Destined for You

Ladies of the Lake #1

by Tracie Peterson

In 1869, Gloriana Womack's family is much smaller since smallpox killed her mother and two of her siblings. She lives in a modest cottage in Duluth, Minnesota, with her father and young brother, and she has dedicated her life to holding her tiny, fractured family together--especially as her father is frequently gone on long fishing trips. Their livelihood may come from the waters of Lake Superior, but storms on the lake can be dangerous, even to those who know it well.

Luke Carson has come to Duluth to help shepherd the arrival of the railroad to the city's port, and he's eager to be reunited with his brother, Scott, who recently moved there with his pregnant wife. Competition for the railroad is fierce, with the neighboring city of Superior, Wisconsin, fighting for the tracks to come through their town instead. But the real danger lies in a resident of Duluth who is determined to have his revenge upon Luke.

When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they've been destined for each other all along?

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

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2021

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

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, good enough, I guess. I love the strong Christian theme and reliance on the Lord that Tracie includes in her books, but I feel like she has been losing her punch these days. This story was missing depth and relationship development and was almost not believable at times. She used to be one of my favorite authors; however, her books are becoming more disappointing to me.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite quote of all;
" Don't let the devil have a hold on your heart," "You have so much love to give. I see you with Sally and Jt, and I know there is such kindness and joy in you. Your loss...my loss they are hard to bear and will continue tone for some time. But we aren't alone in this. God is not some cruel prankster playing a game with us. He is the sovereign God of the universe-the Maker of all creation, and yet He knows our every tear,our loss, our pain.
Wise words of comfort that we sometimes forget when things go wrong. I love this gentle remainder that He is always near.
I loved this wonderful story of hope,redemption and love. Grace was given in this story as well.
Tracie Peterson has done it again and has captured my attention from the beginning.
Why this series will be my favorite, it's because the setting is around Lake Superior my favorite lake in the whole world!
Two I love history and mystery intertwined together.
Such a wonderful book that I didn't want to leave my new friends. I loved getting to know Jt and Gloriana. They were awesome characters.
Their grief came out of the pages to me and it near made me cry.
Lake Superior can be a vicious lake along with people too.
This book is a great way to start off with 2021.
The words of wisdom and lessons that are in this book has left my heart feeling full and satisfied.
My hope is that it will yours too as you read this fabulous read! You'll not want to put it down!
I wished I took my time with it but I couldn't help myself it was just so good!
I highly recommend this book.
Peterson is wonderful and I just truly enjoy her books.
My thanks to Bethany House publication for a copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
5 stars!

[Becca Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know exactly what it is that has me so fascinated with stories that take place around the expansion of the railroads, but I find them highly intriguing and I couldn't wait to pick this one up and dive in. Without spoiling, this story wasn't what I was expecting but I absolutely loved it. I want a book to make me feel something, and this one certainly succeeded with that. I loved the characters and how Gloriana and Luke's relationship developed. I like that their love blossomed through caring for one another rather than focusing on physical chemistry. Even in the midst of their circumstances it didn't feel rushed or forced to squeeze a story out of them. It felt natural and genuine. As someone who is VERY picky about their romance in a story, this is saying something.  I really loved this story and highly recommend it. I can't wait to see where the author goes with the next book in the series!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A formulaic love story with strong Christian undertones.

Destined for You is the tale of two people brought together by tragedy and grief. It is a tale of loss and hope, redemption and forgiveness, family, love, and above all, faith, with emphasis on a gentle reminder that God is always near.

This is the kind of book that inspires, and makes readers stop and reflect. Well written and with likable characters, it focuses on struggles of every day life with special emphasis on the hardships and emotional struggles that come with it. I loved the setting and the fact that both characters' motivations and behaviour seem real. And yet, there was a certain lack of depth to both characters and the relationship between them, that prevented me from connecting to either of them.
The pacing was a bit uneven, starting strong and fast then dragging on towards the middle and jumping straight into a breakneck speed towards the end, while the conflict seemed to be just touched upon and its resolution lacked punch.

But all in all, this was a lovely love story any fan of the Christian romance genre would love.

