Dawn's Prelude

September 1, 2009
Newly widowed Lydia Sellers is drawn into an unwanted battle with her adult stepchildren over the inheritance their father left to Lydia. Anxious to start a new chapter in her life, Lydia travels to Alaska to visit her aunt. There she finds romance and complications that threaten her new relationship. VERDICT Well known for her adventurous romance tales (see her "Yukon Quest," "Desert Roses," and "Bells of Lowell" series), Peterson knows how to create independent female heroines who gather strength through difficult circumstances. Her legion fans will want this series launch.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2009
Lydia Sellers, sold into marriage at the tender age of 16 by her ambitious father, felt only relief when her abusive husband and uncaring father died together in a carriage accident. The discovery that she is now sole heir to both enormous fortunes concerns her only insofar as it allows her to escape her vengeful Kansas City stepchildren and begin anew, in far-off Sitka, Alaska. Collapsing dramatically into virile and handsome Kjell Bjorklunds arms upon disembarking, she is taken directly to her beloved aunt Zerelda and slowly begins to regain her health and vitality. Both Kjell and Zee encourage her to put her faith and trust in God, but Lydia has suffered too long and too much to believe. Petersons Christian historical novel is remarkable for its setting, 1871 in the new U.S. territory of Alaska; for its Russian and Tlingit background; and for capturing the racist tensions brewing just under the surface and exacerbated by the army occupation.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)