This is the first book in a fun series about Leah's Garden. The garden is named after the mother of the characters. In this book, we're focusing on Larkspur and her siblings. But Larkspur is the main character. She's good at card games though she doesn't gamble.

When she's brought into an actual gambling scenario and wins majorly to win back her brother and his friends' losses thanks to someone cheating she makes an enemy. Add in the enemy she's made of a deacon in the church who has been abusing his wife.

Once before Larkspur donned men's clothes and pretended to be a man in order to save her older brother from a prison camp during the Civil War. Now she must don them again to take her sisters west so that they can escape men intent on revenge against her.

They'd wanted to go west before but now it's imperative that they do. They take Larkspurs winnings and provisions that they have in their store from someone who was going to go west and didn't, and off they go!

An adventure awaits!

In order to be in a wagon train you must have a man with your wagon. Larkspur is that man as Clark. Her sisters are proficient in ways to protect themselves as well as Larkspur and they're sure they can do this. They make friends along the way and also face quite a lot of danger. Add in some romance as well.

This is a great story if you're looking for a book to stay awake and read at night.

Just know that you're going to need to read the whole series at the same time. I mean, once you finish this one you're going to need the next and the next. And even after you finish book 3 you're going to want for more!

Also I share their love of lilacs and roses.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Due to the many books that I have started and not finished lately due to the unrealistic, cliche or unoriginal, or lacking a faith base in a book from a Christian author or publisher. I've found too many and am just leaving this book as a did not finish due to my not getting into the book... I have previously really enjoyed Lauraine Snelling's works very much. This one and other more recent releases however have been repetitive and I haven't really gotten into them.

I loved this book! The sisterly love was right up my alley, as was the road trip (via covered wagon!). I liked that it was a western featuring orphaned siblings trying to carve out a new life for themselves on the wagon train and beyond. Very entertaining and enjoyable, and I liked the family of siblings. I’m hoping to read more in the series very soon.

Content: alcohol, gambling, saloons, tobacco, stillbirth

As a longtime fan of this author, I knew this historical novel would be excellent, it clearly is. The research that went into writing The Seeds of Change must have been painstaking, but it was well worth the efforts in this readers mind.
Larkspur Neilson took a big gamble both literally and figuratively the Sunday she went to church, angered the pastor, and then went to a saloon to gamble. Quite unexpected for a young lady however the gambling was due to her younger, immature brother who needed her help in proving there was cheating going on at the poker table. After Larkspur wins a sizeable amount of money, angering yet another man in her small town, its decided that she and her three younger sisters must leave town immediately

. So, off they go to try to join a wagon train, after deciding that Larkspur would disguise herself as the brother of the family named Clark. There are so many hardships they face in their journey, illness, death, orphans that need mothering, but they also meet some good and honest people along the way. They are a family filled with faith, grace, decency, music, and love.
I loved the perfectly paced storyline, the characters, and the adventure I took with the Neilson sisters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions are my own.

Ok, so this book is well written but there are just too many characters to keep up with. It’s obvious the book is linked to past books and possibly even series by this author?? If you haven’t read all those (like me) it’s a bit confusing at times.

I was so moved and intrigued by this book!

I do love a good series and this one tugged at my heart. A sister’s love for her brother puts Larkspur in danger and causes her and her sisters to flee. Of course she disguises herself as Lark, a man, to bring some protection to the four sisters… this story will tug at your heart, make you rush to get to the end to find out what happens to these sisters.

So glad we get to continue on with the next book that just released and then wait a bit for the 3rd book that is planned for a 2023 release. Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

I need to read more Lauraine Snelling, that is my conclusion after reading this book. Her writing contains the messy and the beautiful, the bitter and the sweet. While there is romance in it, it doesn't feel like the driving action of the story.

This is the first book of the series called "Leah's Garden". and it's the story of four sisters who have to make a sudden move out west. This book details their journey by covered wagon and then the first few months of them settling onto their own land in Nebraska. There is sadness and joy, hardship and pleasure. It's amazing and almost unreal how hard the girls worked and how fast they were able to get stuff done.

