Lauraine Snelling

She never intended to stay. So why is leaving so hard? The fertile prairies of Dakota Territory have finally begun to yield the bountiful harvests the pioneers have dreamed about since leaving their homes in Norway. The tiny community of Blessing is beginning to expand and thrive, its hardy citizens at last enjoying a measure of prosperity. Mary Martha MacCallister comes to Blessing from Missouri to visit her brother. She volunteers to help at the schoolhouse and, with her gentle southern charm, quickly wins the affection of all. Pastor John Solberg, rejecting the persistent efforts of matchmaking mothers, develops a friendship with Mary Martha and discovers she shares his love of books and children. But then the message arrives that she must return home to care for her ailing mother. When she leaves, she says she'll write.... Everyone has come to love her. Is this good-bye forever?

Tender Mercies

Jeni Enjaian

Sometimes I have an insatiable thirst to learn the stories of people I read about or see knowing that even if the story is similar to something or many things that I've already been acquainted with and this book fit that desire perfectly.

Mrs. Snelling limited the story--somewhat--to a couple storylines and thus I wasn't too distracted trying to figure things out.

A few times Mrs. Snelling stretched the imagination in describing the reaction of a few characters to different events. Thankfully, unlike Mr. Morris, Mrs. Snelling avoids carrying out those tepid descriptions throughout the book.

The characters are nearly as fully developed as they can be in a book/series like this. Each has his own flaws and admirable qualities and no one character is completely alike.

Mrs. Snelling's book are a nice enjoyable read for a rainy afternoon or for any random time.

Tender Mercies

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