This book is not a light hearted easy romance that has a historical setting.
Instead its more of a view into the life of a woman - a wife, a mother, and with that part of her family as well- and how she seems to be constantly working. And really that is one of the things i remember strongly about this book - how much the main character seems to always be working and doing endless tasks.

That sounds as if the book was boring, it wasn't. It just realistically showcased how never-ending specific work seems and that especially that type of work (the womens work if you will, such as household tasks and rising of things and people) is very much not as valued as other "real" work. I loved how the author showed how the character went through a lot of emotions while those scenes played out. How sometimes she would be frustrated or exhausted. How sometimes it was quiet clear that she would love to just stop and not continue keep doing the same thing, but because she knew it had to be done, she kept going through her frustrations. And how she also had great days where that same work was so much easer and fun.
Its actually nice to see a character being very dedicated and having a strong work ethic, but also show a bit of a struggle of doing those tasks.

THis book of course wasn't just that. It also had romantic aspects through i wouldn't say its a romance, since while there was a romantically involved pair in here, it wasn't really lovely dovey, but rather a realistic showing of a marriage that evolves throughout time. It shows how things shift and evolve and it doesn't always stay the same.

There are also a lot of themes sprinkled throughout this book that are subtely mentioned or talked about, and that i think back on and notice them more then when i was actually reading them.

All in all this book was really well done!

I got an ARC of this book from netgalley.

I absolutely loved Snelling's Red River Valley, Songs of Blessing, and Daughter of Blessing series's and was excited to see this new series start up. On the positive, I enjoy Snelling's look into daily life of years past, what it took to keep things running and body and soul together. It's insightful and interesting. However in this book it got to be very repetitive lots of pages of nothing but cooking, cleaning, killing mice, sawing trees down.. I don't know if it was the author's intent to show the grinding work and sameness of each day for these people, but there was very little plot development to keep you interested for the length of the book. One character in particular, Einar, was abusive and angry with no explanation at all, just others thinking about asking what his problem was but never doing so. I assume this is something that will be left for the inevitable sequel. Will I read that one? I'm sure I will as I've loved her other books so much. I just hope it has more of a plot than this one.

First sentence: Mor, a letter from Amerika!

Premise/plot: Signe and Rune travel with their three sons to America, to Minnesota, to help out their relatives, Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird. It won't be easy: not the journey, not the settling in, not the work. Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are each difficult and demanding in their own ways. Aunt Gird is bed-ridden and incapable of doing anything for herself or for anyone else. Uncle Einar, well, he's strong and capable--of almost anything but being kind and considerate. It will take all their strength and courage to survive in their new environment. Einar is a logger, and, he wants Rune and at least the oldest boy--if not the two eldest--to give 110% sunup to sundown.

My thoughts: I need to read more Snelling. I do. I haven't read nearly enough. I believe this series will--sooner or later--connect to some of her other books.

It's set in 1909, I believe. And the pioneer way of life is anything but dead. Reading this one reminded me of the Little House books or some of Oke's earlier work. Signe has a house to manage, and it's a 24 hour job, an often thankless job. She's also pregnant. The family is very well-developed, as is the community.

I would definitely recommend this one!

I’m just gonna say it. I really have a few mixed feelings about this book. I loved it, I wanted to love it and I kinda sometimes maybe didn’t get it. Singe and Rune are an interesting couple with a great family and backstory of their immigration. I get that the meat and potatoes of this book is their time in Minnesota but their opening at home and their voyage to their new life felt disjointed and rough. Uncle Einar and his wife Gerd (Gird?) are both just ginormous jerks. It has to be said. They don’t want family to come help them and settle this new land with them. They want warm bodies to do all the things all the time. I was a bit confused with Gerd/Gird as well. Her name is spelled one way in all the synopsis I found but differently in the book itself. Though reading an ARC perhaps it was something that was corrected on final edit?

