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Red River of the North #3
A Land to Call Home
First the Land, Then Fire Nearly Destroys Them. Will They Still Hold to their Dream?
It had taken four long, difficult years to tame the virgin prairie of Dakota Territory. Looking back through all the heartache and the body-breaking labor, Ingeborg Bjorkland knew that God had been with them every step of the way. Dreams that had turned into veritable nightmares had been reshaped with the promise of a new day rising, and her marriage to Haaken had been its sure sign.Hjelmer travels west to work on the railroad, and after sending only one letter to Penny, who has agreed to wait for him, he is not heard from again. As the months pass, Penny is pursued by other eligible suitors, and her love for Hjelmer is sorely tried. Will he ever return to keep his promise? America's westward expansion continues, bringing the railroad to their area. Before them lies the challenge of proving up their homesteads, developing a sense of community, building wooden barns and houses, a schoolhouse and a church, a grain elevator and store.
It had taken four long, difficult years to tame the virgin prairie of Dakota Territory. Looking back through all the heartache and the body-breaking labor, Ingeborg Bjorkland knew that God had been with them every step of the way. Dreams that had turned into veritable nightmares had been reshaped with the promise of a new day rising, and her marriage to Haaken had been its sure sign.Hjelmer travels west to work on the railroad, and after sending only one letter to Penny, who has agreed to wait for him, he is not heard from again. As the months pass, Penny is pursued by other eligible suitors, and her love for Hjelmer is sorely tried. Will he ever return to keep his promise? America's westward expansion continues, bringing the railroad to their area. Before them lies the challenge of proving up their homesteads, developing a sense of community, building wooden barns and houses, a schoolhouse and a church, a grain elevator and store.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1997
260 people are currently reading
901 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,030 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 113 reviews
May 3, 2018
This book almost surpassed the first two! So amazing! Hjelmer is quite the jerk, and I didn't care much for his storyline, but I loved the rest. Andrew is the cutest thing evah . . .
November 27, 2007
This series has to be my favorite! I love how the author keeps old characters and updates you on them through the series, it's like seeing old friends again :) The series is also filled with inspiration for living a Godly life though all its trials. I love it when I can see God through characters in a Christian novel, sometimes that is missing and when I pick up Christian fiction it is what I really love to see. I don't want to just read 'clean' books, although that is important, I want to read books that remind me of what my Savior wants my life to be like. I have read the whole Red River of the North series and now am reading The Daughters of Blessing series, I can't get enough of 'visiting my old friends' :) If you liked the Love Comes Softly Series, or the Little House on the Prairie series, you will love this one too. I confess though I like series where you really get to know the characters and they build upon those characters for other books.
February 25, 2008
The series continues pretty strong. However, the more characters the author adds to the mix, the more the focus suffers.
It seems authors feel they must touch on every character they have mentioned in the past and bring us an update on how they are doing. After a while it feels like dropping in on your class reunion...
It seems authors feel they must touch on every character they have mentioned in the past and bring us an update on how they are doing. After a while it feels like dropping in on your class reunion...
January 27, 2020
A Land to Call Home, the third novel in “The Red River of the North Series” is another exceptional Historical Fiction by Lauraine Snelling. The story takes place in 1884-85 in Dakota Territory, in what would become North Dakota.
The story centers around the families of two sisters-in-law, both widowed and remarried, but includes other neighbors and relatives who fight to survive the struggle of taming the virgin prairie. The adults are originally from Norway and they speak Norwegian, though struggle to learn English. As the pioneers face almost insurmountable challenges to “prove up” their individual homesteads, they also work toward their dream of building a real town.
The immigrants’ homes are made of sod, dwellings that are dark and damp. But the women make colorful quilts to liven their environment. Even the combination church/school building is a sod structure. Helping one another, sharing their meager supplies, and living their strong Christian faith carry them through the hard times.
Reading this series has made me appreciate even more the hardships of our early pioneers. I love reading about how those brave people managed, what they ate and how they spent their time. Their lives were centered around their deeply rooted religion. When their faith was tested, they helped one another through it. I particularly enjoyed the first Christmas program in the new soddy school house. In those days there were no problems celebrating a traditional Christmas pageant with a live baby, donkey, even sheep. The community pitched in with materials to make the program a success.
Lauraine Snelling captures the spirit of our hard-working early settlers. As I’ve followed along with many of the same characters in previous books in the series, I applaud their triumphs and despair their hardships. I admire their deep faith and their ingenuity in finding ways to strive. I love the “Red River of the North” series and look forward to book four.
