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?

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.

My Impressions

“You are so swamped with fear, you aren’t just blind. You’re emotionally paralyzed.”– Rex

I love Christian fiction marriage of convenience stories. Before the Dawn is an older story of Erica Vetsch’s, set in Colorado in the 1880s. Karen Worth, the young, beautiful fiancée of David MacKenzie returns to her fiancé’s home to an unpleasant surprise. David, a mine engineer, is caught in a deadly explosion. It robs him of his sight and also of his life’s purpose and faith. When his personality and treatment of his family and Karen become unbearable, they take matters into their own hands.

I am proud of the MacKenzie family for their refusal to allow David to sulk his days away in self-pity and hatred. Many measures they put into place are very helpful, if hard for David. But, the final solution may be the death of David and Karen’s forced relationship! 

I could easily relate to either main character, David or Karen. David, with his frustrations, feels like life has stopped and left him at the station. Karen now has full responsibility for David’s care and emotional well-being. I am amazed at Karen’s resourcefulness in her husband’s behalf. I love that she employs Rex to teach her husband. I wanted to thrash David more than once for being such a heel and refusing to try to relearn how to live. 

With a few prominent, ringing Scriptures that David and Karen hear at a school presentation, Truth nuggets begin to work their way into the couple’s life- slowly. Of course, there is a great twist just when things begin to improve in the marriage. 

My fave secondary character is a tie between two different men. The first is Rex, who is a teacher at the school for the blind in town. He is an amazingly patient, understanding, and yet prodding teacher. The other is Buckley, the family butler. He never seems to pity David, but somehow is a very supportive friend. 

I loved the mystery and action that are a part of this marriage of convenience story. I look forward to reading the next book. 

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own. 

Notable Quotables:

“Prayer was the only thing that kept despair at bay.”

“He wanted to pray, to ask for guidance, but he was afraid. Afraid God wouldn’t hear him. Even more afraid the answer would be no.”

“We never realize what we have until it is gone.” – David

“As for losing my independence, isn’t that what God wants most for us as His children? God doesn’t want us to be independent. He wants us to be totally dependent on Him. Without Him, even men with perfect vision are blind.” –  Rex

My Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great! Especially recommended for readers who love learning about mines in the Old West, marriages of convenience, and dealing with pride and blindness.

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