Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

Merrill Krause longs for a family of her own, but she's bound by a promise to her dying mother to care for her father and older brothers until they no longer need her. She enjoys being part of the family business, harvesting ice during the brutal Minnesota winters. Merrill actively takes part, possessing a keen ability to work with the horses--despite the advice of her good friend, who disapproves of her unladylike behavior.
When Rurik Jorgenson arrives in their small town to join his uncle doing carpentry, he soon crosses paths with Merrill. But unlike other men, who are often frightened away by her older brothers, Rurik isn't intimidated by them or by Merrill's strength and lack of femininity. As he thrives under the mentorship of his uncle, Rurik dreams of inheriting the business and claiming Merrill as his wife. But while he is determined to start a new life, the past is determined to follow him when his former fiancee and her brother show up in town. Soon Rurik is put in the center of a major scandal that may damage his relationship with Merrill. Can they learn to trust God--and each other--and embrace the promise of love?

Who is joining me for this icy read?

It's in my plans to read this one soon.

I just got it from KindleUnlimited so I hope to join.

I have it and plan to read it.

It's on my TBR for April! Looking forward to discussing it with the group!

Loraine wrote: "

Merrill Krause longs for a family of her own, but she's bound by a promise to her dying mother to care for her father and older brothers until they no..."

I am! Already about 1/3 through.

This is a really well-written book, the story is interesting, and I do identify with a couple of the characters. I'm learning a little about Swedish culture, and about ice cutting.
I don't know how she does it, but Tracie Peterson writes books that keep me coming back to see what happens next.
:)

Kristi wrote: "It's on my TBR for April! Looking forward to discussing it with the group!"
A discussion sounds fun, and I'm looking forward to being able to participate in that. I've been reading it for a few days now, it's a good book.

A link to a book trailer for The Icecutter's Daughter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPhVQ...

Just got it from the library

Is non-spoiler discussion allowed prior to April 15?

I just listened to this one today, and it's such an emotional, lovely story! I like how Tracie Peterson always finds unique character names that beautifully show off their heritage. I had never before heard the name Rurik, but I enjoyed it throughout the story.

I really enjoyed this entire book. I read it in 2 hours because I just had to know what happened!

I'm slowly getting it read but am enjoying it so far. I have also found some of the names interesting.

Katherine wrote: "I really enjoyed this entire book. I read it in 2 hours because I just had to know what happened!"

I know what you mean! I got the audio from my library. Once I finished it, I guzzled books two and three as well. I've read the whole trilogy in two days via the audios. They're all so good!

I wasn’t planning to join in, but since Andrea has raved about it, I am going to try to fit it in. 😋

I'm debating too... Andrea's so persuasive!

True!

Whew...some of the characters have me bewildered...lol!

Aw, thanks, Hannah and Bess!

Finished this one yesterday. Enjoyed the story of Rurik and Merrill very much. Did not like Nills in the beginning, but by the end he grew on me.

a good book, I found this book to be quite interesting when I read it.

It was really great to learn more about icecutting. That’s a career I had never known much about prior to this book.

What aspect of the story captured your interest the most and why?

I liked Rurik and Merrill's story, but by the end of the book I was kind of intrigued by Nills and Svea's story. What were they up to and in the end, what happened to them. I was hoping the second book would be about one of them, but it isn't looking that way, to kind of bring a happiness to them in the end.

The icecutting isn't new, I grew up near a town that had it back in the day, lots of pictures at the public library, and even stories from my grandpa and his brothers helping out. Pretty much any town that had a sizable lake had icecutting it seemed like. The sounds of the food and dialect made me definitely think of home. I am not as familiar with the Swedish fare as I am Norwegian, but the German ones mentioned really made me hungry for some of my grandma's cooking. I did look up the kladdkaka and may have to make that sometime. Anything chocolate and brownie like, I am all for it.

That's neat you have icecutting in your family's background. Being in Texas, it's all new to me. :) Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading about your experience.

Okay, so I just started the book. (Thanks, Andrea!)

It is very cool that you have ice cutting in your family, Missy!
I live in AZ; it's hard to keep things at room temperature without things beginning to boil. ;)

You’re welcome, Bess! 😉

Andrea wrote: "Katherine wrote: "I really enjoyed this entire book. I read it in 2 hours because I just had to know what happened!"

I know what you mean! I got the audio from my library. Once I finished it, I gu..."

What did you think of the follow-up books? Was one better than another for you?

Andrea wrote: "It was really great to learn more about icecutting. That’s a career I had never known much about prior to this book.

What aspect of the story captured your interest the most and why?"
Learning about icecutting, had never heard of it. Another aspect that was interesting to me was the woodworking, and the names of the furniture that they made, such as the hand crafted Schrank for Merrill, and the bread boxes she painted. I had no idea what a Schrank was, but found some beautiful ones here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1200491...

Missy wrote: "I liked Rurik and Merrill's story, but by the end of the book I was kind of intrigued by Nills and Svea's story. What were they up to and in the end, what happened to them. I was hoping the second ..."

What are the ingredients in kladakka?

Nancy, I adored all three books, but The Miner's Lady was my favorite. There's something about Italian characters that clenches my heart in the best way. Besides that, it's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet type tale (though with loads more hope than the finale of that play). The Miner's Lady is a fantastic finale to this trilogy, but definitely don't skip over The Quarryman's Bride. All three books are fantastic, and it's become another favorite series for me. I'll be rereading it many times in the coming years, I'm sure.

I have read the first two books recently, and I hope to read The Miner's Lady soon. I enjoyed the first two books.

I loved that Merrill was able to use her creativity to take a job painting the bread boxes :)

Andrea wrote: "Nancy, I adored all three books, but The Miner's Lady was my favorite. There's something about Italian characters that clenches my heart in the best way. Besides that, it's a bit of a Romeo and Jul..."
Well, that sounds wonderful Andrea. Did Tracie Peterson talk a lot about what a miner's life was/is like? What year was the story set in?

The mining was featured well for my taste. The story was set in the 1890s.

I just finished this one as I started it fairly late in the month. I liked it enough to want to pick up the second so I'm glad to hear others say they enjoyed it as much.

Yep! Amanda, you’re in for a great treat with Quarryman’s Bride.

Do we have anything else we’d like to chat about with Icecutter’s Daughter?

May we talk a bit about Tracie Peterson's website, or is this only to do with the current book?

I think the website is fair game too, since she wrote the book. Do you have a link to share for it?

Yes, here's the official site for Tracie Peterson:
https://traciepetersonbooks.com/

and, this is a note to her readers:
https://traciepetersonbooks.com/a-not...

She is a strong Christian, and uses the gift God gave her, of writing, to bring glory and honor to Him, and His Son, Jesus Christ.