In the Shadow of Denali

The Heart of Alaska #1

by Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father John, a wilderness guide, work at a prestigious new hotel outside Mt. McKinley. John's new apprentice, Allan Brennan, finds a friend in Cassidy, but the real reason he's here--to learn the truth about his father's death--is far more dangerous than he knows.

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

313 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2017

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

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Curry, Alaska is now a ghost town, it played an important part in the history of Alaska and was the setting for this Christian historical romance.

John Ivanoff and his daughter, Cassidy (half Irish/half Athabaskan), work at the prestigious Curry Hotel at the foot of Mt. McKinley. This real-life hotel was built at the terminus of the Alaskan railway. John is an expedition guide for wealthy tourists and his daughter is a cook’s assistant. Life is hectic as the hotel prepares for the arrival of the president of the United States. President Warren G. Harding has come to drive the golden spike and officially open the railroad and the Mt. McKinley National Park.

Allan Brennan has come to the Curry Hotel for two reasons: to be an apprentice wilderness guide and to find answers to his father’s death on Mt. McKinley. When his path crosses Cassidy, sparks fly. Unfortunately, his grief and anger won’t allow him to fall in love.

Tying together threads of greed, obsession, forgiveness, love and restoration, this novel will remind you to see the best in people, to see the benefits of forgiveness over anger, to get the whole story before pointing fingers, and to deepen your faith roots.

One of my favourite lines was a wake-up call to let go of unnecessary baggage and to refuse to allow past regrets and unspoken dreams to take residence within.

“you bore a burden no one asked you to bear, John Ivanoff, and now yer sufferin’ for it.”

I loved the Alaskan history, the inspirational impact, and the mystery.

I now have a desire to visit the Princess Cruises Denali and Mt. McKinley Lodges as well as add book 2 of this series to my vacation reading list for this Spring.

[Haley S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can I be very honest with you today? Like—very, very honest? I expected a lot more from this book. I thought it was going to be exciting, adventurous, and romantic. To be honest, it wasn’t really any of that.

The book wasn’t intriguing. It seemed like all they did was think—literally. There wasn’t even that many interactions between Cassidy and Allan. There didn’t even seem like there was a climax.

And please, do not think that I am trying to stab Tracie and Kimberley in the heart. I am not. I am just trying to say that this book could have been better. I am very sad that this is my first book by Tracie and Kimberley. I hear a lot of good things about their books, and I was hoping that this book would live up to my expectations. I am going to try to read another one of their books. I just hope that it will be better than this one.

Okay, so about the cover, there is one thing that drove me crazy. A girl like Cassidy, actually any girl in the era of this book, would not look like the girl on the cover. No way. But, the rest of the cover was nice. So, I am going to give this book cover 2 stars.

As for the book, unfortunately, I am going to give it 1 star. I would not recommend this book. I hope that the rest of their books are a lot better than this one. And, I am not saying that you shouldn’t read any of Tracie’s or Kimberley’s other books. I am just not recommending this one.



Title: In the Shadow of Denali

Author: Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Author’s Website: http://traciepetersonbooks.com/ and http://kimandkaylawoodhouse.com/

Reading Resolution: #53



I received this book from the Bethany House Division


This review is written in my own opinions and words.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventure, danger, diversity… This book had a little bit of everything.

The leading lady had a tendency to zone out. This was so relatable to me! It made Cassidy so charming and engaging. Her heart for the people around her had me rooting for her throughout the journey.

Denali, the mountain, really popped to life for me, thanks to the vivid and detail-rich description.

The adventure and danger were realistic and heart-pounding. I rather enjoyed the tense moments and twists and surprises. The antagonists added so much to the high-stakes atmosphere.

Diversity in the cast was beautiful. There were a few different native Alaskan tribes represented, and a few characters were of mixed ethnic backgrounds. The story definitely had that “melting pot” vibe that America has proudly been known for since very early in its existence.

The faith journey was rich and amazing and so exquisitely woven into the core of the story that it couldn’t be separated with even the best surgeon’s skills. This portion of the journey was what kept the pages flying for me more than any of the other still beautiful aspects of the story. I love a good faith-strong story, and this one definitely qualified.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally rating 4 stars.

