Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska

I sat in a lovely condo during a writing retreat in early 2012 with my dear friend, Ocieanna Fleiss, as she penned some of the letters of this novel. Her job was to write the historical story that Tricia and she would later weave into a modern-day woman’s love story. So, much more recently, I was thrilled to get to read the finished book and be part of the authors’ launch team. Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska releases today, January 1, 2013!

Let's begin with the summary:

Singer Ginny Marshall is one signature away from the recording contract of her dreams—a deal that would guarantee success for the former foster child, who still struggles to bury the memories of her painful childhood. But Ginny needs advice from the one person who will look out for her best interests—her former fiancé, Brett Miller. She travels to the remote town of Glacier Bay, Alaska, where the town’s colorful characters and stunning scenery provide respite from LA’s pressures.

In Glacier Bay, Ginny discovers a box of old letters and is swept up in the love story between Clay, an early missionary to Alaska Territory, and Ellie, the woman who traveled there to be his children’s governess. When Ginny is reunited with Brett in Glacier Bay, will she discover—as Ellie did—that healing and love are sometimes found in the most unexpected places?

And now, for some pix: 

Here are the authors:

Ocieanna Fleiss and Tricia Goyer

This story is set in a gorgeous locale! Below are two photographs the authors took during their research trip. Beautiful, huh? They had fun conversations with the locals and even sightings of bears, seals, whales, and eagles. 

One of the creative things their launch team members did was to pair up quotes from the book with photos of the setting to create some great pictures/cards. See below:

Mountain and water view in Glacier Bay, Alaska

Aerial view near Glacier Bay, Alaska

A quote from the historical letters of the story

A line from the hero's perspective in the modern-day tale

A quote about how Glacier Bay affects visitors

Ginny's question

And now, my review:

This was a well-woven story—actually, two stories in one novel. The letters fit seamlessly with the modern-day tale—drawing us along to learn more about the setting and the early settlers, as well as Ellie’s romance. The letters often echoed Ginny’s journey. And between the two stories, we had plenty of adventure. I was looking for more romance in the earlier portion of the story, but since we were building two of them, we had to wait a little while longer for the romances to develop. Once they did, though, we had two to enjoy. 

I liked the partnership of the authors on this book. The story wouldn't have had the depth it had without the letters. And by including the contemporary story, lovers of historicals and modern-day tales are satisfied. This is the third novel these writers have co-authored, and it's my favorite so far. 

I loved, loved, loved the setting. Reminded me so much of Washington State. Between the pictures the authors have shared (online and in the book itself) and the story, I felt like a visitor in Alaska.

The modern-day character, Ginny, dealt with abandonment issues and I felt these were handled very believably. I liked Ellie’s journey, her courage. I liked the story within a story. Some of Ellie’s tales were pretty funny. Ocieanna always includes such varied characters—like Linc, the inventor. I liked that the letter writers (the characters) all had their own voice. Really well done.

This novel delivers on giving readers a sense of setting and a feel for the history of a beautiful, unusual place. Readers of Summerside’s Love Finds You line will not be disappointed. Great book!

(print version)