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Red River of the North #0
An Untamed Heart
The Long-Awaited Prequel to the Red River Of The North Series
Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.
Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?
It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.
Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...
Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.
Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?
It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.
Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...
350 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2013
453 people are currently reading
1949 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,037 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
August 6, 2016
I’ve really liked other works by this author and I wanted to like this book because the cover is absolutely stunning.
Unfortunately, my expectations really fell short. I've actually put off writing this review because I was hoping that maybe I would come to view it differently.
I’m kind of disappointed in how this one worked out. I just wasn’t expecting to dislike this book so much and I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series.
The everyday chores and tasks took up so much of the book that I was bored and exhausted just reading it.
I found myself skimming entire chapters simply because I didn’t care who washed the dishes or cooked the food or sheared the sheep at that point.
Then her terrible luck with romance? Sheesh! She went from having no man to being madly in love to having no man to having another man! Oi! I just wasn’t impressed.
Ingeborg is on her family’s seter with her relatives doing a god awful amount of chores—I’ve yet to figure out why all the children are up there doing all of this alone as it wasn’t explained.
Anyway, she happens to meet a handsome and injured traveler during her time there and falls hopelessly in love with him although with all the chores she was doing I really have no idea how there was time! It seems they went from no romance to talking marriage.
Then, after a billion more chores her family returns home and she gets word that her injured traveler has even more misfortune and dies. At this point there was already such a lack of romance that I was groaning but nevertheless the story continues!
Ingborg at that point agrees to marry a widower so that she can be a mother to his son and that’s pretty much the end of the story!
I wish I sounded more optimistic and had more to say but with the lack of a true romance and the fact this book could have been used as a handbook on how to do farm chores, combined with all the phrases and words that I couldn’t even read (and the lack of a glossary of terms) this book just wasn’t a hit for me.
I will read other works by this author but I just don’t think I’ll even worry with this rest of this particular series!
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Unfortunately, my expectations really fell short. I've actually put off writing this review because I was hoping that maybe I would come to view it differently.
I’m kind of disappointed in how this one worked out. I just wasn’t expecting to dislike this book so much and I don’t think I’ll read the rest of the series.
The everyday chores and tasks took up so much of the book that I was bored and exhausted just reading it.
I found myself skimming entire chapters simply because I didn’t care who washed the dishes or cooked the food or sheared the sheep at that point.
Then her terrible luck with romance? Sheesh! She went from having no man to being madly in love to having no man to having another man! Oi! I just wasn’t impressed.
Ingeborg is on her family’s seter with her relatives doing a god awful amount of chores—I’ve yet to figure out why all the children are up there doing all of this alone as it wasn’t explained.
Anyway, she happens to meet a handsome and injured traveler during her time there and falls hopelessly in love with him although with all the chores she was doing I really have no idea how there was time! It seems they went from no romance to talking marriage.
Then, after a billion more chores her family returns home and she gets word that her injured traveler has even more misfortune and dies. At this point there was already such a lack of romance that I was groaning but nevertheless the story continues!
Ingborg at that point agrees to marry a widower so that she can be a mother to his son and that’s pretty much the end of the story!
I wish I sounded more optimistic and had more to say but with the lack of a true romance and the fact this book could have been used as a handbook on how to do farm chores, combined with all the phrases and words that I couldn’t even read (and the lack of a glossary of terms) this book just wasn’t a hit for me.
I will read other works by this author but I just don’t think I’ll even worry with this rest of this particular series!
View all my reviews|Read an Excerpt
I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
October 17, 2013
An Untamed Heart by Lauraine Snelling
This book was a prequel to the Red River of the North series that I had read before and knew I wanted to learn more about the character of Ingeborg Strand....Lauraine took me back with ease and I loved getting to know the young girl before she came to America.
If you love reading about strong families you are going to love this story. I loved the way the whole family loved and helped one another esp when they went to the high mountains in the summers and worked there. Most were just young kids but they had awesome responsiblilities and they did not shirk their chores, each knew what they were to do and if they didn't, they learned from older ones.
