Book Review: The Promise of Dawn

From the Back:

In a Compelling New Saga, One Family Strives to Make Their Own Future
Opportunities are scarce in Norway, so when Rune and Signe Carlson receive a letter from Rune's uncle, Einar Strand, offering to loan them money for passage to America, Rune accepts. Signe is reluctant to leave her home, especially as she is pregnant with her fourth child, but Einar promises to give them land of their own, something they could never afford in Norway.

But life in Minnesota is more difficult than Signe imagined. Uncle Einar and Aunt Gerd are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone to pay off their debt. Afraid they will never have the life they dreamed of, she begins to lose her trust in God. When the dangers of the North Woods strike close to home, will she find the strength she needs to lead her family into the promise of a new dawn?

My Reflections:
The Promise of Dawn is book one in the "Under Northern Skies" series a fantastic coming to America novel! 
This book highlights the struggles immigrants often faced when coming to a new country. Hard labor and cruel treatment are no strangers to the people of the "new land." 

On April 1909 Signe Carlson received a letter that changes her life forever. The decision is made, and Signe, Rune and their three sons travel all the way to America from Norway. The land is much different, and Minnesota is not quite what this small family expected. 

Relatives Einar and Gerd Strand have the agreement that travel expenses will be paid back in return for labor on the farm. However, this deal turns out to be more than the family bargained for. Hard work was a way of life in Norway, but the back-breaking labor of clearing the land of pine trees leads to accidents and near exhaustion, not to mention the unbending harsh treatment by Einer and Gerd.
I was so saddened by the treatment of these so-called relatives, no one especially family should ever treat each other in this horrid fashion!

Snelling does not disappoint with her newest historical fiction! The heart rendering drama reminds us of the sheer strength, and fortitude immigrants overcame to come to a new land. The plight of the Carlson's in much like many other stories, and I am glad to have had the chance to review this one. Though not a true story many immigrants faces harsh journeys and many perished along the way. I love reading books that remind us of how blessed we are to live in our beautiful countries! I can't wait for book two to be released!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Lauraine Snelling

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of more than 70 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than 4 million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers' conferences across the...

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Book Review: Freedom's Price

From The Back Of The Book:

Sometimes the hardest step to take is the first step forward
When Englishwoman Catherine Haynes loses both her father and her home in 1856, she decides to cross the Atlantic to find her American mother's family in Louisiana. She enlists the help of Tom Worthington, a dashing Key West man who makes his living salvaging wrecked ships.

When Catherine arrives at the plantation, she finds that her family has left it in the care of a manager--who's let it fall into disrepair. Torn between returning to Key West with Tom and beginning the hard work of restoring the plantation, Catherine soon finds herself snared in a plot to steal her inheritance. When an incredible secret comes to light, both she and Tom will face a choice: grip their dreams ever tighter or step forward in faith--even if it costs them everything.

My Reflections:
Freedom's Price is book three in the "Key's of Promis," series, and although it is a series I feel it can indeed be read as a stand-alone. This book had me from the first pages. Clocked in danger, mystery and a smattering of romance, this book has all the earmarks of a best seller!

Catherine Haynes flees from her childhood home when her cousin makes unsatisfactory decisions for her future. Traveling from England to Louisiana is no small feat, especially for a young woman. When the boat she is aboard is damaged by a storm, she becomes acquainted with a particular handsome Salvage wrecker, Tom Worthington. While waiting in Key West, she is able to ascertain that Tom's character is as appealing as his appearance. When the opportunity presents itself, Catherine finds a passage to her American mothers estranged home at Black Oak plantation. Tom insists on escorting Catherine, even if it means losing his hard-earned position as a wrecker. Upon arrival will she be welcomed or will dark and ominous secrets be harbored within Black Oak's confines?

Tom has his own dark past, and although he finds Catherine to be intriguing and his heart is definitely attracted to her spirited character, Tom has other reasons as to why he wants to accompany Catherine. Tom desperately wants to avenge his father's untimely death and get his father's boat back. Catherine may just be the person to lead him to the devious stranger with the unusual scar marring his face.

This book was so emotionally charged and raw, It had me anchored to it until the very end. I so enjoyed the historical background and found myself researching "wreckers," so compelling! Johnson does a fantastic job of making her characters relatable and the plot irresistible! The dark evil villain seriously sent chills through me! I am looking forward to Johnson's next book, she is now on my favorite author's list. 
Certainly, a must read!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

THE AUTHOR

Christine Johnson

Christine Johnson is the author of several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired and has been twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart® award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God's majestic creation. These...

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