thought there were no more surprises left! Now that, my dear reader, is a story that holds your interest!

I was drawn to this story, because the main character, Laura, is a Union supporter willing to educate black people in the wake of the Civil War.  The plot summary indicated some romance and conflict because of Laura’s sister choosing to marry a Confederate soldier, but the reader can never know the depths of intrigue until you dive into the story.  Laura and Brandon are star-crossed from the beginning, and Laura’s sister Carrisa reminds me so much of Scarlet O’Hara it isn’t even funny.  But the plot that winds itself through this story….man! It will blow you away!

So get ready for a tale that weaves historical significance, romance, intrigue, danger and spiritual truth in a very taut story that will keep the pages flying!  This was a real delight to my reading schedule, and I’m happy to recommend it you you!


If you would like to read the first chapter of Touching The Sky, go HERE.

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