The story centers around the families of two sisters-in-law, both widowed and remarried, but includes other neighbors and relatives who fight to survive the struggle of taming the virgin prairie. The adults are originally from Norway and they speak Norwegian, though struggle to learn English. As the pioneers face almost insurmountable challenges to “prove up” their individual homesteads, they also work toward their dream of building a real town.
The immigrants’ homes are made of sod, dwellings that are dark and damp. But the women make colorful quilts to liven their environment. Even the combination church/school building is a sod structure. Helping one another, sharing their meager supplies, and living their strong Christian faith carry them through the hard times.
Reading this series has made me appreciate even more the hardships of our early pioneers. I love reading about how those brave people managed, what they ate and how they spent their time. Their lives were centered around their deeply rooted religion. When their faith was tested, they helped one another through it. I particularly enjoyed the first Christmas program in the new soddy school house. In those days there were no problems celebrating a traditional Christmas pageant with a live baby, donkey, even sheep. The community pitched in with materials to make the program a success.
Lauraine Snelling captures the spirit of our hard-working early settlers. As I’ve followed along with many of the same characters in previous books in the series, I applaud their triumphs and despair their hardships. I admire their deep faith and their ingenuity in finding ways to strive. I love the “Red River of the North” series and look forward to book four.
November 7, 2023
The Red River of the North series is one of Laurine Snelling's best series. It is very historical correct! She added characters living this terrible life of taming the North Dakota Territory. Very interesting and excellent reading!!
May 24, 2017
What an excellent portrayal of the meaning of the word home! Praise God! Now on to the next book.
November 1, 2019
The description makes it sound as though Hjelmer and Penny are the main characters, but I'm not sure they were in even a quarter of this book. While I wouldn't have minded a few chapters to update us on the characters from the previous book, most of this felt like I was reading that one again.
April 4, 2017
I love her books! This story is again one that pulls you in and helps remind you why you love reading.
April 21, 2022
Loving this series.
May 27, 2024
3rd book in series
There were new arrivals of the Bjorklund families. I loved how they supported each other and always so helpful. The romances were added nicely to the storyline.
There were new arrivals of the Bjorklund families. I loved how they supported each other and always so helpful. The romances were added nicely to the storyline.
April 20, 2015
Anyone who enjoys homesteading or pioneering fiction would certainly have to enjoy the Red River series. What makes these so interesting to me is after you read the back of the book and you think you know what the story is about you will find out the story is so much more. There is a host of characters in each novel and once again I was introduced to many more in this one. The story encompassed all these many facets and so it never stalled on the prairie it just made me want to keep reading. There is always a light love story to but certainly never the focus which I am so grateful for. Another fine read by Lauraine Snelling!!!
August 31, 2018
I always love to return to the prairie to find out what the family and friends are up to. Really glad there are so many books in the series so I can keep coming back! I continue to be in awe of the knowledge of prairie/pioneer life and love the details that bring it to life. It's not enough that the characters go back in the house, but that they go back into the sod home with frost on the inside walls and a dirt floor, etc.- things I take for granted in modern times. And that nothing is sugar coated... people WILL die!
August 24, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This is third book in the Red River of the North series about immigrants. The series follows the struggles and successes of the Bjorklund family and their friends who settled in North Dakota around 1880. It is now 1884. The author continues this series with a few other series, the next one of which is about Thorliff, Ingeborg’s stepson. I recommend reading this book after the earlier books.
The first book in the series had more of a focus on Roald and Ingeborg, Carl and Kaaren, and their children. As the series continues and including this book, the author builds more of a sense of community. I enjoyed reading about the people’s lives and their relationships.
The book changes focus with a bit with more time on the relationship between Hjelmar and Penny. At the end of the previous book, Hjelmar had been accused of getting a girl pregnant (which he did not do). At the advice of his family, he runs away for a few months so that people can see that the girl is not pregnant. He then plans to come back. Hjelmar does not write home which I thought was very inconsiderate of him and results in misunderstandings. He has a lot of growing up to do during this book.
While he is away, he works on the railroad and there are temptations that he works to reject – gambling and women. In addition, the man who runs the gambling uses it as a way to steal money from other workers and Hjelmar is caught between a rock and a hard place in that he wants to refuse but it puts him in danger. It is interesting to see how he resolves this situation.