Ingeborg loved the mountains and the outdoors more then anything and when she came up to the mountains she excelled. It was here that she met Nils, a young man that had been trapped after a bad fall and she and her family rescued him and nursed him back to health. He had been a little spoiled by his family when he had came to the area but grew up a lot after seeing all that the family did. He fell in Love with Ingeborg and they were to see one another again when he returned home to his family.
I won't tell you all there is between Nils and Ingeborg you will see for yourself as you read this story and if you are like me you will cry before the story is finished.
I am sure I will go back one day and re-read some of the early books of when Ingeborg came to America.
I was given this book by Bethany Publishing to read and review and thank you so much for the opportunity to do so.
This book was a prequel to the Red River of the North series that I had read before and knew I wanted to learn more about the character of Ingeborg Strand....Lauraine took me back with ease and I loved getting to know the young girl before she came to America.
If you love reading about strong families you are going to love this story. I loved the way the whole family loved and helped one another esp when they went to the high mountains in the summers and worked there. Most were just young kids but they had awesome responsiblilities and they did not shirk their chores, each knew what they were to do and if they didn't, they learned from older ones.
Ingeborg loved the mountains and the outdoors more then anything and when she came up to the mountains she excelled. It was here that she met Nils, a young man that had been trapped after a bad fall and she and her family rescued him and nursed him back to health. He had been a little spoiled by his family when he had came to the area but grew up a lot after seeing all that the family did. He fell in Love with Ingeborg and they were to see one another again when he returned home to his family.
I won't tell you all there is between Nils and Ingeborg you will see for yourself as you read this story and if you are like me you will cry before the story is finished.
I am sure I will go back one day and re-read some of the early books of when Ingeborg came to America.
I was given this book by Bethany Publishing to read and review and thank you so much for the opportunity to do so.
April 24, 2018
I loved this prequel to the Red River of the North series! So amazing! You find out all the backstory behind the characters of Ingeborg, Roald, and their families. 5 stars! A must read, whether you have read the Red River of the North series yet, or not.
June 13, 2021
I started off with books in the future and am circling back to the start. It is interesting to see how Ingeborg meets her first husband. The narrative was good but after listening to Stina in future books I miss the accents. Cannot wait for more!
August 20, 2015
Lauraine Snelling researches thoroughly the aspects that she presents. I enjoyed the development of the plot, setting and historical time frame.
I had trouble keeping track of the people. I don't know she could do it better, with the big families intermingling, with cousins, siblings and second cousins...but I couldn't keep them apart, except for the one main character.
Part of it was the names---which were authentic, but hard for me to remember.
Sometimes I lost the plot with all the details of the setting and cheese making techniques.
I wondered about the seter. Would no adults be present the entire time? I know children can be responsible, but that seemed quite a stretch for that length of time. Possible, but doubtful. Made me want to pursue that idea (in my spare time).
I enjoyed the book. It wasn't one of those quick reads, because of the history and the information presented. But a nice change.
I had trouble keeping track of the people. I don't know she could do it better, with the big families intermingling, with cousins, siblings and second cousins...but I couldn't keep them apart, except for the one main character.
Part of it was the names---which were authentic, but hard for me to remember.
Sometimes I lost the plot with all the details of the setting and cheese making techniques.
I wondered about the seter. Would no adults be present the entire time? I know children can be responsible, but that seemed quite a stretch for that length of time. Possible, but doubtful. Made me want to pursue that idea (in my spare time).
I enjoyed the book. It wasn't one of those quick reads, because of the history and the information presented. But a nice change.
December 9, 2013
I enjoyed it. I like Lauraine Snelling's style of writing and I enjoy reading about folks coming from the old world and to the New World.
My Wife's Mothers side of the Family came from this part of the world to the Dakota's roughly same time as Ingeborg Strand/Bjorklund.
I grew up on the farm and miss some of the work that went with it. Along w/being outside.
My Wife's Mothers side of the Family came from this part of the world to the Dakota's roughly same time as Ingeborg Strand/Bjorklund.
I grew up on the farm and miss some of the work that went with it. Along w/being outside.