My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for the review copy.
Thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke and Gloriana stuck together because of some unfortunate circumstances and baby Sally needed them. Yes, they were both suffering heavy losses, but they still stepped up. Even though, they didn’t know each other, they were willing to make it work somehow. They didn’t give up. They formed a friendship which slowly became more. They fell in love. Eventually, they married and made a family for baby Sally and JT. Gloriana is a sweet girl. I enjoyed her personality and her mothering. She fits the role perfectly! Luke is a wonderful man who really stepped up. He really cared. The moments between him and baby Sally are adorable. I love them! I love it when a book has a little baby in it. It breathes life to the story. Luke and Gloriana complimented each other so well! I didn’t like Theodore Sedgewick. But then again, who does like the bad guys? 😂 Overall, it is a beautiful story and one of my favorites by Tracie Peterson! The story is different and that’s what I like about it. I recommend it and will be reading again! 😁

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloriana Womack has lost her mother and siblings to Scarlet Fever. She is responsible for her younger brother Jeremiah Thomas (JT) and her father. Unfortunately, her father who is a fisherman loses his life shortly afterward. Glory also loses her neighbors Scott and Sally, who is pregnant with her first child. Luke Carson has moved to Duluth to be closer to his brother Scott, and he has also just accepted a job regarding the building of the railroads.

Glory is struggling with grief and her anger towards God who has taken her entire family from her. But Luke seems like an answer to prayer without her realizing it. He slips into her life and they become friends and hopefully something more if Glory will allow forgiveness into her heart.

Really enjoyed this!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Destined for You" is set in the Fall of 1869 in Minnesota. Gloriana has lost many members of her family to disease or accident, leaving her wondering how she'll take care of her young brother by herself. She's also angry at God, asking "what good is it to be a Christian and serve Him if we cannot trust Him to protect us from evil and bad things?" She struggled with her faith, but Luke showed up in time to help her. He lost a brother and sister-in-law at the same time as Gloriana lost another loved one.

The main characters were complex, grew throughout the story, and reacted realistically to events. The focus of the book was on the struggles of everyday life along the lake and how the area was being built up. The author included a lot of historical detail about everyday life. The romance built slowly as Luke helped Gloriana through her grief and with the everyday struggles that she faced. They also worked together to care for Luke's orphan niece. Some suspense was added by the threat of someone trying to ruin Luke's reputation by interfering with the building of the railroad, but only a few pages referred to it. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was wonderful and homey. I loved getting to know Gloriana, JT, Luke, and Sally. It was neat to see that the bad guy was more in the background than a more present part of the story. I think this was perfectly done, because it gave the main characters room to grieve and process their emotions over some pretty tragic events. I especially enjoyed the cobbled-together family that was created in the midst of sorrow. This is just the sort of story I like to read.

One thing that rang true was that when an infectious disease swept through town, only the sick were quarantined. It was good to see that sort of logic and common sense well on display in this story.

Content: profanity, wine in food, alcohol (including sneaking it into coffee while in a non-drinker’s house)

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly predictable and not very well written. I skimmed it. 😁

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tracie Peterson is a well-known author with many books to her credit, for one reason alone--she's good at what she does. She knows how to pull together a plot that engages her readers from the beginning until the very end.

Gloriana is the daughter of a fishing captain and is helping her father raise her younger brother. Sally and Scott are the renters in the cottage next door and are expecting their first baby, and Scott works for Gloriana's father. Lucas is Scott's brother and is working for Jay Cooke--a railroad magnate.

Lucas' boss wants to run a railroad through Duluth so that it can connect to the Pacific Northwest and sends Lucas to oversee the project. Lucas arrives in Duluth as Sally finds out that Scott has drowned in a storm that also took Gloriana's father and all the men on the boat. Lucas is there when Sally asks Gloriana and him to raise the baby she's having. Now Lucas has some hard things to do: contact his father about the grandchild, find a way to adopt the baby, and do something about his growing feelings for Gloriana.

Tracie adds conflict and suspense in the book by the addition of one significant character--Theodore, a man who embezzled money from Lucas' father's bank years ago. Lucas is the one who caught the discrepancies in the books. Theodore blamed Lucas for ruining his life. He has decided he wants to ruin Lucas one way or another, even if it means taking Lucas' life.

The characters in this book grow through hardship, faith, and love. They are empathetic, believable, honest, and mostly likable. This is a solid four star book.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this book.

