Promise of Dawn

Under Northern Skies #1

by Lauraine Snelling

Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Launches New Immigrant Series

When Signe, her husband, Rune, and their three boys arrive in Minnesota from Norway to help a relative clear his land of lumber, they dream of owning their own farm and building a life in the New World. But Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone in order to repay the cost of their voyage. At this rate, they will never have land or a life of their own.
Signe tries to trust God but struggles with anger and bitterness. She has left behind the only life she knew, and while it wasn't an easy life, it wasn't as hard as what she now faces. When a new addition to the family arrives, Signe begins to see how God has been watching over them throughout their ordeal. But after all that has happened, can she still believe in the promise of a bright future?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Inspirational, Christian, Adult Fiction

496 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2017

About the author

Award-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).

Reviews

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about work, work, and more work. I would have thought that the descriptions of the never-ending tasks that fell to Signe would have lost my interest, but I was actually fascinated. It was like Little House on the Prairie for adults. The author skillfully and subtly wove in the myriad of emotions Signe felt, including frustration, compassion, exhaustion, loyalty, motherly love, humor, and exasperation. I couldn't help but admire her work ethic and dedication. It made me take a good hard look at myself and my own housekeeping habits! When it seemed that nothing would change in Gird and Einar, the dynamics began to shift ever so slightly and then more quickly, and I loved the direction the story went. There's not much romance, but we do see the love, support, and admiration Rune and Signe have for each other in subtle ways. So many rich themes in this book are subtle, and it was heartwarming to see the patience and efforts of Rune and Signe pay off in the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Under Northern Skies series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

[Sarah Grace Grzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*happy sigh* Snelling strikes again with a heartwarming novel with beautiful themes! I was at first concerned that this wouldn’t be able to hold a candle to the author’s other works, but that was concern without reason! It exceeded my expectations!
The characters: Ahhh, yes! I love me a character driven novel like this one! One thing in particular stood out to me, we got into both Signe AND Rune’s POV. I love it! In most of Snelling’s novels, it’s only been the female MC’s POV, but I really liked getting into Rune’s head. Both of Signe’s and Rune’s struggles and character arcs were SO well done. Just amazing! Gerd was great too. And Leif is just SO adorable! Seriously! Bjorn and Knute were so sweet as well! I want sequels with them grown up! :D *is trying to not get my hopes up* Einar was just . . . whaaa??? He did NOT make any sense to me. And I wished his character would have been wrapped up better in the end.

The story was just . . . amazing. The attention to detail and historical accuracy was classic Lauraine Snelling. I feel like I’m living a life on the prairie WITH the characters. So amazing!

All in all, 5 stars!! It’s been a while since I’ve read any 5 star books, and now I’ve read two in a row. Highly recommended!

CONTENT NOTE: There really isn’t anything in here that would make me hesitate to recommend it to someone, but there are some things like details about breastfeeding, childbirth, and pregnancy. If you are uncomfortable with those things, then probably better to avoid this. But it didn’t bug me personally at all.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an excellent book! Who would have known I would enjoy a book about work so much?! Seriously half the book was about their chores and work. You would think it would be boring to tears. Nope! Somehow it's all so interesting. The second half really got good with some conflict and the relationships. It ended so nicely too but also realistically. What a sweet, sweet book! I just adored it :)
Recommended for grown ups who loved and still love Little House On The Prairie

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauraine Snellings pioneer stories are written in a very similar vein to Janette Oke's. Filled with warm, hearty souls striving to cut out a place for themselves in a new country, they face the hardships and helping hands that come with starting anew.

Rune and Signe Carlson along with their three sons have joined Rune's Uncle Einar and Aunt Gerd in Minnesota immigrating from Norway. Einar is a strict, mean, do-it-my-way man and even expects the three boys to work from sun up to sun down 7 days a week doing heavy logging. Gerd is in extreme ill health and has been neglected by Einar. Have Run and Signe bit off more than they can chew in order to start over in a new country?

This is book 2 in a 2 book series. Read and enjoyed book 2 that was just released. It was nice to read book 1 and discover Rune, Signe and their family's back story. This is definitely a series I would recommend to those who like historical pioneer fiction.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I wasn't sure what to expect. At first, I was a little worried that I wouldn't care for the story. All those Norwegian names were difficult to pronounce and I wasn't sure if I was even close. (Sorry but it is a quirk of mine to pronounce names correctly, even in books.) After I got past the deciding to come to America part and the voyage over started I really got into this story and couldn't put the book down.

Lauraine Snelling writes in a way that made me feel I was a part of the story. From the stuffy, closed-in feeling on the ship coming to America to the day-to-day activities once they were here, I felt like I was experiencing everything right along with Signe, Rune, and the boys. I feel like through her writing style and descriptions, the author gave us a realistic glimpse of life for a family immigrating to America and having to learn the ways of family they didn't really know and adjusting to life in a different country. Heck, she even inspired me through her descriptions to put the book down and go pull weeds from my flower garden!

I liked the fact this was a story about family and new beginnings and not a romance. While romances aren't bad it's just nice every now and then to read a book that doesn't focus on romance but has a really good storyline like this book did. I thought of this book as a Little House on the Prairie for grownups. This book didn't have a really strong faith element to it until closer to the end of the book. Until the almost the end there is only a casual mention every now and then of God and going to church. However, this didn't bother me because the story is so good and well-written.

As far as characters go I liked Signe and felt a bit sorry for her for all she had to do. She had a lot on her shoulders but handled it wonderfully. Rune and the boys were all likable as well and Mrs. Benson was a delight! She added a breath of fresh air to the story to lighten it up from time to time. At first, I didn't like Tante Gerd but as she changed throughout the story my feelings for her changed. Now, Onkel Einar is a completely different story. He was mean and my one complaint about the book is that we never found out why. Perhaps that part of the storyline will be revealed in the next book which I definitely plan on reading.

