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Red River of the North #5
Tender Mercies
Is She Really Leaving Forever? Mary Martha was the only woman to capture his heart. But now she was preparing to leave the Dakota Territory. Was her good-bye forever? Jump into the Red River of the North series and learn why readers across the country are clamoring for each new book in this historical series. Tracing the difficulties and joys of carving out a life from the Dakota sod in the second half of the 1800s, Tender Mercies continues Snelling's Red River saga and will pull your heartstrings and make you feel the joys and frustrations of life on the open lands of the 19th century mid-west. The rich farmlands of the Dakota Territory in 1887 are finally beginning to yield the abundant harvest the pioneers had dreamed about so long. The establishment of the railroad has brought significant changes to the small town of Blessing as well as prosperity to the Bjorklund family and their neighbors. Among the townsfolk, Reverend John Solberg despite being wary of matchmaking efforts in the past is developing a friendship with a delightful young woman through their common love of books. Mary Martha has a gentle southern charm that wins everyone in her circle but too soon she is called on to return home to care for her mother. She leaves behind many heavy hearts and countless questions of whether it will be the last time to see her.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
183 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
159 books2,031 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 98 reviews
July 22, 2015
Another satisfying warm and cozy visit to the town of Blessing!! These books are always about so much more than what's written on the back cover; I'm grateful for that. I never tire from one certain character. This one was a little bittersweet but still very gratifying.
April 4, 2023
Loved it as much as the others, though it is especially heartbreaking. Life on the prairie test the characters in truly difficult ways. On to No 6…😍
February 8, 2021
Tender Mercies by Lauraine Snelling is the fifth novel of the “Red River of the North” series. As with the others, I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the founders of Blessing, Dakota Territory.
The series describes the lives of Norwegian immigrants who first homesteaded Dakota Territory in 1880. Their courage, sacrifices and dedication paved the way for those to follow. In Tender Mercies the town of Blessing has been founded. The town now has a general store that also serves as post office, a bank, blacksmith, grain shed, church and school.
Some homes are built of wood, but many are built of sod—brick-like slabs of soil with grass roots still attached. In 1887, when Tender Mercies takes place, both the school and the pastor’s house are soddies.
Pastor John Solberg was heartbroken when Katy Bjorklund married Zeb MacCallister, a man with an irritating Missouri drawl, so different from the soft Norwegian/English language common in Blessing. Pastor Solberg is also the teacher of the one-room school. When Zeb’s sister Mary Martha comes to visit, she decides to stay and offers to help at the school. At first he hesitates to accept her offer—her southern accent is an unwelcome reminder of his lost love. But as the school year progresses, he’s not only impressed with her help with the children, he finds himself strongly attracted to her. When a family emergency calls her back to Missouri, both John and Mary Martha realize how precious they have become to one another.
Lauraine Snelling’s fascinating account of Dakota Territory’s arduous beginning and gradual growth is the crux of the “Red River of the North” series. By this fifth novel, the different family names are not only familiar to me, they’re like old friends. Each book concentrates on one family, but includes the others in their struggles and triumphs.
One of the reasons I love this series is to learn how our early immigrants managed from such meager beginnings. When they slaughter a pig, for instance, every part of the animal is used–the meat to eat and preserve for later use, the skull boiled for head cheese, the feet pickled, the fat rendered to lard, the intestines used to make sausage, the hide used for leather reins and shoes. Cold storage was a root cellar, an underground structure that kept food cool in the summer and from freezing in the winter.
Another delight for me was learning about the new invention of the Singer Sewing machine, a machine run by a foot treadle. Up to that time, all clothes were made by hand. With the new machine seams were stronger and garments could be made in a fraction of the time. I am a long-time Singer user and it was fun to read of its early history.
If you’re looking for a good story of our nation’s early years, I strongly recommend Tender Mercies of the “Red River of the North” series. Better yet, start with the first one, An Untamed Land.