[Megann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first story of Tracie Peterson's Ladies of the Lake series and if the others follow this one are as good I will one day have to buy the whole series.
Living on Lake Superior is a hard life and in this time many people have perished and the town is struggling to survive. They are in the process of opening up a waterway so that ships can dock on there side of the lake taking some away from others which then causes a rift between people.
Then through tough determination they are awarded the train route coming through their town and thus a promise of great things to come.
But with everything great there always is another side that they will have to deal with. That is where the shady men come into town to try and buy up their land as well as others. Will everyone have to move their homes and where would they possibly go.
This is a wonderful story about families sticking together and town working for the betterment of everyone.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This takes place between 1869-1870 in Duluth, MN. The story is about two people that have lost a lot and how each of them deals with their loses. I enjoyed their romance. Family and forgiveness are the main themes of the story. It was interesting to see this come together, and I liked how it ended. The railroad is also involved in the story. I didn't like that part, though. I wanted that character to do something different.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tracie Peterson's books! I particularly liked this once due to it being a remote fishing community. A tragedy to triumph story. I really enjoy the historical aspects of her books. Learning about the Pullman cars, the railroad, etc.

[Angela Pinheiro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lame

[Martha J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book so much that I upon finishing it, I immediately read it again! :)

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destined for You, the first book in the Ladies of the Lake series, checked all the boxes for me. The captivating plot moves at a steady pace. The characters are lovable and believable and tug at your heartstrings. The 1869 Duluth, Minnesota, setting is described beautifully. You can feel the intensity of the storms on Lake Superior and the emotions of those who face the challenges of living in that area. The romance is sweet and endearing. Historical people and events are woven seamlessly into the fictional narrative. Strong, inspiring spiritual truths are thoughtfully infused into the story. I highly recommend this compelling, entertaining story of grief, revenge, family, and faith.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destined for You is the first book in Tracie Peterson‘s new historical romance series Ladies of the Lake. Set on the shores of Lake Superior, one of my favorite settings, I knew I had to give this book a read.

The fitful lake has taken it’s toll, but Gloria Womack finds a kinship in grief when Luke Carson arrives in town. Together they face caring for an infant, Gloria’s younger brother, and navigating the challenges brought about by living in such a cold, cold place. Plus, Luke is tasked by his boss with bringing the railroad to Duluth, despite the opposition from people in Superior, Wisconsin.

This is a story of loss, forgiveness, and new beginnings wrapped up in messy relationships. Gloria’s honest struggles with her faith as she works through her grief adds depth to an otherwise quick read. I wished we could have seen more of Luke’s struggles. I liked his character though he came across as a bit too perfect at times and the build up to some of his troubles fell a little flat. However, Gloria and Luke were such a likable pair, I was really rooting for them to get their happily ever after.

If you’re looking for a light, sweet romance set on Lake Superior, give Destined for You a read.

---
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in Tracie Peter's newest series, Ladies of the Lake, was a wonderful read. Gloriana Womack lives near Lake Superior in Duluth Minnesota, and she has lost much in her life. Her reaction has caused her to doubt the God she once held most important in her life. Lucas Carson has been sent to Duluth by his boss in order to help manage the completion of the railroad line that is being built across America in 1869. Lucas' faith is strong even though he has lost the most important person in his life. Can they help one another find their way in the midst of horrible weather, disease, problems with the railroad's completion, and a young boy and baby girl who need care?

Gloriana and Lucas were such realistic characters, and I enjoyed the way their romance played a background to the needs of J.T. and Sally. The two young ones added a warm touch of sweetness and laughter. Lucas' dad who was such a curmudgeon and elitist was intriguing as events caused him to see things in a different light. The depiction of both the time period and the developing town of Duluth were interesting to read as I knew little about this part of Minnesota.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read a Tracie Peterson book for a long time. When I was offered this book for review I took that as a sign and jumped at the chance. The cover clinched the deal - isn't it gorgeous?

Destined for You is the first book in the Ladies of the Lake Series, with #2 Forever My Own being released in July.

This book was well written in terms of a good story, the journey for Gloriana, TJ and Luke as they deal with loss and the struggles associated with it. Their faith was tested again and again.