This author and the rest of this series is on my to-read list. I will be looking for more of her books, too. She has a great writing style and reading this book was effortless. This was one of those books I began to read and before I knew it I was 100+ pages into the story. Not all authors are able to pull readers into a story so easily and when they do their work must be appreciated and savored.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

[Lydia Howe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why I Choose this Book:

I don't fully remember, but probably because the cover is gorgeous. I'm pretty sure it's one of my favorite covers from 2017 so far. Plus, historical fiction without too much romance makes me happy, so this book looked like a perfect fit. 

What I Thought about this Book:

Folks. I don't know what's been wrong with my reading streak recently, but this book just didn't touch me like I was expecting it to. There was nothing wrong with the book, but there just wasn't as much right with the book like I had expected. (And when I say "right" I mean for me personally - not morally.) 

This is the first book I've read by the author, so I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book when we were suddenly plunged into a world of a bunch of characters who I knew nothing about. Looking back, I'm pretty sure they must be characters from a previous series, but at the time I was just like "What is going on?" 

My biggest issue with the book is that it felt endlessly redundant. It felt like the same thing happened day after day after day. We heard about normal every-day work for page after page after page. It was interesting to see once. Maybe even twice. But having it take up such a huge portion of the book didn't work well. The plot felt like it was strong enough for a book half this size. So... Yeah. 

On the flip side, the writing was well done. I could feel the heat, hear the mice scurrying, and felt the weight of the yelling aunt and uncle. The plot was also interesting - just as I mentioned, the book was way too long for the plot. 

I'm a huge fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books, and this book actually reminded me a lot of her writing. The biggest difference for me was probably the fact that Laura's books are first-hand accounts, and therefore I can enjoy the every-day-ness normalcy in her writing.  

Conclusion:

I don't remember having any issues with her writing, and glancing through reviews makes it seem like a lot of people enjoyed this book, so if it looks interesting to you, you should totally check it out. 

Rating: 

I’m giving The Promise of Dawn 3 out of 5 stars, and 5 out of 10

*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Mor, a letter from Amerika!

Premise/plot: Signe and Rune travel with their three sons to America, to Minnesota, to help out their relatives, Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird. It won't be easy: not the journey, not the settling in, not the work. Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are each difficult and demanding in their own ways. Aunt Gird is bed-ridden and incapable of doing anything for herself or for anyone else. Uncle Einar, well, he's strong and capable--of almost anything but being kind and considerate. It will take all their strength and courage to survive in their new environment. Einar is a logger, and, he wants Rune and at least the oldest boy--if not the two eldest--to give 110% sunup to sundown.

My thoughts: I need to read more Snelling. I do. I haven't read nearly enough. I believe this series will--sooner or later--connect to some of her other books.

It's set in 1909, I believe. And the pioneer way of life is anything but dead. Reading this one reminded me of the Little House books or some of Oke's earlier work. Signe has a house to manage, and it's a 24 hour job, an often thankless job. She's also pregnant. The family is very well-developed, as is the community.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Times are tough in Norway in 1909, and when Signe receives a letter from her Uncle Einar and Aunt Gerd in Minnesota asking for help and promising land in return, she and her husband Rune move there with their three sons. What they discover is a rundown farm, a bullying Einar and his prickly but ill wife. Hard work and Signe's soft words, which hide her anger and frustration, effect a miracle as Gerd improves and Einar loses his power. First in a series and an interesting start to a faith-based historical series. I particularly appreciated the depiction of the grim realities of immigrant life on the prairie, living apart from neighbors and conveniences. A gentle story with a romantic tone.

[January · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling (2017)
Under Northern Skies #1
10h 51m narrated by Christina Moore, 498 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Inspirational

Featuring: April 1909, Minnesota, North Dakota, Norway, Immigration, Family Dynamics, Mothers, Voyage, June, Norwegian, Pregnancy, Farming, Logging, Liverpool, England; Parrish Island, South Carolina; Buffalo, New York; Duluth, Minnesota; Blackduck, Minnesota; Mothers, Debt, Hard Work, Discord, Chamber Pot, Cantankerous Hosts, Food, Multiple POVs, Children, Rural Life, Faith Tested Trope, Buttermilk, September, Neighbors, October, Friendships, Washing Machine, Sewing Machine, Letters

Rating as a movie: PG

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🇳🇴⚓️🇺🇲🪵🧈🤰🏼✝️

My thoughts: 📱90% 9:43:46 Chapter 32 - I've spent the day with this story and just wow! If I had started it sooner I could have ended April on a high note. I'll finish it tonight, for sure.

I picked up A Breath of Hope from the library assuming it was Amish Fiction, but once I realized it was Book 2 in a series I quickly downloaded this book. I was not happy to discover it was historical fictional, but I give any Libby borrow a fair chance. By the end of Chapter 2, I was hooked. This is the story of a Norwegian family that is invited by an uncle to come to Minnesota to work their farm and log trees, this means they would likely never see their parents again. I did not like the arrangement mentioned in the letter which is one of the reasons why I was curious about where this story was going but once they get there of course it isn't all that was promised. So much of this book is just descriptions of traveling making Mills cleaning cooking working and so on I mean she used to word chamber pot a dozen times in the first portion of their arrival. The story began to feel very routine and repetitive yet it was fascinating at the same time; I am not a fan of the Little House Series (just ... in the Big Woods), Little Women, or any historical domestic fiction besides the ones with dogs [Old Yeller, etc.] so I was completely dumbfounded to be so entranced with the domestic life of Signe and Rune in 1909 Minnesota. There is a lot of emotional drama from moving to a new country and dealing with poor living conditions, and hostile relatives but somehow this story is still comforting and warm. I knew not only would I finish Book 2 but I may be adding the rest of the series and possibly the catalog to my TBR. If you can make moving, cooking, cleaning, and bickering entertaining you're an amazing storyteller.

Recommend to others: Yes! This was a very informative yet entertaining tale.