The series describes the lives of Norwegian immigrants who first homesteaded Dakota Territory in 1880. Their courage, sacrifices and dedication paved the way for those to follow. In Tender Mercies the town of Blessing has been founded. The town now has a general store that also serves as post office, a bank, blacksmith, grain shed, church and school.
Some homes are built of wood, but many are built of sod—brick-like slabs of soil with grass roots still attached. In 1887, when Tender Mercies takes place, both the school and the pastor’s house are soddies.
Pastor John Solberg was heartbroken when Katy Bjorklund married Zeb MacCallister, a man with an irritating Missouri drawl, so different from the soft Norwegian/English language common in Blessing. Pastor Solberg is also the teacher of the one-room school. When Zeb’s sister Mary Martha comes to visit, she decides to stay and offers to help at the school. At first he hesitates to accept her offer—her southern accent is an unwelcome reminder of his lost love. But as the school year progresses, he’s not only impressed with her help with the children, he finds himself strongly attracted to her. When a family emergency calls her back to Missouri, both John and Mary Martha realize how precious they have become to one another.
Lauraine Snelling’s fascinating account of Dakota Territory’s arduous beginning and gradual growth is the crux of the “Red River of the North” series. By this fifth novel, the different family names are not only familiar to me, they’re like old friends. Each book concentrates on one family, but includes the others in their struggles and triumphs.
One of the reasons I love this series is to learn how our early immigrants managed from such meager beginnings. When they slaughter a pig, for instance, every part of the animal is used–the meat to eat and preserve for later use, the skull boiled for head cheese, the feet pickled, the fat rendered to lard, the intestines used to make sausage, the hide used for leather reins and shoes. Cold storage was a root cellar, an underground structure that kept food cool in the summer and from freezing in the winter.
Another delight for me was learning about the new invention of the Singer Sewing machine, a machine run by a foot treadle. Up to that time, all clothes were made by hand. With the new machine seams were stronger and garments could be made in a fraction of the time. I am a long-time Singer user and it was fun to read of its early history.
If you’re looking for a good story of our nation’s early years, I strongly recommend Tender Mercies of the “Red River of the North” series. Better yet, start with the first one, An Untamed Land.
October 15, 2025
We return to the Blessing, ND and the Bjorklund families and community.
The railroad has come by town and with it brings more people and modernity. This time in the name of a Singer sewing machine instead of plows, harvesters, and other farming implements etc.
The town figures how to expand with a restaurant, boarding house, bakery etc. And talk continues of the future statehood of North Dakota.
The sense neighbors helping neighbors, children, and getting hard work done. The challenges of nature, sickness and death.
The railroad has come by town and with it brings more people and modernity. This time in the name of a Singer sewing machine instead of plows, harvesters, and other farming implements etc.
The town figures how to expand with a restaurant, boarding house, bakery etc. And talk continues of the future statehood of North Dakota.
The sense neighbors helping neighbors, children, and getting hard work done. The challenges of nature, sickness and death.
May 1, 2021
Mary Martha MacCallister comes to Blessing to visit her brother Zeb at his invitation. When some of the community suggest she help the Pastor John Solberg in his school, she decides to make herself useful and finds she enjoys the children and working with the Pastor. When she is called home to help care for her ailing mother, she promises to write. At home, she realizes she misses Blessing more than she thought she would and she asks her mother for advice.
Her brother Zeb and his wife are expecting their first baby but are also caring for the two young girls Zeb found abandoned on his way to Blessing several months earlier. Zeb's wife, Katie seems to be struggling during her pregnancy and all the women are concerned whether she will be strong enough to survive or not.
Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Her brother Zeb and his wife are expecting their first baby but are also caring for the two young girls Zeb found abandoned on his way to Blessing several months earlier. Zeb's wife, Katie seems to be struggling during her pregnancy and all the women are concerned whether she will be strong enough to survive or not.
Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
July 15, 2020
Again too many characters killed including some favorites not sure i want to read any more books by this author. It has gotten so i pick up her books and wonder whos next not what i want to feel about a book.
January 4, 2018
Appropriate title
Inspiring as always. I have come to love the characters as you do a treasured friend. You root for them, cry for them, and thank God for their example.
Inspiring as always. I have come to love the characters as you do a treasured friend. You root for them, cry for them, and thank God for their example.
August 25, 2024
**MINOR SPOILERS**
This is part of the Red River of the North series about immigrants. The series follows the struggles and successes of the Bjorklund family and their neighbors who settled in North Dakota around 1880. It is now 1887. The author continues this series with a few other series, the next one of which is about Thorliff, Ingeborg’s stepson. I recommend reading this book after the earlier books.
The first book in the series had more of a focus on Roald and Ingeborg, Carl and Kaaren, and their children. As the series continues and including this book, the author builds more of a sense of community. I enjoyed reading about the people’s lives and their relationships.
The immigrants have established the town of Blessing, North Dakota and they now have a church and school. One of the storylines focuses on the pastor, John Solberg, who is the subject of interest to matchmaking mothers in town. John had been interested in Katy, who chose Zeb instead, and he is not happy with being introduced to alternatives by matchmakers.
Zeb is a rancher who raises horses and married Katy, the youngest Bjorklund. Zeb’s sister, Mary Margaret, is visiting with him and Katy but plans to return to Missouri later. When a matchmaker asks her to help at the school, she and John connect, and they become interested in each other. Mary Margaret is aware that John liked Katy and does not know if she, Mary Margaret, is important to him. I did not think that the author developed this relationship enough before Mary Margaret had to return to her family home because her mother is ill.
The ongoing life of Ingeborg and Kaaren and their families are a part of this book as well. I was a little disappointed that Ingeborg’s second husband, Haaken, seemed a little more disapproving when Ingeborg stepped outside of normal boundaries for women. Her former brother in law, Hjelmar, conveys the same when he doesn’t like the idea of his mother opening a boardinghouse. It is typical behavior for the time, but the women of the west had to be resourceful and strong and had to step outside of roles that fit them in a box. Fortunately, the women of the town stand up for themselves.
The book really conveys how much work the immigrants had to do to survive. They had to be able to do everything for themselves including making their own clothes, churning butter, and so on. The farming work was backbreaking. They see others a bit more than in previous books, and there were friends who helped when the fire breaks out and in putting up a school.
Metiz, a Native American woman, and her grandson, Baptiste, continue to play a role in the families lives. Metiz is a wonderful character, very wise and an excellent healer. Baptiste is an excellent friend to Thorliff, the stepson of Ingemar and Haakan. On a side note, I thought the family should have called the Native American woman something other than Metiz, which is a term that refers to her heritage. In addition, Metiz was spelled Metis in the first book. As far as I can tell from the internet, Metis is the correct spelling.
The book should appeal to those who are interested in what it might have been to come to the US with hopes for a better life and what it took to survive being an immigrant in North Dakota in the 1880s.
The book has a Christian element. Faith was integral to people’s lives at that time and they said daily prayers as well as read from the Bible. Faith was automatic but real. The people in the book turn to prayer when things get difficult. Zeb’s and his daughters, Manda and Deborah, have a terrible tragedy which results in them questioning their faith. This story is likely to be a factor in the next book as it was not concluded in this book. Small spoiler… There are two other deaths as well in the book and the reaction is a bit different for each depending on the age and circumstances.
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. A cast of characters might have been helpful as well as the number of characters you get to know as the books go on increases.
This is part of the Red River of the North series about immigrants. The series follows the struggles and successes of the Bjorklund family and their neighbors who settled in North Dakota around 1880. It is now 1887. The author continues this series with a few other series, the next one of which is about Thorliff, Ingeborg’s stepson. I recommend reading this book after the earlier books.