May 3, 2019
This book was absolutely darling! I love Ingeborg soooo much!! She’s a character with so much spit and vinegar, you just can’t NOT love her!! In this book, we meet Ingeborg and her family. This book is sweet, heart breaking, romantic, and charming! This is definitely a re-read and a must read!!
For more Lauraine Snelling reviews check out my blog- www.beyondthepagesvk.wordpress.com
For more Lauraine Snelling reviews check out my blog- www.beyondthepagesvk.wordpress.com
October 12, 2013
Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness how long I have waited for this book! I was so excited to get an ARC copy of this from Bethany House Publishers!!! Had I not been in the middle of the very last book in another Christian series I would have dropped everything to read it immediately, the wait was excruciating! :-D
Oh but the wait was worth it! As a long time lover of Lauraine Snelling's Red River series I was so tickled to think she would go back to the very beginning and write Ingeborg's story. This prequel is AMAZING!!! It is truly everything you have come to expect from Ms. Snelling's writing. It fit seamlessly with the other books in the series. I felt like I was right there along with Ingeborg spending our summers up on the seter (the mountain cabin the younger children and teens spent the summer in allowing the animals to eat the grass while they made cheese, spun fleece into thread and yarm and wove cloth and rugs). It was absolutely delightful! :-)
For those who don't know, the Red River series begins with the Bjorklunds emigrating to America from Norway. Ingeborg and Roald and Roald's brother Carl and his wife Kaaren, along with Roald's son Thorliff who is 4 leave on the adventure of a lifetime, to find land and make a life for their families. They face hardships and joys. Their story is utterly engrossing! I have read the 6 books multiple times! Now that I've read and thoroughly enjoyed this prequel to the series I'm going to have to start the entire series over again! :-D
Read it, I *KNOW* you'll LOVE IT! :-D
XXOO
~Hope
From Goodreads.com:
The Long-Awaited Prequel to the RED RIVER OF THE NORTH Series
Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.
Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?
It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.
Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...
Oh but the wait was worth it! As a long time lover of Lauraine Snelling's Red River series I was so tickled to think she would go back to the very beginning and write Ingeborg's story. This prequel is AMAZING!!! It is truly everything you have come to expect from Ms. Snelling's writing. It fit seamlessly with the other books in the series. I felt like I was right there along with Ingeborg spending our summers up on the seter (the mountain cabin the younger children and teens spent the summer in allowing the animals to eat the grass while they made cheese, spun fleece into thread and yarm and wove cloth and rugs). It was absolutely delightful! :-)
For those who don't know, the Red River series begins with the Bjorklunds emigrating to America from Norway. Ingeborg and Roald and Roald's brother Carl and his wife Kaaren, along with Roald's son Thorliff who is 4 leave on the adventure of a lifetime, to find land and make a life for their families. They face hardships and joys. Their story is utterly engrossing! I have read the 6 books multiple times! Now that I've read and thoroughly enjoyed this prequel to the series I'm going to have to start the entire series over again! :-D
Read it, I *KNOW* you'll LOVE IT! :-D
XXOO
~Hope
From Goodreads.com:
The Long-Awaited Prequel to the RED RIVER OF THE NORTH Series
Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.
Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?
It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.
Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...
October 11, 2013
Ingeborg Strand is not the kind of young lady that falls for every handsome face and smooth tongue. But when she does fall in love she falls hard, on a handsome university student from Oslo. This is more than she had ever hoped for, to be truly "in love".
But when an untimely accident claims his life she begins to despair. Is God really in all of this? Is there really a purpose for everything she has been through?
It all seems too cruel when a widower with a young son asks her to go along with him to America because his son needs a mother. But can she settle for a marriage of convenience after knowing what it feels like to be truly and passionately in love?
I have the unique "advantage" of not having read the Red River of the North series yet so my opinions are based solely on this book as the *first* book in the series.
For the first time in my life I've got to say, MORE ROMANCE! Seriously I felt that the romantic interests in this book seemed to shallow, too out of sight out of mind.
I also found the everyday details seemed to have more preeminence than the main character's emotions and observations.
The cover is stunning! I love it, and I really wanted to love the story but I would find myself actually skim reading for pages, something I never do, just to get past how the fixed their pancakes and jam for breakfast.
