Before the Dawn

 

About the Book

Book: Before the Dawn

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined wife and a blind mining engineer—separated by fear, connected by love, and tested by darkness that threatens to tear them apart.

David Mackenzie was the most capable mining engineer in Colorado until a cave-in left him blind and filled with guilt over the deaths of his workers. Now he fears he’ll never be worthy of love or respect again. When his fiancée returns from nursing her sick aunt, he must find the courage to break their engagement before she wastes her life caring for a broken man.

Karen refuses to give up on the man she loves, but David has built a wall between them that grows higher with each passing day. When he tries to call off their engagement, she forces him into marriage through an unconventional lawsuit. Now she must find a way to break through his bitter shell and prove that her love hasn’t changed—before his fears and pride drive them apart forever and she loses not only the man she loves but also her chance at the family she’s always longed for.

When David’s cousin reveals a deadly secret about the cave-in, Karen and David find themselves trapped underground, forced to work together to survive. In the darkness, they must confront the fears that threaten to destroy them both. But even if they survive, can they find their way back to the love they once shared?

My Review: 

Karen Worth and David Mackenzie are planning on marrying soon, but when Karen returns after an out of town trip, she discovers that there has been a terrible mining accident that leaves David blind. What follows is a difficult time for the couple as they navigate miscommunications and David’s feelings of failure. I admired Karen that she did everything she could to help David adjust to his new normal and never gave up. There is a mystery that involves the mining accident that keeps you wanting to find out what really happened. The faith of Karen and David was evident and I appreciated seeing them lean on God when things got difficult. 

“David, blind or not, is what I want, and I’m willing to fight for him. I’m willing to do whatever I can to assure him of my love.”

This is part of the Brides of the West series, which are novellas. I have enjoyed reading these clean romances and can recommend them to readers of all ages. 

I received a gifted copy from the publisher and Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. 

Click here to get your copy!

 About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

 

 

 

 

More from Erica

My story, Before the Dawn, is set in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. As a girl born and raised in Central Kansas, the first time I visited mountains, I was in awe…and also a little worried. Having grown up in a land where you can watch your dog run away for three straight days, not being able to see very far when in between mountains was a bit claustrophobic.

My children, growing up in SE Minnesota, had a similar experience. We were able to take the kids to Colorado several years ago, which is where I first became interested the history of Colorado Mining.

We took the kids to Idaho Springs, where we toured a mine and ore processing facility from the 1880’s. The Argo Mine was fascinating. When I ask my kids about what they remember, it’s always the panning for gold. My daughter reminded me that I was the first in the family to find any gold in my pan, a few little bright flakes, upon which many an adventurer has wagered his life.

The kids also got to sift through a box of sand and dirt to find colorful stones. As my son was enamored with agates and polished rocks at the time, this was the highlight for him.

When I wrote Before the Dawn, I tried to make the setting a character. The story is so tied to the setting, that if I changed where the story took place, it wouldn’t be the same story at all.

I hope, as you read Before the Dawn, you are drawn into the mountains, that you can feel a bit of the same sense of awe that I felt the first time this prairie girl saw the Rockies.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 5

Sydney Schmied Books, February 5

Books Less Travelled, February 6

She Lives to Read, February 7

Devoted Steps, February 7

Book Looks by Lisa, February 8

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 9

Lyssa Loves Books, February 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 10

lakesidelivingsite, February 11

Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 11

Texas Book-aholic, February 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 13

For Him and My Family, February 13

Bizwings Blog, February 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 15

Blossoms and Blessings, February 15

Cover Lover Book Review, February 16

Holly’s Book Corner, February 17

Devoted To Hope, February 17

Pause for Tales, February 18

Simple Harvest Reads, February 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/QhNDV/before-the-dawn-celebration-tour-giveaway

Even After This

 When you're ready to live again, love often has a way of finding you.

Four years after tragedy, Meredith Harper is tired of hiding in her corner of Texas and living life like a game of dodgeball. She packs up her grief, awkward social graces, and sizable life insurance in search of a vacation and investment property in Colorado Springs. A botched dinner reservation throws her into the path of a bona fide movie star, and Meredith pushes through her comical celebrity neurosis to discover he is charming but a terrible dancer.

A viral video of a daring rescue makes Harlan Holcombe's celebrity star stronger, with millions of his fans deeming him a real-life Hercules. But a minute of heroism doesn't absolve his past mistakes.

As Harlan and Meredith spend more time together, he helps her believe there might be more for her not just in life but in love. And she might be part of the solution to restore the legacy he fears is tarnished. But what happens when the path to redeem his mistakes collides with the path to redeem her loss?

Review: 

“Is it possible that there’s still something left for me in this life?” 

