Intersection Column | The Truth Matters

by Tracie Peterson

A Life So True is book two in the three-book generational series titled A Minnesota Legacy. Set in Minneapolis, in 1893, the story is a faith-based historical romance that offers hope and encouragement to the reader. It also reveals the importance of being truthful.

This is the story of Evie Turner, daughter of Dr. Roman and Judith Turner. All her life she’s wanted to train as a nurse and work at her father’s side to help the poor and underprivileged of Minneapolis. But to her horror, nursing duties make her physically ill. Upon her return from nursing school, Evie isn’t sure what to do. Her father expects her to start working with him at the new hospital he has built, but Evie knows she’s not the woman for the job.

Maxwell Garrison is the son of a wealthy tycoon, but 1893 is a difficult year for the economy. When Max overhears comments by his father’s friends, suggesting they burn down their sawmills and collect on the insurance, he is enraged. Later when fire breaks out on Nicollet Island, Max is sure his father and friends are responsible, but where does the truth lie?

The real-life event of the Nicollet Island fire in 1893 caused a great deal of damage and the loss of homes for fifteen hundred people. The strange way the fire spread to Boom Island—home to several sawmills—left many with questions about how the fire actually started. The final report proclaimed that embers from the Nicollet Island fire started the fire on Boom Island, but many doubted this was the truth.

In A Life So True, I wanted to explore the importance of honesty and dealing with uncomfortable truths. Evie can’t bear the idea of disappointing her father and mother. She feels she will be letting everyone down if she declares her true feelings. Meanwhile, Max struggles with questions as to whether he can believe his father regarding the fire. He knows what he overheard being discussed. Should he say something to someone?

I know many who struggle with similar conflicts when the truth is unpopular or they perceive it will disappoint the people they care about. As Christians, we know Jesus is the truth so desperately needed by the world, and hopefully I’ve managed to weave that throughout the story. As Evie and Max uncover the truth, they also come to find their love for each other. A love that cannot move forward until they deal with their dark deceptions.

I hope my readers will enjoy the continued adventures of the Turner family.

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About the Author

Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian fiction,” Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than six million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Her motto in writing, as well as all other aspects of life is Soli Deo Gloria—For God Alone the Glory. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Learn more about her at TraciePeterson.com.

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About the Book

At Evelyn Turner’s family fund raiser, Maxwell Garrison is horrified when he overhears his father and other mill owners plotting to commit arson and insurance fraud. When Evie and Max meet at the same fund raiser, a connection sparks between them. As their interests in each other grow, they confide their secrets and agree to guard each other's trust. Then a suspicious and devastating fire sets Minneapolis ablaze, and Max and Evie fear the worst. Even amid the ashes of deception, can they build a life together?

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Did You Know?

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us,” wrote A.W. Tozer, author of the classic The Knowledge of the Holy. This quote carries life-changing truth. Here’s why: Our thoughts shape our beliefs. Beliefs influence behaviors. Our behaviors determine our destiny. For instance, when we experience hardship, we might think God is unfair. Soon we believe He doesn’t love us. We withdraw from Him, and our faith grows faint-hearted.

Thinking on, and living from, the truth about God changes everything. Tuck these gems about God, as revealed through His Hebrew names, into your mind so you can draw strength from them when facing challenges.

• Yahweh Ropheka – “the LORD Your Healer”

  God restores our brokenness on every level when we acknowledge our need for Him. He is “close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18 NLT).

• El Emunah – “Faithful God”

  God is loyal and trustworthy by nature. He is a strong pillar on whom we can rely; therefore, we needn’t fear troubles. We can view them as opportunities to experience His faithfulness in deep and meaningful ways.

• Ruach Elohim – “Spirit of God”

  God sent His Spirit to help us. He is with us 24/7 to teach, guide, comfort, and pray for us. We never face hardships alone.

Accurate thoughts about God are vital to dealing with difficulties in a healthy and victorious way. They ultimately determine our destiny, so let’s ensure they’re based on truth.

-Grace Fox, Names of God: Growing Strong