I do not think I will read An Untamed Land. This book is O.k but nothing special.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
But when an untimely accident claims his life she begins to despair. Is God really in all of this? Is there really a purpose for everything she has been through?
It all seems too cruel when a widower with a young son asks her to go along with him to America because his son needs a mother. But can she settle for a marriage of convenience after knowing what it feels like to be truly and passionately in love?
I have the unique "advantage" of not having read the Red River of the North series yet so my opinions are based solely on this book as the *first* book in the series.
For the first time in my life I've got to say, MORE ROMANCE! Seriously I felt that the romantic interests in this book seemed to shallow, too out of sight out of mind.
I also found the everyday details seemed to have more preeminence than the main character's emotions and observations.
The cover is stunning! I love it, and I really wanted to love the story but I would find myself actually skim reading for pages, something I never do, just to get past how the fixed their pancakes and jam for breakfast.
I do not think I will read An Untamed Land. This book is O.k but nothing special.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
November 27, 2014
I loved the thought of this story: How a girl falls in love, but an accident happens and she loses her love, and then she must make a decision of whether or not to marry another man who she doesn't love. All of that really fascinated me. I really liked how the siblings and friends helped each other out, reminds me of my family. But when I read the story I couldn't get into the story, then it took till the middle of the book to get to the story line, and the end felt rushed. With this, I still intend to read the next book and find out how Ingeborg's story continues.
July 13, 2018
A wonderful prequel to a wonderful series
I have always enjoyed Lauraine Snelling’s books. I have read almost all of her Dakota/Blessing books and it was so neat to go back to the beginning of Ingeborg’s life. Great read!
I have always enjoyed Lauraine Snelling’s books. I have read almost all of her Dakota/Blessing books and it was so neat to go back to the beginning of Ingeborg’s life. Great read!
July 6, 2019
Drawn out
I love this series, but this book, in particular, was drawn out and boring. There were sections I wish were shortened and others I wish told me more. You could get away with reading a summary of this book and not miss a thing.
I love this series, but this book, in particular, was drawn out and boring. There were sections I wish were shortened and others I wish told me more. You could get away with reading a summary of this book and not miss a thing.
July 23, 2024
3.5⭐️ good book overall but the summary on the back isn’t the storyline until the last couple chapters. Good clean, closed door romance.
March 18, 2022
To be completely honest, I skimmed and skipped a good portion of this book….
The first 130 pages I read consistently. I didn’t dislike the book, but the writing wasn’t my favorite, and it was so slow and dull and just boring. That’s when I finally started skimming it. Then at about 150 pages, I started skipping whole chapters, and finally just decided to skip the rest of the portion where they were at the seter, because that was boring me out of my mind. Once I saw where they’d left, I read enough to kind of have an idea of what had happened…and then I skipped a few chapters. It’s probably more accurate to mark this as a DNF than a finished book, but I honestly don’t feel like I missed out on anything. I feel like, and please don’t be offended or come after me in the comments, I know enough to get by.
I did not hate this book by any means. Now, to be clear, I have not read the rest of the series (or multiple series) in this saga of whatever you what to call it. I read the Daughters of Blessing series when I was about 15 or 16 (I’m 22 now for context) and when I found out it was part of a much larger series in the grand scheme of things, I wanted to read all of it, from start to finish. My library, however did not have all of the books. Now that I have the ability to buy them as I read them, I had the great idea to read this prequel first, to read the books in chronological order. … That is the last time I listen to one of my great ideas. Because I feel like I might have liked this better if I’d read them in publication order. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so confused and I’d have an idea of what was going on.
The first 130 pages I read consistently. I didn’t dislike the book, but the writing wasn’t my favorite, and it was so slow and dull and just boring. That’s when I finally started skimming it. Then at about 150 pages, I started skipping whole chapters, and finally just decided to skip the rest of the portion where they were at the seter, because that was boring me out of my mind. Once I saw where they’d left, I read enough to kind of have an idea of what had happened…and then I skipped a few chapters. It’s probably more accurate to mark this as a DNF than a finished book, but I honestly don’t feel like I missed out on anything. I feel like, and please don’t be offended or come after me in the comments, I know enough to get by.