For me I don't feel that I'm the target audience for this one. It wasn't as gritty as I like, I didn't feel the depth of character and therefore didn't get that emotional attachment. As for the story I would say it was a light romance that again I didn't feel. The conflict with the railway felt just touched upon and the conclusion was uneventful.

All in all for those that like a lighter story about some serious subject matters this would work. Looking at the ratings I can see that I am in the minority with my thoughts.

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

[Naomi Musch · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I discovered that Tracie Peterson had written a new novel set in my home region, I had to read it. In Destined for You, Tracie writes a sweet and sometimes tragic story of loss, forgiveness, redemption, and new hope. The story’s setting on Lake Superior is integral and at times its nemesis. Real historical characters pop in and out of the book, especially the famous Jay Cook. In it all, Tracie weaves a gently growing romance, and readers will cheer for the heroine’s chance to finally find love after all she’s lost and sacrificed. And such a hero he is!

The only downside for me was that the city of Superior became such an antagonist. While I’m well aware of the history of rivalry between the cities of Duluth and Superior, I felt that the town as a whole was made out be too much of a villain. I’m sure Superior’s citizens saw Duluth as the villain. There were a couple of historic details that I questioned, but overall, ardent fans of Tracie’s books will love this story as well.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher through Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story! Gloriana lives with her father and younger brother in a fishing village that is growing.Luke comes to stay with his brother, Gloriana's neighbor. When tragedy strikes, they find that they need to rely on each other for support as well as assistance. Soon, Luke discovers someone is trying to sabotage his railroad plans, but he doesn't understand why .This is a lovely and clean story I really enjoyed.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just okay.

[Alayna Kliewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good! Great character development and backstories! There were points where it went super fast and others super slow. Overall pretty good story!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Destined for You
by Tracie Peterson
Back of the Book: “In 1869, Gloriana Womack's family is much smaller since smallpox killed her mother and two of her siblings. She lives in a modest cottage in Duluth, Minnesota, with her father and young brother, and she has dedicated her life to holding her tiny, fractured family together--especially as her father is frequently gone on long fishing trips. Their livelihood may come from the waters of Lake Superior, but storms on the lake can be dangerous, even to those who know it well.
Luke Carson has come to Duluth to help shepherd the arrival of the railroad to the city's port, and he's eager to be reunited with his brother, Scott, who recently moved there with his pregnant wife. Competition for the railroad is fierce, with the neighboring city of Superior, Wisconsin, fighting for the tracks to come through their town instead. But the real danger lies in a resident of Duluth who is determined to have his revenge upon Luke.
When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they've been destined for each other all along?”
Impressions: This was a really sweet historical romance.
Rated: Shipwreck and death but not graphic
Liked: I really liked how this book was Biblically centered. Christian fiction is always enjoyable to me because it lets me see how someone else lives out their faith through life’s many difficult situations. I find it encouraging to gain wisdom through others journey.
Disliked: Endings are always tricky. How do you wrap up all the different story lines throughout the book? I think that the ending for Gloriana and Luke was nice but the way things turned out for Lucas’ father seemed too quick and hurried. The railroad mystery was also anti-climatic. I was not impressed with these conclusions.
Quotes: “A person must bear the consequences of their actions, or they learn nothin’.”
“We put our trust in You because You are faithful and worthy of our trust. Even when bad times come like these, we know Your love is perfect and casts out fear.” -Amen!
“A simple joy, to be sure. Remaining free of debts is the only way to live without fear. Debts bring a kind of shame that no one wants to bear. It’s far wiser to save for those things we cannot afford and to learn patience in waiting for them.” - Debt seems to be so normalized anymore. Credit cards are rampant in our culture and demoralizing ultimately. The need to keep up with a façade of others' debt seems to be an endless circle of madness. This bit of wisdom is gold.
“He’s a boy, Gloriana, and as such he will one day be a man. You cannot overprotect him from life. I won’t allow for it. Let him explore, let him dare great things. He will get hurt, but he will learn from his mistakes. He’s a good boy and he’ll practice a certain amount of caution, but not if he feels he needs to prove to you that he’s able to go beyond what you believe.” – Just go ahead and insert my name instead of Gloriana. There is a balance of protection and hurt in parenting and it can be so hard to know what to do all the time. I find myself in Gloriana's shoes in my parenting.
“Mama always said prayer should be our first resort, not our last.” -With habit this is true. I sometimes struggle to go to God first. I’ve tried to make an effort to pray about everything with my boys throughout the day to remind us of the importance of prayer and open communication. What a waste to have full access to God through prayer but to only talk with him on occasion when we need something. Let’s praise Him and seek his counsel regularly.
“Don’t let this fear take ahold of you, Gloriana. The devil wins then. He wants you to be so afraid that you’ll again put-up walls between you and God.” -Have you ever been in this situation? I have. Fear is an ugly pull and the devil preys on our weaknesses. He wants us to discredit who God is so we doubt Him. It is a slippery slope sometimes when we are hurting or afraid but we must remain faithful. Gloriana struggled with this pull but ultimately had a solid enough foundation in her faith that she kept being pulled back to God. It is also good to have friends and support as she had to keep her faith focused.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