Okay, so I honestly have mixed emotions on this book. It was really good, but I felt like Allan's and Cassidy's realtionship could have been explained more. I did feel a connection between them, but it wasn't strong like other couples I have read about by Tracie Peterson. I still am going to read the next book in the series because I kinda have too for a review, but I honestly don't feel like I would, recommend this to anyone. Actaully I would recommend this book, but only if you have read a few other books by Tracie Peterson, so you wouldn't judge her writing skills based on this book. The other 9 books I have read by her, where AMAZING and I would HIGHLY recommend them but this one......eh not so much. The plot was another eh thing about this book. For it being a 300 page book, the authors could have explored and stregnthened the plot. The plot was definitely the thing that was lacking in this book. It was not a strong plot what so ever.

Hopefully this next book will be better!!

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1917 & 1923-24 Alaska

Good start to the series! John Ivanoff and his daughter Cassidy happily work at the Curry Hotel in Alaska. John is a wilderness guide and Cassidy is an assistant cook. Back in 1917 John lost one of his climbers and hasn't fully recovered from that. John's wife/Cassidy's mother died in childbirth and Cassidy's maternal grandparents want nothing to do with her.

Loved all the historical details.

[Ashley Bogner · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many things about this book I really, really enjoyed.

-Cassidy was a very likable character. In a time where most fictional heroines are cynical and vengeful, Cassidy’s sweet innocence was a refreshing breath of fresh air.

-Family relationships played a big role which was awesome! We don’t see very many family relationships–especially child-father relationships–in books.

-Cassidy works in a kitchen and reading about all the desserts she baked definitely made me hungry.

-I haven’t read a lot of books that take place in Alaska, so that was cool to read.

-I could tell the authors put a lot of research into make sure the historical setting was accurately portrayed. I love history, particularly American history, so there were some intriguing facts in this book.

-The Christian message didn’t feel like an after-thought but a seamless part of the story.

There were a few complaints I had, though:

-The romance developed way too quickly. At just a few chapters in, the main characters were already thinking about how much they liked each other. They had just met, and I didn’t find this totally realistic. Their relationship was sweet, but it developed a little too fast for me.

-The mystery aspect felt a little…lackluster. I don’t think it was intended to be very suspenseful, but it fell flat to me.

Despite those two complaints, I still really enjoyed In the Shadow of Denali. I liked the characters and themes a lot. While I may not read a lot of historical romance (you know, space travel, corrupt future governments, and castles are more my thing), I thought this was a really sweet book!

*Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a copy!*

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical romance set in Alaska. Cassidy, a young girl who grew up in Alaska, meets a young man named Allen, who is struggling with the death of his father. His father died while he was in Alaska on a trip, and in Allens pursuit of answers, his life becomes entangled with Cassidys. There's some mystery in the story over how Allens father really died.

I did enjoyed the characters as well as the faith based threads weaved in and out of this story. I did find it to be a lighter story, even though there was some grief and mystery tied in there. I also enjoyed that hiking was featured in this one, although I thought the Alaskan setting was a bit lighter in description than I was expecting. I liked the story and the characters well enough to move on to the second book in the series.

Last note, I listened to this on audio book and enjoyed the narrator.

[Sarafina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so refreshing to read a Christian book that actually read like a Christian book! There was so much faith all throughout this entire story, it wasn’t in the background, it was in the forefront just like a Christian book should be!!

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted to https://christianshelfesteem.wordpres...

For anyone who has ever dreamt of visiting Alaska, In the Shadow of Denali is a must read. During my years in the majestic state, I ventured south to Seward and north to Talkeetna, both of which are mentioned in the book. It was from the Talkeetna Airport that a pilot/friend allowed me to glimpse a birds eye view of Denali. This story helped me revisit these places in my mind and to imagine what life may have been like in 1923.

From the opening lines of the prologue to the last page there exists a delightful tension. It begins with a tragic expedition which claims the life of one climber. Six years later Allan Brennan unknowingly accepts a position working for John Ivanoff, the man who served as his father’s guide on the ill fated expedition. Bitterness and anger consume his thoughts, even as he finds himself falling for the John’s daughter. At this point the story takes a profound turn towards love, forgiveness, and faith.

Through their collaborative efforts, Peterson and Woodhouse capture a sense of anticipation surrounding the birth of Mt. McKinley National Park. Historic details about early attempts to summit Denali, daily operation of the Curry Hotel, and the railway responsible for delivering visitors into such a remote region of the Alaska Territory add a profound richness to the story. All combined—imagery, history, fiction, and faith—In the Shadow of Denali leaves readers clamoring for the second installment of The Heart of Alaska series.