Let’s briefly talk about Einar and Gerd. They are jerks. Like 98.2% jerks. Mostly jerks. Perhaps a few redeeming qualities. Well her more than him. Never-mind. Back to jerks. But jerks that I think I might like to perhaps better understand how they ended up that way. I can’t imagine that Gerd would have married Einar if he had always been a jerk, and vice versa. I’d almost be interest (OK I’d be really interested) in their backstory. Perhaps a prequel? *hint, hint* OK, enough of the jerks, moving on!

Let’s talk the actual story. There were two speeds, all the work and excessive details or random time jumps. I got absolutely exhausted and bogged down in all the work, all the chores, and all the details of all the stuff. Like all the details. I felt like I was back in one of my Nano novels a few years ago where my word count jumped exponentially just by the details of making a sandwich. This novel could have easily been half the length (or even better more backstory?) without the never ending overwhelming and unnecessary detail. And when there wasn’t all the things there were random leaps forward. One day becomes one month. One moment becomes a week later. I was frequently confused if it was summer or fall. The timeline felt stilted and awkward and hard to follow. Seriously, all the words. One last little thing, I promise. What I wouldn’t give for there to be a glossary of terms and what they actually mean. I sorta kinda caught on with most of them but there were a few words that I never quite grasped the meaning and felt floundered throughout the book.

That all being said, I still really really really liked this book. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Lauraine Snelling's claim to fame is her novels about Scandanavian immigrants to the Midwest--including several families in the Blessing series. The Promise of Dawn is the beginning of a new series that still gives a nod to the characters in the Blessing series.

Einar and Gerd write to their relatives in Norway seeing if Rune and his family can come and help. Gerd is not doing well and Einar needs help felling trees.

Just as Rune and Signe leave for Amerika (sic), Signe finds that she's pregnant one more time. When they reach Einar's farm, they find all is not what it was purported to be. Einar is an angry man who looks to take out his frustrations on anyone in proximity. Gerd is bedfast and unable to do anything for herself.

Signe sees much of this as a challenge--getting Gerd back on her feet, standing up for her boys, and ultimately, making sure they get their due from Einar.

Lauraine has given a full development to her characters, as well as genuine conflict. She's a quality writer who puts out quality narratives. She's given us a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a slice of cornbread with your dinner.

My thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book.

This book is about work, work, and more work. I would have thought that the descriptions of the never-ending tasks that fell to Signe would have lost my interest, but I was actually fascinated. It was like Little House on the Prairie for adults. The author skillfully and subtly wove in the myriad of emotions Signe felt, including frustration, compassion, exhaustion, loyalty, motherly love, humor, and exasperation. I couldn't help but admire her work ethic and dedication. It made me take a good hard look at myself and my own housekeeping habits! When it seemed that nothing would change in Gird and Einar, the dynamics began to shift ever so slightly and then more quickly, and I loved the direction the story went. There's not much romance, but we do see the love, support, and admiration Rune and Signe have for each other in subtle ways. So many rich themes in this book are subtle, and it was heartwarming to see the patience and efforts of Rune and Signe pay off in the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the Under Northern Skies series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

I enjoyed reading Lauraine Snelling's stories. She uses much of her background and interests in creating her stories. The Promise of Dawn is learning about love through dysfunctional families, hardship of farming, with a connection to the lumberjacks in her last story and Michigan fires.

Lauraine Snelling’s stories of Norwegians coming to America are always heartwarming and engaging. “The Promise of Dawn” is no exception. Rune and Signe Carlson receive a letter from Rune’s uncle, Einar Strand, offering to pay their way to American in return for working on his farm and caring for his ailing wife. They along with their three sons take Einar up on his offer to work off the payment for the trip.

Rune and Signe and the boys find that Einar is a gruff, intimidating, unfeeling man. He is only interested in cutting trees to send to logging companies. His wife is a shrew who runs Signe ragged. Signe is in charge of the cooking, cleaning, nursing, gardening, sewing, canning, preserving, carrying, hauling and everything else you can think of to make the farm work. They finally have enough of Einar and each in their own way stands up to him. This causes much friction in the house, but they also determine that they have paid their fares many times over by the work they have done for Einar.