Under Northern Skies
1. The Promise of Dawn (2017)
2. A Breath of Hope (2018)
3. A Season of Grace (2018)
4. A Song of Joy (2019)

[Gayle Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY THOUGHTS

The place we live, America, is a mixture of all different races, beliefs, and ideals. This is a story of struggle and perseverance. Rune and his wife, Signe and family arrive in Minnesota from Norway. They were brought over by relatives Einar and Gerd Strand with the agreement that over time the money would be re-paid. Einar and Gerd need Rune's three sons to help clear the land of the pine trees to send to the mills to be made into lumber. Gerd is ill with heart problems and so family would be a blessing to help on the farm. As the trees are sent to the mills, the stumps must be cleared in order to plant crops. They also hope to get more dairy cows since they only have one now. The Strand homestead needs much more work than Rune had imagined. They find the house to be horrid with it being rat infested and filthy. So with Einar in charge, the family is put to work, more like indentured servants than her family. On top of all of this, Gerd, being bed ridden is a bitter woman who is over demanding. So Einar and the boys have her to contend with also. While t his is going on Rune and the oldest boy Bjorn start logging. BUT as they push hard, a thunder storm causes an accident to occur and Bjorn breaks his arm and can't hear well. This might be the time to throw in the towel and say, no more but Einer pushes the younger boys into the woods to take Bjorn's place. They have no choice but to go since Einer threatens to send them back to Norway. In a way I was shocked to see family treating family this way but in another way, I could see it easily happening. I just had a hard time seeing how Rune and Signe could hold their tongues and have the patience that they showed toward these two slave drivers. Family, I do believe that is a stretch.,

The author gives the reader a historical read that takes you into some of the struggles that people who came to America for a better life, faced. It required people, especially families, to come together and work together for the better of the family. Einer was a selfish man thinking only of himself and Gerd. Gerd was a bitter woman. Instead of using kindness and gentle words to get help, they demanded and threatened. Rune and Signe were nothing more than slaves to Einer and Gerd. Signe was a model of a woman for the times back then and even a woman to look up to for her strength and kindness. She not only worked hard keeping the house and household chores up, took care of the demanding Gerd, but she was trying to keep the child she was carrying safe. She had had several miscarriages before. What a woman!

What will be the outcome? Will the trees get to the mills in time to pay back the passage to America money? If and when that happens will Signe and Rune take their sons and start their own farm? I sure hope so. This isn't just a story of immigrants, or pioneers into this great America. It's a story of people dreaming of a better life, working hard for that dream and persevering through times that were unbearable. but they did it. They tried to hold tight to their faith to bring them through. It makes you think how lucky we are, even if we've born tough struggles. Think what Rune, Signe and their boys took on! A wonderful book. Don't let this one go unread. I'm waiting for the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Book Reviewers and voluntarily decided to review it.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rune and Signe Carlson and their boys leave Norway for Minnesota in hopes of having a new life and home of their own in exchange for working for Einer and Gerd who have no one to help. Einer pays for their voyage over to America. Einer, a hardened man with little time for praises is a terrible taskmaster and Gerd is fighting her debilitation in anger to deal with her pain.

The Promise of Dawn is filled with uncertainty, sacrifice, and a test of their endurance and faith. What seems impossible somehow is given a higher purpose through God's intervention. I got teary-eyed a lot while following their struggles but also had to chuckle at times at the banter of Rune & Signe's boys.

The author's description of the landscape and family life in the 1900s and the everyday list of tasks they needed to handle made the story come alive. I couldn't put it down as the story had drawn me in from the first few pages. Highly recommended.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling is the first book in her new Under Northern Skies series. It is April in 1909 when Signe Carlson and her husband, Rune receive a letter from Einar and Gerd Strand who live near Blackduck, Minnesota. The Strand’s need assistance on their farm and will pay the Carlson’s passage in exchange for work (they sign a contract). Signe, Rune and their three boys set off on the long journey to Minnesota. They arrive at the farm and the greeting is not what they expected. The farmhouse is a mess, there is no place for them to sleep, Gerd is sick (and rude), and Einar is demanding. Signe spends her days whipping the farmhouse into shape, cooking, and taking care of Gerd’s needs. Einar has Rune and Knute (their eldest child) out early every morning felling trees to clear the property and earn money. Signe knows life in Norway was hard, but they had family, friends, a home, and soft beds. Her trust in God is faltering. She struggles to understand why her family must endure such hardship. Then Signe falls from the ladder to the loft (where they sleep) late in her pregnancy causing her to go into labor. Signe loses a great deal of blood and is very weak after giving birth to a little girl. Things cannot go on as they have been for the Carlson’s. Is there a chance for a better future for the Signe and her family? Pick up The Promise of Dawn to see what happens (I do not want to spoil the story for you).

The Promise of Dawn is a well-crafted novel. It is one of those books that you start reading and do not want to put down (I stayed up very late—even for me). After I finished the book, I continued to think about it. The Promise of Dawn has rich, well-developed characters and a rugged, yet beautiful setting. Ms. Snelling’s vivid descriptions brought the book alive for me (the author has a special knack). I could picture the scenes in my head (could even imagine the smell of the stinky outhouse). I am rating The Promise of Dawn 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). The Promise of Dawn is an emotional story (love, humor, heartbreak, anger, joy and much more). The plight of the Carlson’s will tug at your heart. I thought the book to be well-written, have a nice pace and flow, and to be very realistic. So much happens in The Promise of Dawn (I only gave a brief overview). The Christian element was handled beautifully. We see how Signe struggles with trusting God and keeping her faith. God has a plan, but Signe must be patient. There are good life lessons in The Promise of Dawn. I appreciated the mentions of Ingeborg from Red River of the North series (she is such a wonderful character). I look forward to reading the next installment in Under Northern Skies series.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

America. The great melting pot. So many have left their countries to search for a better life on this beautiful country we call home. In The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling, Gunlaug's eldest son, Rune and his wife Signe, and their three sons are brought from Norway at the behest of relatives Einar and Gerd Strand. They have offered to pay their passage to come work in Minnesota, with the understanding that over time those funds would be paid back. Gerd and Einar had never been blessed with sons and they need help in the new land that they have purchased from a homesteader that is covered with huge pine trees that they log and send to the mills in Minneapolis. The money had from those trees has made it possible to build a home large enough to house a family. They farm the land they have cleared, but need help. Gerd is not well and they desperately need the family to come and help.

