Blessing in Disguise

Snelling is a superb author. This series is no exception. Loved following the characters from Norway to N. Dakota.

I read this book in the series first. I found it with the new arrivals in the library. I couldn't put it down. When I discovered it was the LAST in a series, I went to find the first book. Ms. Snelling writes in a way that compells you to continue to the next chapter to see what will transpire. It's nice to find a book written this well that is historical fiction!!!. I enjoy reading about the pioneer era in this county. These historical details are a nice addition to the plot of the "lost" heroine Augusta. However,I would suggust reading the books in order.

I for one would like for you to write more about the people you introduced to us in Blessing, N.D. Like, does Penny and Mary Martha have children, does Karen start a school for the deaf, does Zeb McCallister come back and etc.? What those people went through reminded me of my parents and grandparents went through when they came here from Norway many years ago. Thank you for some great reading. Ardith Haraldson

The only problem I could see with the Red River Series was that it had ended.I would very much enjoy finding out if Hjelmer and Penny ever became parents and whatever would become of Kaaren"s school.It would have been nice to see all of the Bjorkland children grown and the town grow as well.Ms.Snelling could make them into a saga instead of just a series.I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books.

I am so glad I waited for book six in this series because after book five I was ready to throw in the towel. However, this one more than compensated my determination to finish the series!Augusta- the oldest Bjorkland daughter is finally immigrating to the United States. Her mother, Bridget is excited to have her join the staff of her new Boarding House in the town of Blessing. Henry has come into Bridget's life, but she is way too old for romance - or is she?Kane is introduced in the book for the first time and is a bachelor-rancher who has sent for a mail order bride from Norway. He lives a whole state away in South Dakota. A lost letter of explanation lends incredible suspense and disaster to his life.A cluster of unavoidable situations and horrible consequences because of language barriers lead to some exciting, troubling legal, spiritual and familial fiascoes which take emotional toll and tax the patience of the families of the participants.The storyline does move from Blessing to the Ranch and the journeys of Hjelmer but Snelling does a great job keeping it systematized and integrated. I found it somewhat frustrating to have to leave a character when the author chose to jump to a different location, but I understood her reasoning.A good portion of the book is consumed with the search for Augusta, carried out by Hjelmer and Henry at the insistence of Bridget. A generation gap complete with different expectations and considerably exclusive social mores causes part of this book to become a mystery as well. Many of the original characters are now in the background, and this book primarily features Hjelmer, Bridget, Kane and Augusta. The manner in which their lives become interwoven is masterfully orchestrated and carried out with intrigue, suspense and emotion.I highly recommend the complete series of six books, and I recently learned that Lauraine Snelling has instituted a down-the-line-sequel series titled "Return to Red River." The first book is called "A Dream to Follow" and I intend to read this new series as well.I do think the author needs a finer tuned editing system to keep straight the names of her characters, but for the most part, the excitement of this final book in the series more than made up for the slight variations.

The 6th book of series won't disappoint you. Almost hesitated to order after the weak review, glad I didn't. Most enjoyable!