Product Description

Continues the story of Norwegian emmigrants Ingeborg and Haaken Bjorklund as they begin to realize their dream of transforming the vast Dakota Territory into rich farmland.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1092999 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 299 pages

From Library Journal
Snelling (A Land To Call Home, LJ 6/1/97) begins with the compelling story of Zeb MacCallister, who flees Missouri for the West after accidentally murdering a neighbor. Reluctantly teaming up with two malnourished orphan girls, Zeb eventually lands in Blessing, Dakota Territory. Unfortunately, the core of the book focuses on the trials and tribulations of the Bjorklund family, who are not half as interesting as Zeb and the girls. By the time Zeb and his two companions, especially the sulky and bad-tempered Manda, arrive in Blessing to give the Bjorklund family yet more problems to test their faith, readers may be wondering why a whole book was not devoted to such well-rounded and amusing characters. Still, readers who enjoyed the first three books in this series about immigrants settling the West will certainly want to read this one.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Lauraine Snelling is an award winning author of over 30 books, both fiction and non fiction for adults and young adults. She has two horse series for young teen girls, the GOLDEN FILLY SERIES which is completed and HIGH HURDLES. Lauraine is also the author of the popular RED RIVER OF THE NORTH series set in North Dakota in the past part of the 19th century. The Bjorklund brothers bring their families from Norway to begin a new life on the land they will turn from prairie to fertile farms.

Besides writing both books and articles, Lauraine teaches at writer's conferences across the country and has an active speaking career. She and husband Wayne have two grown sons, four grand dogs and live in the country where Lauraine can garden, sew, do crafts, cross stitch, enjoy her birds and eventually have a horse again.

Customer Reviews

Great book, great series...Period.
I have read all the books in this series and all the books in the sequel series. Ms. Snelling is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite books. I have rad every book numerous times and would recommend them for anyone. Ms. Snelling knows real-life situations that pertained to the late 1800s and writes about them. I personally believe "A reader from Alberta, Canada" must have only skimmed the book and I suggest that she get her facts straight.

Another great book!
This is a sad book at times, but it brings out the truths of life for the homesteaders. Although I wish Ingeborg would get her baby, I also know that her situation was very real for many women. Alberta, Canada hasn't read this book because she doesn't know what she is talking about at all. It's a great book in a great series, I love them all.

Enter southern drawlin' Zeb McCallister
Even though I felt book 4 was just a bit dragging at times, it kept my interest because it built on the life of Hjelmer. There is finally a blacksmith and a merchantile in town. Penny's only known relative comes to join her. Haaken contracts mumps as they spread throughout the families, and the Bjorkland matriarch arrives with 4 others for vacationing -or is it a move?

A very dramatic incident occurs when Anner, an angry farmer, has a farm accident.

During a 6 wk absence of her husband and against all advise including his, Ingeborg returns to her britches and plowing and has a freak though serious accident. Zeb MacCallister, a fugitive caring for orphans Manda and Deborah, joins the prairie families. Manda talks too much.

Blessing women are discussing the possibility of women's votes and the fact their area is about to become a state. Katy and Zeb are extremely attracted but speak completely different languages.

A bank is opening, several weddings take place, and near the end of the book Zeb sees his siter momentarily and gets a painful scare which forces him into an even more painful decision.

Despite a slight discrepancy in timeframes by the author, I am glad I already have purchased book 5 in this series.