Summer of the Midnight Sun
Tracie Peterson
Bethany House, Mar 2006, 12.99, 384 pp.
ISBN: 0764227734

In 1915 in Last Chance Creek of the Alaska Territory, Leah Barringer anxiously waits for the return of her beloved brother, Jacob, who left two months ago by dogsled to get needed supplies from Nome. While waiting for Jacob's expected arrival, Leah reflects back to when she lived with her guardians in Ketchikan and told her brother's friend Jayce Kincaid that she loved him, but he not so delicately reminded her she was not even of legal majority age, and he saw her as Jacob's kid sister.

Jacob returns accompanied by Jayce who has changed since his cold rebuff of Leah's opening of her heart to him. He has found the Lord and plans to make up what he did to Leah, who he realized after he rejected her that he wanted her. Leah fears being burned again by him.

The two male friends discuss an Arctic expedition which frightens Leah who loves both of them. Pinkerton's Helaina Beecham arrives from DC to bring Jayce to justice for killing two agents and robbing a bank. He insists he is innocent, yet he hides the entire truth from his friends, the law and his beloved Leah. In spite of witnesses affirming his innocence, Leah wonders if his expedition is a farce to escape law enforcement from the Lower Forty-Eight.

The first Alaskan Quest tale is a terrific historical thriller that provides an appreciative audience with a powerful look back to life in the Alaska Territory. Little things like the transportation to get there provide an incredible glimpse at the era. Mystery, romance and inspirational elements interweave within a vivid picturesque character driven early twentieth century tale, that will have new readers seeking Tracie Peterson's back list like the Heirs of Montana series.