Touching the Sky

GIVEAWAY

PETERSON, TRACIE
TOUCHING THE SKY

Though their first encounter is hardly auspicious, Laura Marquardt soon discovers herself drawn to the dashing Captain Brandon Reid. As an officer over the colored troops, he eagerly supports her desire to educate blacks and seek harmony in a town where the defeat of the South is a bitter reality.

When Laura's sister marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation after overhearing a discussion with frightening consequences. In her heart she feels she should confide in Brandon, but Laura fears to do so may endanger her sister's life. Yet as the stakes continue to rise and Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into doubt, Laura questions where to turn... and wonders if her own dreams of love may be forsaken.

My Review:

This is the perfect book to review on Independence Day! It embodies the valiant spirit of America's pioneers -- men and women who dared to face insurmountable odds with grace and dignity in order to restore the freedom and peace that their founding fathers hoped for.

Touching the Sky takes place in Texas just after the Civil War and I learned a lot from Peterson's exacting research and the talented way she weaves facts within fiction. From the gripping first scene right to the breath-taking conclusion I felt as if I'd slipped back in time. And what a tumultuous time it was! I had no idea how divided Texas had been over the war and what a task it was to mend communities afterwards. Add in the fact that colored troops were brought in to keep the peace -- well -- what an excellent place and time to drop some resourceful characters into!

There's intrigue involving desperate men -- the struggle of ordinary citizens as they try to reclaim the life they knew before the war -- an impatient young woman who rushes headlong into love without a solid foundation -- and then there's Brandon and Laura who wrestle for the future God is leading them towards as unrest swirls around them. This is an epic novel that skillfully reveals the heart of a great nation even as it captures your imagination with the promise of hope.

Giveaway Opportunity:



If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Touching the Sky, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 8 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".