About the Book
Author: Tracie Peterson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: November 7, 2023
Could a captivating art exhibit hold the key to truth—and love?
Budding artist May Parker is captivated by the Japanese exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and longs to know more about her mother’s heritage—which her mother refuses to speak of because of the heartache she left behind in Japan. Wanting to experience more of the exhibits, May works as a Camera Girl–but her curiosity leads her into danger when a suit of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.
After ten years apart, May is reunited with her childhood friend Lee Munro, a police detective assigned to keep a watchful eye on the exposition. Their friendship immediately begins to blossom with hints of something more, but when they become entangled in a dangerous heist involving the samurai armor and their love is threatened, can they overcome the odds against them?
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Review
I know I am a broken record, but I love discovering new authors on Booksta. I hadn’t read the previous books, but I was drawn to the story by the description and the cover and I am a big fan of historical fiction.The author tells a great story and hard subject matters are handled well. I loved Lee and how he was there for May. And their reunion all those years later grew into a lovely romance. Even though Lee’s parents didn’t approve. Along with the romance, I enjoyed the touch of suspense that was brought to the story.
I enjoyed learning about the Japanese culture as I read and appreciate the different themes of friendship, hope and kindness. It is a great story.
I received a Netgalley copy from the publisher for tour purposes. All views and opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 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. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
More from Tracie
Knowing You is book three in the Pictures of the Heart series. This series has proven to be a lot of fun for readers, as well as for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the research and chance to share this tidbit of history.
In the summer of 1909, Seattle was finally able to debut The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition – often affectionately called the AYP. The AYP was set up with amusement park rides, vendors, concerts, and all things typical of a fair. It was also designed to showcase various details about life in Alaska, the Yukon, and a variety of Pacific Islands. The latter included Hawaii, the Philippines, and Japan as well as others. When I started looking into the various displays, I came across the building they put together for the Japan Building. They spoke of the various displays that the building held and how photographs and other pieces of memorabilia told of Japan’s history. It was a fascinating set up and I couldn’t help but think it might be fun to have a heroine who was part Japanese.
I mapped out the story studying various aspects of Japanese history, talking to folks who knew more than I did on the topic and reading (a lot) on things like the Samurai and their armor, the Satsuma Rebellion, and the language and Kanji. I learned so much and tried to weave some of the most interesting bits into the storyline. I kept thinking about the fact that most people in the United States in 1909 probably didn’t even know where Japan was, much less anything about their history. There was, after all, no Internet.
Another fascinating thing about the AYP was the fact that it was set on the campus of the University of Washington. The AYP groomed the grounds and put in beautiful fountains and over 50,000 flowering plants. They built several permanent buildings for the University of Washington and strictly adhered to their policy of no-liquor on campus. This was unusual because all the other fairs and expositions had allowed alcohol. Nevertheless, from June until October the fair saw nearly four million visitors, and from all reports, they had an amazing time.
I hope you’ll enjoy your journey with me to the AYP!
Tracie Peterson
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Giveaway
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