Tradition VS Love: The Quarryman's Bride by Tracie Peterson

About The Quarryman's Bride:

Emmalyne Knox and Tavin MacLachlan were destined to be together . . . until the tragic deaths of Emmalyne's youngest sisters. Family tradition mandates that the youngest daughter should remain single to care for her parents in their old age, and now that daughter is Emmalyne. Her father unyielding, Emmalyne surrenders to her duty, heartbroken. Tavin leaves town, equally devastated.

Years later, Emmalyne's family moves, and she and Tavin meet again. Their feelings for each other are as strong as ever, but their painful past and Emmalyne's father still stand between them. Soon both families are in the midst of the growing conflict rising between the workers at the granite quarry that Tavin's father owns and operates. When a series of near-fatal accidents occur, Tavin must figure out who is behind the attacks before someone gets killed.

Bound by obligation, yet yearning for a future together, can Emmalyne and Tavin dare to dream that God could heal a decade-long wound and change the hearts of those who would stand in the way of true love?

My Take on the The Quarryman's Bride:

The Quarryman's Bride is set in the late 1800s during a time of hardship and adventure.  When one job fails or falls through, families set out to find some way of providing for and taking care of their families both immediate and extended.  When the Knox family is struck by disaster and loss, Emmalyne's stubborn and proud Scottish father decides to move his family away from their current home and the place that holds painful memories.  In doing this, he forces Emmalyne to leave her true love and fiancĂ©, Tavin MacLachlan.  Luthias Knox holds Emmalyne to the age-old tradition that the last daughter will stay and take care of the parents in their old age, forgoing marriage and a life of their own. 

This story really tore at me.  I love a good romance... a happily ever after, but I also understand being loyal to family and honoring "your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you." (Ex 20:12)  Luthias is such a proud and stubborn father... holding on to too much pain from his past. Rowena, Emmalyne's mom, is in such a state of loss that she cannot come to her daughter's aid in convincing Luthias to let them marry and so Tavin and Emmalyne are torn apart by tradition and a Scotsman's stubbornness and pride. Emmalyne and Luthias both learn many lessons in the years to come and they learn to forgive and love again. 

Tracie did a great job exploring not only what it means to honor your parents, but also how things could have gone on with honoring the tradition and parents and growing in love.  The Quarryman's Bride is a story of love, hope and honor.  There are a lot of sad parts... so keep the Kleenex handy, but there will be tears of joy as well. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more in the series.



About the author: Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories, as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana, and Alaskan Quest series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. 

Visit Tracie's website: www.traciepeterson.com





DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group and the author in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. 

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