The first book in the series had more of a focus on Roald and Ingeborg, Carl and Kaaren, and their children. As the series continues and including this book, the author builds more of a sense of community. I enjoyed reading about the people’s lives and their relationships.
The immigrants have established the town of Blessing, North Dakota and they now have a church and school. One of the storylines focuses on the pastor, John Solberg, who is the subject of interest to matchmaking mothers in town. John had been interested in Katy, who chose Zeb instead, and he is not happy with being introduced to alternatives by matchmakers.
Zeb is a rancher who raises horses and married Katy, the youngest Bjorklund. Zeb’s sister, Mary Margaret, is visiting with him and Katy but plans to return to Missouri later. When a matchmaker asks her to help at the school, she and John connect, and they become interested in each other. Mary Margaret is aware that John liked Katy and does not know if she, Mary Margaret, is important to him. I did not think that the author developed this relationship enough before Mary Margaret had to return to her family home because her mother is ill.
The ongoing life of Ingeborg and Kaaren and their families are a part of this book as well. I was a little disappointed that Ingeborg’s second husband, Haaken, seemed a little more disapproving when Ingeborg stepped outside of normal boundaries for women. Her former brother in law, Hjelmar, conveys the same when he doesn’t like the idea of his mother opening a boardinghouse. It is typical behavior for the time, but the women of the west had to be resourceful and strong and had to step outside of roles that fit them in a box. Fortunately, the women of the town stand up for themselves.
The book really conveys how much work the immigrants had to do to survive. They had to be able to do everything for themselves including making their own clothes, churning butter, and so on. The farming work was backbreaking. They see others a bit more than in previous books, and there were friends who helped when the fire breaks out and in putting up a school.
Metiz, a Native American woman, and her grandson, Baptiste, continue to play a role in the families lives. Metiz is a wonderful character, very wise and an excellent healer. Baptiste is an excellent friend to Thorliff, the stepson of Ingemar and Haakan. On a side note, I thought the family should have called the Native American woman something other than Metiz, which is a term that refers to her heritage. In addition, Metiz was spelled Metis in the first book. As far as I can tell from the internet, Metis is the correct spelling.
The book should appeal to those who are interested in what it might have been to come to the US with hopes for a better life and what it took to survive being an immigrant in North Dakota in the 1880s.
The book has a Christian element. Faith was integral to people’s lives at that time and they said daily prayers as well as read from the Bible. Faith was automatic but real. The people in the book turn to prayer when things get difficult. Zeb’s and his daughters, Manda and Deborah, have a terrible tragedy which results in them questioning their faith. This story is likely to be a factor in the next book as it was not concluded in this book. Small spoiler… There are two other deaths as well in the book and the reaction is a bit different for each depending on the age and circumstances.
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. A cast of characters might have been helpful as well as the number of characters you get to know as the books go on increases.
May 9, 2024
3.5
Man, Snelling writes some really heartbreaking stuff and these early settlers deal with heartbreak on a regular basis. There are heavy losses in every book, so if death bothers you, another series might be better! This one follows more newcomers, though we get a chapter or two from our originals (the first book or two were from Ingeborg's perspective, though her thoughts are only featured briefly in this iteration). This one is mainly from Mary Martha's point of view, the sister of Zeb McCallister, a man from Missouri who entered the scene last book. All of these have been enjoyable, informative, and to some extent comforting reads as we see the community of Blessing grow. The way these people worked puts me to shame, they're all such dedicated people! I missed hearing from Kaaren's point of view, I wanted to learn more about the early adoption of sign language for her daughter Grace, but I know we'll get more into Grace's story later.
