This was a typical Tracie Peterson book...wonderful!!! Romance is not my favorite genre, but this book had enough history and drama in it that the romance was just plain sweet.

The book starts out on December 31, 1895 in Minnesota and I was really captivated by learning the whole process that was used to get ice “way back then”. Amazing!

Merrill Krause was a very strong, independent woman who knew exactly who she was and what she wanted out of life. She lost her mother early in life and was the only female in a household of men...father and several brothers. She not only did all the housework, and cooking (the best cook in the county), but she helped with the horses, the garden and the ice cutting. Wow! Not to say that she didn’t get into trouble and almost missed out on the love of her life (I’ll let you read the book and get all the wonderful details on that), but she was able to get good advise from her “Granny” and her father and her Lord.

A wonderful conversation with her father about how to know God’s will was great. Here’s an excerpt: “Merrill finally spoke. “You mentioned God’s will for me. How will I know what that is, Father?” He let go of her hands and leaned back in the chair. “I’ve always believe it to start with prayer. The Good Book says that if a man wants wisdom, he just has to ask. I would imagine it works the same way for womenfolk. If you want to know what God’s plan is - then I would ask Him. Couldn’t hurt to search the Scriptures, too. And listen to what He is telling you inside. Even when you don’t think you’re hearing anything, keep listening. And know I’ll be praying, as well.”

Great advise for anyone, fictional character or real person. Seek God and keep on listening for Him. Just because you don’t get an answer right away doesn’t mean God is not listening, His timing is perfect. And having a prayer warrior praying for you as well, is just icing on the cake. ( )

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. ( )

The Icecutter’s Daughter by Tracie Peterson is the story of motherless Merril Krause who is taking care of her father and brothers. Her brothers chase away any young man who might be interested in her. Will Rurik be able to win her away from them? This book is on the library shelves under the number F/Pet. ( )

Though this Christian novel takes place in the late 1800’s, Merrill is not a typical example of the time period. She is a woman slightly ahead of her time. She works hard, caring for her widowed father and her many brothers, often doing a man’s job, including harvesting ice. She is a good cook, but a practical person, wearing trousers under her skirt and her brothers’ coats for warmth when she works outdoors in the cold Minnesota weather. She in not concerned with her looks or appearance. That is, until a stranger comes to town. When handsome Rurik shows up to help his uncle with his furniture shop, Merrill is at once attracted to him. He is likewise taken with her. But when Rurik’s former fiancée, Svea and her brother appear in town, Merrill is dumbstruck. Rurik says his engagement was broken off before he arrived in town; Svea says they are still getting married. There are more problems along the way before everything gets sorted out. Many interesting twists are combined with enough mystery and romance to keep readers entertained. ( )

Merrill Krause, the only girl in a family of boys, has fulfilled her promise to her dying mother and spent the last ten years taking care of her father and brothers. This has meant not only cooking and keeping house but also getting involved in the family business of raising draft horses and harvesting ice. The 21-year-old has had little time for the feminine pursuits of looking beautiful and batting her eyes at hopeful suitors (though she can sure cook up a storm). Visits to town (Waseca, Minnesota, 1895) and the not-so-subtle hints of Granny Lassiter and Merrill’s best friend Corabeth that she’s not getting any younger, only make her more aware of her lacks in the eligible young lady department.

Rurik Jorgenson appears in Waseca to help his ill Uncle Carl in his furniture-making shop. He meets Merrill at one of the ice-harvesting work bees, feels an instant attraction and it looks as if it will be full-steam-ahead to love for the two of them. That is until Rurik’s longtime friend Nils Olsson and his sister Svea (Rurik’s former fiancée) arrive in town. What follows is a drama of Shakespearean-type complications with Svea pressuring Rurik to reinstate their engagement, Nils coming on to Merrill, and Merrill’s father and brothers doing their customary hover over her affairs and suitors.

The likeable characters’ very human flaws keep them in trouble and I had a hard time putting this one down (though the story’s main complications resolved at about 90% through the book and the last 10% dragged a bit).

Author Tracie Peterson tells the story simply with lots of solid description of home, food, and community life—a great read for those who would enjoy the vicarious experience of life in an 1890s immigrant community (Merrill comes from German stock, Rurik from Swedish).

The book’s themes of love, loyalty, and the necessity of truth are firmly grounded in the Christian faith—a faith to which the main characters give lip and life service. Nothing edgy here but a good, safe read.

For an enjoyable romance that takes readers back to simpler, slower times, and gives a glimpse into a trade that has long disappeared in the dust of progress, The Icecutter’s Daughter is a fine choice.

(I received this book as a gift from publisher Bethany House for the purpose of writing a review.)

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