Customer Reviews

Sophie's Dilemma (Daughters of Blessing #2)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lauraine has a gifted way of upholding strong family values and the necessity of family connectedness. This novel carries on the message further, with a tasteful portrayal of a teen who allowed passion to go against her parents' counsel. When she returns after an unspeakable tragedy (you'll have to read the book to find out what!), like the Biblical Prodigal son, she finds forgiveness and support in rebuilding her life despite difficult circumstances. There's special charm in the setting of last-century Norwegian immigrant families....plus the strong lesson that families can strengthen their bonds when tragedy strikes. If you hail from Seattle (specifically Ballard), you'll enjoy revisiting history there. A minor character who is deaf might make this an uplifting book for someone with that disability.

For two years, Sophie Knutson waited in her hometown of Red River Valley for Hamre Bjorklund to come home and make her his bride. As the letters dwindle, Sophie begins to believe he will never take that first step until he suddenly comes home and proposes. Excited, she accepts as she finally can escape the over-protection of her father. Her dad demands and then pleads with Sophie to delay the wedding until after she graduates from school, but she and Hamre elope.

They move to Ballad, Washington near Seattle where she finds herself alone as he is a fisherman always at sea. She misses her friends and family, feeling out of place in Washington state. When his vessel is lost, she is informed he died. Pregnant, Sophie heads home praying her family will take her back.

The second Daughters of Blessing novel (see A PROMISE FOR ELLIE) is a wonderful character driven tale of seeking forgiveness, redemption and second chances. Sophie is the fabulous center that holds the strong story line together as her actions from eloping to returning home miserable and alone seems genuine. Lauraine Snelling provides a strong entry that insists that no matter what you might have done with the love of family you can go home.

Harriet Klausner

Sophie's Dilemma (Daughters of Blessing #2)

As we begin book #2 in the "Daughters Of Blessing" series, we see the daughter of Kaaren and Lars showing her independence with her new "fringe" hairstyle. As I am reading these books through the 2nd time now, I am enjoying them just as much the 2nd time as I did the first time! You will want to go back and read the first two series that belong with this book, and know the families as they began their lives from Norway all the way through here to Blessing, North Dakota. I am not like other reviewers, and will not tell you exactly what happens before you read the book, as that gives away a lot of the secrets in the book you haven't read yet. I will tell you this though, about this book: There are 2 new buildings in Blessing, a cousin returns, a risque marriage takes place, new arrival for a specific job, a beloved family member goes far away for much needed surgery, a newborn arrives, several deaths occur, a member of a beloved family comes home, coal burning furnaces arrive in homes, a fire involving deaths and injuries, new places to live for people, an indoor toilet in a certain place, a buyer for the boardinghouse (?), and more births. Lauraine Snelling moves us right along as she always has with her newer additions to her families and loved ones. These books are beloved by many, and a wonderful way to spend your time and have an enjoyable time with her! The reading is absolutely thrilling!

This is a wonderful continuation of the amish family in the dakotas. I love this author's writing. It's so easy to read and you don't want to put the book down.

It is better then you described.I'm very pleased with this book thank you so much.I will be buying more from you if you have my books.thank you again.

This was a very good read. Although not as good as the original "Red River of the North" series it still tells a great story and includes many of the same characters in the original books. It is better than most books of its kind. I do think the Red River series should be read before reading these spin off books so that the background of the saga is known. Loraine Snelling has become one of my favorite writers. It's no wonder she has won several awards. I've given it five stars because it is so good. The original series is better and those books should have more that five stars if that were possible. They are all very good. All these books in this saga are so much better that many books I've read that it is hard to give them a good enough review. So I just say start at the beginning of the series with "A Untamed Land" and read all of them. You won't be disappointed.

This was a pretty enjoyable book to read. Snelling's writing does not always have as much depth of detail and emotion that I like to find in a book, but she was able to tell a good story. I've always been partial to stories set in the West in the 1800's and early 1900's, so that initially drew my interest. Snelling was able to weave a story mixed with many blessings and occasional tragedies that not only brought Sophie back together with her family, but brought the town of Blessing closer together, as well. I felt like Hamre's death was rather anti-climactic when reading about it, but perhaps that's normal given that we're already given an idea that it will come when reading the back of the book... But I really enjoyed the romance that came Sophie's way later on, it was very sweet. And without giving anything away, let me just say that the scene where she is about to give birth was quite amusing and memorable. I think I might die of mortification if I had to be transported to the doctor the way Sophie was.

Another plus for me was that I did not feel like I was being preached to, like I do with so many other Christian Fiction books. The religion and prayers to God were there, but I didn't feel like I was being told that I had to believe a certain way. That was something I appreciated for a change. This is the second book in the Daughters of Blessing Series, so I think I might have to hunt down the first to see what I missed.

This book was not as good as the first in the series. However, it was still a very sweet and wholesome story. I enjoyed it very much!

Book received in less than a week. Book in excellent condition. Thank you for such good service.

This is a great read which took me back to my childhood. A reminder of a much simpler life even though difficult at times.