Man, Snelling writes some really heartbreaking stuff and these early settlers deal with heartbreak on a regular basis. There are heavy losses in every book, so if death bothers you, another series might be better! This one follows more newcomers, though we get a chapter or two from our originals (the first book or two were from Ingeborg's perspective, though her thoughts are only featured briefly in this iteration). This one is mainly from Mary Martha's point of view, the sister of Zeb McCallister, a man from Missouri who entered the scene last book. All of these have been enjoyable, informative, and to some extent comforting reads as we see the community of Blessing grow. The way these people worked puts me to shame, they're all such dedicated people! I missed hearing from Kaaren's point of view, I wanted to learn more about the early adoption of sign language for her daughter Grace, but I know we'll get more into Grace's story later.
June 27, 2021
This may be my favorite book of the series. The rest of the normal characters are there, but add Mary Martha MacCallister to the mix and somehow the families take on a warmer and more comforting level of care for each other. Pastor John Solberg is smitten and so is Mary Martha. The very slow simmer of feelings is heartwarming to follow. Of course, there are sad sections of the book because nothing is easy on the prairie, but I will hold those from this review.
I just found this book gently calming and thinking about the real meaning of family. I will miss this huge Norwegian family upon completing the final one in the series next. This series is a keeper.
I just found this book gently calming and thinking about the real meaning of family. I will miss this huge Norwegian family upon completing the final one in the series next. This series is a keeper.
December 19, 2023
Dec 1887
Blessing, Dakota Territory
Main characters, too many others in to enumerate…
Reverend John Solberg: Single minister
Mary Martha McAlister: Zeb's sister, new in town
Katie Bjorklund McAlister: Woman John had been in love with
Zeb McAlister: Katie's husband
And any more!
Wonderful faith element throughout the book, I’ll say that right off the bat. Actually every book in these Dakota series have a satisfying emphasis on God.
If I was Norwegian or knew about this culture, I think I’d have a better appreciation for this series. I might not have been in the right frame of mind for this book so I just didn’t care for it as much as I wanted too. I was a bit overwhelmed with the many characters, and then sad events causing main characters to doubt God.
I think I might be done with Blessing, North Dakota and the Bjorklund family, at least for a while.
Narrated by Callie Beaulieu who did a pretty good job. She did not attempt the Norwegian accents, but that was okay.
Blessing, Dakota Territory
Main characters, too many others in to enumerate…
Reverend John Solberg: Single minister
Mary Martha McAlister: Zeb's sister, new in town
Katie Bjorklund McAlister: Woman John had been in love with
Zeb McAlister: Katie's husband
And any more!
Wonderful faith element throughout the book, I’ll say that right off the bat. Actually every book in these Dakota series have a satisfying emphasis on God.
If I was Norwegian or knew about this culture, I think I’d have a better appreciation for this series. I might not have been in the right frame of mind for this book so I just didn’t care for it as much as I wanted too. I was a bit overwhelmed with the many characters, and then sad events causing main characters to doubt God.
I think I might be done with Blessing, North Dakota and the Bjorklund family, at least for a while.
Narrated by Callie Beaulieu who did a pretty good job. She did not attempt the Norwegian accents, but that was okay.
August 8, 2025
My heart!! This book felt like a healing balm. Ingeborg gets another chance at love, and it’s the kind that comes after you’ve seen some things. The conversations between them are so thoughtful—it’s not about passion, it’s about peace. Also, I really liked the moments of silence in this one. Some books rush. This one breathes. Let’s hear it for second chances, especially the grown-up kind where romance doesn’t look like fireworks, but more like, “I chopped the firewood without being asked.” It’s tender, it’s earned, and I really appreciated the slower pace.
June 27, 2023
My favorite part of this installation in the Blessing series is the letters back and forth between Pastor Solberg and Mary Martha. While most of the romances in Snelling’s series seem to appear out of nowhere and go from 0-100 real fast, this one clearly grew from annoyance to attraction to love over the course of the story.
Full of family, friends, romance, and sorrows I had forgotten about, Tender Mercies draws a beautiful image of God’s care for his children.
Full of family, friends, romance, and sorrows I had forgotten about, Tender Mercies draws a beautiful image of God’s care for his children.
