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Red River of the North #2
A New Day Rising
The dream of their own farmstead and a good life in America had brought Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund across the Atlantic to pioneer the virgin prairie of Dakota Territory. But Roald's tragic disappearance in a winter storm had turned Ingeborg's dreams into a living nightmare. Against nearly impossible circumstances and overwhelming grief, she struggles to keep the farm and her family together.
When spring appears, Roald's distant cousin Haaken arrives to help with the heavy field work, and Ingeborg is able to once again concentrate her efforts on home and children. After the bleak winter, she cannot ignore the joy that Haaken brings to their lives or the attraction she begins to feel toward him. When Roald's brother from Norway also arrives to help the family, things become very complicated around the simple prairie dwelling!
He reminded her of a Viking of old--
could he be persuaded to stay?
When spring appears, Roald's distant cousin Haaken arrives to help with the heavy field work, and Ingeborg is able to once again concentrate her efforts on home and children. After the bleak winter, she cannot ignore the joy that Haaken brings to their lives or the attraction she begins to feel toward him. When Roald's brother from Norway also arrives to help the family, things become very complicated around the simple prairie dwelling!
He reminded her of a Viking of old--
could he be persuaded to stay?
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
192 people are currently reading
1006 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,042 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 160 reviews
April 30, 2018
The amazing sequel to An Untamed Land. I loved this book just as much as the first one. I absolutely *love* Haaken. You grow so attached to the characters as the series goes on. Definitely a must read!
April 15, 2024
I disliked Hjelmar's character so much that this book took me two months to finish after reading the first book in the series in a day.
January 4, 2016
So far, my favorite of the series! It's awesome to follow these characters for a longer period of time and watch their growth and how the mature in faith along the twists and turns of life.
A new favorite and I can't wait to read more!
A new favorite and I can't wait to read more!
June 13, 2021
So emotional seeing how life is changing for this cast of characters who come alive with the author’s gift of writing. I am going immediately to the next book!
March 12, 2023
I can't believe how much I enjoyed listening to this book. The next in the series is ready to go and I'm ready to start it. It made me feel like a ten-year-old girl discovering books all over again.
September 17, 2008
During the reading of this, I experienced some troubling moments in my own life.
At one point, the main character of the book looks to the Lord for her peace. She keeps covering fearful and worrisome thoughts with Bible verses and by remembering the faithfulness of God in the past.
It reached my heart and ministered to me that night and the next day.
At one point, the main character of the book looks to the Lord for her peace. She keeps covering fearful and worrisome thoughts with Bible verses and by remembering the faithfulness of God in the past.
It reached my heart and ministered to me that night and the next day.
April 5, 2024
Best books ever. I have read every book in this series from beginning to end. And if she wrote more, I would read those also.
September 16, 2017
These people were amazing. I never would have made the grade.
May 21, 2024
2nd book in series
Two women struggling to develop land . A cousin arrives and Roald's younger brother. What a blessing they are but, seems like trouble starts . I enjoyed this book .
Two women struggling to develop land . A cousin arrives and Roald's younger brother. What a blessing they are but, seems like trouble starts . I enjoyed this book .
November 28, 2021
Excellent story! I enjoyed reading about Ingeborg and Haaken as they meet and work together, keeping the farm going, and learning about each other. She is widowed with two children that he can't help but fall in love with, and she is surprised when she realizes she has fallen in love with him.
Great story!
Great story!
August 19, 2025
Oh the continuing saga and mini-series. I'm caring so much about these two sister-in-laws and their families making it and homesteading in the Dakota Territory.
Audiobook narration is consistent and engaging.
Audiobook narration is consistent and engaging.
September 21, 2019
The dream of their own farmstead and a good life in America had brought Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund across the Atlantic to pioneer the virgin prairie of
Dakota Territory. But Roald's tragic disappearance in a winter storm had turned Ingeborg's dreams into a living nightmare. Against nearly impossible circumstances
and overwhelming grief, she struggles to keep the farm and her family together. When spring appears, Roald's distant cousin Haaken arrives to help with
the heavy field work, and Ingeborg is able to once again concentrate her efforts on home and children. After the bleak winter, she cannot ignore the joy
that Haaken brings to their lives or the attraction she begins to feel toward him. When Roald's brother from Norway also arrives to help the family, things
become very complicated around the simple prairie dwelling! He reminded her of a Viking of old--could he be persuaded to stay?