I did not hate this book by any means. Now, to be clear, I have not read the rest of the series (or multiple series) in this saga of whatever you what to call it. I read the Daughters of Blessing series when I was about 15 or 16 (I’m 22 now for context) and when I found out it was part of a much larger series in the grand scheme of things, I wanted to read all of it, from start to finish. My library, however did not have all of the books. Now that I have the ability to buy them as I read them, I had the great idea to read this prequel first, to read the books in chronological order. … That is the last time I listen to one of my great ideas. Because I feel like I might have liked this better if I’d read them in publication order. Maybe I wouldn’t have been so confused and I’d have an idea of what was going on.
March 29, 2023
Very interesting insight into one of the main characters of this series. The book dragged a bit in the middle, with detailed descriptions of the farming activities. The end was very good.
October 11, 2024
I really enjoyed the story of where Ingeborg came from. It was an interesting fictional life.
October 30, 2013
An Untamed Heart by Lauraine Snelling is the prequel to the Red River of the North series. I absolutely loved all the books about Ingeborg's family so I was super excited to read it. But I was also kinda leery. Would it be interesting even though I knew the outcome? Would it lack the same flavor as the other books in the series? As soon as I started reading it, all my doubts vanished. Even though the ending was inevitable, there was so many new things I learned about Ingeborg and her family. I enjoyed it so much. As always I am left wondering how in the world she can pull off writing so realistically without leaving you bored or wanting to skip it all. Nothing is ever boring with her stories. I wish I knew her secret! haha What a great story filled with love and heartbreak, sadness and joy, suffering and everlasting love in Jesus no matter the outcome.
Ingeborg Strand is still single at twenty. Her mother keeps pushing her to find someone, but all she really wants to do is become a midwife. As spring comes over the valley, Ingeborg is thrilled because that means one very important thing - she gets to go up the mountain for the summer! Living at the summer house is filled with all the things she loves to do. Plus, it gets her away from her overly critical mother.
Nils Aarvidson is an university student in Oslo. He is expected to follow in his father's footsteps and run the family business. His dad is disappointed in his half-hearted efforts at school and wants him to work with him when school is out. But then Nils gets in an accident leaving him very sick and weak. Once he is better, his father allows him to journey to the mountains, but Nils misjudges the severity of his health and falls off the mountain onto a ledge.
Ingeborg, her siblings, and cousins rescue Nils and restore him back to good health. While there, Ingeborg and Nils fall in love. There future seems bleak since she is a mere farmer's daughter and Nils is a rich business owner, but Nils is sure they can make it work out. Ingeborg's parents are sure Nils will break her heart and try to discourage her from having any hope.
I loved this book. Maybe this story will get even more people to read the Red River books! It's one of my all time favorite series. Please, try this story out. You won't be disappointed.
I was given this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ingeborg Strand is still single at twenty. Her mother keeps pushing her to find someone, but all she really wants to do is become a midwife. As spring comes over the valley, Ingeborg is thrilled because that means one very important thing - she gets to go up the mountain for the summer! Living at the summer house is filled with all the things she loves to do. Plus, it gets her away from her overly critical mother.
Nils Aarvidson is an university student in Oslo. He is expected to follow in his father's footsteps and run the family business. His dad is disappointed in his half-hearted efforts at school and wants him to work with him when school is out. But then Nils gets in an accident leaving him very sick and weak. Once he is better, his father allows him to journey to the mountains, but Nils misjudges the severity of his health and falls off the mountain onto a ledge.
Ingeborg, her siblings, and cousins rescue Nils and restore him back to good health. While there, Ingeborg and Nils fall in love. There future seems bleak since she is a mere farmer's daughter and Nils is a rich business owner, but Nils is sure they can make it work out. Ingeborg's parents are sure Nils will break her heart and try to discourage her from having any hope.
I loved this book. Maybe this story will get even more people to read the Red River books! It's one of my all time favorite series. Please, try this story out. You won't be disappointed.