November 5, 2018
Love lives on
The continuing sage of the town of blessing. The town is growing and everyone has their difficulties. Even through the heartbreak of loss of life of family pastor John and Mary Martha find a way for their love to grow .I have enjoyed reading all of her books in this series.
The continuing sage of the town of blessing. The town is growing and everyone has their difficulties. Even through the heartbreak of loss of life of family pastor John and Mary Martha find a way for their love to grow .I have enjoyed reading all of her books in this series.
February 22, 2021
Another exceptional book in this series. This time the main character is not from Norway but from Arkansas. Mary Martha is a sister to one of the husbands of the family from Norway. Of course when she arrives she only speaks English but soon is on the track to learning Norwegian. She also becomes a helper in the school helping 3 sisters learn English which also helps her in the process.
July 30, 2024
The pastor finds love, but others suffer. As an outsider reading these books and imaging the situations are real (because they do feel like they could be real), it does make you logically wonder how people continue to believe in and trust in God. I guess belief isn't logical and persists even when things are hard.
September 17, 2024
Another quick read about the Norwegian settlers in Dakota. Best to read these in quick succession to keep all of the characters straight. I hope she starts including a cast of characters in the books -- it will help the reader so much keep track of families, marriages, etc. Reminds me of Little House on the Prairie or the Jeanette Oke series, "Love Comes Softly."
March 9, 2020
The title of this book fits the story line perfectly. Here's a chance to learn what it was like in 1887 in the Dakota Territory. The hardship of that time period & the value of a newly invented Singer Sewing Machine.
January 17, 2021
Storyline felt rushed and under developed compared to the earlier books in the series. Felt like there were too many narratives. I still enjoyed reading and diving into the world of the Dakota Territory.
May 8, 2022
Tender Mercies is a sweet story of the Norwegian immigrants in the Dakota Territory and the dangers of living and giving birth during the late 1800s. It was interesting that the pastor was also the school teacher! I recommend this fifth book in the Red River of the North series.
May 23, 2022
Laura one Spellings is a wonderful author
Mary Martha went to the Dakota s to see her brother and met John Solberg and helped in the school.
Loved the story of the ones that lived in Blessing
Mary Martha went to the Dakota s to see her brother and met John Solberg and helped in the school.
Loved the story of the ones that lived in Blessing
January 17, 2024
Nice enough continuation of the Bjorkland/Blessing series. I didn't find the character development as compelling, but it's still sweet enough.
CW: difficult childbirth, death of close family and friends, might want to skip if descriptions of blood and sickness make you queasy.
CW: difficult childbirth, death of close family and friends, might want to skip if descriptions of blood and sickness make you queasy.
October 17, 2024
loved this series
Because we lived near Grafton ND and I know where most the towns you mentioned are! The stories were wonderful and very interesting! Thank you for sharing your talent 👏👏👏💕💕💕
Because we lived near Grafton ND and I know where most the towns you mentioned are! The stories were wonderful and very interesting! Thank you for sharing your talent 👏👏👏💕💕💕
March 2, 2025
Very good story. I loved the update on Grace and enjoyed the pastor’s storyline. I wish there were updates on some of the other characters, but I suspect their stories will wrap up in the next book, so I look forward to it.
March 13, 2025
I love this series following the same family in the late 1800s in the Dakota territory before it became a state. But this one, number five in the seven book series, is by far the saddest, most tragic.
June 8, 2017
So much sadness! But still, through it all, God is Good, and He is helping them. Taking a break from this series since a book just came out that I HAVE to read now.
September 6, 2017
This could easily be my favorite book in this series. The only thing is that towards the end I did end up bawling my eyes out. Other than that, it's a good book.
September 24, 2017
This one was way too sad!
October 16, 2017
I truly love reading Lauraine Snelling!!! I have enjoyed the way she reminds you in each book as to who the characters are!!! This one was a bit odd tear jerker for me!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews