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 was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests, including USA "Best Books 2011" Awards, best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love.
The following is a February 2013 interview with Tracie.
Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests, including USA "Best Books 2011" Awards, best Religious Fiction for Embers of Love.
The following is a February 2013 interview with Tracie.
'Land of the Lone Star' series
1. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Christian, wife, mother of 3, grandmother of 3. I love writing and telling stories about the past that blend in with the accurate history of the times. I see my writing as a ministry for helping spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to offer Biblical application for the reader. I love to help new authors and often teach and speak at writer’s conferences. I also teach at women’s retreats and speaking events.
2. How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I’ve loved storytelling and reading since I was a youngster. My mother used to keep me quiet in church by giving me a pencil and paper and telling me to write a story. Of course I wasn’t able to write at that young age, but after church she would ask me to tell her my story and I always would. It meant a lot to me to be able to have my mother as a captive audience and I credit her with developing my storytelling abilities.
3. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
I think Christian fiction has many great ways to share the Gospel and Bible application. I hear from readers all the time about how my stories brought them back to God or introduced them to Jesus. That’s all I really want from my work – to draw people closer to God.
4. How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
As I said above, I really believe that my writing is a mission field in which I can share Jesus and offer the hope that is within me. God has blessed me in so many ways and grown my faith and understanding of Him that I can’t help but want to share that.
I’m a Christian, wife, mother of 3, grandmother of 3. I love writing and telling stories about the past that blend in with the accurate history of the times. I see my writing as a ministry for helping spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to offer Biblical application for the reader. I love to help new authors and often teach and speak at writer’s conferences. I also teach at women’s retreats and speaking events.
2. How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I’ve loved storytelling and reading since I was a youngster. My mother used to keep me quiet in church by giving me a pencil and paper and telling me to write a story. Of course I wasn’t able to write at that young age, but after church she would ask me to tell her my story and I always would. It meant a lot to me to be able to have my mother as a captive audience and I credit her with developing my storytelling abilities.
3. What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
I think Christian fiction has many great ways to share the Gospel and Bible application. I hear from readers all the time about how my stories brought them back to God or introduced them to Jesus. That’s all I really want from my work – to draw people closer to God.
4. How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
As I said above, I really believe that my writing is a mission field in which I can share Jesus and offer the hope that is within me. God has blessed me in so many ways and grown my faith and understanding of Him that I can’t help but want to share that.
'Bridal Veil Island' series
5. What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why?
I had a letter just a couple of weeks back where a young woman told me that my book had brought her back to God and “saved her life”. She had been extremely troubled, depressed and overcome by life. She felt alone—that God couldn’t possibly love her because she’d walked away from Him. She read one of my books and God used it to bring her home. Who could ask for more?
6. How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
It’s caused me to dig deeper in the Word – the strive harder to understand what is written there and to live my faith “out-loud”. I have found my walk grow closer and closer and I am passionately and completely, head-over-heels in love with my Savior.
7. Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life?
To continue to know God better, be a good wife, mother and nana to my grandkids. I want to continue to help new authors and to encourage people in the Lord.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read and watch documentaries on history. Of course traveling to the places I write about is also a great love.
I had a letter just a couple of weeks back where a young woman told me that my book had brought her back to God and “saved her life”. She had been extremely troubled, depressed and overcome by life. She felt alone—that God couldn’t possibly love her because she’d walked away from Him. She read one of my books and God used it to bring her home. Who could ask for more?
6. How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
It’s caused me to dig deeper in the Word – the strive harder to understand what is written there and to live my faith “out-loud”. I have found my walk grow closer and closer and I am passionately and completely, head-over-heels in love with my Savior.
7. Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life?
To continue to know God better, be a good wife, mother and nana to my grandkids. I want to continue to help new authors and to encourage people in the Lord.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to read and watch documentaries on history. Of course traveling to the places I write about is also a great love.
The Icecutter's Daughter (Land of Shining Water #1)
9. What can you tell us about your latest novels?
The Icecutter’s Daughter debuts in February. It’s set in Minnesota in the late 1800’s and deals with ice harvesting. I had a lot of fun researching the areas and studying the art of icecutting. It was a lot of fun. The story has some intrigue and of course romance, with a flavor of German and Swedish culture. The spiritual message deals with not jumping to conclusions and judging situations.
The Icecutter's Daughter:
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?
The Icecutter’s Daughter debuts in February. It’s set in Minnesota in the late 1800’s and deals with ice harvesting. I had a lot of fun researching the areas and studying the art of icecutting. It was a lot of fun. The story has some intrigue and of course romance, with a flavor of German and Swedish culture. The spiritual message deals with not jumping to conclusions and judging situations.
The Icecutter's Daughter:
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?
[Purchase: Amazon.com | Amazon Kindle]
The Quarryman's Bride (Land of Shining Water #2)
10. What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead?
There will be two more Minnesota stories – although they are unrelated to The Icecutter’s Daughter. The Quarryman’s Bride comes out in May and The Miner’s Lady comes out next fall [spring in NZ].
[Preorder: Amazon.com | Amazon Kindle]
11. What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand, and others worldwide?
Thank you for being faithful readers. I love hearing from you so please let me know your thoughts via my website at www.traciepeterson.com
I also pray that God will richly bless you and keep you in His care. He is so faithful and good to us and even though the way often seems difficult, rest in the knowledge that He is there.
12. Do you have any parting words?
Whether you love to read a regular book or an ebook, I just want to encourage you to read. Reading is one of the most amazing skills we have and to let it languish is in my opinion a terrible waste of talents. I hope you will keep in touch, as I’ve mentioned above and let me know how the books are touching your lives.
~Tracie Peterson
There will be two more Minnesota stories – although they are unrelated to The Icecutter’s Daughter. The Quarryman’s Bride comes out in May and The Miner’s Lady comes out next fall [spring in NZ].
[Preorder: Amazon.com | Amazon Kindle]
11. What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand, and others worldwide?
Thank you for being faithful readers. I love hearing from you so please let me know your thoughts via my website at www.traciepeterson.com
I also pray that God will richly bless you and keep you in His care. He is so faithful and good to us and even though the way often seems difficult, rest in the knowledge that He is there.
12. Do you have any parting words?
Whether you love to read a regular book or an ebook, I just want to encourage you to read. Reading is one of the most amazing skills we have and to let it languish is in my opinion a terrible waste of talents. I hope you will keep in touch, as I’ve mentioned above and let me know how the books are touching your lives.
~Tracie Peterson
Buy Tracie's Books at The Book Depository
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