Valley of Promises

It's been a few years since I have read this book. I probably enjoyed it more because I live in Palmer. We celebrate colony day once a year with a parade here & there is a colony museum. It is nice to learn more. Ruth is correct, People do not fish off the matanuska river & you would never ice skate or swim in the river.

I throughly enjoyed this book (and the other two in the series). I know very little about people's lives in the 1930's beyond what's taught in school. The author's information about how the family traveled to Alaska, and the conditions they faced once they arrived were informative and interesting. The characters came to life for me. I was sorry when the story ended. I've visited the part of Alaska she wrote about, and could picture the events and settings.

This book fascinated me because I knew very little about this Depression Era program to help farmers by relocating them to another place. Ms. Leon makes history coem alive as she describes the geographical and historical background for this romantic tale of overcoming hardship.

Laurel Hasper has made up her mind what she wants to do with her life and who she doesn't want to do it with. But God has a way of revealing his plans for her life. Will Laurel leave Alaska to go to college and then build a career? Or will she stay and marry? And if she marries, will it be Robert? Or Adam? I liked this book, not only for the unfolding of romance, but also for the insight about the people who settled Matanuska Valley and the perils they had to overcome, including Ray Townsend who doesn't want anyone moving into his valley who doesn't suffer as much as he did when he first came. This story is a must read.

It is the time of the Great Depression. Drought has destroyed the land and many farmers are forced to make desperate decisions in order to survive. In Valley of Promises, we trace the journey of Will Hasper and his family who leave their home and most of their possessions behind to join a colony of settlers in the far off Matanuska Valley of Alaska. The move involves sacrifice, heartbreak and loss. As they struggle to carve a new life from an untamed land, they must trust in the promises and provisions of God. Woven through the pattern of history and human drama, is a thread of romance that draws the reader into the very heart of each character. A great read. I can't wait for book number two.