[Alena Mentink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read several books by Tracie Peterson, I’ve found that sometimes I really like her books, and other times I put the book down and start thinking through the scenes that I really wish had turned out differently. Regardless, I do appreciate the solid faith embedded in each Tracie’s books, and often during the story, I think, “Aha! That character made a really good point right there!”

The latest book I’ve read by Tracie is Destined for You. That title has such a ring, doesn’t it?
Destined for You is book one in the Ladies of the Lake series and takes place in Duluth, Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior. Since her mother’s death, Gloriana Womack is dedicated to caring for her father and younger brother, and she has set aside any dreams she’d once had for her own future. But danger abounds on the lake where her father fishes for his living, and Gloriana soon finds the very core of her faith being tested.

Luke Carson arrives in Duluth with an assignment to see the railroad’s safe arrival in the city, but from the day he arrives, he’s beset with problems concerning both the job and his family. Added to the conflict is a man nursing a secret grudge against him–and a deadly desire to see him fail.

I had a hard time getting into the book and wasn’t sure if I was going to like it in the beginning. The first couple chapters were a slow start. But then the bad guy showed up and started making threats, and things just got better after that. As far as the faith content, the book met all my requirements: a salvation by faith alone in Christ alone through grace alone. The character development was good, and I really liked both Luke and Gloriana. The circumstances that brought them together kept me turning pages. The only thing I was just a little unhappy with was that the final scene with the bad guy wasn’t powerful enough for me–I’m trying not to give away any spoilers, so I’ll merely say that it felt like a bit of a letdown after so much good tension building throughout the story.

But all things considered, I would definitely recommend this book and consider it worth the time invested in reading it.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destined for You by Tracie Peterson – 5 Stars
What can I say Tracie Peterson always a winner in my book. Historical Christion romance. This one set in 1869 Duluth, Minnesota with info included on what it was like to live and work on the waters of Lake Superior with the fishing trade. There was also much about the railroad race completion was fierce back then as to who would get theirs done first…Duluth or Superior, Wisconsin. There was a lot going on in the stories, a lot to think about. Tracie Peterson always leaves me thinking about the story afterward, she weaves her words well!

I received this book free from NetGalley.com in the kindle format. My comments and opinions are my own freely given. #DestinedForYou #NetGalley #TraciePeterson

Description from NetGalley:
In 1869, Gloriana Womack's family is much smaller since smallpox killed her mother and two of her siblings. She lives in a modest cottage in Duluth, Minnesota, with her father and young brother, and she has dedicated her life to holding her tiny, fractured family together--especially as her father is frequently gone on long fishing trips. Their livelihood may come from the waters of Lake Superior, but storms on the lake can be dangerous, even to those who know it well.

Luke Carson has come to Duluth to help shepherd the arrival of the railroad to the city's port, and he's eager to be reunited with his brother, Scott, who recently moved there with his pregnant wife. Competition for the railroad is fierce, with the neighboring city of Superior, Wisconsin, fighting for the tracks to come through their town instead. But the real danger lies in a resident of Duluth who is determined to have his revenge upon Luke.

When tragedy brings Gloriana and Luke together, they help each other through their grief and soon find their lives inextricably linked. If they survive the trials ahead, could it be possible they've been destined for each other all along?