One thing I did not care for is that Hjelmar is several years older than Penny. Penny is 14 at the beginning this book which I thought was a little young to be considering marriage. I was glad that this story line was not the main one in the book. However, if you look at the family tree that the author has on her website, they do not marry until she is out of high school. I think the author made a mistake on the reference to their ages vs the family tree, but that is minor and I could be wrong.
Meanwhile, back in North Dakota, Hjelmar’s family sees the arrival of twins for Kaaren and Lars, two characters from the earlier books. A fire destroys some of the wood and hay that Ingeborg and Haakan needed. Both families work from morning to night. The book really conveys how much work the immigrants had to do to survive. They had to be able to do everything for themselves including making their own clothes, churning butter, and so on. The farming work was backbreaking. They see others a bit more than in previous books, and there were friends who helped when the fire breaks out and in putting up a school.
Metiz, a Native American woman, and her grandson, Baptiste, continue to play a role in the families lives. Metiz is a wonderful character, very wise and an excellent healer. Baptiste is an excellent friend to Thorliff, the stepson of Ingemar and Haakan. On a side note, I thought the family should have called the Native American woman something other than Metiz, which is a term that refers to her heritage. In addition, Metiz was spelled Metis in the first book. As far as I can tell from the internet, Metis is the correct spelling.
The book should appeal to those who are interested in what it might have been to come to the US with hopes for a better life and what it took to survive being an immigrant in North Dakota in the 1880s.
The book has a Christian element. Faith was integral to people’s lives at that time and they said daily prayers as well as read from the Bible. Faith was automatic but real. The people in the book turn to prayer when things get difficult. As mentioned above, Hjelmar faces temptation while he is away.
A few word choices and idiom usages were not correct.
A small suggestion to the author: a map of North Dakota could have been included as an extra. I believe that the author included a Bjorklund family tree in later books. It is also available on her website.
This is third book in the Red River of the North series about immigrants. The series follows the struggles and successes of the Bjorklund family and their friends who settled in North Dakota around 1880. It is now 1884. The author continues this series with a few other series, the next one of which is about Thorliff, Ingeborg’s stepson. I recommend reading this book after the earlier books.
The first book in the series had more of a focus on Roald and Ingeborg, Carl and Kaaren, and their children. As the series continues and including this book, the author builds more of a sense of community. I enjoyed reading about the people’s lives and their relationships.
The book changes focus with a bit with more time on the relationship between Hjelmar and Penny. At the end of the previous book, Hjelmar had been accused of getting a girl pregnant (which he did not do). At the advice of his family, he runs away for a few months so that people can see that the girl is not pregnant. He then plans to come back. Hjelmar does not write home which I thought was very inconsiderate of him and results in misunderstandings. He has a lot of growing up to do during this book.
While he is away, he works on the railroad and there are temptations that he works to reject – gambling and women. In addition, the man who runs the gambling uses it as a way to steal money from other workers and Hjelmar is caught between a rock and a hard place in that he wants to refuse but it puts him in danger. It is interesting to see how he resolves this situation.
One thing I did not care for is that Hjelmar is several years older than Penny. Penny is 14 at the beginning this book which I thought was a little young to be considering marriage. I was glad that this story line was not the main one in the book. However, if you look at the family tree that the author has on her website, they do not marry until she is out of high school. I think the author made a mistake on the reference to their ages vs the family tree, but that is minor and I could be wrong.
Meanwhile, back in North Dakota, Hjelmar’s family sees the arrival of twins for Kaaren and Lars, two characters from the earlier books. A fire destroys some of the wood and hay that Ingeborg and Haakan needed. Both families work from morning to night. The book really conveys how much work the immigrants had to do to survive. They had to be able to do everything for themselves including making their own clothes, churning butter, and so on. The farming work was backbreaking. They see others a bit more than in previous books, and there were friends who helped when the fire breaks out and in putting up a school.
Metiz, a Native American woman, and her grandson, Baptiste, continue to play a role in the families lives. Metiz is a wonderful character, very wise and an excellent healer. Baptiste is an excellent friend to Thorliff, the stepson of Ingemar and Haakan. On a side note, I thought the family should have called the Native American woman something other than Metiz, which is a term that refers to her heritage. In addition, Metiz was spelled Metis in the first book. As far as I can tell from the internet, Metis is the correct spelling.
The book should appeal to those who are interested in what it might have been to come to the US with hopes for a better life and what it took to survive being an immigrant in North Dakota in the 1880s.