As you know, I loved the first in the series and I liked the second as much as the first. the author does an excellent job of characterization, evidenced by the fact I wanted to slap Yelmer upside the head, repeatedly. this is a great continuation of the series, and the characters, both old and new are fun to catch up with.
Dakota Territory. But Roald's tragic disappearance in a winter storm had turned Ingeborg's dreams into a living nightmare. Against nearly impossible circumstances
and overwhelming grief, she struggles to keep the farm and her family together. When spring appears, Roald's distant cousin Haaken arrives to help with
the heavy field work, and Ingeborg is able to once again concentrate her efforts on home and children. After the bleak winter, she cannot ignore the joy
that Haaken brings to their lives or the attraction she begins to feel toward him. When Roald's brother from Norway also arrives to help the family, things
become very complicated around the simple prairie dwelling! He reminded her of a Viking of old--could he be persuaded to stay?
As you know, I loved the first in the series and I liked the second as much as the first. the author does an excellent job of characterization, evidenced by the fact I wanted to slap Yelmer upside the head, repeatedly. this is a great continuation of the series, and the characters, both old and new are fun to catch up with.
December 17, 2014
This was not my favorite of Lauraine Snelling's but it was pretty good. I still enjoyed Ingeborg; I look for her small twists of humor that make these reads more enjoyable. She is certainly a character to be remembered; a brazen and high spirited pioneer woman she is!! Hjelmer's story was a little irritating for me. I find it hard to read about someone I don't like. One thing that is certainly true of Lauraine Snelling's books is that they need to be read in order for you to fully understand these people. That might not be such a good thing; I tend to grow tired and weary in a series but for now I will continue along Red River.
November 30, 2014
I loved this sequel to An Untamed Land. Lots of hard work is involved in working the land. But having Haakan and Hjelmer arrive definitely help out. I had a Saturday with hardly anything to do so I pampered myself and spent most of the day reading this book. Had a happy ending and I look forward to the others in the series. Theme that kept coming up is God is always with us - through hard times as well as good times. Loved all the spiritual thoughts in this book. Good things to be reminded of.
July 2, 2019
This book taught me so much about how to survive. I found myself thinking I could have saved water when I washed clothes. I should bake my own bread and do more canning. I was so afraid that one of the little boys would get injured badly or killed I was afraid someone would kill Wolf. My brain worked throughout in a good way. Everyone should read this series. I’m now reading the Dakota Series. Loving it...!!!
December 31, 2018
Living in early 1823
I loved this series because it was so like the early days of my childhood.
To come to America and build a life from absolutely nothing takes will beyond comprehension!
Lauraine Snelling makes her books come alive. You must read this series! It is my second time
and enjoying every WORD! Beautiful love story with heartache!
I loved this series because it was so like the early days of my childhood.
To come to America and build a life from absolutely nothing takes will beyond comprehension!
Lauraine Snelling makes her books come alive. You must read this series! It is my second time
and enjoying every WORD! Beautiful love story with heartache!
December 10, 2013
As enjoyable as the first, slightly more religious overtones, but the character development is great, and the story is engaging and inspiring. Am about to start the next book...
December 4, 2016
Nice Scandinavian immigrant story
May 28, 2021
A little better than the last one, but I think I'm going to DNF the series...
August 23, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This is second book in the Red River of the North series about immigrants. The series follows the struggles and successes of the Bjorklund family who settled in North Dakota around 1880. 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 first one.
In the previous book, Ingeborg and Kaaren, married to two brothers, immigrated to North Dakota with them. Both brothers died (Roald and Carl), and Ingeborg and Kaaren worked to sustain their homestead on their own. Their relatives in Norway hear about their situation and ask a distant cousin, Haakan, to go help them. In addition, Roald and Carl’s younger brother, Hjelmar, decides to come and help. He had wanted to immigrate anyway.
The first book in the series had more of a focus on Roald and Ingeborg, Carl and Kaaren, and their children. With this book and as the series continues, the author builds more of a sense of community. I enjoyed reading about the people’s lives and their relationships.
The family works 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 saw others infrequently, though there were friends who worked together to get things done such as harvesting grain or breaking sod. At the end of the first book, the families discuss establishing a church and school.
Ingeborg has become quite independent and used to running the homestead on her own. She is a bit prickly about the men assuming that they are in charge. She is attracted to Haakan and, even though she has self confidence when it comes to the homesteading, she is flustered when he begins to show that he is attracted to her as well.