Many thanks Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Ejayen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's okay. It has enough non romance plot going on to make it some what enjoyable, but I agree with a couple of my friends reviews, it isn't the most gripping story ever, at almost any point if I didn't own the book I could of put it down and never come back to it. (but I'd have always remember it as a book I never finished and it's a moot point anyhow as I own it)

[Heather C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to get my hands on this book because when I saw the opportunity to read it I was getting ready to head out on my adventure to Alaska with my own family. I wanted to see how much Alaska actually factored into the novel versus just being a backdrop. It is such a unique setting and truly brings a life of its own that you won’t experience elsewhere. So I was excited but also hesitant about diving into the novel.

I can happily say that the authors truly did their research, and I would hazard to guess that one or both of them have been to Alaska because it felt so true to my experience. The land of Alaska just vividly came to life, from the plants and animals to the way people would have encountered and engaged with a still relatively untouched environment. Denali had just become a National Park and the Curry Hotel was the only hotel in the area. There was also a great interplay between the native perspective and the perspective of outsiders streaming in to the area on the new railroad. But the one thing that I feel that they hit squarely on was the experience of climbing Denali. Of course, I haven’t done this myself, few have, but after having read Denali’s Howl, which explores in great detail the dangers of climbing that mountain, I feel comfortable saying they did an excellent job with that aspect of the story.

The plot here follows the death of Allan’s father early on and how it affects the main characters throughout and how they grow and change. It’s definitely a story of characters finding themselves in the wake of tragedy and it affects each of them differently. That being said, there is one character who really never changes and it very, very clearly, the bad guy and you will know that from the moment you meet him. It almost felt a little comical how explicitly evil he is, especially when compared with the other main characters who are complex and interesting. This is a work of Christian fiction, so the majority of the characters encounter religious evolution or crises of conscience and it was interesting to see how these moments affected their decisions. It didn’t feel heavy-handed at all, even for someone who isn’t all that religious.

While I loved the atmospheric nature of the novel and the character development, I did have a couple issues with it that affected my enjoyment. First was that there were a few obvious “info dumps”, even if some of them were interestingly concealed. There were clear details that the authors wanted to utilize that delineated the differences between life in Alaska and life in the lower US, and I appreciated that instead of literally just describing them, they had them be revealed while a character read a newspaper or magazine, but it still felt like minute details just being listed to me for the benefit of listing them. I don’t tend to notice these things unless they are strikingly obvious, so I feel the need to point it out. The other thing that was a little bit of an issue was that I felt the plot was a little long-winded. There was a lot crammed into this novel and I got a little lost from the objective about halfway through only to be brought back to the realization at the end. There were a few of the more minor storylines that I feel like could have been eliminated to make it flow better.

Audiobook Discussions:
Christina Moore did an excellent job narrating this novel. She kept the pacing moving forward; even when I felt that the plot was bogged down a little bit, the narrator kept it from feeling slow, which I think would have been more obvious in print format. She imbued the characters with a patience and contemplation that they needed, especially when grappling with their faith. While she didn’t have a plethora of distinct voices for all the characters, there was enough differentiation that you were never confused while reading.

This review was previously posted on The Maiden's Court blog and a copy was received for review consideration.

[Audra Falk]

I enjoyed several of Peterson's other book series, including Heirs of Montana and Song of Alaska, and generally enjoy reading books set in Alaska, so I was really looking forward to this new series. However, I cannot give it a very good review. In fact, although I am over 200 pages into the book, I don't think I will be finishing it. Though I do not want to dissuade anyone from reading Peterson's other works, this book is just not up to her usual standards.

My main objections:
1. Cliche characters: The main character, Cassidy, is too perfect. She is a stereotypical "good Christian girl." There is little depth to her. The "villain," likewise, is too evil. He is only portrayed as greedy and mean. There is no depth to him. This makes them both unbelievable and unrelatable.

2. The message of forgiveness (which, by the way, I 100% believe), is just too overtly written. I am a Christian, but this book's Christian message at times felt preachy. The conversations did not feel natural. There was too much "telling" vs "showing." This all (IMO) limits the book's effectiveness.

I am disappointed with this series. I feel it could have benefited from a few more rewrites. With more time, the characters could have been written realistically and the message of the Gospel more naturally woven into the story.