The book has a Christian element. Faith was integral to people’s lives at that time and they said daily prayers as well as read from the Bible. Faith was automatic but real. The people in the book turn to prayer when things get difficult. As mentioned above, Hjelmar faces temptation while he is away.
A few word choices and idiom usages were not correct.
A small suggestion to the author: a map of North Dakota could have been included as an extra. I believe that the author included a Bjorklund family tree in later books. It is also available on her website.
March 18, 2021
Ingleborg and Haakan, Kaarn and Lars, continue to work their land together while their family and the community continues to grow.
Kaarn longs to be a teacher, she knows the children need an education plus instruction on speaking English. The community members help construct a soddie school for that purpose but while she is enthusiastic, her newborn twin girls make it difficult.
Her younger sister is in a train accident and Ingleborg and Haakan must travel to another city so she can be released from the hospital. Her injuries are severe enough that she is little help when Kaarn's babies are born. She is bitter and believes her scars will prevent her from marrying.
Hjelmer, a younger brother to Roald, Ingleborg's first husband arrives but finds the Dakota territory way of life is very different from Norway. He struggles to adapt.
These are only some of the challenges these pioneer settlers face. The author has done an amazing job of research to paint the picture of how difficult the early pioneers would have found when they first settled the land. I was pleased to find she had even chosen to include some of problems a pregnant woman would have experienced if she were exposed to a communicable disease such as German measles. Looking forward to the next in the series and following the characters that have already been introduced.
Kaarn longs to be a teacher, she knows the children need an education plus instruction on speaking English. The community members help construct a soddie school for that purpose but while she is enthusiastic, her newborn twin girls make it difficult.
Her younger sister is in a train accident and Ingleborg and Haakan must travel to another city so she can be released from the hospital. Her injuries are severe enough that she is little help when Kaarn's babies are born. She is bitter and believes her scars will prevent her from marrying.
Hjelmer, a younger brother to Roald, Ingleborg's first husband arrives but finds the Dakota territory way of life is very different from Norway. He struggles to adapt.
These are only some of the challenges these pioneer settlers face. The author has done an amazing job of research to paint the picture of how difficult the early pioneers would have found when they first settled the land. I was pleased to find she had even chosen to include some of problems a pregnant woman would have experienced if she were exposed to a communicable disease such as German measles. Looking forward to the next in the series and following the characters that have already been introduced.
January 11, 2024
The time period in — A Land To Call Home—is from September 1884 to 1885. The Dakota Territory continues to receive new settlers. There is new machinery to help work the land more efficiently. The area where the Bjorklund family has settled is slowly turning into a town. They have a new school and will soon have a church. They decide to name the town Blessings. God is shown helping individuals who are struggling with a problem by having them read scripture that helps them in their time of need. Romance is in the air and more babies are born. My favorite character, after Ingeborg, is Metiz. She is French Canadian and Native American. She helps the new settlers on many occasions with her herbs and healing skills. My only criticism of these stories, so far, is that we never get to see Metiz’ day to day life when she is not with the Bjorklund’s. I recommend this series to people interested in Christian literature, historical fiction, or romance novels.
September 2, 2023
I personally am not interested in Christian fiction, but I could just ignore the Christian part because the descriptions that Snelling makes in this series paint such a vivid image of life at this time in this place. I love learning the history.
I love the first book in the series, but by this third book, I felt like some of the characters were getting repetitive, and the Christian part is just so so so much. Obviously if you're into that, it's great, but I felt that the Christian part, and thanking God and praying to God and how people need to involve God and everything got to be more than 50% of the book. Once again, if that's what you like, it's awesome, but for someone like me that was trying to overlook that part of it, it got to be too trying. I finally stopped reading halfway through.
I love the first book in the series, but by this third book, I felt like some of the characters were getting repetitive, and the Christian part is just so so so much. Obviously if you're into that, it's great, but I felt that the Christian part, and thanking God and praying to God and how people need to involve God and everything got to be more than 50% of the book. Once again, if that's what you like, it's awesome, but for someone like me that was trying to overlook that part of it, it got to be too trying. I finally stopped reading halfway through.
March 4, 2021
If I had not read the previous two books I would have been lost in this one, but that's why it's a series. Snelling gradually adds new people to the book and in so doing you can keep track of the activities of each one. These books really get you thinking about the harshness of the settlement of America. While in our day people talk about doing what you love and following your passion, these books are a good reminder that much of life is doing what needs to get done no matter how you feel about it. This one is about the building of community out of necessity as well as a desire for the best for those around you. A very good read. Three more to go in the series.
