Brides of Seattle
Tracie Peterson
(Bethany House Publishing)
ISBN: 978-0764210631
September 2015/320 pages/$14.99
Growing up in a Seattle bridal finishing school never prepared Abrianna Cunningham to become one of the brides, but now Wade Ackerman, who has always been the reliable boy next door, is indicating he wants to be more than friends. And even the people closest to Abrianna believe Wade is the man she should marry. So why is she having such a hard time choosing between Wade Ackerman and Priam Welby?
Watching Welby's relentless pursuit of Abrianna is making Wade's blood boil. Welby can offer her wealth and security, but what about character and integrity? Surely Abrianna can see past Welby's smooth tongue and fine clothes. Can't she?
Caught between the devil and the boy next door, either choice she makes will change Abrianna's life forever.
Read an excerpt.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
MY THOUGHTS
I've been enjoying this series by Tracie Peterson, especially since I've visited Seattle and learned a bit of its history. This book can be read alone but knowing these characters from the previous novels made it that much more enjoyable. Well, except for that dastardly brute, Priam Welby! Peterson combines an authentic setting with a powerful story and the result is a page-turner that is difficult to put down. I alternately laughed and winced at the situations and antics in which Abrianna managed to find herself. The spiritual thread weaves naturally through the story without being heavy-handed or preachy. All in all, this is a delightful novel, and I hate to see this series end. Grab your copy today!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from 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 the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Q&A WITH TRACIE PETERSON
1. Why did you write Love Everlasting?
Love Everlasting is the conclusion of the Brides of Seattle series. Throughout this series the focal character of Abrianna Cunningham has led readers on a merry chase through the streets of Seattle, dealing with the poor and homeless as well as the young bridal candidates at the Madison School for Brides. The series has shown Abrianna come to accept that she can’t always charm or even force her way through the circumstances of life. Now she realizes her childhood friend Wade Ackerman is the man
she loves, but she fears that accepting his proposal of marriage will change everything.
2. Why was this particular setting and time period important to you?
Seattle lost most of its downtown to a fire in 1889. As I read about the details related to that fire and the aftermath, I was amazed at how quickly Seattle rose from the ashes. Also amazing was that no one was killed in the fire, despite a very faulty series of city water pipes and an understaffed and underfunded fire department. Seeing the opportunity to make their town better, the citizens refused to wallow in self-pity and instead put their hearts and minds into re-creating Seattle. Much of the town was rebuilt in a year. Love Everlasting covers some of that time period, and hopefully the characters reveal that drive and inspiration.
3. How did you go about researching for Love Everlasting?
Since it was book three in the series, I had a great deal of the information already on hand. However, there were details that sent me back to Seattle for research. I also had an amazing Seattle historian who helped me with all sorts of pesky questions. I’m always blessed by the people God sends my way who help deliver some of the most amazing facts.
4. What motivated the spiritual aspect of the story?
The heart of survival is an underlying theme throughout the story. Not only was this important in the citizens of Seattle but also in the lives of my main characters. Abrianna faces several challenges that threaten to destroy all that she loves. She finds her strength in God, but she also comes to realize that sometimes God sends help in the form of others. She has to learn that “no man (or woman) is an island” and that, as the Bible says, “Two are better than one,” and sometimes an entire team of people is better still. Abrianna fears change because she’s grown accustomed to her independent life. Throughout her spiritual journey she will come to terms with change and dependency, as well as love and its many forms.
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