Customer Reviews

Tender Mercies (Red River of the North #5)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I enjoyed this book in the series, just as I have enjoyed the others, however, I felt cheated! The author took great strides in laying the foundation and introducing us to Inegborg and Kaaren Bjouklund. Through the first three books, we learned all about these two sisters (in-laws). Now, they have been set to the back burner as minor characters. I would have liked to see these characters evolve, how the children grow up and how they grow old and become grandmothers. I have little feeling for the new characters that have been introduced because we know so little about them. This is a good book, but for completion, I would have rather followed the lives of Inegborg and Kaaren.

This book was not what I was expecting given the past books in the series. Although it still shares the general atmosphere of life in the Red River Valley of the North a century ago, the constant barrage of new characters (there must be 40 now!) makes the book confusing and storylines can get mixed up.

I am 13 years old. I have enjoyed reading this series. I like the depth that the characters have. But in this book there are so many deaths that it makes it hard to enjoy reading it.It may be that the author is trying to be realistic, but if most people are like me they read for entertainment and relaxation.I felt the death of Katy and the baby was very difficult in the lives Mandy, Deborah, and Zeb, especailly considering the hardships they had already faced. Since their deaths occurred so close to the end of the book, it left the reader feeling lost and wondering. I felt their needed to be a bit more closure. Unfortunately, this tragic incident seemed to overshadow the very happy and touching ending. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Book 5 of this series was sort of a hodgepodge about too many people, and there was a lot of death. The pastor is featured more as the teacher of the school. Zeb's sister Mary Martha is prominent and Singer Sewing machines are introduced into the community. This causes a huge rift between Penny and Goldie. Ingeborg remains unable to conceive. Sign language has come to Blessing in order to help little Grace communicate. A fire in the grain house takes the life of a man traveling through. Politics are in full gear, with debates and Hjelmer traveling for meetings. Mary Martha is called back home to nurse her ailing mother. Little Anna contracts whooping cough and dies. Perhaps the central tragedy occurs with Katy during childbirth. Personally, I hope this book is a bridge to a happier conclusion of this series with book #6.

Although I did really enjoy reading this book and was extremely glad to see another added to this series, I don't think I have ever cried so much since I believe the first book. What made me cry? So many deaths so close together. So yes I hope there is a number 6 book coming up soon so I can have some sort of closer and see the good that God brings out of so much heart ache and sadness, because even though this is only fiction I know that oft times life is or has been close to what the author writes. So, Lauraine, if you read this if for no one but me please write a #6 and fill it with joy and happiness!

I am spellbound by the story of the Bjorklund Family from Norway who migrate to the Dakota Territory. I love being able to follow the family as they grow and progress. I feel as though I work on their farms with them, listen to their school recitations, attend church with the Blessing Community and grieve with their tragedies. This is a wonderful series. I've read this 6-book series as well as the books that follow. I highly recommend the books on the settling of the Dakota Territory with this family!

The Red River of the North Series became near and dear to my heart. I simply could not wait to start the next once as soon as I finished the last one. The characters in these stories really became part of me, I felt like I knew them, I hurt when they hurt, I cried when they cried and I celebrated when they were happy. I highly recommend the entire series from beginning to end.

I tried to read this book; the first chapter seemed interesting and I thought it was promising. But after that I just could not get into the story -- just too many characters and storylines that weren't about the main characters. I wanted to hear more about Pastor Solberg and MaryMartha. I couldn't finish it. Sorry!

Ordered 4 books in the same series and they all came together in excellent shape and
before we expected. We couldn't be more pleased with the service and the products...again. We now have the full and complete series of "Red River of the North", plus the follow-up series of "Return to Red River". That is, until Lauraine Snelling writes more. It's wonderful to have a complete series and not miss out of years of the lives of characters whom you've gotten to know and be so interested in their lives. Though fiction, it is based on realities..very common in the lives of the immigrants and pioneers. We have several of the author's other books and plan to have them all eventually.

If you read book 1 of this series, you will definitely stick with it and read through all six total books in the series. Good clean historical fiction novel for those of use who don't want to have to skip page after page of bodice-ripping, muscle-gleaming sex scenes.