Land of Shining Water -MN Series

I was looking for a book series based in Minnesota, and stumbled upon "Land of Shining Water" series that came out last year in 2013. Written by Tracie Peterson these books are a mix of christian historical fiction with a touch of romance of course. 

What really appealed to me was reading these inspirational stories about women back in a time when Minnesota was really just starting to develop.  As a Minnesota native familiar with the areas that serve as the settings in the books, the plots transported me to a simpler time and left me with a sense of awe of just how much changes. Surrounded by Scandinavians, its cool to see links to our past and the culture our ancestors may have been exposed to.  An easy way to get a dose of MN historical culture these books are a great wintery read.

Take for instance the first book. An ice business in MN that shipped ice around the country, makes perfect sense right?! And yet I never knew that factoid or really thought about it, until I saw the movie FROZEN that has captured everyone's heart. And ironically read about that career in MN history from this book soon after watching it. And then since my husband's family grew up in St. Cloud MN reading that story hit close to home.

The Icecutter's Daughter:
Merrill Krause enjoys the family business, harvesting ice during the brutal MN winters. Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small town to join his uncle doing carpentry, and he soon crosses paths with Merrill.  While they are determined to start a new life, the past is determined to damage their relationship.  Can they learn to trust God - and each other - and embrace the promise of love?

The Quarryman's Bride:
Based in St. Cloud MN Emmalyne Knox and Tavin MacLachian were destined to be together...until the tragic deaths of Emmalyne's sisters.  Family tradition mandates that the youngest daughter should remain single to care for her parents in their old age, and now that daughter is Emmalyne.  Bound by obligation, yet yearning for a future together, can Emmalyne and Tavin dare to dream that God could heal a decade-long wound and change the hearts of those who would stand in the way of true love?

The Miner's Lady:
Based in Ely MN, the Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families.  Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante Calarco.  But when a tradgedy at the mine occurs, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?