Under the Northern Lights

Alaskan Quest #2

by Tracie Peterson

Bestselling author Tracie Peterson continues her saga of life and love in the rugged Alaskan Territory with the second volume of the ALASKAN QUEST series. When Pinkerton agent Helaina Beecham's obsession with capturing a dangerous fugitive dulls her judgment, she is kidnapped and carried off into the wilderness just as an early winter is approaching. Now her only hope is that Jacob Barringer--the man who has captured her heart--will find her before it is too late.(Alaskan Quest Book 2)

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, Historical

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.

pen name: Janelle Jamison

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow-up to the first book in this series. Peril, romance, suspense and God-glorifying. I look forward to book three. Warning: there is a rape that occurs in this book.

[Shellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of three. Now that Jayce and Leah have reconciled their past, and come to a happy arrangement for their future, you would think all is right and well. However, with the revelation that Jayce has an identical twin brother named Chance, Helaina Beecham, who is still trying to solve the case of the murders and robberies sticks her nose in places it does not belong, and soon finds herself kidnapped by the very man she was trying to bring in. Jayce sends Leah home to Last Chance so that he and Jacob can go after Chase and bring Helaina home. However, Chase beats them 'home' and takes Leah with him. Now, it is a race against time as Chase threatens the lives and virtue of the two women, one of which has come down with a serious, life-threatening case of pneumonia.

You would think that being rescued would solve all your problems. It doesn't. Leah is pregnant and not sure who the father is, Helaina is in love with Jacob, but still goes home to NYC. Jacob and Jayce join the expedition team they were supposed to join in book one, and end up stranded in the middle of who-knows-which-part of the ocean when their ship hits ice. The captain of the ship is a bit insane after the death of his wife. He has no desire to get them unstuck and on their way home.

Leah decides to try and find the men. While in Nome, she runs into, no one other than Helaina who has come back to Alaska to try and win Jacob! Book two ends with Leah and Helaina standing under the Northern Lights comforting each other on the loss of their men and contemplating how to go about getting them back. Bring on book 3!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tracie Peterson. I think I have said this is just about every review I do for her books. But I really do love her books they are amazing and have such great plots and plot twists that it keeps the book going and it doesnt really get slow or become boring. I am really glad that my library had the next book in this series becuase lets just say that there was a cliff hanger like last time and I am totally freaking out about it! Cannot wait for the next book!!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm finding I having trouble reviewing this book without mentioning spoilery things, so I will simply say that it was an emotional roller coaster ride, that I loved when Leah was able to lead another character to a relationship with Christ, and that I'm really looking forward to finding out what happens next.
(note that the 3 book series really should be read back-to-back-to-back because this book, as well as the previous one, end on suspenseful notes)
(content warning: sexual assault)

[Deb Brammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Under the Northern Lights" is book 2 in the Alaskan Quest series. It features two women who live in Alaska roughly 100 years ago and face the rigors of life there. Leah Kincaid, newly married to Jayce, has learned to adapt to the hardships of life in Alaska and the long periods of separation from her husband in his desire to help others. Helaina Beecham is a spoiled socialite from New York who came to Alaska for adventure and now resents the hardships that life presents. She falls in love with Leah's brother, then realizes she must choose between her sophisticated life in New York or a live in Alaska with the man she loves.

There is a rape in the book. Tracie Peterson deals with it tastefully, but if you don't enjoy reading about the feelings a rape survivor goes through, you might not enjoy this plotline. I appreciate the Christian emphasis the author gives to the book and the determination to live for others instead of self. The historical detail about life in Alaska in the early 1900's is interesting. I was disappointed, however, when the most major plotline at the end of the book ended up unresolved. After reading 379 pages, I didn't expect such a major issue to be unresolved. I only have the one book in this series and would say that it doesn't make a great stand alone book.

[Abigail Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as Book 1 in the trilogy Summer of the Midnight Sun, this was a pleasant read!

I have really been enjoying the stories of all the characters. It tackles the daily struggles we may face in the world today. Both spiritually, physically, and mentally. The author Tracie Peterson does an amazing job of weaving God's Word and the gospel into almost every chapter. I love this fact!!!

It touches on the subject of rape, (very briefly!) yet it affects the book's path in certain circumstances. For this reason, I'd say this book would be best read on an individual's discernment and discretion.

I have loved all the twists and turns so far! And book 3 of this trilogy will be next in my reading journey.