Haakan does not plan to stay in North Dakota. He wants to move further west. As time goes by, he becomes closer to Ingeborg and her two sons as well as Kaaren and Lars. He also becomes a part of the community of immigrants in which they live. Haakan finds that this is where he wants his home to be.
Hjelmar is a bit cocky though he has a good nature. Early in the book, he saves a child without hesitation. He secretly thinks he might marry one of their widows in order to gain the land. He is astonished to find out how independent Ingeborg is. She helps make decisions and wears pants. He is also surprised by the family’s friendship with a Native American woman and her grandson.
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. Haakan has drifted away from his faith as he has worked at the logging camps for several years. When he comes to North Dakota, he becomes reintroduced to it and especially after praying for survival in a blizzard and for someone who was wounded. Ingeborg struggles a little to put her past (which caused her to be angry with God) behind her, but thoughts pop up once in a while.
The book title reflects something that someone says at the end of the book for a particular reason, but it also reflects the more hopeful tone of this book versus the previous one.
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 second book in the Red River of the North series about immigrants. The series follows the struggles and successes of the Bjorklund family who settled in North Dakota around 1880. 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 first one.
In the previous book, Ingeborg and Kaaren, married to two brothers, immigrated to North Dakota with them. Both brothers died (Roald and Carl), and Ingeborg and Kaaren worked to sustain their homestead on their own. Their relatives in Norway hear about their situation and ask a distant cousin, Haakan, to go help them. In addition, Roald and Carl’s younger brother, Hjelmar, decides to come and help. He had wanted to immigrate anyway.
The first book in the series had more of a focus on Roald and Ingeborg, Carl and Kaaren, and their children. With this book and as the series continues, the author builds more of a sense of community. I enjoyed reading about the people’s lives and their relationships.
The family works 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 saw others infrequently, though there were friends who worked together to get things done such as harvesting grain or breaking sod. At the end of the first book, the families discuss establishing a church and school.
Ingeborg has become quite independent and used to running the homestead on her own. She is a bit prickly about the men assuming that they are in charge. She is attracted to Haakan and, even though she has self confidence when it comes to the homesteading, she is flustered when he begins to show that he is attracted to her as well.
Haakan does not plan to stay in North Dakota. He wants to move further west. As time goes by, he becomes closer to Ingeborg and her two sons as well as Kaaren and Lars. He also becomes a part of the community of immigrants in which they live. Haakan finds that this is where he wants his home to be.
Hjelmar is a bit cocky though he has a good nature. Early in the book, he saves a child without hesitation. He secretly thinks he might marry one of their widows in order to gain the land. He is astonished to find out how independent Ingeborg is. She helps make decisions and wears pants. He is also surprised by the family’s friendship with a Native American woman and her grandson.
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. Haakan has drifted away from his faith as he has worked at the logging camps for several years. When he comes to North Dakota, he becomes reintroduced to it and especially after praying for survival in a blizzard and for someone who was wounded. Ingeborg struggles a little to put her past (which caused her to be angry with God) behind her, but thoughts pop up once in a while.
The book title reflects something that someone says at the end of the book for a particular reason, but it also reflects the more hopeful tone of this book versus the previous one.
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.
February 25, 2019
A New Day Rising by Lauraine Snelling is the second of the Red River of the North Series. I loved this book as much as I did the first. This book continues with the Bjorklund family.
In this novel, Ingeborg Bjorklund, a widow and mother of two young boys, struggles to keep her farm and family together. Living in a soddy on the Dakota Territory prairie in the 1880's is tough for anyone, but for a woman without a husband, mere existence can be overwhelming.
Family in Norway has written to their timberman son, Haakan, a distant cousin of Ingeborg’s late husband, that Ingeborg desperately needs help. Haakan’s job in the Dakota north woods is a winter occupation, so he sets out to give Ingeborg help with the heavy field work for the planting and harvest seasons, but plans to return to the work he loves in time for winter logging.
Haakan finally arrives, a godsend to Ingeborg. Although she is relieved to have the help, Ingeborg resents having her independence threatened. On the other hand, there is no denying the attraction she begins to feel for him.
In the meantime, another relative, Ingeborg’s late husband’s younger brother, is also encouraged to go to Ingeborg’s aid, and he sets out from Norway. His trip is delayed with one mishap after another, but his expectations never waver, thinking that once he arrives, he will take over his brother’s farm. Who knows, he might acquire his brother’s widow, too.