[Victoria W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tracie Peterson is one of those authors who have been around forever and generally I don't expect a lot of surprises from her anymore, just solid and predictable historical fiction with some romance thrown in. Destined for You, however, completely blew me away and is my new favourite in Peterson's collection.

The characters themselves feel very familiar to the genre. Gloriana is the patient, nurturing female lead who is wrestling with God while Luke is the handsome protector standing true among life's hurdles. Peterson gives them a small town backdrop that feels warm and familiar with the energetic J.T, the wise and comforting Pastor Sedgewick and his wife, right down to friendly pup Jack.

It's Peterson's plot with its handling of grief as well as how grief can affect one's interactions with God that really made this a book to be remembered. Throughout the course of the story Peterson touches upon multiple types of loss including loss of parent, loss of sibling, and even grief that comes from broken relationships and loss of potential.

While fans of Peterson's will find themselves with a resolution they'll be pleased with, I enjoyed how, even with Glory's more traditional gender roles, Peterson allowed the character to sit in her grief, fear, and anger over the losses and changes she's encountered over the past number of years in her life. Glory gives voice to a lot of hurt I'm slowly seeing given space in the church for discussion and it was refreshing and moving to see Peterson's treatment of it.

Luke is the dashing male lead but I also liked how Peterson wrote his acknowledgement and respect of Glory's fears and grieving as well as his relationship with J.T. While their connection still leaned into the grief they shared J.T. and Luke's relationship brought some lighthearted moments into the novel's conversation.



5out of 5 stars

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

[Betsy Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Destined for You is the first book in the new series of Ladies of the Lake by Tracie Peterson. The story takes place in Duluth, Minnesota along Lake Superior in late 1869 and 1870. The railroad is just getting built to that area and with it brings Luke Carson from Philadelphia to oversee that project as well as several other building projects of his boss, Jay Cooke. Luke is excited to make the trip and take on the task as it will allow him to stay with his brother Scott and his new wife, Sally as they are expecting their first baby. Luke will also bring a personal secretary, Theodore Sedgwick, whose parents live in Duluth but is a man with his own agenda.
Gloriana Womack is a true Minnesota gal, daughter of a fisherman and now the lady of the household since her mother and two siblings succumbed to scarlet fever a few years ago. Glory is not afraid of hard work and making ends meet on the salary of a fisherman. She has become best friends with Sally since she and Scott came to town and her father, Norman Womack, has taken Scott under his wing and hired him onto his fishing crew and rented them their cabin next door.
Scott, Sally and Glory are anxiously preparing for the arrival of the new baby, as is JT, the eight-year-old brother of Glory. Luke arrives in Duluth just after a terrible storm out on Lake Superior and Sally is in labor. Glory is very glad that he arrived when he did.
The author weaves a beautiful tale of suffering and endurance as well as friendship and deception. Her characters each face their own walk with God. I so look forward to the next in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #DestinedForYou #LadiesOfTheLake #TraciePeterson

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gloriana, despite her age, has faced great loss in her young life. She lost her mother and two of her siblings and at a young age she took on the role of caregiver to her surviving sibling in the harsh environment of Duluth, Minnesota. Despite all of this pain, she dedicates her time, passion and love to her Father and brother. While she carries her grief, she does so guarding it closely and without complaint. She is a genuinely good person, who loves her family and her beliefs (although at times she feels at odd with a God who causes pain).

Fate and tragedy are not done with this small fishing town. While the town has known tragedy due to the nature of their work, it does not ease the pain nor the suffering that arises when tragedy strikes. It is this pain that brings the small town Gloriana and the rich, city wise Luke together. What first appears to be a mutual friendship based on helping each other, soon becomes a bit more with both not too sure if they are ready to see this happen nor trust in their God who has taken so much away.

With the tragedy at the forefront and the possibility of a romance blooming, Tracie also ties in suspense and a scheme of destruction that could lead to disaster and possibly worse. This plot that develops alongside the main story, was incredibly interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. It also helps to bring our two main characters together as they struggle to deal with dishonesty, corruption and faith being tested.

This is a beautiful novel that gives hope – that although life can be difficult, hard to understand and sometimes we feel immense pain, out of this can come something beautiful and the knowledge that we are never alone.