I was given this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2014
I have a guilty pleasure. It's kind of embarrassing. I've shared it before and I'm sharing it again. Christian Prairie Romance. Yep, you can laugh. It's okay. A few years ago I found a series that I fell in love with. Red River of the North, by Lauraine Snelling. Have you read it? I love how strong and resourceful the women are. I almost feel like you could keep some of these books as a reference for when times get hard. ;)
In all honesty, the characters became very real to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Then I found out there was a continuing series Return to Red River of the North. I was so excited! I read all of them too! Imagine my surprise when Ms. Snelling began writing Daughters of Blessing, which would continue the story of the daughters of these strong women I so admire. I was over the moon! I hope I haven't lost any readership at this point. I probably have. I feel like I'm at an AA meeting confessing that I have a problem. Let it be known that I do enjoy other books as well. I love Jane Austen and Count of Monte Cristo is probably my favorite book. I also love, LOVE Little Women. And LM Montgomery books in general. I digress.
A few months ago I received a book called An Untamed Heart, which is the prequel of the Red River of the North series. I was shocked! I couldn't believe there was another book. I sat down and began to read. I finished the book over a weekend. It was so much fun to read of one of the heroine's as a younger, single woman. Ingeborg is my favorite character and she grows so much throughout the series that I was anxious to see if this book would explain some of her abilities, talents, and natural inclinations. I was not disappointed. This book gives an interesting look into the life of Ingeborg and how she comes to be on a journey to America. Although, I will say I felt like there were a few holes in the storyline/plot. They were all pretty minor things, like the mentioning of a father who drank (in the other books) and in this one he stayed away from it, etc. If you haven't read the other books, read them first!!!! Then go back and read this one. I enjoyed it, but the original series (6 books) is still my favorite! By the way, there's a free kindle copy of the first book available over at Amazon for a few more weeks. In case you feel like jumping on this band wagon.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
In all honesty, the characters became very real to me and I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Then I found out there was a continuing series Return to Red River of the North. I was so excited! I read all of them too! Imagine my surprise when Ms. Snelling began writing Daughters of Blessing, which would continue the story of the daughters of these strong women I so admire. I was over the moon! I hope I haven't lost any readership at this point. I probably have. I feel like I'm at an AA meeting confessing that I have a problem. Let it be known that I do enjoy other books as well. I love Jane Austen and Count of Monte Cristo is probably my favorite book. I also love, LOVE Little Women. And LM Montgomery books in general. I digress.
A few months ago I received a book called An Untamed Heart, which is the prequel of the Red River of the North series. I was shocked! I couldn't believe there was another book. I sat down and began to read. I finished the book over a weekend. It was so much fun to read of one of the heroine's as a younger, single woman. Ingeborg is my favorite character and she grows so much throughout the series that I was anxious to see if this book would explain some of her abilities, talents, and natural inclinations. I was not disappointed. This book gives an interesting look into the life of Ingeborg and how she comes to be on a journey to America. Although, I will say I felt like there were a few holes in the storyline/plot. They were all pretty minor things, like the mentioning of a father who drank (in the other books) and in this one he stayed away from it, etc. If you haven't read the other books, read them first!!!! Then go back and read this one. I enjoyed it, but the original series (6 books) is still my favorite! By the way, there's a free kindle copy of the first book available over at Amazon for a few more weeks. In case you feel like jumping on this band wagon.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
October 15, 2013
About the Book:
The Long-Awaited Prequel to the RED RIVER OF THE NORTH Series
Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.
Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?
It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.
Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...
About the Author:
Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.
My Review:
Living in the mountains of Norway, Ingeborg Strand, a farmers daughter, loves adventure. Rather that be working with the farm hands or just exploring. She doesn't expect to have a husband anytime soon, especially at the age of twenty. Her mother finds her quite odd for not even searching for one. So when the opportunity spend the summer away from her family, Ingeborg takes it. She heads out to America to start out new and on her own, finding something that is very new to her.
Roald Bjorklund is not only a father but also a widower looking for a new place to start over. So he heads to America, in search of a new life and a mother for his young son. When he sees Ingeborg it all seems to click, but is he wanting her for all the wrong reasons? Will Ingeborg finally find the love of her life? Will Roald ever find the wife he so desperately needs?
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Bethany House.
The Long-Awaited Prequel to the RED RIVER OF THE NORTH Series
Twenty-year-old Ingeborg Strand is certain she is destined to be an old maid. She's had several suitors but none she deemed worthy of spending her life with. That is, until she meets a university student from Oslo, and feelings stronger than friendship begin to develop between them. But tragedy strikes, and the future begins to look bleaker than ever.
Grief settles heavily over Ingeborg, and her mother suggests that she leave Norway and start afresh in America, as so many others have done before her. But how will she accomplish that with little money and no one to accompany her?
It isn't long before she meets Roald Bjorklund, a widower who has been planning to go to America for some time, lured by the promise of free land. He's a good man, a hard-working man--and he has a young son who desperately needs a mother. He's clearly interested in Ingeborg, but is he the answer to her prayers? And what about love? This isn't how she's always imagined it.
Ingeborg Strand has a heartrending decision to make...
About the Author:
Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.
My Review:
Living in the mountains of Norway, Ingeborg Strand, a farmers daughter, loves adventure. Rather that be working with the farm hands or just exploring. She doesn't expect to have a husband anytime soon, especially at the age of twenty. Her mother finds her quite odd for not even searching for one. So when the opportunity spend the summer away from her family, Ingeborg takes it. She heads out to America to start out new and on her own, finding something that is very new to her.
Roald Bjorklund is not only a father but also a widower looking for a new place to start over. So he heads to America, in search of a new life and a mother for his young son. When he sees Ingeborg it all seems to click, but is he wanting her for all the wrong reasons? Will Ingeborg finally find the love of her life? Will Roald ever find the wife he so desperately needs?
**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Bethany House.
October 13, 2013
UFF-DA but I love Ingeborg! And to join her on her beloved mountain during the summer, with her dearest friend, cousin Gunlaug is to come home again. I have read all of Lauraine's novels, and each one is as special as the one before. This one tells the story of Ingebord in her homeland of Norway, of her home life and her loves! As always, I feel like I am walking side by side with her, seeing her lovely mountain, spinning wool and shearing sheep, and interacting with her siblings and cousins.
Reading this, helps me understand why she did the things she did in her life in North Dakota, why her family was so very important to her, and why she made the choices she did. Once I had read this, I needed to read the complete rest of the series, Red River of the North. Lauraine has a unique voice, and tells a superb story. I wish I was Norwegian, and of Ingeborg's family!
Now, Lauraine, when do I get to read about Ingeborg's Mor's story? Why she reacted to things Ingeborg said and did as she did, and what was her childhood like?
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
Reading this, helps me understand why she did the things she did in her life in North Dakota, why her family was so very important to her, and why she made the choices she did. Once I had read this, I needed to read the complete rest of the series, Red River of the North. Lauraine has a unique voice, and tells a superb story. I wish I was Norwegian, and of Ingeborg's family!
Now, Lauraine, when do I get to read about Ingeborg's Mor's story? Why she reacted to things Ingeborg said and did as she did, and what was her childhood like?
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
November 18, 2013
Finally we discover what has made Ingeborg Bjorkland the woman that she is in Lauraine Snelling's Red River of the North Series. This book details Ingeborg's last year in Norway and tells how she ended up married to Roald Bjorkland and Thorliff's mother. I really enjoyed the plot and would recommend this book to everyone that loves The red River of the north series.
Read
February 24, 2017Hard to get into this book, but after I did, I loved it. Ms. Snelling has a was of just "drawing" you into the book. Now I am going to go and get the series that goes with this. "Red River of the North." Can't wait to find out what happens next to Ingeborg.
September 10, 2018
I'm not really sure why I kept reading. It was slow and sad and mostly about all the work it takes to be a farmer.
I just wasn't feeling anything happy or lovey. I won't be reading any more Lauraine Snelling.
I just wasn't feeling anything happy or lovey. I won't be reading any more Lauraine Snelling.
September 14, 2019
Trying
I loved all the books by Laurianne Snelling. Could not put them down. Tried to read them all in order...unbelievable how they lived but some of it I wish we could go back too..
I loved all the books by Laurianne Snelling. Could not put them down. Tried to read them all in order...unbelievable how they lived but some of it I wish we could go back too..
June 4, 2014
Set in Norway in the late 1800's, it a simple story of simple people living a simply lifestyle (hard yes, but simple) and an unfailing trust in God. A good story and an easy read of times gone by.
Read
January 29, 2014Good prequel to her Red River of the North series...it is interesting to see Ingeborg's background/history before coming to America.
May 14, 2016
See my full review http://www.faithfullybookish.com/revi...
Great book and great series!
Great book and great series!
April 4, 2019
I was expecting a predictable story line. It was not predictable.
January 6, 2020
This story was gentle and sweet. It could be a little a slow at places, but it was very sweet.
June 21, 2025
Even though this is the prequel, it was the last book that I read in Lauraine Snelling’s Blessing series. There are 22 books total in the series & I loved every one of them. The series is a historical fiction that follows two families as they immigrate from Norway to United States to homestead in the Dakota territory. This review is more like a broad review over the entire series, but this prequel really did set up the entire story well.
What I loved most about these books are the characters. They were so relatable, with deep and real emotions, struggles, and triumphs. The original 6 books, Red River of the North series, mainly follows two families and then from there, the following series develop the stories of the next generation. I honestly would be happy to continue reading to hear the stories of the third generation. The main character, Ingeborg (“Inge”) Bjorkland, quickly became my all-time favorite character. I often listened to the audiobooks and it quickly became a joke with my husband when I’d comment, “I need to find out what’s going on with Inge…” as I slipped in my earbud.
I also greatly appreciated the themes of trusting the Lord, living simply, working hard, & respecting marriage and parenting. It was fascinating to watch history unfold as modern day conveniences, like motor powered tractors, sewing machines, and ice boxes, were brand new and bringing changes to every day life. One of the series followed the advancement of medicine during this time period, which was so fascinating. I truly loved how these author portrayed parenthood/motherhood and how the children lived and learned right alongside their parents and took on quite a bit of responsibility at young ages. I also was moved by the way that these books tackled the issue of sickness and death. It was done with a humble reliance on the Lord with a deep respect for life. There are moments of romance, but by no means overpowering or spicy at all. Just real moments of romance in real life. These books are so down to earth.
I could go on and on, but I’ll end with a glowing recommendation to take on the task of tackling this series. Lauraine Snelling’s website has them all listed out in order if you want to read them sequentially. I’d definitely recommend stating with Red River of the North series or the prequel and ending with A Blessing to Cherish. I read some of the other series out of order and didn’t notice a whole lot of spoilers. Happy reading!
What I loved most about these books are the characters. They were so relatable, with deep and real emotions, struggles, and triumphs. The original 6 books, Red River of the North series, mainly follows two families and then from there, the following series develop the stories of the next generation. I honestly would be happy to continue reading to hear the stories of the third generation. The main character, Ingeborg (“Inge”) Bjorkland, quickly became my all-time favorite character. I often listened to the audiobooks and it quickly became a joke with my husband when I’d comment, “I need to find out what’s going on with Inge…” as I slipped in my earbud.
I also greatly appreciated the themes of trusting the Lord, living simply, working hard, & respecting marriage and parenting. It was fascinating to watch history unfold as modern day conveniences, like motor powered tractors, sewing machines, and ice boxes, were brand new and bringing changes to every day life. One of the series followed the advancement of medicine during this time period, which was so fascinating. I truly loved how these author portrayed parenthood/motherhood and how the children lived and learned right alongside their parents and took on quite a bit of responsibility at young ages. I also was moved by the way that these books tackled the issue of sickness and death. It was done with a humble reliance on the Lord with a deep respect for life. There are moments of romance, but by no means overpowering or spicy at all. Just real moments of romance in real life. These books are so down to earth.
I could go on and on, but I’ll end with a glowing recommendation to take on the task of tackling this series. Lauraine Snelling’s website has them all listed out in order if you want to read them sequentially. I’d definitely recommend stating with Red River of the North series or the prequel and ending with A Blessing to Cherish. I read some of the other series out of order and didn’t notice a whole lot of spoilers. Happy reading!
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