Misunderstandings, accidents and complications arise, making A New Day Rising a powerful read. Lauraine Snelling does a remarkable job of describing the flat, fertile farmland of the Red River Valley, and its first Norwegian settlers. The Red River of the North is an amazing series. I can hardly wait to read the third novel.
In this novel, Ingeborg Bjorklund, a widow and mother of two young boys, struggles to keep her farm and family together. Living in a soddy on the Dakota Territory prairie in the 1880's is tough for anyone, but for a woman without a husband, mere existence can be overwhelming.
Family in Norway has written to their timberman son, Haakan, a distant cousin of Ingeborg’s late husband, that Ingeborg desperately needs help. Haakan’s job in the Dakota north woods is a winter occupation, so he sets out to give Ingeborg help with the heavy field work for the planting and harvest seasons, but plans to return to the work he loves in time for winter logging.
Haakan finally arrives, a godsend to Ingeborg. Although she is relieved to have the help, Ingeborg resents having her independence threatened. On the other hand, there is no denying the attraction she begins to feel for him.
In the meantime, another relative, Ingeborg’s late husband’s younger brother, is also encouraged to go to Ingeborg’s aid, and he sets out from Norway. His trip is delayed with one mishap after another, but his expectations never waver, thinking that once he arrives, he will take over his brother’s farm. Who knows, he might acquire his brother’s widow, too.
Misunderstandings, accidents and complications arise, making A New Day Rising a powerful read. Lauraine Snelling does a remarkable job of describing the flat, fertile farmland of the Red River Valley, and its first Norwegian settlers. The Red River of the North is an amazing series. I can hardly wait to read the third novel.
September 1, 2021
Why did I pick this book? Book 2 in a series that I enjoyed enough to continue exploring the series.
General summary The book picks up soon after the ending of book 1- so for sure you'll want to read the book in order. In this book, the protagonist Ingeborg works to recover from the devastating blows she and her sister-in-law endured in book 1. New characters are introduced- with the arrival of a second cousin and another brother-in-law along with more neighbors joining them in their slowly forming community.
My thoughts-impressions yep- I read it in a day- less than a day actually. Not only was it rather short, the book itself is very plot driven- so you keep reading to find out "what next". No great surprises- the Christian theme remain, the history is the same and a little more romance is introduced (very, very G rated though). I consider this to be a popcorn read- you sit down with that big bowl of popcorn- it tastes good while you are snacking- but soon the bowl is empty and you think that was good- but now what next?
Not sure if I will continue the entire series- probably- it's not a huge investment of my time and again I continue to imagine what my own ancestors endured in their immigrant journey.
General summary The book picks up soon after the ending of book 1- so for sure you'll want to read the book in order. In this book, the protagonist Ingeborg works to recover from the devastating blows she and her sister-in-law endured in book 1. New characters are introduced- with the arrival of a second cousin and another brother-in-law along with more neighbors joining them in their slowly forming community.
My thoughts-impressions yep- I read it in a day- less than a day actually. Not only was it rather short, the book itself is very plot driven- so you keep reading to find out "what next". No great surprises- the Christian theme remain, the history is the same and a little more romance is introduced (very, very G rated though). I consider this to be a popcorn read- you sit down with that big bowl of popcorn- it tastes good while you are snacking- but soon the bowl is empty and you think that was good- but now what next?
Not sure if I will continue the entire series- probably- it's not a huge investment of my time and again I continue to imagine what my own ancestors endured in their immigrant journey.
March 18, 2021
The second in the Red River series. Ingleborg and her sister-in-law are struggling to work the land on their own after they both became widows. Ingleborg grieves in a different way than Kaarn and almost works herself to the bone. She now has two children to raise on her own. She is determined to protect the land for her children.
When a distant cousin of her late husbands shows up at the door announcing he is staying to help until the winter, she is pleased but wary. Then her late husband's youngest brother, Hjelmer arrives from Norway but he doesn't resemble the happy-go-lucky young man she remembers. He seems to resent her and she doesn't know why.
A continuation of the saga of the struggles the early pioneers had during the 1880's when they immigrated from Norway to the rich farmland of the Dakota region. Everything is different from what they are used to but as the area settles with more immigrants from Norway, they develop strong friendship and a community bond. Now I need to find the third book in this series to discover what is going to happen next!
