Italian families are close and the Panetta family is no exception. Having just returned to her home in the mining town of Ely, Minnesota after being in sunny Italy for a year, Chantel is catching up on all the news that her seventeen year old sister is telling her. Isabella is as lovely as her name and Chantel can easily believe her younger sister is ready for marriage.... She just cannot believe Isabella wants to marry Orlando Calarco!

The Calarco family had been feuding with their family for what seemed like generations over some fight involving a mule. While the real origins of the story had been long forgotten by most people, the heated anger over incidents large and small had festered over time and the animosity between blistered with fresh hatred in each subsequent generation. Chantel could barely believe what her sister was saying about how their love was going to end the feud and would Chantel be a lookout while Isabella sneaks some time with her beloved Orlando!

Meanwhile, Dante, Orlando's older brother is doing everything in his power to stop Orlando. He knows their father will never forgive him is he is seen with a Panetta girl. It is bad enough they have to work in the mine near each other. He knows how bad his father's temper can be!

For her part, Chantel feels the bitter cold of the Minnesota winds as they sweep over the mining town, but she feels colder when she thinks about what their parents will say when they find out about Isabella's plans. Oh, to be back in sunny Italy! But, when Dante starts to interfere, her blood warms to the occasion as she tells how foolish this feud really is. After all, if God's Word makes it clear that they aren't to bear grudges, why are they fighting?

But as dangerous things start happening, Chantel and her family realize they need to end this feud before it is too late. But what could she do? Can she stop Dante from interfering with her sister's plans? Will Orlando's father ever change his mind? Can love really break the curse of hatred between the families?

THE MINER'S LADY is the third book in best-selling inspirational author Tracie Peterson's Land of Shining Water Series. This is an interesting series as the stories are set in the same region; however, they are all stand-alone novels with a strong Christian theme. With over 95 historical and contemporary books to her credit, Peterson is well known for her strong research skills that really help to set a sense of time and place to the story. Her characters are diverse, yet are all very authentic in their actions and motivations. I particularly liked how the Chantel's mother and Dante's grandmother conveyed their wisdom to others by their hospitality, the food they lovingly prepared and their joy in female friendship and family life. Intertwined in the love story is the harsh reality of mining life and the crudeness of northern male dominated towns, even as Ely undergoes the civilizing effects of becoming incorporated as a city.

As in the previous books in the series, biblical scriptures and references are sprinkled liberally throughout THE MINER'S LADY; yet, they flow naturally in the dialogue as per how people would talk in the late 1890s. Peterson fans, new and existing, are sure to enjoy THE MINER'S LADY. So, find out if it is true that love can turn away wrath!

Book Summary

When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Vittorio, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Vittorios have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one. Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?