I thought Ms. Snelling’s characters started out to be subservient and downtrodden. As the story goes on, you can see each one’s backbone starting to straighten and their attitudes change. They are not mean, but they finally see that they each have value too. I enjoyed reading this story because I relished the time when they put Einar in his place.

The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling is the first book in her new Under Northern Skies series. It is April in 1909 when Signe Carlson and her husband, Rune receive a letter from Einar and Gerd Strand who live near Blackduck, Minnesota. The Strand’s need assistance on their farm and will pay the Carlson’s passage in exchange for work (they sign a contract). Signe, Rune and their three boys set off on the long journey to Minnesota. They arrive at the farm and the greeting is not what they expected. The farmhouse is a mess, there is no place for them to sleep, Gerd is sick (and rude), and Einar is demanding. Signe spends her days whipping the farmhouse into shape, cooking, and taking care of Gerd’s needs. Einar has Rune and Knute (their eldest child) out early every morning felling trees to clear the property and earn money. Signe knows life in Norway was hard, but they had family, friends, a home, and soft beds. Her trust in God is faltering. She struggles to understand why her family must endure such hardship. Then Signe falls from the ladder to the loft (where they sleep) late in her pregnancy causing her to go into labor. Signe loses a great deal of blood and is very weak after giving birth to a little girl. Things cannot go on as they have been for the Carlson’s. Is there a chance for a better future for the Signe and her family? Pick up The Promise of Dawn to see what happens (I do not want to spoil the story for you).

The Promise of Dawn is a well-crafted novel. It is one of those books that you start reading and do not want to put down (I stayed up very late—even for me). After I finished the book, I continued to think about it. The Promise of Dawn has rich, well-developed characters and a rugged, yet beautiful setting. Ms. Snelling’s vivid descriptions brought the book alive for me (the author has a special knack). I could picture the scenes in my head (could even imagine the smell of the stinky outhouse). I am rating The Promise of Dawn 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it). The Promise of Dawn is an emotional story (love, humor, heartbreak, anger, joy and much more). The plight of the Carlson’s will tug at your heart. I thought the book to be well-written, have a nice pace and flow, and to be very realistic. So much happens in The Promise of Dawn (I only gave a brief overview). The Christian element was handled beautifully. We see how Signe struggles with trusting God and keeping her faith. God has a plan, but Signe must be patient. There are good life lessons in The Promise of Dawn. I appreciated the mentions of Ingeborg from Red River of the North series (she is such a wonderful character). I look forward to reading the next installment in Under Northern Skies series.

When Signe and her husband Rune receive a letter from an aunt and uncle needing help, they travel with their three boys from Norway to Minnesota. The family was ready to work hard to pay off their travel costs and earn a piece of the uncle's land. They did not expect the harshness they received from the aunt and uncle. Life in the early 1900's in Minnesota was hard. I enjoyed reading about the day to day life and struggles. I'm looking forward to the next in this series and hope to find out why Uncle Einar is so hateful and bitter. Highly recommended!

.Lauraine Snelling’s newest book, The Promise of Dawn, focuses on the lives of Rune and Signe Carlson and their boys after they move from Norway to America to help relatives Einar and Gerd Strand.

I had a hard time getting into the story. Einar is a tyrant and basically, treats Rune and his sons like they are indentured slaves. Gerd, who is bedridden, treats Signe essentially the same way. Einar is mean and gruff, and Gerd is demanding.

Einar is verbally abusive and unkind. As the story progresses and different situations occur, Signe begins to stand up to him. However, it’s not until an accident occurs that Rune begins to support his wife and children and stand up to Einar, also.

The story could have been better if there was some relief from or explanation of Einar’s attitude, but alas, there was none.

I came to appreciate the hard work everyone did so trees could be felled and shipped, farm animals could be taken care of and a large household maintained. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but there are a few sweet, endearing scenes near the end. Overall, it was an interesting story with a great lesson in persistence and Godly love toward others.