The book has several key points. To me they would be: Forgiveness, Love, Courage, Bravery, and Honesty

[Lara Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying reading this series now that my sweet friend lives in AK. Part of me has been living there with her through these books. 💗

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY: Bestselling author Tracie Peterson continues her saga of life and love in the rugged Alaskan Territory with the second volume of the ALASKAN QUEST series. When Pinkerton agent Helaina Beecham's obsession with capturing a dangerous fugitive dulls her judgment, she is kidnapped and carried off into the wilderness just as an early winter is approaching. Now her only hope is that Jacob Barringer--the man who has captured her heart--will find her before it is too late.
(Alaskan Quest Book 2)

REVIEW: The author left us hanging at the end of Book 1 of the Alaskan Quest series and picks up right where she ended in Book 2. Book 2 continues to tradition as she leaves us once again hanging at the end of Book 2. The story line continues full of adventure as well as highs and lows with the characters continuing to grow and change due to their experiences in the Alaskan frontier. My favorite character is Leah because she experiences both fulfillment with her marriage to Jayce but depths of despair when things go wrong in her life. Yet she still manages to hold on to her deep faith. I enjoyed how Helaina grew as she developed in her faith and recognized her own strengths and weaknesses. I look forward to seeing what happens between her and Jacob in Book 3 of this series. Good series that definitely keeps the readers' attention.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a lengthy journey traversing the Alaskan territory newlywed Leah Barringer Kincaid walks into her home to discover her husband's identical twin brother Chase, a murder, whom both her husband and brother are chasing. Kidnapped by Chase who preys on Leah's protective instincts she is reunited with the insufferable Pinkerton Agent Helaina Beecham whom Chase had already kidnapped. Leah wants only to escape but Helaina's focus is solely on bringing Chase to justice. When Helaina falls critically ill, Leah attempts to reason with Chase in trying to bring him to an understanding of her loving God but after Chase sexually assaults Leah even her faith in God in letting such a monstrous thing happen to her is severely tested. Partly blaming Helaina for all the bad things that happened to her, Leah's faith in God, her rage over the injustice done her and her battle for vengeance vs. forgiveness would be tested in innumerable ways as would her husband Jayce as he continues the pursuit of his brother.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book well enough. I'm giving it 3 stars because it dealt with a very difficult and touchy subject matter and it wasn't dealt with very realistically from my point of view. It was resolved way to easily and should have been explored with more depth and reality. Not that I disagree with the concept Peterson puts forth for overcoming trials and suffering. I just felt like she simplified it too much.

Other than that I enjoyed the book and plan on reading the next book in the series to find out what happens to everyone.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a Historical fiction series set in Alaska in the early 1900's before American entered WW1. Tracie Peterson is a good writer and the books appear to be well researched. There is some hard subject matter in this book - spoiler alert-- dealing with rape though it is not explicit but could be hard for a woman who has been through the experience though in that the question is posed that how could God let this happen to a follower of Jesus. I thought the author dealt with the emotions well though maybe worked through them a little fast

[Guitargirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very interesting and I enjoyed it a lot!!! There is tons of conflicts going on into the next book and I can't wait to begin it!!! :-)

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headstrong Helaina and the evil twin

Helaina is still determined to "get her man," to nab Chase Kincaid and make sure he stands trial for his crimes.
Except he gets her first, and kills 2 cops while wounding the sheriff. He takes her into the wilderness where one of his minions keeps her imprisoned so he can go steal suoplies from Last Creek.
Then Leah comes home while he is still there. He tells her he also has Jayce & Jason, to gain her cooperation. She convinces him about what they really need to take to survive the trip. He realizes he must agree because she simply knows more than he does.
They finally arrive at Helaina's jail. Inadequate warmth, nourishment, hydration, and the stresses of the trek north have weakened her and she has pneumonia. Just before their arrival, her jailer's wife brought some native clothes for her, except for boots....to that point she had been in regular winter clothes. Leah ends up having to nurse her, trap, cook, and yet, all Helaina can think of is the 2 of them overpowering Chase and tying him up and dragging him to jail.
Jason and Jayce find Leah missing, and soon the village realizes Leah went with Chase without teliing them to keep them safe. The 2 set out to rescue her...and John, the village's best tracker, and a few more men join them.
Things go from bad to worse with Chase neglecting the dogs, not feeding them enough, pushing them too hard, taking unnecessary chances, not allowing sufficient hunting or trapping, and increasingly tying Leah up as the trek from Helaina's jail continues north. Yet Helaina continues to insist it is Leah's duty to help her - and she is too sick to help herself, let alone make demands that the other woman help her arrest a dangerous killer. Finally, Leah sees her chance. She uses belladonna to knock both of them out, packs up with Helaina in the basket, and leaves Chase with a hunting knife, some food, a blanket and a fur, in a cave. They are finally far away when the dogs get antsy and a bear shows up. Leah manages to shoot it twice, once in the shoulder, but the 2nd shot only grazes its head. It runs, and she knows this isn't good, but pursuit is unwise.
Meanwhile, the searchers are closing in on the women when they hear the shots. Rescued at last, instead of gratitude, Helaina demands they help her pursue Chase. Instead, Jayce slips out and goes after his twin.
Helaina keeps insisting on hiring someone to help her hunt Chase down. She is staying, now, at the missionaries' home in Lost Creek. She is questioning spiritual things more but is still trying to excuse selfish behavior when she finds out just how bad it was for Leah, engineering an escape that meant she had to use herbs to knock a full grown man out and keep Helaina sedated so they could escape...the bear...plus how many lives her disobedience to the Pinkerton's taking her off the case ended and how many, many more she put at risk, as well as driving home the hard reality she has demanded a man kill his identical twin. The entire village was at risk of famine with a large contingent of trackers and hunters gone, but thankfully, God had provided better than usual hunting.
Helaina isn't sure she can stand the thought of living in Alaska, so she returns to NYC. How will she find it now, as a new believer with a different point of view? She has admitted to herself that she loves Jason. She even likes Alaska more than she couod have imagined. So what now?
Brother Stanley, down in DC, has found true love with a young widow with a 2 year old girl, daughter of one of President Wilson's aides. When she visits, she gets the news
Captain Latimore, who has been involved with the expedition into the North, is back to take Jayce and Jason to help set up a scientific expedition on an island offshore in the Bering. He takes too long to get there and heads back too slowly, getting them stuck in a drifting ice floe wiith the ship getting battered by the ice. The captain, it turns out, lost wife and baby in childbirth and handed his son over to his sister to raise. He is gaunt. Lost in grief, wanting to die. When they try to talk sense into him, he refuses to leave the ship and doesn't seem to care who dies because of it. To save lives, they speak to the crew; leaving the ship is mutiny and staying is sure death. Mutiny was a hanging offense, though some were forgiven under extenuating circumstances, which is all they can hope for. The crew has few to no Alaskan survival skills, meaning it will be up to Jayce and Jason to keep them alive. They devise a plan, bathe it in prayer, and begin to implement it. Meanwhile, Leah has heard about the ship, and is trying to find a way to do something when an unexpected ally shows up.
Thus ends the 2nd book of the series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number two in Ms. Peterson's Alaskan Quest series, this continues storylines begun in Summer of the Midnight Sun. Some are resolved, such as: What happens to Jayce Kincaid's villainous identical twin brother, Chase? Others have to wait for volume 3, Whispers of Winter. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Editing oversights found in Hardcover version:

Page 40, Oh, I snuck in / Oh, I SNEAKED in ; 73, She shrunk back against the wall / She SHRANK back against the wall ; 79, it would begin to snow most anytime / it would begin to snow ALMOST anytime ; 93, Why are you thanking him. / Why are you thanking HIM? (a question) ; 101, I left a
couple men / I left a couple OF men ; 125, intended to sooth his own guilty conscience / intended to SOOTHE his own guilty conscience ;

Page 152, to believe Chase capable of most anything / to believe Chase capable of ALMOST anything ; 170, He might even escape all together / He might even escape ALTOGETHER ; 189, trade most everything he had / trade ALMOST everything he had ; 204, faster than most anything else / faster than ALMOST anything else ; 216, Jayce shook his head / JACOB shook his head (Jacob and Leah are conversing; Jayce is elsewhere) ;

Page 231, no bigger than eight foot by six / no bigger than eight FEET by six ; 240, or make most everything we need / or make ALMOST everything we need ; 244, Because you are a women who believes in God / Because you are a WOMAN who believes in God ; 250, you use my brother to try
and get what you want / you use my brother to try TO get what you want ; 252, This time of year most everything does / This time of year ALMOST everything does ;

Page 258, Be sure and tell her I said thanks / Be sure TO tell her I said thanks ; 263, Well there's some peace / WELL, there's some peace ; 291, a wealthy widow with a home in both New York and in Washington, D.C. / a wealthy widow with HOMES in both New York and in Washington, D.C. ; 339, the attention of most every single man / the attention of ALMOST every single man ; 339, to try and peer around a large display / to try TO peer around a large display .

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book two of what is turning out to be a trilogy set mostly in the wilds of Alaska at the start of the 20th century. Like book one, this book ends in a cliffhanger, but the most interesting part of the plot is basically resolved for me so I doubt if I'll read book three.

I started the book as my "listen to an audio book until you fall asleep" plan, which worked until I got interested in one part of the plot—the relationship between Jacob and Helaina (a sort of Javert-like character who is relentlessly in pursuit of the person who murdered her husband)—then I had to listen to it while I was awake until I figured out what became of the pair.

*Spoiler alert - if you don't want to know what happens to the pair, then don't read further.*

Helaina is a rich widow from NYC and she loves the city and her featherbed. Jacob is a man of the country and he hates the city. He will NEVER live there. It would literally KILL him! Who, dear reader, do you think gives in. I don't want to ruin it for you, but poor Helaina had better invest in some brand new mukluks. Just saying.

[Salomea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series without much thinking. Now, after reading the second book, I’m just…wow. It was such a great book, so intense, so shocking and with so much happening all at once. I love how Tracie fit God and the characters faith in the story because it shows that God work in strânge ways sometimes. I’m so invested in the story. Leah is such a strong woman even tho she’s been through so much, especially in this book. I root for her and Jayce to have a happy ending. Helaina’s story is something else, she’s come a really long way and she deserves to find love in the end so I really hope she’ll have the courage to tell Jacob what she feels.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another gripping read from Tracie Peterson found in Under The Northern Lights. The struggles, the frontier Alaskan landscape and environment is brought to life as the saga continues with Leah, Jacob and Jayce along with new and former characters. I admired Leah’s faith even though she struggled with not knowing where loved ones were at times, especially after what she experienced from her husband’s twin brother Chase. She continued to minister to the injured who was with her so they could truly see that God was their answer and not riches. The book does end with a cliff hanger, thus I was glad to have book three on hand to read.

[Jelaina Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, this book just doesn't pull my dogsled. It has a good plot and it's certainly quite interesting, not to mention it is apparent the author truly has done her research. But it's a bit too heavy on the Christianity aspect for me. It's quite pervasive and yes I understand the book I've picked up. It was an impulse buy in a bargain bin and I was captivated by the covers of all 3 in the trilogy, and was excited to find all three at once, since that very rarely happens. It's a wonderful adventure series and I enjoyed it... but it wasn't good enough to keep.

[Ranee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - This was a good story, just from the get go pretty "wordy". The concepts of bad things happening to good people, how to reconcile with God and not let hate and revenge drive you were good themes and the chase and setting were compelling. Cliff hangers at the end of books aren't my favorite but I will read Book 3 :)

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Romance

Trigger warning:
Kidnapping and rape are a big part of this story. It has a purpose and we learn more about trusting God through terrible trials.

I loved this conversion story, and the transformation that Love performs! Also God's power to heal and make right the evil of this world!
The narration was excellent!

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read by Tracie Peterson! This is book #2 in the series Alaskan Quest and it picks up right where book #1 ends. So you should really read #1 Summer of the Midnight Sun first to understand what is going on in Under the Northern Lights.

[Sherry Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Read it in less than a day. Didn’t realize that it was part of a series that should be read in order when I picked it up but decided to finish it anyways. Now I’m onto the first book to get more of the backstory before I move onto the third.

[Lauri Gentry]

Three star, maybe four. Story dragged a bit (imo). I found one character annoying but like the faith and tenacity of the MC. Enjoyed reading about living in the harsh conditions of the Alaskan territories. Story doesn't end with this book so I will carry on and move on to book #3.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very beginning.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 of the Alaskan Quest series continuing the story of Leah, her brother Jacob and her husband, Jayce.
Wonderful story, you will enjoy it.

[Kathryn Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it.

Getting ready for the next w
Book. Can not wait. This is a nail biter wanting to know that they are saved.

[Kelly Grainger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the entire trilogy! Very deep subjects, at times quite sad, but at others extremely uplifting! I learned a lot about Alaska as well.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to the 3rd in the serries.

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second book in this series, as good as the first. Set in Alaska---always a favorite setting of mine.