Meredith Harper has endured a tragic accident that no mother or wife should ever have to experience. After four years of grieving, she decides to take a giant step of faith get out from under the dark cloud that has been a part of her life and go to Colorado to see about purchasing property. Ms. Clack did a remarkable job of showing the process of going through grief and finding a new beginning. 

Harlan Holcombe should be a man to avoid since he is a movie star and Meredith becomes an awkward, babbling mess. But Harlan can see past all of that and recognize a woman who could really use a friend. He doesn’t tiptoe around Meredith’s grief, but instead helps her through it. He is there to defend her, to comfort her, and push her to do things she wouldn’t do otherwise. 


Things to love:

humor

Famous People Probation

dancing

he falls first

Skee-Ball tournament

childhood friends

mom stickers

Thanksgiving

Abba ringtones

skiing

overcoming fear

I highly recommend reading this book. You are sure to love the humor that is threaded throughout the story along with seeing love in action. This is the first book in the Shelter and Sky series, and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the books. 

Thank you to Haven Fiction and UpLit Reads for a gifted copy. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. 

Marrying the Matchmaker

 

As the middle child of the Shanahan family, Zaira does her best to keep the peace. She doesn't share her dream of becoming a published author with her family to spare herself their disapproval. When she's caught in a scandal involving the local matchmaker, Bellamy McKenna, she must put her storytelling ability to good use and feign a match with him to avoid wagging tongues and her parents' anger.

Feeling the growing pressure to marry as a well-known, yet single matchmaker to St. Louis's Irish community, Bellamy reluctantly agrees to a temporary match with Zaira. But even though the matchmakers in his family might be able to find love for others, they have a history of disastrous relationships for themselves. When secrets and danger force Zaira and Bellamy to work together, is it finally the matchmaker's turn to be lucky in love?

Hedlund delivers another captivating romance with sizzling chemistry in this romantic conclusion to her beloved matchmaking series.

Review: 

Bold and impetuous Zaira Shanahan finds herself in a difficult situation with the up-and-coming matchmaker Bellamy McKenna. Her laser focus of wanting first-hand experience for a romance scene that she is writing had me shaking my head and thinking, “This is going to get messy!”. Bellamy is a complex man; while he has an uncanny ability to find matches for people, he is reticent to further his attraction and relationship with Zaira. This is mostly due to his fears as he states, “The matchmakers have advice on relationships for everyone else, but they can never make the advice work for themselves.”

Things to love:
humor
secret careers
fake engagement
close family
orphans
Irish superstitions
claddagh ring
art gallery

I was so happy to see Bellamy get his own HEA. He has been my favorite character throughout the series, and I have been eagerly awaiting his story. It was even better than had imagined with great character development and the message of truthfulness, and trust over fear.

Sadly, this is the fourth and final book in the series, A Shanahan Match Book. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Shanahans and the matches that Bellamy made for this tight knit family.

Thank you for my gifted copy from Bethany House Fiction and Great Reads Book Promotion. I was not required to write a positive review.

An Appearance of Impropriety

As the youngest female judge in LA, Mahalia Jackson has her career goals carefully aligned. But when her mentor tells her she needs to break her shell of professionalism and show a little heart by volunteering for the Junior Jurors program, her plans begin to falter.

Attorney JD Cash heads up the Junior Jurors program, a project born out of his own troubled past. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God's calling on his life, supporting the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved husbands and fathers to TransNation's eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America's freeways.

Mahalia's rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow's attorney. But when an earthquake leaves JD and Mahalia in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver and she finds herself opening up to the sad-eyed lawyer. But online, anonymous colleagues and adversaries attempt to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career.

A legal drama threaded with romance, An Appearance of Impropriety will show readers that real love is worth the risk.

My Review: 

I haven’t read many courtroom dramas, but I enjoyed the cases that were presented. Not only is there the lawyer, James Dean Cash, but there is also a rising in ranks judge, Mahalia Jackson. First impressions and appearances are challenged as Mahalia sees an advertising billboard of Mr. Cash before meeting him and categorizes him as an ambulance-chasing lawyer. Nothing could be further from the truth. As Mahalia is “voluntold” to assist with Cash’s Junior Jurors program, she sees that he is a compassionate man who feels called to help widows and orphans, and at-risk teens.  

Mahalia knows that she has to prove herself to be capable and competent in order to advance in her career. She has built up walls and finds it difficult to let others in. I loved seeing James stand with her in difficult times. He let her be vulnerable with no judgement. He shared his past with her so she could be comfortable and realize that he had come through awful things but did well with God’s help. 

Things to enjoy: 

elevator incident

Mahalia’s clothes

junior jurors

military vet

faith thread

I received a copy of the book through Let’s Launch. I was no obligated to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Smoke and Ash

 If you saw Cody Buckner on a horse, you’d understand my obsession with him.

I’ve spent most of my life pretending I don’t have a thing for the rancher next door.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My best friend’s brother.
And now—because fate clearly hates me—he’s the firefighter I have to work alongside as Waterford’s newest fire inspector.

Cody Buckner is steady where I’m stubborn, calm where I’m chaos, and way too good at showing up when I’m trying to keep my distance. Especially now, with my family ranch hanging by a thread.

Around here, everyone's got a front-row seat to everyone else’s business, and gossip travels faster than a brush fire. One look, one slip, and the whole town would know exactly how I feel about Cody.

But every time those brown eyes find mine, my whole list of reasons why we can’t be together just ... goes up in smoke.

Review: 

Carli and Cody have known each other all of their lives. When their feelings towards each other begin to change, their life relationship gets complicated, and so do their lives. Smoke and Ash has all the things I love about Hallmark Movies: small town, involved extended families, good friends, and of course, romance. Ms. Scott has written a story that you are sure to love with things such as:

childhood friends

rancher neighbors

nicknames

barn kiss

forbidden romance

horse rides

secret meetings

barn dance

day-long dates

ranch wedding

This is the third book in the Firemen of Waterford TN series, but it can be read as a standalone. There are other characters from previous books, but they do not interfere with the plot. This is a kisses-only romcom. 

I received a copy of the book, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Lilacs for Lucy

Lucy Hargrave spent years being rejected by medical schools, her dream of becoming a doctor denied at every turn. Returning home in 1856 as a trained midwife, she expects a place where her skill will finally be valued—and a chance to leave the past behind.

But William Ashford, a newly minted doctor and the childhood friend who once laughed at her ambition, has returned too.

When Farmer Jones’ pregnant daughter falls ill, treatment becomes a competition. The whole town watches to see who will handle the case best.

For Lucy, it’s a chance to prove her skill and secure her place. For William, it’s an opportunity to make amends—and perhaps win back the woman he never stopped thinking of.

Old wounds, anonymous letters, and one perilous birth force them to choose: will rivalry keep them apart, or can forgiveness take root—like lilacs after a hard winter?

Review:

William and Lucy were the best of friends while they were growing up, but one foolish comment and a misunderstanding at a ball puts William in Lucy’s despised category. While William knew he had blundered, I don’t think he realized how badly he had hurt Lucy until he returns home years later with the intent of wooing her. He has quite a bit to make up for, but William is determined to be humble and ask for forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its characters and message to not give up on your dreams. 

Things to love: 

second chances

Granny! 

midwifery

letters

symbolism

Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end.She shares some things that happened to influence the writing of this story. Additionally, she includes some historical information that was used throughout the novella. 

This is part of the Victorian Valentine’s series, but it can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this clean, faith-filled romance for readers young and mature alike.

I received a copy of the book but was not obligated to write a positive review.

When I'm With You

 

She had her life mapped out perfectly—until love rewrote every plan.

Elizabeth Dorsey doesn't do detours. Fresh from MIT with honors and her sights set on Wharton's MBA program, she's got her next twenty years planned down to the minute. A quick summer stint at the family furniture business in sleepy Hearts Bend, Tennessee? Just a pit stop before conquering the Fortune 100.

But some destinations are worth changing course for.

Enter Ryder Donovan—the wildlife officer who once filled her teenage summers with friendship and innocent longing. Now he's all grown up, devastatingly handsome, and stirring feelings that threaten to derail everything Elizabeth thought she wanted. When a mysterious fire brings them together and false accusations tear them apart, Elizabeth must choose between the future she's always planned and the love she never saw coming.

In Hearts Bend, Tennessee, some fires burn hotter than others...

As Elizabeth uncovers fraud that could destroy Ryder's career, their chemistry ignites into something neither can ignore. But with her acceptance to Wharton finally in hand and Ryder facing a job offer in Colorado, can two people heading in opposite directions find their way to the same future?

Sometimes the biggest risk isn't following your dreams—it's having the courage to change them.

Review: 

Elizabeth is a driven young lady who wants to prove that she is capable of doing whatever she sets her mind to doing. After being sick for two years, she sees Hearts Bend where her extended family lives as a slight detour to her plans to attend grad school. But, what if the plan that she has isn’t what God had planned for her? Trusting that He has something even better takes a whole lot of faith when you can’t see your next step.

Things to enjoy:

childhood friends

small town

4th of July activities

mystery

family

pizza not-a-date

fire watch tower

MMC hero

All of us can relate to Beth when change occurs. Moving forward into the unknown can be scary, but when WMA Officer Ryder Donovan steps back into Beth’s life, she has a sounding board and friend to help her with her next steps. I love the friends to more trope, and this was well written with just the pacing. 

I recommend reading this book for its clean romance, a wonderful family, and its faith message. This is the first book in the Home to Hearts Bend series. 

I received a copy of the book through JustRead Tours, but  I was not obligated to write a positive review.