Living near a small town called Benson's Corner, and the nearest town being Blackduck, Minnesota, there is a school for the younger ones in the winter. Once the trees are felled and shipped on the local railroad spur to the northern mills, we will clear the stumps and plant crops. With only one cow now, the family hopes to increase the number to have a dairy herd once the land is cleared. This is indeed the land of opportunity. So Rune and Signe Carlson along with their three sons leave Norway and head to America. Signe hopes that the baby she is carrying will live after so many miscarriages. When the family arrives at the Strand home, they are immediately surprised by what needs to be done. It seems that their need for help is drastically understated, and Gerd is completely bed-ridden due to a heart issue. The house is barely what you would call livable and is infested with rats. This will completely test the stamina of the Carlson family as Einar puts them all to work immediately treating them more like slaves than family. The younger boys help Signe try and get the house in order along with helping to care for Gerd who is a bitter older woman who screams to get anyone to help her use the chamber pot and demands food whenever she wants it.

For Rune and his oldest son Bjorn at fifteen take to logging in the woods felling trees that Einar hopes to sell to support his family. His unrealistic goals soon render an accident during a thunder storm that render Bjorn with a broken arm and not being able to hear. When the family tries to keep Bjorn at home, Einar insists that one of the other boys step up and bear the weight of Bjorn's absence in the woods. If they refuse, Einar threatens to deport them all back to Norway unless they serve the time that they have agreed to work to pay for their passage to America. It will take the patience of a saint to work with these two who call themselves family.

I received The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. This is a great historical novel that really conveys the hardships that faced many families who came to America in search of a new life. Many of their skills no longer suited them and they had to acclimate and learn new ones if they hoped to have a home of their own. It would take working together in order for any of them to make it during any time of the year. Each season had its own challenges and it seems like Gerd and Einar have found themselves slaves that will do as they are told without argument. I found myself exhausted at all the work Signe had to do along with caring for Gerd while being pregnant. Life on the frontier was hard work and this clearly comes across in this first novel of the Under Northern Skies series. Can't wait for more and for that reason, I give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars.

[Kristy Hetzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, maybe 4. So much of the book was about the amount and kind of work they did yet it was fascinating from a historical point of view. I was feeling like the storyline was lacking a lot outside of that but it did develop more toward the end. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next as the series progresses. Someone likened it to Little House on the Prairie series and there is an element of that.

[Judy Evenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Work, work, eat, eat, drink coffee and listen to angry people. Repeat daily for 6 months or more and then in the midst of a new baby, much prayer and snow related trauma, things begin to improve. Overly simplistic plot, likely intended for a young or immature reader. Not really my cup of tea but likely very satisfying to the intended market

[Raechel Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually my first book that I’ve read by Lauraine Snelling.
The setting was what really drew me in – I love all things Norwegian, and living in MN myself, it seemed quite perfect for me! :) And indeed, I enjoyed the setting very much.
The names! They were probably my favourite thing about the book – I just loved them. So…Norwegian, and much like the viking names I love. “Signe, Rune, Bjorn, Knute, Leif…” etc. Just brilliant.
The beginning of the book was a bit hard for me to get into at first, but once I reached about the middle of it, it picked up and really held my attention.
Some parts seemed repetitive, more like a filler, but otherwise it was a well written story.
I thought it was impressive how you can go through a good chunk of the book just really disliking one character, but by the end you really actually started to truly love that character. That was great. :)
I was fond of this book, and am interested in reading the rest of the series as they come out. :)

[Lisette Hoekstra-Berkhout · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soort streekroman, lekker makkelijk lezen.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling is a Christian historical fiction following a family as they immigrate from Norway to a farm in Minnesota in the late 1800s.

Signe and Rune answer the request of their relatives to move to America with their three boys to help their relatives clear the lumber from their homestead. However, when they arrive, they find out that, in spite of inviting them, their uncle is hard and unwelcoming and their aunt is bitter and bedridden. Signe and her family do their best to help, make a new life there, and share God’s love to their relatives in spite of their difficult circumstances.

I really enjoyed this book. It isn’t a romance but the story of a family working hard to make a life for themselves in America. They encounter many difficulties, not the least of which is their aunt and uncle, but they keep going.

Signe is the main character, though the story is told from multiple points of view, and she has to endure the brunt of the changes. Her aunt screaming at her from the other room all the time with no gratitude for the help Signe gives and no assistance either. On top of that, Signe discovers she is pregnant. I admired her perseverance and dependence on God to keep being kind in the midst of the circumstances.

Another thing I really enjoyed was the historical detail. It seems as though the author did an excellent job at portraying what living in that time period and location as immigrants would be like.

I would very much recommend this clean, Christian, historical novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from ten publisher. I did not receive compensation, and all I wrote was the complete truth.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn, the first in the Under Northern Skies series by Lauraine Snelling is the rich and poignant story of the Carlson family that arrived in America during the early 1900’s hoping for a new start. When Rune Carlson receives a request from his Uncle Einar in the United States to come and help him with his farm, logging business and ailing wife in return for room, board and eventually a parcel of land, the opportunity seems too good to be true. With little work in Norway to be had and desperately wanting a new beginning, Rune and his wife Signe agree with some trepidation that this could be the break they have been looking for. Leaving all they love behind Rune and Signe and their three young boys in tow head for the long voyage to America. The voyage as expected is long and hard, especially for Signe in the early stages of pregnancy. Finally, the long voyage being over they look forward to meeting their Uncle Einar and Aunt Gerd, but what greets them is a dirty house, a harsh uncle and a cantankerous ailing wife.

