Return to Blessing, North Dakota, with the story of Andrew Bjorklund and Ellie Wold. After graduating in May of 1900, the two make plans to marry o...
read full description
reviews
Dec 29, 2011
Andrea
rated it: 
A Promise For Ellie is the first book in Lauraine Snelling's Daughters of Blessing series. Blessing is a small town in North Dakota where many of Snellings books take place. They also revolve around members of the Bjorkland family. This story takes place in 1900 and its main characters are Ellie Wold and Andrew Bjorkland.
These two have planned to marry since they were kids. From the beginning you can see that they are good for each other. Ellie is a stabling influence on Andrew who h More...
These two have planned to marry since they were kids. From the beginning you can see that they are good for each other. Ellie is a stabling influence on Andrew who h More...
Jan 15, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 11, 2009
Mindi
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 10, 2009
Marie
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Sep 22, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
The first in a series of 4, this book (and series) is actually a sequel to a larger series of books all about pioneers in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and (the original series spans 1880 to about 1900) takes place in the first 4 or 5 years of the 20th century. The characters in these 4 books are the daughters of the women in the first series. These books appealed to my love of all things pioneer, "Little House on the Prairie", life in simpler times, and very Christian without b
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
May 01, 2010
Dani
rated it: 
Although the words "Daughters of Blessing #1" on the cover led me to believe that I was reading the first books of a series, I soon learned that this wasn't accurate. Technically, it is a new series, but Lauraine Snelling has written NINE books involving the Bjorklund family and friends prior to this one. Although I was interested in Ellie and Andrew enough to finish the book, I wouldn't consider this a stand-alone story. Many references are made to events in the other books, and even
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Sep 13, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
A: Borrowed this series from a coworker and feel like I'm sitting down for coffee with old friends. I'm able to follow along fine although I haven't read the second series about the Bjorklands. To try and play catch up I checked them out of the library and am doing dual book readings. Thankfully, each book focuses on different characters so I'm able to keep things straight. The main characters in the previous series just have supporting roles (and are older) in this series.
Nov 01, 2010
Allison
rated it:
A sweet book. It's the first in the series (of two) but obviously some of the characters appear in earlier books. It's like a current Amish story, but it's set around 1900 in a Scandinavian immigrant Lutheran community. I did keep expecting the man who burned in fire to become more of a mystery, but I suppose it really was just a bum who was smoking and set fire to the shack.
May 05, 2010
Cindy
rated it:
Kind of in the "Christian simple" genre (is that a tacky moniker). Enough references to God and prayer, and enough struggle to see His impact. I read this book because it was about North Dakota homesteaders and that is in my genealogy pool. It was interesting to see the engenuity (sp?) and creativeness in living. No major snow storms, no major floods, so that is why is is simple. Very predicatable.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 03, 2011
Lori
rated it:
This is the first in a series by Lauraine Snelling. I also read the 2nd or 3rd (not sure) in the series, and liked it a little better. This one teaches much about self-control, forgiveness, and faith, and should probably be read first in order to understand the relationships.
Dec 19, 2008
Susan
rated it:
I have loved reading these books in order and am ready to go to the library to pick up the next one. Watching the family grow and expand, the issues facing those who live on the prairie in this time period, all of this goes together to make an enjoyable reading time. I can recommend them to others without worrying about content that may offend. Pure, wholesome, good for any level reader.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
May 10, 2009
Margaret
rated it:
This is the first of Lauraine Snelling's books that I had read. I am not big on historical settings, but liked this one and enjoyed listening to the audio version which made a lot of Norwegian accents. It was a fun one to listen to.
Jun 21, 2008
Margaret
rated it:
I read this via Book on CD from Recorded Books Inspirational. Overall I enjoyed the story. It was really long though, and not quite enjoyable for the entire time. It starts with an accident that is never explained, and there are a couple other related events that I guess stuck out to me more, but they never had answers and that sort of thing bothers me. The main themes of the book are about growing up, and dealing with anger appropriately. Oh my goodness, the anger that these character personal
More...
Jan 15, 2011
Kristi
rated it: 
I couldn't make myself finish it. It was very slow and even halfway through the plot was just not moving quickly. Maybe I will go back to it, maybe not.
Mar 04, 2009
Dori
rated it:
A simple story about the complexity of forgiveness written in the setting of a simpler time and place.
Sep 15, 2008
Melanie
rated it:
The Christian version of what I call a trashy romance novel. (Romance without the trash -- Christian version because there's a lot of praying, going to church, etc. in it and no smut, plus they actually stay chaste until they're married.) You won't actually have to read Snelling's other books before you read this one. I hadn't read any of her previous books before I read this one and didn't feel like I had missed anything major. It might encourage you to go get some of her other books though
More...
Feb 03, 2011
Alesia
rated it:
i liked the setting of this book. it was told the same as i would think things would happen then.
Nov 06, 2010
Rebecca
rated it:
I was captured by the book cover on this one and wanted to read it since it said Historical Fiction, thinking it would be similar to books that I enjoy reading about Pioneer Age in the United States.
Unfortunately, I was fairly disappointed as it was just about a young couple, one with utmost faith in God and one struggling with his faith.
The book overall was "okay" as it was a cute little story, just wasn't deep enough for me to really "fall in love" wit More...
Unfortunately, I was fairly disappointed as it was just about a young couple, one with utmost faith in God and one struggling with his faith.
The book overall was "okay" as it was a cute little story, just wasn't deep enough for me to really "fall in love" wit More...
Oct 08, 2009
Christine
rated it:
It was enjoyable to listen to while I cooked but not one I would necessarily read again.
Jul 05, 2010
Joanne
rated it:
Nothing earth shattering....Just good, clean, uplifting, Christian reading
Oct 08, 2011
Lydia
rated it:
Good books, but not so exciting. I never actually finished the whole series. We drifted apart...
Nov 13, 2011
Kristi
rated it:
This one was painfully boring for me... somehow I finished it, but not sure why.
May 07, 2010
Aubrey
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the story talks about young love and the dissappointments that we have when we are young and in love and how we must rely on God no matter what. The trials and tribulations are what make us wise and our love strong.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 16, 2008
Rebecca
rated it:
This is one of my fave books in the Bjorkland Family saga. It is a precious and sweet walk through the pages with two young lovers who have grown up with each other and finally are able to join their lives together as man and wife but not before some tragedy that will keep you anxiously hoping for this young couple's future to go on and be happy ever after.
Oct 31, 2009
Meadow
rated it:
She and Andrew have been engaged for years. Hopeing to meet and marry after her graduation. The Year has finally come. Ellie runs into the arms of Andrew only to find. They have both changed. As their house is being rasied. Tragedy causes Andrew to be sent to jail. Ellie and Andrew need God to make their relationship work. Will they survive?
Sep 20, 2007
Jessica
rated it:
Return to Blessing, North Dakota---and to those irresistible characters in Snelling's best-selling Red River of the North series. Andrew Bjorklund has promised his new bride that there will be no more fights with Toby Valders. But when the Bjorklunds' new barn burns, taking their possessions with it, will he keep his word?