The thing I liked the most about the girls was their compassion, the way they cared for others, and were willing to sacrifice their own agenda for strangers. Of course, I also liked Lark's sassy, almost brassy, get-it-done attitude at times in the book. The girls were highly likeable, all of them, and I found myself rooting for them to make it.

I also liked how they threw themselves into their community. Living on the prairie, there wasn't much option--you needed each other, but it's refreshing to read about in a day and time when we can be so self-reliant and think we can live on our own. But in reality, we are much better people if we too live in community.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was the first book I've read by Lauraine Snelling and it was wonderful! I did think it was going to be mostly Lark's story but the romance ended up being more about Forsythia. I can't imagine living through the hardships and dangers that those on the trail out west endured. I am really looking forward to, A Time to Bloom which is the next in the series.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 1 June 2021.

The Seeds of Change is a great start to Lauraine Snelling's newest series, Leah's Garden. i enjoyed it and am giving it four stars. I will be looking forward to the next installment.

The Seeds Of Change is a beautiful story of how God can take a bad situation and use it for good. Larkspur "Clark" Nielson is very self-assured and that gets her into trouble. She tries to help out her younger brother and ends up having to become Clark and travel away from all she knows. I loved the strong female characters in this story. And the romance, while not the focus, adds a nice touch. Lauraine Snelling proves once again that she is a master storyteller.


So grab a pot of tea and curl up for a fantastic read!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

First sentence: I truly hate that man.” “Lark, you know Ma said we should never hate anybody.” Larkspur’s sister Forsythia, third of the Nielsen daughters, spoke out of the side of her mouth, the way they had learned so as not to be heard by anybody else. Especially in church. Forsythia had spent a good part of her young life trying to keep her older sister out of trouble.

Premise/plot: The Seeds of Change is the first in a new series by Lauraine Snelling. Larkspur, Forsythia, Delphinium, and Lilac are sisters heading west. Lark, the oldest, will be posing as CLARK, for safety. The decision to head west and join a wagon train came quickly. In fact, this decision isn't without some protest from some of the sisters! But circumstances have arisen that throw the girls safety into question. Life on the trail will be challenging--though these girls have been raised to do just about everything--shooting, throwing knives, etc. But what happens when they reach their destination? Can the girls make a new start?

My thoughts: I tend to love books about pioneers heading west via wagon train. The stories are always tough and full of some drama--expect no less here, life on the trail could be DEADLY.

I think my favorite part was the family adopting the kids--including a newborn--who became orphaned on the wagon train. I loved, loved, loved seeing Forsythia take on the role of mother.

I loved Forsythia's romance with the doctor (from the wagon train).

This is the first in a series and I think that's a good thing. If this was a stand alone I'd probably be a bit disappointed. We've got a good start to a plot--but not a full plot.

Lauraine Snelling wrote The Seeds of Change in the Leah’s Garden series. This was an excellent book that took place shortly after the end of the Civil War.
Larkspur (Lark, Clark) Nielson is the oldest of the sisters, with Forsythia following close behind. Delphinium and Lilac were the other sisters with their brother Anders being the oldest of the clan. Jonah was the seventeen year old brother who had a penchant for getting into trouble and poker was not his strong suit. Lark was the one who taught him the game and he came to her begging for her help in getting his money back as well as his friend Bernie’s deed when they lost it to a newcomer to town.
She was able to obtain the money and the deed back from the cheating newcomer, but she embarrassed him, and her brother heard that he swore revenge. Lark knew that she was already in trouble with Deacon Wiesel from the church because she had walked out on his sermon just before Jonah had approached her. When Lark arrived home around midnight with Jonah, the rest of her family rallied around to the victory and the possible trouble following her home. A decision was made for Clark to escort “his” sisters out west toward Nebraska with the brothers staying in Ohio. The girls could shoot and liked adventure.
This was another great book by Snelling and one that I highly recommend. I can’t wait for more in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #TheSeedsOfChange #LeahsGarden #LauraineSnelling

The Nielson family is a close family, all four girls, another brother with their parents. Larkspur the oldest girl, is running from a man she outwitted in a poker game, he has threatened to get his money back and recompense for the embarrassment she caused him. So Larkspur becomes Clark, a man and they are off to a new life. They join a wagon train going west. Four sisters traveling and they increase their family as they take in children that were suddenly orphaned . The wagon master and others look to Clark and consult him/her if needs be. There is much excitement and perils, sickness and death along the trail and they wonder will they ever arrive. But arrive they do to Salton. Nebraska. Their elder brother had arranged for the purchase of a homestead, such as it was. Their next task was getting settled, meeting new people. But danger still lurks in the background as the gambler had found out where they are.
Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I have read almost every book this very prolific author has produced.
With very well researched historical books you can feel the authenticity coming through as you flip the pages of each of her books.
This is the first book in a new series called Leah's Garden.
Larkspur Nielsen is tired of the closed mindedness of her home town in Ohio and after winning at a poker game when it comes down to it she knows she must make her escape.
Escape she does with her sisters in tow in the middle of the night and she once again uses the disguise of "Clark Nielsen" accompanying his sisters to Independence, Missouri, to join a wagon train bound for Oregon.
We see the hardships they face along the way as they settle in a new territory.

Published June 1st 2021 by Bethany House Publishers.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

1865 Another beautiful new series by Lauraine. I was hooked in the first chapter and loved every new character. Such depth and love between them all. Their parents are gone, and because of a gambler four sisters are pretty much forced to leave their home and head to Nebraska in a wagon. The journey isn't at all easy for them or for other travelers. (I could picture Ward Bond as the wagon master.) Lark is disguised as a boy to hopefully throw off anyone looking for them.
Their arrival in Salton was orchestrated by a brother for them from back home. Their next task was getting settled, meeting new people. But danger still lurks in the background, keeping you on edge even as you're happy for each accomplishment. There's lots to work out. Excellent read with wonderful new friends. Wraps up way too fast. Can't wait until the next book! Love that cover.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #TheSeedsofChange #NetGalley

The Seeds of Change by Lauraine Snelling is the debut of Leah’s Garden series. I have read all of Lauraine Snelling’s novels and she never fails to disappoint. I thought The Seeds of Change was well-written with developed characters. I could tell Lauraine Snelling did her research. The author captured the time period with the dialogue, clothing, attitudes, conveyances, and so much more. I was transported back in time as the Nielson sisters traveled west looking for a new place to settle. This is an inspiring tale. We get to see what people can accomplish when they put their minds to it and rely on God. The Seeds of Change is a faith filled story. The Nielson sisters as well as the majority of the other characters are Christians who rely on God. They pray for guidance and want to make sure they are following God’s path for their lives. This is also a story about survival. It was not easy to survive in the west. This story has drama, faith, family, joy, sorrow, and romance. The Seeds of Change is an engrossing story that held my attention until the very end. I was sorry to turn the last page. I look forward to reading the next story in Leah’s Garden series. The Seeds of Change is an uplifting, engaging tale that lingered with me longer after I finished it.

The Seeds of Change
by Lauraine Snelling
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian | General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction
Pub Date 01 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 11 Aug 2021

Lauraine Snelling books are well-loved in our library. This is the first in the series of four sisters who are all named after flowers. It is a sweet romance and it kept me turning the pages. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC. It is a great book!

5 star

Lauraine Snelling provides us another meaningful historical tale. As the first in a series, this story wove in characters and settings designed to keep our interest for a long time. Snelling never disappoints.

I wanted to like this because I have always enjoyed Lauraine Snelling in the past. However this book had too many things going on for me. I felt like there were a lot of unresolved issues in the rushed ending.

I am absolutely blown away by this book, it is one of those that you will want the story to keep going on. You can picture everything beautifully in your mind and your silently cheering for the sisters!!! I fell in love with this story, I truly hope it keeps going. It is one of the best written books that I have read in quite awhile. I will be recommending this to many people this summer. And of course I will be rereading it. It is diffidently a keeper.