The Promise of Dawn is the first in a new series, Under the Northern Skies. It was not one of my favorites of Lauraine Snelling's. I do plan to read the next in the series, though, if for no other reason than to see if I can discover what caused Einar to be the way he was toward his relatives.

I received this book from NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

A new series linked with the fabulous Red River Valley novels. I have read a lot of books. I recall a movie, although not the title, where characters come alive and then freeze where they are when the reader stops reading. Most books are like this, quietly waiting to be picked up again, but Lauraine Snelling’s characters seem to continue to live after the book is put down – and I eagerly look forward to peering through the looking glass again to see what they’ve been up to.

Ingeborg’s cousin is still in Norway and has long waited to see her again. Her sister Gird is married and has gone to America, earning land and building a homestead. They need help, sending for her oldest son Rune and his family to join them. Ready and willing to work hard to repay them yet also earn some land and a home for themselves in this land of opportunity, they sail over – but nothing is easy anywhere along the way. They enter a loveless home and Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird expect way too much from them, with little thanks, but Rune and Signe – and their children - have strong values and deliver 110%. Clearing the large trees is a dangerous job and when overworked it becomes more so. Because Uncle Einar is so single minded about getting the trees cleared, Aunt Gird is very ill and the household has gone severely downhill. Plus, for some reason the community does not welcome Rune and his family. Standing firm on strength and kindness, their faith grows stronger through the difficulties and threads its way to the others who surround them.

I wish I could give Lauraine’s books 10 stars – I can’t recommend them highly enough. They are get-lost-in-and-fully-enjoy stories where you can clearly picture the characters and settings. As always, I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series! I really like the references to Ingeborg as I know she is living a full life not far from Signe and Rune in her piece of America.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

The Promise of Dawn is a heart tugging, heart involving, heart bleeding and heart wrenching story. It has a family Enar and Gerd (who has a heart sickness) that is sending for family in Norway to come and work for their passage and they will live in their house that they have built for a family (which Einar and Gerd do no have). The family in Norway (Rune and Signe - who is pregnant herself - after a couple of miscarriages) wrote back that they would be glad to come and help family - GOD would want them to do that for family. So Rune and Signe and their three boys go to America and go to the farm and see the house and almost die - it is not made for a family - it is not a kept house - it is well shall we say - disgusting - here is a hint - rats - that is as far as I will go - that's the house - now if they keep their house like that how do you think they keep their insides like - do you think GOD lives there? do you think happy people live there - they immediately start treating them like slaves - if they do not do they are threatened to do something to them and the boys - the boys have to become slaves to the bed ridden wife - "I WANT" , "I WANT" - those poor children treated like slave children - no on ever - ever should be treated like that children or adult - then one of the big boys got one of their arms hurt and they were threatened again that they would do something serious to them - well guess what happened - I mean they were little boys - What do you think GOD would have done? well let me tell you - nooooooooo you have to read it all to find out - because I don't want to ruin it for you - so much so very very much happens in this book that I want to tell you because I just overflow with so much love for this book I want to share and I can't - you just have to get this book and find out what I mean.

The Promise of Dawn

by Lauraine Snelling

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers
Christian

Pub Date 01 Aug 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The Promise of Dawn through Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers:

From beloved Christian author Lauraine Snelling comes a new immigrant series called Under Northern Skies.

In 1909 Signe, her husband Rune and their three boys leave Norway and immigrate to the United States coming to Ellis Island before settling in Minnesota but they go to stay with but Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard working them to the bone to pay back the cost of their voyage.

When Bjorn one of Signe and Rune's son's were injured while working on the farm. Bjorn temporarily looses his hearing. There uncle refuses to let the boys go to school. They soon see that even Aunt Gird fears Einar's temper.

Signe soon sees that Gird is not so hard, but her husband refuses to let them build even stairs although he knows Signe is pregnant and she soon discovers it was Gird who took care of all of the animals before she fell sick.

It is Aunt Gird who helps to save Signe's life after she falls and goes into labor.

Will they ever get what's promised to them, or will Uncle Einar continue to make them work like slaves for nothing? Find out In The Promise of Dawn.

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!