August 8, 2025
The family grows, the farm grows, and Ingeborg grows right alongside them. It’s about putting down roots and holding your people close. The romance is subtle but present, like a slow song playing in the background. The family’s expanding, and so is the town, and I liked watching Ingeborg’s house become a true home. There’s a comforting rhythm here, like settling into a new season. Also, the growing romance here was subtle but meaningful. It’s not flowers and speeches, it’s someone showing up and sticking around. I felt that. Hjelmer got on my LAST nerve, but he got himself together eventually!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2016
I really enjoyed the first few books in this series. I loved reading about the settlers from Norway to the Dakota territory, however in this third book, I'm getting a little bored. :) Not too much is happening that's holding my interest.
I think I just need to read a few mysteries then I can come back to this! ;)
I think I just need to read a few mysteries then I can come back to this! ;)
October 8, 2017
I’m loving this author even more with every book of this series that I finish!!! I want to hurry & get onto the next one, however I enjoy reading about the lives & all they go through!!! I have laughed, cried, been completely shocked & amazed in each book as if I am experiencing each event myself!!!
January 2, 2018
Another great book in the series. Reading this series is like reading several books at once. There are several stories going on within each book, but they are all connected by a common thread. It's great! I'm already about 1/3 of the way through the next book and will continue enjoying it every chance I can.
July 7, 2020
Most of Lauraines characters are likeable. I have read many of her books more than once. However it is frustrating that she kills off a least 2 or 3 characters almost every book and often as in this one a favorite. I guess she likes tear jerkers. the exception to the likeable rule is Hildegunn Valders. She ranks right up with Lillian warwick as the most obnoxious females in literature
February 11, 2021
This series is fantastic. I usually don't read series but I love this one. This one is the third in the series of the ever expanding Bjorklund family in Dakota Territory. Some by birth and some by migration from Norway. In this one Kaaren has twins, an uncle arrives, Hjelmer leaves to work on the railroad, Ingeborg has a daughter, Kaaren's sister arrives, and many other.
July 29, 2022
3.5/5 stars
Overall, this book was pretty good. The characters continued to develop and grow throughout the course of the story. However, the cast of characters in this series is getting so large that I'm having a hard time keeping the characters straight. Also, I didn't understand the motives behind some of Hjelmer's actions.
Overall, this book was pretty good. The characters continued to develop and grow throughout the course of the story. However, the cast of characters in this series is getting so large that I'm having a hard time keeping the characters straight. Also, I didn't understand the motives behind some of Hjelmer's actions.
January 10, 2025
Christian Historical Romance
I'm not sure what else to say about these stories. It's like one longer story and each book is just a chapter!
I love the characters! I love their faith. I hate their pain, but love their restoration or second chance or new beginning! I love the narrator, I just wish there was more distinction between characters.
I'm not sure what else to say about these stories. It's like one longer story and each book is just a chapter!
I love the characters! I love their faith. I hate their pain, but love their restoration or second chance or new beginning! I love the narrator, I just wish there was more distinction between characters.
May 4, 2017
The saga continues
Another great book. About the struggles of these early pioneers and the growth of a new town on the prairie. This book dealt more with the inner thoughts,and conflicts of surviving on the prairie. Great insight into the community gatherings.
Another great book. About the struggles of these early pioneers and the growth of a new town on the prairie. This book dealt more with the inner thoughts,and conflicts of surviving on the prairie. Great insight into the community gatherings.
March 23, 2023
Can't wait to read the next book in this series
Love the Christian overall theme. Their love of fame runs so deep. I also love the respect for the indigenous people that were there before.
Love the Christian overall theme. Their love of fame runs so deep. I also love the respect for the indigenous people that were there before.
June 3, 2023
Lauraine Snelling’s Blessing series is an all time favorite of mine! This one, telling more of Penny and Hejlmer’s love story, had less thrill than some of Snelling’s books, but more joys and excitement. Looking forward to revisiting the rest of the Bjorklund’s story!
July 20, 2023
I’d give this book 31/2 if I could. I enjoyed following up with thr Bjorjton family and other Norwegian immigrants but the focus on individuals was either drawn out too much or summed up too quickly.
July 18, 2024
The continuing story of the Bjorklands. Specific comments about the book are difficult because it continues to read like the story of a family's life. It isn't the kind of book with high action or a story arc, but more the story of day to day living and struggles.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews