Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Extensive Detail for Early 1900's Life - 3-1/2*, August 7, 2006
This review is from: A Promise for Ellie (Daughters of Blessing #1) (Paperback)
Not having read any of the RED RIVER NORTH series by author Lauraine Snellings, A PROMISE FOR ELLIE was my introduction into the world she created of the two Bjorklund brothers families as they immigrated to America.
In Book one of Snelling's new series `The Daughters of Blessing', we are returned to Blessing, North Dakota and the approaching wedding of Ellie Wold and Andrew Bjorklund. They were two young people who went through childhood idolatry for one another and grew up expecting to marry -- all with their family's blessings. They'd been inseparable growing up until five years previously Ellie's father had moved from Blessing to advance his furniture making business. Keeping in touch through letters, Ellie and Andrew would both be graduating that year and planned to be married after the harvest. Andrew was the quintessential farmer, loved the land and with help from their families they would be starting out blessed with acreage, a new home and barn. But before the wedding occurs their new barn burns down, and a life hangs in the balance that changes their lives and prove a bigger tragedy for the dreams of these two young people.
*** Well written with extensive detail, the reader will have no trouble at all envisioning life in the early 1900's. From what I gather this is a continuing family saga that began a couple of series ago bringing the children to adulthood as they face their own trials and tribulations as well as discovering the real meaning of faith and prayer when their orderly planned out world hits the bumps in life. Ellie was a loving delightful young woman, warm and sure of her love for Andrew although having misgivings about the physical results of childbearing. Andrew was also a likeable though head-strong young man, hard working and industrious, a natural farmer at heart whose biggest lesson in life would come after turning to God when control slipped out of his hands. A plethora of secondary characters made this a fully robust entry and while it might have been nice to have read previous volumes for the background of so many endearing characters it was not necessary as this book stands completely alone. While I did find the first half of the book to be paced a bit on the slow side it portrays an excellent example of Americana history brought to life that will satisfy most readers.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great return to Red River!, July 30, 2006
This review is from: A Promise for Ellie (Daughters of Blessing #1) (Paperback)
I've been waiting for this book - finally Andrew and Ellie's story! This book definitely is a nice addition to the Red River series and really fleshes out the characters of Andrew and Ellie. By the way, that little vignette on the page from Amazon really isn't right.
Andrew and Ellie are asked to wait on their wedding by Haakan, who believes that their house not coming on time is a sign from God to wait. So they plan to wait until after harvest to get married. During that time, Andrew and Ellie both grow in their spiritual lives and commitment to each other.
We also get to revisit all our old friends from Red River in this series and this book sets up a lot of other side stories which I'm sure will continue through this series (Daughters of Blessing). Definitely check this book out if you loved Snelling's Red River of the North series!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Story Continues..., February 14, 2007
This review is from: A Promise for Ellie (Daughters of Blessing #1) (Paperback)
Lauraine Snelling has taken us yet again to the community of Blessing, North Dakota. This time the story focuses on Andrew, Ingeborg's younger son, and his fiance Ellie. The two have known they would get married ever since they were little. When the pair have to postpone their marriage due to circumstances beyond their control, Andrew is angry at the delay, while Ellie accepts the wait. She wants to learn what it'll be like to have a home with Andrew. However Andrew keeps growing more sullen and distant with her. Then tragedy strikes making the couple having to rethink their relationship and especially their upcoming marriage.
I love the Bjorkland family and I'm glad that we are able to again join with another generation of the family. The original series, Red River of the North, was excellent as was the second series with Thorliff. I love how there is so much detail about prairie life, this time new and old worlds collide as Thorliff's wife is now the doctor of the area. All the familiar faces are still around, making cameos at least. I really liked Ellie. She was practical, reasonable, patient, and understanding. She was able to stand up to Andrew even when he was being completely stubborn. Andrew's temper has been brought up in past books as a forewarning that it would get him into trouble someday. I kind of got annoyed with him sometimes. I know that he loved Ellie and wanted to be with her, but his actions and attitude were very childish. When his father tried to give him reasons about why he should wait a bit for the wedding, which IMO were very reasonable, Andrew throws a tantrum. He gets mad that Ellie wants to go to her own bridal shower. He keeps thinking she's cheating on him. When the climax happens, I know this sounds sadistic, but I'm glad Andrew finally realizes he's gone over the edge and now has to pay the consequences. I never got bored reading this book, I love the historical detail, I love all the background stories from the characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series. At this rate Lauraine will never leave the town of Blessing which is perfectly fine with me!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