[♏Vanessa♏ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sooooo disapointing.
It started really well, so I thought I'd finally found a Christian romance that i enjoyed. Alas, it wasn't to be, what started as mild mention of the bible developed to some major and constant preaching.
There was crime, romance, outdoor activities in Alaska and a ton of bible talk.
I found it boring and annoying and had to speed up to 3,5x and skip the endless preaching. I read as fast as i could in order to finish the torture.
Narration was good.

[Lisa N · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not the exciting Alaskan adventure I was hoping for. In fact, it was very blasé. Although I occasionally read Christian fiction and enjoy a wholesome story, this book was a bit heavy handed in that aspect. The story wasn't totally terrible, just not a lot of depth to it. Written in very simplistic language, I would consider this "fluff" when you are looking for a simple read.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved most every novel I've read by Tracie Peterson and this was no exception. The historical details about the city of Curry and Denali (Mt. McKinley) were interesting and brought to life well. Cassidy, Allan, John, and the other characters were entertaining. Recommend to fans of historical Christian fiction.

[Laurie DelaCruz · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I really wanted to like this book, as I brought it with me on my trip to Alaska. But there is just no depth at all. The main character has no flaws. At all. She is practically perfect in every way. The plot is thin. The characters one-dimensional. And the historic aspect doesn't ring true, nor does the Alaska aspect ring true. Some descriptions just were inaccurate. Very sad.

[Bethany Willcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! And I can't wait to read the rest of the Heart of Alaska series now. If you haven't read this yet just go and read it! I learned so much about Alaska and real people, places, and historical events that were cleverly woven into the story.

[Sarah Grace Grzy]

DNF. Made it halfway through, but it really was not catching my interest.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review pending

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to what is sure to be a fun series. The characters are great and I liked the dangerous elements to the story that kept me totally intrigued. Really enjoyed this story!

[Jaina Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

I hadn't read a "chick flick" book in a long while, so I thought I'd shake things up a bit. I always like books about mountain climbing, and I've never read a book set in Alaska before, so In the Shadow of Denali had all the makings of a unique and grabbing read for me.

And for the most part, it was that. The characters were slightly flat, it's true, and the romance was truely cringe-worthy (and the villain ridiculously stereotypical), but those things honestly didn't bother me as much as they probably should have. The fact is that I really loved Cassidy, who was a good mixture of sweet optimism and realistic emotions. I didn't like the men quite as much (they were all a little too perfect for my taste), but reading about Cassidy's time in the kitchen, all the foods she makes and her growing friendship with the head cook Mrs. Johnson, was what kept me stuck to the story. Mrs. Johnson is probably my favorite character, actually. I can't say much about her backstory, but I really loved watching her gruff outer shell peel away over time!

It does have to be said, though, that the discussions of both romance and religion are almost uniformly hard to read throughout the book. The characters are so obnoxiously slap-you-in-the-face Christian (and so obsessed with making sure everyone thinks exactly the way they do) that it got a little old for me–even though I actually am Christian! It's not like they act like God makes life one big rose-fest, because all of the main characters grapple with some pretty scary/hard things throughout the book, but something about the discussions of faith just felt cheesy and unrealistic to me. There's also a fair bit of instalove, which anyone who has read this blog for long knows is a big pet peeve of mine. Cassidy and Allan barely know each other at all when they start having feelings for each other that they'd never had for anyone else in their entire lives. Despite the fact that they only spend minimal amounts of time with each other and don't really seem to have anything in common, we're supposed to believe they're perfect for each other. Meh. I'd rather have seen Cassidy wind up with Thomas, the seventeen-year-old kitchen boy who has a crush on her–I honestly liked him better than I did Allan, and the age difference could have easily become negligible if the authors had made Cassidy just a year or two younger!

Anyway, you wouldn't guess it from all the negativity in this review but I really did spend a few happy hours reading In the Shadow of Denali. Now that I'm writing out my thoughts I'm realizing just how many little things bugged me about the book, but when I was actually reading it I was sucked in nonetheless. I love Cassidy, Mrs. Johnson, and Thomas, and I have pretty neutral (though certainly not negative) feelings toward Allan and Cassidy's father John. I liked the basic premise of the story and the conflicts that came up, and I loved getting a look at what life was like in Alaska during the 1920s. We even get to read about President and Mrs. Harding staying at the hotel on their 1923 trip to Alaska right before the president's sudden death! I'd never even heard of President Harding, let alone known that he traveled to Alaska.

Basically, I can't recommend In the Shadow of Denali as fine literature. If you're looking for some clean, fluffy (and slightly preachy) entertainment set in a rural Alaska setting, though, then this might just be the book for you. If you do give it a try, comment below to let us know how you like it!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my review.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allan Brennan has a tragic past and is trying to find out the mystery of his fathers death. His father died climbing Mount McKinley, but things just aren't quite right.

In the beginning of the book we read the prologue, which details what actually happened when Henry Brennan and his business partner, Frank Irving, climbed the mountain. Frank, a bitter and greedy man, staged Henry's death to gain full control of the company. He then goes back to Henry's family, blaming it all on the guide, John. Not everything goes as planned though. Frank missed a statement in which Henry specified that if he died, half of his share would go to Frank, and half of it would go to his son, Allan. This means that Allan now has 25% of the company, and Frank only has 75% instead of 100%.

Six years pass, and Allan takes a job at a hotel near Mount McKinley, for two reasons. To get away from everything, and to find more about how his dad dies. When he gets there he finds out that his new boss is John, the very same one that is supposedly responsible for his fathers death. As he doesn't know the real truth yet, he is incredible bitter towards John.

Luckily John is a very Christian, kind person. He has been eaten up with regret by Henry's death also, because he doesn't know that Frank caused Henry's death. Even though John did everything right, he still feels regretful and wishes that he had done something to save him from falling.

John has a beautiful daughter named Cassidy. She is a cook in the hotel, and has a passion for mountain climbing also. As John and Allan get to know each other better, Allan starts to realize that John is not who Frank said he was. He realizes that somebody is lying, and even though Frank is a lifelong family friend, Allan is inclined to think that John is telling the truth. He apologizes to John, and as John and Allan become friends, Cassidy and Allan start to get closer too.

Everything is going good until Lois, his brother in law, writes to Allan that Frank is trying to frame him for stealing money from the company. Apparently, Frank is still plotting to take over the company. A few weeks pass, and Frank writes that he is coming to visit Allan, since they are business partners. What will happen?

I really liked this book because it was set in the early 1900s and i enjoy historical fiction. I also like how the author mixed a love story with an adventure/mystery plot. One thing I didn't like was how they told how Frank was the one who killed Henry in the very beginning. I think it would have been better if they would have waited to state that.

I suggest this book to teens and young adults who enjoy historical fiction.

[. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was at the library yesterday for the first time (excluding the time I visited once just to look around), and finally got a library card. My mom suggested one of Tracie Peterson's books, and the first one that captured my attention was this one. This was my first time reading a book by this author, and honestly, it was very refreshing to read. Many historical fiction books are centered around romance. This was not the case for this read, and I was so excited. That isn't to say there was none in this whole book, but it was toned down.

The story was so interesting. Allan was trying to dig deeper to find clues to what really happened to his father on the mountain, and encounters the one who he thought was responsible. Cassidy was this optimistic person who trusted the Lord, even through moments of hard times. Cassidy's father, John, was a man of faith, and yet he had his faults too. He wasn't portrayed to be this perfect christian, but instead dealing with the guilt of what happened on the mountain years ago.

The one character I thought was particularly useless was Thomas. Although I appreciated his friendliness towards Cassidy, I feel like he was only there to further her relationship with Allan. He had a crush on Cassidy, and made Allan jealous a few times when he mentioned having a Bible study with John. It might be interesting to see him in the next book, but I just would like to see him have his own thing instead of being a useless character.

I have to say the plot was intriguing. It's super hard not to give spoilers (I'm so oblivious and tend to do that anyway xD) did guess everything about Frank, but I was still so interested in the story that I read it all in one day. The spiritual content was amazing. I have to admit it really inspired me and I want to be like John and Cassidy because of their deep trust in the Lord. I think this might have been one of my first times really reading a book set in Alaska. The whole mountain climbing thing was so interesting, but not something I really ever want to do xD

I would say this is a completely clean read. The romance was great, no kisses until marriage and one thing I really appreciated was that Cassidy didn't want to get into a relationship with Allan until he became a man of faith (which is what I personally believe as well) even though she found herself falling in love with him. There was an instance where a few someones died, one towards the end that wasn't super descriptive, yet might be a little startling.

Overall, this is something I'd recommend to everyone, even my conservative friends.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't going to do a review on this because it was a library book. i was going to read it for fun. However; I just decided to do it anyway because i really wanted people to know how much I really liked this book.
I got to travel to Alaska without ever going and spending a lot of money lol!
I learned a lot of interesting history about Alaska..especially the name of the mountain. I never knew it had another name.
It seems the people are interesting also.
I liked John from the beginning. I liked his personality, his knowledge, and most of all his parenting.
But I think most all, I'm going to say that Allan is my hero.
I loved watching Allan change from being sullen to a very outgoing happy man.
Folks, isnt it wonderful how God can work miracles? Even in the most stubborn of stubborn?
I enjoyed Thomas. Poor boy. He tried really hard to please everyone (just like I do) but sometimes it just almost never works out. Growing up is hard but especially if you're all legs and arms and dont know how to make them work right. I must say, i do admire him for bever giving up. He certainly had a lot of help.
Cassidy is ok. Shes always happy happy happy. She has the love the Lord inside her like she tries to tell one certain woman. She tells her its her faith that gets her through the hard times and that God never left her nor did he forsake her. She also says it is us that leaves him behind because we get so wrapped up in our troubles in our daily lives.
Frank should be called Kranky. I say this because he stays unhappy and wants to make other people suffer too just to get his way all the time. You can't always get your way as Frank soon finds out. Karma does eventually catch up with you.
I always say love can find a way when its time. God's timing
i recommend this book to people who love history and who like to travel if only in their imagination.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a stunning locale and featuring interesting characters and intrigue aplenty, "In The Shadow of Denali" provides some solid entertainment for fans of historical fiction. I greatly enjoyed how the authors wove in unique historical details, bringing Alaska to life for me as a reader. In fact, by the time I closed the pages of this story, I found myself longing to drop everything and make a trip to Alaska myself, to enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the majestic Denali mountain up close and person! And I quite liked the main characters of Cassidy and Allan, each growing in their understanding of who they are and how God is at work in their lives. The relationship that unfolds between them is sweet to behold, making for both tender and light-hearted moments. And speaking of light-hearted, the orphan teen Thomas made for some truly funny moments that I quite appreciated, as I am also quite a clumsy person and could picture myself in the exact same sort of predicaments that Thomas encountered!

As someone who enjoys mystery and suspense, I thought the authors did a great job at weaving such elements into the story as well. As a reader, I was left on the edge of my seat wondering at how the truth would unfold and what twist the authors had up their sleeves. The great characterization and the action-filled pages kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. By the time I turned the final pages of the book, I was left with the thought that I am glad that this is not the last time I will meet these characters.

Peterson and Woodhouse's collaboration, "In The Shadow of Denali", is a fine start to the series indeed. I look forward to seeing where things are headed next in the Heart of Alaska! I award this novel a solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical romance is a good adventure into Alaska during the development of Denali National Park. Peterson and Woodhouse add a little suspense to the plot as well.

The romance revolves around Cassidy, whose father works as an outdoor guide at a hotel near Mt. McKinley, and Allan, a young man who arrives from Seattle to find out the truth about his father's death. Cassidy's father had been on the tragic climb that ended the life of Allan's father. There is definite tension as Allan is attracted to Cassidy yet cannot help but be suspicious of her father.

What I enjoyed more than the romance was the historical aspect of the novel. I've been to Denali National Park and it was interesting to read about this time period, when the railroad was just finished and the territory was seeing an increase in tourists. We get some insights as to what it took to run a quality hotel at the time and what it took to climb the tallest mountain in North America.

The authors have given us some good characters too. My favorites and the ones I think the best developed were actually secondary characters. The hotel chef is a woman who has had a hard life, losing her family to a recent influenza epidemic. Her pain comes out in her harsh personality but Cassidy is able to crack open that shell and find the real woman inside. I also really liked Thomas, a bumbling helper in the kitchen. How he becomes a confident young man is a good part of the story.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy historical romance. You'll learn quite a bit about Denali and get to enjoy some delightful characters. There is even a little suspense to finish off the novel.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

[Doreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I felt the best character in the book was Mrs. Johnson, who reminded me of Miss Patmore from Downton Abbey. She’s the head cook in the Curry Hotel. She is gruff at first but learns to open up a bit. She was real and experienced real growth but she was a minor character in the book. Thomas, with his clumsy, eager-to-please attitude, was another favorite character.
I liked Cassidy well enough. She is a very optimistic person who recognizes that she’s had it pretty easy. She hopes that her faith and heart will hold strong when tested. Allan’s character was a little wishy washy. It would seem like he had made his decision about something and then would totally reverse it and then back again. There could have been a lot more danger and sinisterness with Frank to make him more of a villain.
I struggled with how to classify this book. Is it a romance? Well, there’s a bit of romance. I had high hopes of it being a mystery but it fell pretty short. The description of the book promises danger, more danger than either Cassidy or Allan could imagine. Yet it’s barely there. There wasn’t a lot of action. There’s a hint of a survival story, man against nature, but even that is glossed over quickly. The part that worked for me was learning more about Mount McKinley, or Mount Denali. There was some good information there that I found interesting.
I have enjoyed many Tracie Peterson books in the past but this one fell short for me. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alaska 1917-1924
Mt. McKinley (now officially named Denali) is also known as the "High One" and the king of the Alaska Range. It may have other names known by the natives of that area as well.

I enjoyed this story. I thought it was well-written and had good character development. John and Cassidy Ivanoff (father and daughter) work and live in Curry, Alaska. Allan Brennan lost his father who was climbing Denali with his work partner, Frank, and John Ivanoff as the guide. He's come to Alaska for answers regarding his father's death. This story revolves around faith in God and His ability to help and guide.

There is a lot of spiritual growth for several of the characters in this story. Seeing how their hearts and minds change for the better is inspirational. There is a strong sense of values and moral guidance as well. The book is filled with well-spoken phrases and deep thoughts.

I wasn't a big fan of the romantic aspect of the story, not that I don't think they make a good couple, I do - it just seemed like turning a corner and suddenly they are in love.

"...judge the fruit of the individual - the overall outcome of the person's life and treatment of others."
"...people are people no matter the color of their skin or origin of their birth."
"...looks can be deceiving and few people are the sum total of their appearance - their actions are far more important."
"Death never takes the wise man by surprise, he is always ready to go." ~Jean de La Fontaine

Rating: PG -some violence
Language: clean read
Recommend: yes

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

This first book in a new series -- The Heart of Alaska -- delivers sweet romance steeped in rich historical detail along with an air of mystery. From the sinister prologue (written from the villain's point of view), actions are set in motion that have far-reaching effects. Six years later, Allan arrives, bringing the past with him. Burdened by suspicion and anger, he's determined to discover the truth behind his father's death. And unfortunately, he's been groomed to believe that mountain guide John Ivanoff is guilty.

Tension abounds as Allan struggles to reconcile the out-going, kind and faith-filled John with the cold-blooded murderer he's been expecting. Though a secondary character, John became a favourite of mine. A man dedicated to the Lord and unafraid to share his faith with open candor.

His daughter, Cassidy, has the same spiritual outlook as well as an optimistic nature that grates on her dour boss, Mrs. Johnson. Love how she wears down the cook's gruff exterior by slow degrees. Of course Cassidy catches Allan's eye which brings it's own kind of complications. But first there's a mystery to be solved and a murderer to thwart -- all against the stunning backdrop of Alaska's new national park.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publications and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

[Becca Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I'd find myself interested in visiting the frigid state of Alaska but lo and behold I've found a book that's officially peaked my interest! From the big picture to the tiny details, Tracie Peterson and Kim Woodhouse managed to create a vivid and tangible setting you can't help but want to fall into.
One thing that I absolutely loved about this book was the amount of history that was seamlessly weaved into the fictional storyline. I appreciate that the authors shared some of the fact vs fiction (Yes, this is another push to read the authors' note at the end!) but I also reveled in the fact that I couldn't tell what was what as I read. I'm not always a note taker as I read but I found myself jotting down the names of several plants and dinner entrées that were described so that I could check them out later.
I also cherished how easily the faith element was weaved into this story. It didn't appear to be added or inserted but rather was breathed out through the lives of the characters and felt completely natural. It was heartwarming for me to see the characters bonding with one another over not only what they were experiencing but how God was working in them through those experiences.
I absolutely loved this novel and can't wait to get started on Out of the Ashes which is the next book in the series. I highly recommend it to historical fiction fans!