A Breath of Hope

     BOOK REVIEW:   With her younger brother Ivar in tow, Nilda Carlson is on her way to America to join her oldest brother Rune and his family in the northern forests of Minnesota. While she sees this as a golden opportunity, she has enough experience in life to know it won't be easy. The transatlantic voyage itself proves to be an adventure, and she hopes she will feel safe in her new home.
     Rune and Signe Carlson are thrilled that Nilda and Ivar are coming to Minnesota, but life on the Strand farm remains a struggle. Rune is trying to build a house for his wife and children, but Uncle Einar Strand, obsessed with his own ambitions, refuses to help. What's more, he forbids anyone from the community to step foot on his land, leaving Rune to toil on his own. When a tragedy lays bare the truth behind Einar's anger and isolation, the Carlsons and Strands will have to come together like never before to become a true family.

     MY REVIEW:   This book is the second in Lauraine Snelling's UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS series. The first book is The Promise of Dawn. I did not read the first book, and I don't think it took much away from this one. There was some background that I would have liked to know, but overall I could follow the story very well.
     The only of Lauraine's books I have read are the RED RIVER OF THE NORTH series and Daughter of Twin Oaks. I don't think I would rate this book as good as those. I found it a little boring and something about the dialogue I didn't care for. But opinions aside, the book is written well. The characters are strong and faithful, responding properly to the trials in their way (except of course for the one causing said trials). They grew and were strengthened, met good people and forged new friendships, supported each other and reached out to others. Any Lauraine fan would like this book. 
   
  I received a copy of this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS and was not required to write a positive review.