Red River of the North by Lauraine Snelling

I just finished reading Lauraine Snelling’s Red River of the North series.

The six books follow the Bjorklunds, a Norwegian family who decide to make a new life in America.

Brothers Roald and Carl Bjorklund, along with their wives and children, are the first to leave their homeland for this new country. Together, they struggle to build their dreams in what will eventually become North Dakota.

After both brothers die during the winter months, wives Ingeborg and Kaaren struggle to keep the homestead alive and thriving.

Each following book continues the stories of Ingeborg and Kaaren as well as other Bjorklunds who continue their trek to America.

If you enjoyed Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series, I think you will enjoy the Red River of the North books. They aren’t really the same - I think Lauraine's books are a bit more serious, or show more of the reality and harshness of homesteading - but both are very similar in the prairie and community life aspect.

As I began book 5, the story began slowing for me. I found myself anxious to begin another book, but wanted to finish the whole series. I plodded through the rest of book 5 and picked up book 6, expecting to skim/rush through it so I could start the next book waiting on my shelf.

Well, I DID rush through book 6, but not because I was anxious to be done with the series. Book 6, Blessing in Disguise was the best of all the books! I LOVED it!

One of the few remaining Bjorklunds in Norway, Augusta reluctantly agrees to come to America to help in her mother’s boardinghouse. Not believing the importance of learning English before she leaves, Augusta is confused and bewildered at her long trip west.

Because of the language barrier, Augusta gets on the wrong train and ends up miles from where her family is expecting her. Instead, Augusta lands right into the arms of a young rancher, Kane, waiting at the station for his Norwegian mail-order bride.

Kane doesn’t understand Norwegian…Augusta doesn’t understand English. What a mess. ;-) It was great!

Although I'd read book 6 all by itself again, the entire series was very enjoyable. A bit more of a deeper read I thought than Janette Oke’s books, but enjoyable just the same.

I am always amazed at stories of those who worked so hard to build their dreams in America. I don’t think too many today have that kind of work ethic and determination. I find weeding my garden a terribly difficult task!

Lauraine Snelling also wrote three more books, Return to Red River, which I would like to read. I have already read the “Daughters of Blessing” series, which focuses on several of the children from Red River of the North.

(As a side note): I am very excited that I have been recently accepted into another reviewer group. Even more exciting, one of the first books I'll be reviewing for them (in October) is Lauraine's newest book, A Measure of Mercy. At the end of this post, I didn't know I'd get to finally read more about Astrid!

By Bethany House.

Recommend: YES




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Tags: Lauraine Snelling Red River of the North Christian fiction Bethany House book reviews Bjorklund Norwegian immigrants

Daughters of Blessing by Lauraine Snelling

These four books by Lauraine Snelling revisit the town of Blessing, North Dakota where her series, Red River of the North, also takes place. The Daughters of Blessing series tells the stories of the next generation of the Bjorklund family and friends.

I don’t believe you have to read the Red River of the North series first… I didn’t (although, I’m planning to…and, I’m sure it would clarify the history of some of the family members).


Book 1, A Promise for Ellie, focuses on the love life of Ellie Wold and Andrew Bjorklund. Andrew’s father requests, without explanation, that the young couple wait a few months longer to marry than originally planned.

Frustrated with the restriction and everyone around him, Andrew must learn to work through his anger during the waiting period, which brings about its own set of troubles.


In Sophie’s Dilemma, Sophie convinces Hamre Bjorklund to ignore her father’s decision and elope.

Sophie’s rebellion causes heartache to her family and especially herself, when she realizes life with an absent fisherman husband was not what she’d romantically imagined.

When her situation becomes such that she feels she has no choice but return to Blessing, Sophie is unsure of her welcome or how her heart could ever heal.


Grace Knutson’s story is told in book 3 of Daughters of Blessing. Grace, born deaf, is the polar opposite of her twin sister, Sophie. Quiet and steady, Grace loves her home and family and has no desire to ever leave.

Fearing rumors of his son’s lifestyle, wealthy New Yorker, Mr. Gould, sends Jonathan to Blessing for a summer of farm labor. Surprisingly, Jonathan enjoys the hard work and the feeling of community.

But Jonathan wonders if farming is truly what he loves…or is it just the nearness of Grace? What would his father say if he chose farming over his father's plans for his future? And dear, sweet Grace? Would she ever meet the standards of his affluent family, especially his mother’s?


In the final book, Rebecca’s Reward, young Rebecca is dreaming of love…with no available prospects. Two overly protective brothers aren’t helping matters, either.

Jumping at the chance to visit her cousin in Bismarck, Rebecca is soon second guessing many of her hopes and dreams. Will she ever find love and true happiness?

I enjoyed these books. They weren’t in the can’t-put-down department, but they were nice, pleasant stories. I thought that book 3, A Touch of Grace, was the most enjoyable.

I am looking forward to reading the six books in Lauraine’s Red River of the North series to learn more about Ingeborg’s life.

I am also glad to see that Lauraine has written another book, this time about Astrid!! I kept hoping through all 4 books that more would be said about her! A Measure of Mercy will be released at the end of September.

Published by Bethany House.

Recommend: YES




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Tags: Lauraine Snelling Daughters of Blessing Christian fiction Bethany House book reviews A Promise for Ellie Sophie's Dilemma A Touch of Grace Rebecca's Reward Blessing, ND Red River of the North