The logging work is hard and Uncle Einar expects loyalty and long hours even from the smallest of their children. When they are not in the woods felling trees they are expected to work the farm and assist with the care of the animals. Signe’s work around the house never seems to end and assisting Aunt Gerd in her condition is trying and tiring. However, as time goes by Signe begins to make progress with Aunt Gerd. Through care, good food and Signe’s stubbornness Aunt Gerd begins to improve and the two develop a special relationship. Uncle Einar on the other hand becomes worse with time. Demanding more and more, he is not beneath threats to make the family work and keep them under his thumb. They are nothing more than indentured servants to him and he will have his way. As time goes on and the abuse continues, Rune prays for strength for his family and for God to show him the way. Do they leave or do they stay? Only God and time will show him the way.

I loved this book for so many reasons. First and foremost are the characters. I loved Signe and Rune. Signe was strong and determined and didn’t take a backseat to anyone, even Einar.Her energy, grit and determination to get Aunt Gerd out of bed and involved with the family never let up. Rune’s character was gentle and patient, but he also had his limits. He was resolved that his wife and boys would no longer take Einar’s abuse. When Rune finally takes a stand no one cheered louder than me. I also had a soft spot for Aunt Gerd. I enjoyed how the author slowing developed her character. It was like watching a butterfly emerge form a chrysalis. Having lived with a harsh and emotionally detached husband, the care and kindness shown to her from Signe eventually melted her heart and irritable ways. Aunt Gerd through love and patience not only showed her fondness for the relatives, but became physically stronger too. No longer attached to her bed, she eventually became a help to Signe at the time she needed it most. Oh, and let’s not forget Einar. He’s the character you love to hate. I was so irritated with him I found myself talking back to him as I read. Harsh and forbidding he was quite a formidable character.

I also loved the storyline and the descriptions of farm life especially the scenes in the kitchen with the women. I felt like I could smell and taste the bread and other foods Signe was always preparing for her family and Gerd. And the chores, good grief, were hard and backbreaking. I became tired just reading the list of duties Signe and the boys did on a daily basis. One thing is for sure, farming and homesteading was not for the weak and faint of heart.

If you tend to read Amish stories, or like stories of families or early America you will love The Promise of Dawn. A beautifully written story with well-developed characters you will love, or love to hate, that will make you smile and keep turning the pages. A novel to finish out your summer reading or something new to start when the kids go back to school, The Promise of Dawn is a winner that is sure to please.

I want to thank Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley for an advanced copy of Lauraine Snelling’s The Promise of Dawn for a fair and honest review.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this stunning new novel! It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 4, how if one falls, the other will lift him up, and the threefold cord is hard to break. That is what I saw in action with Rune and his wife Signe. Even if one loses faith for a time, another is faithful to help that one back to the cord that is secure. I was drawn in from the first page and my only letdown was turning the final page. Each well-rounded character is drawn with care, and descriptions of both Norway and America sing with beauty.

It was a delight to read about more of the Carlson and Strand family members who leave Norway for the North Central United States. In early 1909, Gunlaug is looking forward to her son Johann’s imminent wedding when she receives a letter from their cousin Einar in Minnesota. He asks the impossible. Due to his wife’s illness, he needs help felling trees and growing his farm. He would pay the passage for one of her sons and his family to would move across the ocean, help him with the logging and farming to pay for their passage, perhaps giving them a portion of his land to live on and farm.

Rune, the least strong son, wants to go to work. His wife, Signe, has had much heartache and loss, so separating her from her family is heartbreaking. He still chooses to take Signe and their three sons, knowing they will probably never see their Norwegian family again in this life.

In Minnesota, they are met with a grumpy man, sleeping on the floor in the parlor as the ladder to the attic room is too precarious, and a bedbound woman who screeches for her needs. The house is laden with dust, filthy laundry, and mice. Each takes on their assigned tasks to give them their all, receiving no thanks or encouragement.

Signe, becoming pregnant just before they left Norway, must take care of the house and Gerd, Einar’s wife. Their sons take care of the livestock, their oldest son working long days felling trees with his father. Rune feels his faulty vision slowly worsening, yet he works as hard, as the rest. Signe scrubs the house from walls to floors to cabinets. They endure Einar’s barely controlled fits of anger regularly.

I have new respect for those who came here in search of a better life! I knew they worked impossibly long, hard hours to survive, but what the Strands endure as they work for Einar and Gerd is unimaginable. They work seven days a week, no time off for church or a Sabbath rest. When one family member is badly injured when working, Einar’s anger turns to rage. Letters from home help, but nothing staves off the isolation that Signe suffers with. Each family member draws deep within, drawing strength from God. I like Signe, and might not have been as kind as her! I grew to like Gerd, but couldn’t begin to like Einar.

Plot twists continually change the novel. Some bring peace, some bring further pain. One thing is clear from the prayers of Rune and Signe; they grow in the secure knowledge that the Lord will take care of them, even when threatened with losing lives. The author elicits gentle humor, feeling Einar’s rage even as a reader, and awe at the splendor of God’s creation. I heartily recommend this fabulous first in the new Under the Northern Skies series, to adults of any age and older teens who enjoy Christian women’s historical fiction. This is a not-to-be-missed novel!

From a grateful heart: I was given this eBook by the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway and here is my honest review.

[Jaina Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is also available on my blog, Read Till Dawn.

Going into reading The Promise of Dawn, I didn't really have a good idea what it would be like. I won it in a giveaway on LibraryThing, and when I entered I'd just kind of assumed it was one of those fluffy Christian romantic historical fictions. I thought it would be kind of meh, but still entertaining, so I took the two seconds to click "Request It."

It turns out that The Promise of Dawn is a lot more serious than I originally expected, and it's not really a romance novel since the main characters are already married with three sons old enough to work for Uncle Einar. It is indeed a Christian novel, though, but the religion in the book is not as cloying as it is in most from the genre. And it is definitely a historical fiction story–which is what I loved best about it!

You see, I'm nearly 1/2 Swedish by descent. My great-grandfather and his family moved from Sweden to Nebraska around the same time Signe and Rune's family move from Norway to Minnesota, so it's easy for me to read about this family's fictional struggles on the American frontier and imagine my own ancestors into their place. True, my great-grandfather was a farmer in a tree-less state while Uncle Einar  is a tree logger, but that's small potatoes. The comparison is still real to me.

Plus, I actually really liked watching Signe fight to bring orderliness and civility into a house that was truly disgusting when she first arrived. Gird is bed-ridden, miserable, and miserly when they arrive; Einar is curt, unpleasant, and solely focused on his tree-logging endeavors to the point of abandoning everything (and everyone) else. It's impossible not to cheer for Signe as she puts the house and farm to rights with the help of her two younger sons and begins the process of helping Gird regain her strength. I also loved watching the way her sons always obeyed her, even though they were growing big and tall and lived during a time when women weren't always given much respect. Seeing the give-and-take of Signe and Rune's relationship was also very satisfying. I also just really liked getting such a different angle on frontier life, focused on the individual struggles of the people making their lives on the frontier rather than on the more publicized "drama" of cowboys and Native American struggles/raids and the like. This is the authentic story of the West, because it's the story of the individual family.

Basically, if you're looking for an character-focused book about Scandinavians moving to the American frontier in the early twentieth century, then The Promise of Dawn fits the bill to a T. Let me know what you think if you read it!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel through the BookLook Early Reviewers program.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn is the first book in the Under Northern Skies series written by Lauraine Snelling. Lauraine Snelling is my all time favorite Christian historical fiction author. And I think this is one of the best books she has written. The story takes place in 1909 when Einar Strand sends his family in Norway a letter asking for Rune and his family to immigrate to Benson Corner, Minnesota. Einar and Gerd bought property in Minnesota and Einar has been logging the trees. Gerd took care of their animals until she developed a heart condition that now has her bedridden and in need of help. The agreement is that Einar will pay for Rune and his family to travel to Blackduck in exchange of helping them. When the passage is paid off, Rune and his family will receive a piece of land as their own in exchange of helping.
Rune, Signe and their three sons travel to help the Strands but when they get there they find a house that is mouse and rat infested and filthy and with no beds to sleep on. The Strands are very hard people to work for. Einar is only concerned about the trees and demanding help. Gerd is constantly yelling for Signe to help her. Rune and their oldest son are to help with the trees and one day the young boy is injured. Then the middle son has to help with the trees. Signe finds herself having to go against Einar to protect her children. When Rune starts to stand up to Einar, Einar contacts the sheriff to lock them up and deport them. Signe has kept records of how much the family has worked for the Strands and has received the cost of their passage to show that they have worked more than enough to repay the Strands. The sheriff finds the Strands guilty of de facto slavery.
This story is awesome! Even though parts of the story are hard to understand, such as Rune not standing up for his family, that was a different time and Rune was appreciative of being given the chance to start a new life in America. And Signe showed so much patience to Gerd with caring for her. With Signe's insistence, Gerd is able to get out of bed. I like the change that slowly takes place in Gerd as she is able to do more things on her own. I also liked how the neighbors came to help Signe in her time of need, even though Einar has run them all off before. I can understand how Signe would start to lose her trust in God with the situation they are in. But I so appreciate Rune being the type of husband that would be gentle with her and help her to see that God is with them.
This is a great book. I cannot wait to read the next in the series. I think anyone who enjoys historical fiction will enjoy this story. With the research the author has done as well as having lived in Northern Minnesota as a child, this story is very true to the time.
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing. This is my honest review.

[Narita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It is 1909 and immigrants from all over the world were coming to America seeking a better life. Many family members went ahead and made the way for others to come. This was the case for Rune, Signe Carlson and their 3 sons. Their dream was to come to the U.S. from Norway to own land and have their own farm. Their opportunity came when Einar Strand, Rune’s uncle sends a letter to his parents. He has settled in Minnesota. The land he is homesteading is covered in huge pine trees. He needs help logging them and sending them to mills. His wife Gerd is ill and he requests for Rune and his family to move there and help. There is the promise of a home already built and large enough for all of them to live in, a school for children, and the understanding that after their tickets were paid back they would receive their own land. The
Carlson’s had never met the Strands, but they were family right? Norwegian Families were close and caring, right?
The summer voyage is very difficult and uncomfortable and to make matters more challenging, Signe is pregnant with her fourth child. After previous miscarriages she is concerned about losing the baby. The worse is yet to come though. Arriving at Uncle Einar’s is when the nightmare begins. There is not a proper room other than the cold attic for the family to sleep in. The house is filthy and Aunt Gerd is bed fast and declining because of lack of care. Einar is hateful, uncaring and demanding. He has not concern for the young family’s needs or even health. Aunt Gerd is constantly hollering for something and speaks little otherwise. She is also ungrateful for any kindnesses and very uncooperative. The promises go up in smoke and the Carlson’s find themselves as nothing more than slaves with no end in sight.
The author captures the minute details of day to day life in this era and the emotions and struggles of Rune and Signe. I even got tired reading about all the work they did, especially Signe and with expecting a child! I hurt for her missing and needing her loving family. She was so alone.
In addition to being a delightful read, the most powerful part of this book is their Christ like attitudes Carlsons (even their children) in the face of constant cruelty and abuse. What a testimony!!! They kept their words kind, and continued to do their very best work. The patience the family displayed was incredible! Yes they became aggravated and upset but chose to give a soft answer or turn the other cheek. Their children followed their example in word and action with maturity far beyond their years. A strong faith in God and living His Word were their foundation. I admired them so much! I cannot wait for the sequel!
I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn (Under Northern Skies #1)
by Lauraine Snelling (Goodreads Author)
Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Launches New Immigrant Series
I loved this book! From the beginning I was sucked into the story. It began in Norway with Signe and her husband Rune and their three boys. They get a letter from her Uncle Einer and Aunt Gerd who have a farm in Minnesota. They are in Norway where things have become rough as far as jobs, getting a home or land of your own jobs……
They travel to America by ship, go through Ellis Island, travel some more by boat, and by train and finally get to Minnesota. They find the home in Minnesota is filthy and Gerd is in her bed unable to get up and help with anything. Uncle and Aunt are demanding and loud and before long even the boys are doing a man’s day of labor.
Signe and Rune are run off their feet from morning til night and before too long Signe begins to think there is no God watching over them and they will never be able to have a home and their own land.
The author went into great detail telling all of the work of lumberjacks, using, original first washing machines, cooking stoves, sewing machines, working with animals on the small farm and life in general back in the early 1900’s. I found the entire story fascinating, you are drawn in and can almost see the details of the story as described by the author. I couldn’t believe how much work the women got done in a day and how hard they had to work at everything! I really loved the characters of this book and really disliked the Uncle and his wife. I found the story so very interesting! I love historical fiction, and this one does have all of the bones of a great story. I can’t wait until the next book comes out this being the first in the series, Under Northern Skies!
I received a copy of this book free in exchange for an honest review I believe from Bethany House.
Description as found on Good Reads:
When Signe, her husband, Rune, and their three boys arrive in Minnesota from Norway to help a relative clear his land of lumber, they dream of owning their own farm and building a life in the New World. But Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone in order to repay the cost of their voyage. At this rate, they will never have land or a life of their own.

Signe tries to trust God but struggles with anger and bitterness. She has left behind the only life she knew, and while it wasn't an easy life, it wasn't as hard as what she now faces. When a new addition to the family arrives, Signe begins to see how God has been watching over them throughout their ordeal. But after all that has happened, can she still believe in the promise of a bright future?

[Kristine Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Promise Of Dawn. It was very interesting to me as I have been to Blackduck MN many times and can picture the setting in my mind. I enjoyed reading Signe and Runes' story. It is amazing that any survived the hardships of the Northern MN winters without modern conveniences. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

From Amazon

Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Launches New Immigrant Series

When Signe, her husband, Rune, and their three boys arrive in Minnesota from Norway to help a relative clear his land of lumber, they dream of owning their own farm and building a life in the New World. But Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone in order to repay the cost of their voyage. At this rate, they will never have land or a life of their own.

Signe tries to trust God but struggles with anger and bitterness. She has left behind the only life she knew, and while it wasn't an easy life, it wasn't as hard as what she now faces. When a new addition to the family arrives, Signe begins to see how God has been watching over them throughout their ordeal. But after all that has happened, can she still believe in the promise of a bright future?

About the author:

Biography
Award-winning and best selling author Lauraine Snelling began living her dream to be a writer with her first published book for young adult readers, Tragedy on the Toutle, in 1982. She has since continued writing more horse books for young girls, adding historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers to her repertoire. All told, she has over eighty books published with more than 4 million copies in print.


Shown in her contemporary romances and women’s fiction, a hallmark of Lauraine’s style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Her work has been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German, and she has won the Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Inspirational Fiction, the Silver Angel Award for An Untamed Land and a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart for Song of Laughter.


As a sought after speaker, Lauraine encourages others to find their gifts and live their lives with humor and joy. Her readers clamor for more books more often, and Lauraine would like to comply ... if only her paintbrushes and easel didn’t call quite so loudly.

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Basset named Winston. They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn is an interesting read. It’s not like a lot of the other historical fiction I’ve read that deals with the same sort of scenario and it’s not at all like the other Snelling book I reviewed, Streams of Mercy. There’s very little plot and the book is basically about all the work that Rune and Signe do once they get to America. There are pages devoted to day after day of Signe cleaning the house and cooking, the boys taking care of the animals, and Rune cutting down trees, with scenes that show how their work is made even harder by the demands of Einar and Gerd. I don’t know why a book like that would be so engaging, but I found it much more interesting than I would have thought if I had just heard a description of it.

The book is really a close-up look at perseverance and how hard people worked back in those days, especially when their livelihood and their life depended on it. Crops and animals were both food and money in those days, so having little or none was devastating. I suppose my love for Laura Ingalls Wilder and the pioneering in those books are why I enjoyed The Promise of Dawn so much.

The lack of a big plot line isn’t bad for a book that, at its heart, is simply about work and perseverance. However, there were some things that I ended up being dissatisfied with, such as the lack of explanation as to why Einar was so mean and the continuous questions and dropped hints that implied we were going to get an explanation but which never happened. There’s only so many times a character can wonder “What happened?” before you start to think you’ll get the answer eventually. However, Snelling never explains, which I found disappointing. It’s just chocked up to Einar being a mean person (with occasional glimmers of hope), which isn’t particularly good character development.

I enjoyed The Promise of Dawn for the look at Western expansion, pioneering life it gave us. The continuous work described in the book may be tiring for some readers, especially since it encompasses nearly all of the book with very little plot to break it up, but I found it interesting. My only complaint is that Einar, in particular, was underdeveloped as a character. If Snelling meant to connect his behavior with something revealed at the end of the novel, she needed to do a better job of making it clear. If she didn’t, then he’s an especially weak character. However, the other characters were great and the book reminded me, once again, of the hard, work-filled days of the settlers as they fought to survive in the wilderness.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.

[Robin Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series linked with the fabulous Red River Valley novels. I have read a lot of books. I recall a movie, although not the title, where characters come alive and then freeze where they are when the reader stops reading. Most books are like this, quietly waiting to be picked up again, but Lauraine Snelling’s characters seem to continue to live after the book is put down – and I eagerly look forward to peering through the looking glass again to see what they’ve been up to.

Ingeborg’s cousin is still in Norway and has long waited to see her again. Her sister Gird is married and has gone to America, earning land and building a homestead. They need help, sending for her oldest son Rune and his family to join them. Ready and willing to work hard to repay them yet also earn some land and a home for themselves in this land of opportunity, they sail over – but nothing is easy anywhere along the way. They enter a loveless home and Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird expect way too much from them, with little thanks, but Rune and Signe – and their children - have strong values and deliver 110%. Clearing the large trees is a dangerous job and when overworked it becomes more so. Because Uncle Einar is so single minded about getting the trees cleared, Aunt Gird is very ill and the household has gone severely downhill. Plus, for some reason the community does not welcome Rune and his family. Standing firm on strength and kindness, their faith grows stronger through the difficulties and threads its way to the others who surround them.

I wish I could give Lauraine’s books 10 stars – I can’t recommend them highly enough. They are get-lost-in-and-fully-enjoy stories where you can clearly picture the characters and settings. As always, I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series! I really like the references to Ingeborg as I know she is living a full life not far from Signe and Rune in her piece of America.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa....

[Hannah Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” –Jesus (Matthew 5:44)

Never have I seen a historical fiction novel exemplify this kingdom principle so well. Every chapter of Rune and Signe’s struggle to survive in a new land with harsh relatives kept me in suspense. How can they keep living peacefully day by day without giving up? No one today would endure such an oppressive environment without reward. Yet Signe is determined to care for her husband and three sons, as well as the bedridden Aunt Gerd and sullen Uncle Einar no matter how exhausted she becomes. Rune endures the hard labor of felling trees, wondering if he will ever have the courage to stand up for his wife and sons against his dictatorial uncle. In addition to her pregnancy, Signe cleans the entire house, cooks all meals, bakes bread, cultivates a garden, and cares for her aunt without complaint or any gratitude. She does what she would wish to receive in return, and slowly but surely, the ice in Gerd’s heart begins to thaw, as her body grows stronger. While Gerd makes an effort to help Signe with baby clothes and tasks around the house and their friendship blossoms, Einar remains stubborn and unyielding in his slavish expectations. He threatens to call the sheriff to throw them all out if they do not obey him. Will they ever have a home of their own?

I could not put this book down. I love the details of life in the 1900s when people had to churn milk into butter, can vegetables from the garden, sell eggs in exchange for other groceries, and keep the fire supplied with chopped wood. Signe grows in strength throughout the novel as she sees her gestures of love and service finally win over her aunt just in time before Gerd needs to return the favor. As Signe courageously stands up to Einar to protect her boys and keep them all from being kicked out of the house, Rune himself finally learns how to set boundaries and be the protective leader and defender of his beloved family. They are both lights in the darkness, not repaying evil for evil, but seeking to do good to everyone. You will have to read the book to see how God proves himself faithful and provides for the Carlson family!

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book.

I always love a good immigrant story, and this one held out such promise - it focuses on Rune and Signe, immigrants from Norway come to Minnesota to help Onkel Einar and Tante Gerd. Unfortunately, their hopes are crushed as they learn the incredible demands placed on them and face Einar and Gerd's anger and isolation.

Sadly, my hopes were crushed along with theirs. Part of the problem is the flat characterization of Einar. He is pretty much depicted as the antagonist with very minimal character development (maybe none, since the summary for book 2 of the series describes him in the same way). I could have dismissed that as poor writing, if it were not for a much deeper issue.

(Spoiler alert)

As Rune and Signe realize the extent of how much advantage Einar has taken of them, they begin to weigh leaving since they have paid their debt. Signe is drawn to stay because of the progress with Gerd. Rune sees the need to help a family member and keep a promise.

However, throughout the latter half of the book, Rune consistently reflects on how mean Einar has been (yelling, threatening, hitting things) and then thinks various versions of, "but he hasn't hit anyone". Combined with the "we have to keep our promise" line, this is a dangerous message -- especially considering that Snelling's audience is primarily Christian women. The message could easily be perceived as, "stay unless he hits you."

I gave this a 2 instead of a 1, because I loved Signe and Gerd's relationship development and Gerd's growing strength, both physically and toward her husband. Rune's development from a silent bystander allowing Signe to bear the brunt of confronting Einar, to a man willing to stand up and drawn boundaries, was also great to see.

I know there are two other books in the series, and Einer's story apparently continues to develop. However, this book left me no interest in watching his tirades again to get to a couple of pages of possible changes. The first book should make you want to read the second.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Promise of Dawn is a heart tugging, heart involving, heart bleeding and heart wrenching story. It has a family Enar and Gerd (who has a heart sickness) that is sending for family in Norway to come and work for their passage and they will live in their house that they have built for a family (which Einar and Gerd do no have). The family in Norway (Rune and Signe - who is pregnant herself - after a couple of miscarraiges) wrote back that they would be glad to come and help family - GOD would want them to do that for family. So Rune and Signe and their three boys go to America and go to the farm and see the house and almost die - it is not made for a family - it is not a kept house - it is well shall we say - disgusting - here is a hint - rats - that is as far as I will go - that's the house - now if they keep their house like that how do you think they keep their insides like - do you think GOD lives there? do you think happy people live there - they immediately start treating them like slaves - if they do not do they are threatened to do something to them and the boys - the boys have to become slaves to the bed ridden wife - "I WANT" , "I WANT" - those poor children treated like slave children - no on ever - ever should be treated like that children or adult - then one of the big boys got one of their arms hurt and they were threatened again that they would do something serious to them - well guess what happened - I mean they were little boys - What do you think GOD would have done? well let me tell you - nooooooooo you have to read it all to find out - because I don't want to ruin it for you - so much so very very much happens in this book that I want to tell you because I just overflow with so much love for this book I want to share and I can't - you just have to get this book and find out what I mean. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.