When a distant cousin of her late husbands shows up at the door announcing he is staying to help until the winter, she is pleased but wary. Then her late husband's youngest brother, Hjelmer arrives from Norway but he doesn't resemble the happy-go-lucky young man she remembers. He seems to resent her and she doesn't know why.
A continuation of the saga of the struggles the early pioneers had during the 1880's when they immigrated from Norway to the rich farmland of the Dakota region. Everything is different from what they are used to but as the area settles with more immigrants from Norway, they develop strong friendship and a community bond. Now I need to find the third book in this series to discover what is going to happen next!
June 5, 2024
This book continues the story of Ingeborg Bjorklund and picking up her life after the death of her husband. In this story, a distant cousin of her deceased husband and a nephew come to help the families. These books are great literature, but they are like reading a person's life history. The story just tells the everyday real life events that could have happened to someone homesteading in the Dakotas. The families have deep faith in God, but also struggle with trial and wonder if God is really listening. Interestingly, I don't usually much like series especially 3 book series that force you to keep reading to know the story, but when it's a story like this that reads more like personal history than fiction, I enjoy reading on about their lives.
July 7, 2022
This book was amazing! I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the rest of the Red River of the North series since I had mixed feelings about An Untamed Land, but I was proven wrong. Although A New Day Rising didn't have as much action as An Untamed Land, I felt that this decrease in action allowed for better character development. I especially loved learning more about Thorliff. However, I had some minor complaints about the book, namely that the dialogue felt unrealistic at times. Sometimes Ingeborg would meet someone and almost immediately start sharing a lot of details about herself, her family, and her life. Most of the time, people don't open up that quickly in real life. Overall, though, A New Day Rising was a really good book because of the character development and the storyline.
January 23, 2023
I hesitated about trying this series at first. The titles and covers brought to mind those angst-soaked Harlequin Romance books that fill the shelves. Fortunately, these books have more substance than that. It helps that the main female character, Ingeborg, is not your stereotypical pioneer woman who folds immediately to any man's commands. I will admit there are moments the books get a bit too 'preachy' for me--but what do I expect as they can fall under the classification of Inspirational Fiction? I'm enjoying reading about the Bjorkland clan--and I've learned a bit of Norwegian in the process (though I can't begin to pronounce any of it!).
September 16, 2022
A New Day Rising, book 2 of the Red River of the North series has been one of my favorite books. I've read it multiple times and again recently. The timeless tale never gets old as I love to read about the settling of the American frontier in the late 1800's. It has fueled my love for the time period as I imagine how I would survive in similar circumstances. The strong female protagonist finds strength from her faith in God that inspires me to do the same in my life. This uplifting story will leave you wanting more.
January 6, 2024
More adventures for the Bjorklund’s as they farmstead, near the North Red River, in the Dakota Territory. A cousin of Roald Bjorklund, Haakan Bjorklund, arrives from Minnesota to help Ingeborg and Kaaren. Roald’s brother, Hjelmer, from Norway, also arrives to help Ingeborg and Kaaren. He is initially disappointed when he learns that Kaaren is married to Lars Knutson. Trouble seems to follow Hjelmer wherever he goes. The Bjorlund’s strong Christian faith helps them through whatever trials life throws at at them.
June 21, 2025
Of course this book picks up where "An Untamed Land" left off. After Roald's death, Ingeborg must work the land by herself in order to eventually own it. She learns how to plow with a team of horses, how to hunt for game (she becomes a crack shot), and still take care of Roald's 8 year old son, Thorliff. In the spring of 1883 Roald's cousin Haaken comes to help for the summer, but ends up staying and marrying Ingeborg. While difficulties remain, things are looking up.
I like the spiritual aspects of the story. These people have a deep dependence on God.
I like the spiritual aspects of the story. These people have a deep dependence on God.
August 8, 2025
The title says it—this one is about rebuilding. Ingeborg’s grief is so present, but she still shows up for her people, her land, her God. The way she just keeps going, even when it feels like she’s walking through fog, hit me in a soft spot. Also, there’s a scene with bread and music that just felt sacred. No frills, just heart. Ingeborg’s world gets flipped upside down, but she keeps putting one boot in front of the other. The pace is calm, the heartbreak is real, and her strength is quietly inspiring. Also, I swear the prairie wind is a character all its own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews