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Home to Blessing #1
A Measure of Mercy
Eighteen-year-old Astrid Bjorklund has always dreamed of becoming a doctor. She had intended to study medicine in Chicago or Grand Forks, but when a disaster wiped out a major portion of her family's income, Astrid stayed home instead, receiving hands-on training from Dr. Elizabeth.
Joshua Landsverk left Blessing two years ago, but he's never forgotten Astrid. Returning to town, he seeks to court her. Astrid is attracted to him, and when the opportunity unexpectedly opens for her to go to Chicago for medical training, she finds it difficult to leave. Love blossoms through their letters, but upon arriving back home, she makes a heartbreaking discovery. Will she have to give up love to pursue her dream?
Joshua Landsverk left Blessing two years ago, but he's never forgotten Astrid. Returning to town, he seeks to court her. Astrid is attracted to him, and when the opportunity unexpectedly opens for her to go to Chicago for medical training, she finds it difficult to leave. Love blossoms through their letters, but upon arriving back home, she makes a heartbreaking discovery. Will she have to give up love to pursue her dream?
368 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
630 people are currently reading
1659 people want to read
About the author
Lauraine Snelling
167 books1,996 followersAward-winning and bestselling author Lauraine Snelling has over 80 books published with sales of over 4.5 million. Her original dream was to write horse books for children. Today, she writes adult novels about real issues centered on forgiveness, loss, domestic violence and cancer in her inspirational contemporary women’s fiction titles and historical series, including the favorite, Blessing books about Ingeborg Bjorklund and family.
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
Lauraine enjoys helping others reach their writing dreams by teaching at writer’s conferences across the county. She and her husband Wayne have two grown sons, and a daughter in Heaven. They live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a Basset named Sir Winston ob de Mountains, Lapcat, and “The Girls” (three golden hens).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
April 22, 2010
Even though A Measure of Mercy is book 1 in the Home to Blessing series, I was confused as to the characters and what their history was to each other. I looked in the front of the book after I was part way through it to see if the author had written anything else on the town of Blessing. She has ~ 4 other books! Well, I guess if I had read those I would not have been so confused. I do believe saying it is book one is misleading.
I believe the back of the book is a bit misleading. Astrid and Joshua have never really talked to each other, yet it says they have agreed to write letters back and forth. I wonder if the person who wrote the back of the book synopsis ever read the book. The end of the book ends in a cliffhanger.
The book is mainly about Astrid ad her desire to know the will of God concerning her future. She is not sure if she should become a medical missionary to Africa, go on to more medical training, or home to Blessing.
I was hoping for a little more about Joshua and why he feels he loves Astrid, but of course this could be in the other books. I also felt the book lacked any depth. It seemed the author was writing a book without any explaining~ especially if this is book one. I have never read any of Snelling's other works, but I am not sure I want to because I felt the author assumed the reader knew all about the families in the book and their previous experiences.
I believe the back of the book is a bit misleading. Astrid and Joshua have never really talked to each other, yet it says they have agreed to write letters back and forth. I wonder if the person who wrote the back of the book synopsis ever read the book. The end of the book ends in a cliffhanger.
The book is mainly about Astrid ad her desire to know the will of God concerning her future. She is not sure if she should become a medical missionary to Africa, go on to more medical training, or home to Blessing.
I was hoping for a little more about Joshua and why he feels he loves Astrid, but of course this could be in the other books. I also felt the book lacked any depth. It seemed the author was writing a book without any explaining~ especially if this is book one. I have never read any of Snelling's other works, but I am not sure I want to because I felt the author assumed the reader knew all about the families in the book and their previous experiences.
July 27, 2022
This book felt like walking into the middle of a room where everybody else already knows what's going on...that's okay, I figured it out, but there was that feeling.
I also got distracted sometimes by how many characters had their story to tell. I think I prefer focusing on one at a time, but there was a lot of depth. And historical insight into immigration and the bitter cold.
Warning--the story doesn't end at the end of the book, you must get the next in the series and probably the third to come to a finish. This aggravated me, but I immediately downloaded the other so the author's ploy worked. I still want to follow these characters.
I bought this book myself so not part of a tour.
I also got distracted sometimes by how many characters had their story to tell. I think I prefer focusing on one at a time, but there was a lot of depth. And historical insight into immigration and the bitter cold.
Warning--the story doesn't end at the end of the book, you must get the next in the series and probably the third to come to a finish. This aggravated me, but I immediately downloaded the other so the author's ploy worked. I still want to follow these characters.
I bought this book myself so not part of a tour.
June 13, 2021
Such an inspirational story that drew me in quickly. Astrid wants to become a doctor and has been assisting the local doctor in town, ELizabeth. But she needs to travel to Chicago to finish her training. Her trials and tribulations warm the heart and you cannot help but hope all comes out well for her...
October 24, 2009
I was very disappointed as this book just seemed to go nowhere... Certain characters were not developed fully--Joshua Landsvard, for one. I felt like the whole book was just a "teaser" for you to read the 2nd one. I have never read Lauraine Snelling before and I'm not too jazzed if this is indicative of her writing.
January 14, 2019
Ahhhh, all the characters!
I especially loved Benny being adopted by Rebecca and Gerald.
5/5 stars! can not recommend Lauraine’s books enough!
I especially loved Benny being adopted by Rebecca and Gerald.
5/5 stars! can not recommend Lauraine’s books enough!
June 3, 2016
This is indeed the first book in the series, Home to Blessing, but it is not the first book about the town of Blessing or its inhabitants, so to say it is “the first” is misleading. These are continuing characters in continuing roles. Astrid is well on her way to being a full-fledged doctor, and she is torn between staying in Blessing and going to Africa. The story is slow moving and the characters are fairly predictable in their actions. The story ends on a cliff hanger, so after wading through the entire tale, it still is not finished. The story does one thing well: it illustrates the biblical admonition to pray unceasingly. These characters certainly do that! Unfortunately, it does not move the plot along very well. The plot is a good one – single female doctor at the crossroads of her life – but the story just plods along. If getting there is half the fun, this novel has little fun involved, because it doesn’t even have an ending.
June 18, 2020
The underlying story of this book is a young woman training to become a doctor in the early 1900's. The cases she attends and the people she meets help make the story hard to put down. I plan to read the next two books in this series.
April 20, 2024
This was a really good, clean book. I recommend it for all historical fiction lovers
May 16, 2022
Very good story of Blessing and Astrid going to medical school to learn more about medicine. Lauraine Snelling does a wonderful job continuing the story about Blessing and all the characters.
June 20, 2013
This is the first volume of the Home to Blessing series and, astonishingly, fourteenth book of the Bjorklund/Red River/Blessing saga. The fifteenth book is already out and the sixteenth scheduled for release March 2011. Snelling just can't contain herself or displease her avid fans so as to bring this lengthy continuing saga to a deserved and restful conclusion. For myself I suppose I will continue to read her new books out of habit. They have become rather like my favourite chair: a comfort that won't let me down although its upholstery is getting worn, its armrests are more tacky (as in sticky), and its springs are not as resilient as they used to be.
Actually I can reveal that this whole series of books has a continuing subplot: the eating of cookies! This is a feature that ingratiates the reader time and again and keeps him or her in suspenseful expectation of how many more pages will be turned until cookies are again being consumed. Having already started volume two of this series I can entice other readers about the fact that the making, serving and eating of cookies continues to be prominently featured! It troubles me, however, that dental caries may become epidemic in Blessing and a dentist will definitely have to be found to locate in the new hospital which now is in its planning stages...
Truth be known, although cookies do play a major role, it is Ingeborg Bjorklund who is the heart, soul and conscience of this long saga from the first book to the latest. In this book the perspective shifts back and forth between that of Ingeborg and that of Astrid her young daughter. Astrid has inherited the healing talents of her mother and has been training with her sister-in-law, Dr Elizabeth Bjorklund, with the aim of becoming a full fledged doctor after further training and surgical practice in Chicago. But Astrid struggles with feelings of incompetence, romantic emotions unfulfilled, homesickness and an awakening call (and being pressured by others) to serve God as a missionary. Hearing God's true purpose in her life is her ongoing challenge. Also an underlying theme is that of society's bias against females doctoring.
Anyone can enjoy this book without having read preceding ones. It is Snelling's habit to include lots of details about how tasks are performed, about people's idiosyncrasies, and their daily chitchats. Her books tend to be slow paced--too slow for some readers. What is different about this book compared to other ones is that Astrid's fate is not predictable and the ending demands a continuation to the next book for the answers. In conclusion I would comment that readers who are uninterested in medical matters or queasy about surgical procedures may not enjoy this book. But those descriptions do provide authenticity to what medicine at the dawn of the twentieth century was all about.
Actually I can reveal that this whole series of books has a continuing subplot: the eating of cookies! This is a feature that ingratiates the reader time and again and keeps him or her in suspenseful expectation of how many more pages will be turned until cookies are again being consumed. Having already started volume two of this series I can entice other readers about the fact that the making, serving and eating of cookies continues to be prominently featured! It troubles me, however, that dental caries may become epidemic in Blessing and a dentist will definitely have to be found to locate in the new hospital which now is in its planning stages...
Truth be known, although cookies do play a major role, it is Ingeborg Bjorklund who is the heart, soul and conscience of this long saga from the first book to the latest. In this book the perspective shifts back and forth between that of Ingeborg and that of Astrid her young daughter. Astrid has inherited the healing talents of her mother and has been training with her sister-in-law, Dr Elizabeth Bjorklund, with the aim of becoming a full fledged doctor after further training and surgical practice in Chicago. But Astrid struggles with feelings of incompetence, romantic emotions unfulfilled, homesickness and an awakening call (and being pressured by others) to serve God as a missionary. Hearing God's true purpose in her life is her ongoing challenge. Also an underlying theme is that of society's bias against females doctoring.
Anyone can enjoy this book without having read preceding ones. It is Snelling's habit to include lots of details about how tasks are performed, about people's idiosyncrasies, and their daily chitchats. Her books tend to be slow paced--too slow for some readers. What is different about this book compared to other ones is that Astrid's fate is not predictable and the ending demands a continuation to the next book for the answers. In conclusion I would comment that readers who are uninterested in medical matters or queasy about surgical procedures may not enjoy this book. But those descriptions do provide authenticity to what medicine at the dawn of the twentieth century was all about.
April 15, 2015
After watching a patient die, Astrid finds her faith and future on rocky ground. She thought she was supposed to go to Chicago for surgical training and official finish of her doctor degree, but is that right? Is she cut out for this doctor stuff? Is God there and listening? He seems to listen to her Mor and pastor, but can He hear her pleas for her patients? Despite her doubts, Astrid gets on the train and heads to Chicago.
And Astrid is not the only one in Blessing, North Dakota trying to figure out God's plan. After her daughter's departure for Chicago, Ingeborg is dealing with an empty nest for the first time and wondering what's in store for her next. The town has dreams of a school for the deaf and a hospital, but is waiting for things to come together. And Joshua is finding God stirring healing over past family hurts and trying to figure out if Astrid is the right one for him, especially after she leaves for Chicago right after he returns to Blessing.
This book says it is the first in the series, but after getting a little ways in I started to guess that there must be a previous series dealing with the same characters (looking at the front of the book, this appears to be the case); there's just this whole town full of characters that pop in and out with hardly an introduction. There is a chart in the front of the book and enough intros to figure things out, but it's a lot of people to keep straight. Still, I didn't find that that really kept me from liking the book or getting into Astrid's story. It does make me want to possibly go back and read the previous stories. Anyway, none of that really mattered. I really like the characters that Snelling has created. Ingeborg's faith is inspiring, and Astrid and Joshua's struggles are things many, many people deal with. And though sometimes Christian fiction can come off preachy, it felt natural the way Snelling just makes it an everyday part of the lives of the characters, and I liked how Snelling makes their faith real and active and authentic. It's inspiring. I can see readers who aren't Christians being put off by that, but I think Snelling was writing primarily for a Christian audience so it fits her target audience. I also liked the time period being covered. Most writers who cover pioneers write about the time period before machines start to make their way West, but Snelling incorporates this time of change and it feels unique and fresh. There's also the transition from herbal remedies to more modern medicine and the movement of women into the field which I found fascinating. Not many of the big plot lines are wrapped up in this book, so I was glad to have the next book available right away.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are medical procedures described and several serious injuries, so not for the faint of heart.
And Astrid is not the only one in Blessing, North Dakota trying to figure out God's plan. After her daughter's departure for Chicago, Ingeborg is dealing with an empty nest for the first time and wondering what's in store for her next. The town has dreams of a school for the deaf and a hospital, but is waiting for things to come together. And Joshua is finding God stirring healing over past family hurts and trying to figure out if Astrid is the right one for him, especially after she leaves for Chicago right after he returns to Blessing.
This book says it is the first in the series, but after getting a little ways in I started to guess that there must be a previous series dealing with the same characters (looking at the front of the book, this appears to be the case); there's just this whole town full of characters that pop in and out with hardly an introduction. There is a chart in the front of the book and enough intros to figure things out, but it's a lot of people to keep straight. Still, I didn't find that that really kept me from liking the book or getting into Astrid's story. It does make me want to possibly go back and read the previous stories. Anyway, none of that really mattered. I really like the characters that Snelling has created. Ingeborg's faith is inspiring, and Astrid and Joshua's struggles are things many, many people deal with. And though sometimes Christian fiction can come off preachy, it felt natural the way Snelling just makes it an everyday part of the lives of the characters, and I liked how Snelling makes their faith real and active and authentic. It's inspiring. I can see readers who aren't Christians being put off by that, but I think Snelling was writing primarily for a Christian audience so it fits her target audience. I also liked the time period being covered. Most writers who cover pioneers write about the time period before machines start to make their way West, but Snelling incorporates this time of change and it feels unique and fresh. There's also the transition from herbal remedies to more modern medicine and the movement of women into the field which I found fascinating. Not many of the big plot lines are wrapped up in this book, so I was glad to have the next book available right away.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are medical procedures described and several serious injuries, so not for the faint of heart.
August 11, 2009
I don't really like this kind of book. I read it to do a book review for work. There were parts of it I did enjoy. I liked a lot of the medical interaction. And I liked how I got into Astrid's mind; we really saw how confused and messed up she was. But as far as the rest of the characters they seemed secondary and flat.
I don't think Astrid and Jacob need to be together. And I don't really know what they have that would make them a good pair. They just seem hot for one another, which I wasn't really expecting in a Christian novel. I feel like this might just be weekend romance. Otherwise, I don't know what they really see in one another. Jacob has all kinds of family things going on that he needs to take care of and Astrid is just a big old mess. Both Jacob and Astrid don't know what they think about Astrid being a doctor. So that is another issue.
Astrid being a missionary? That is how the book ends? I think the only reason why Astrid wants to be a missionary is because she wants to do God's will but she doesn't really know what that is right now in her life. Clearly those who are called to the mission field are doing God's work. But that doesn't mean that EVERYONE has to be a missionary. We can't all be missionaries. The world would fall apart. We need people to work in factories and deliver mail. We need people to construct and clean things. We need people to be doctors and be librarians. I think it is easier to surround yourself with Christians and missionaries and preach the gospel, then it is to go to work and come home and still try to be Godly. But does that mean that I am not being Godly. No. I am just called to a different mission field. I don't know why someone didn't sit down and explain this to Astrid. I have had missionaries tell me this. What is the deal?
It just didn't really make me want to keep reading since I don't really think that Astrid and Jacob belong together and I didn't really think that Astrid was making the right choice.
I don't think Astrid and Jacob need to be together. And I don't really know what they have that would make them a good pair. They just seem hot for one another, which I wasn't really expecting in a Christian novel. I feel like this might just be weekend romance. Otherwise, I don't know what they really see in one another. Jacob has all kinds of family things going on that he needs to take care of and Astrid is just a big old mess. Both Jacob and Astrid don't know what they think about Astrid being a doctor. So that is another issue.
Astrid being a missionary? That is how the book ends? I think the only reason why Astrid wants to be a missionary is because she wants to do God's will but she doesn't really know what that is right now in her life. Clearly those who are called to the mission field are doing God's work. But that doesn't mean that EVERYONE has to be a missionary. We can't all be missionaries. The world would fall apart. We need people to work in factories and deliver mail. We need people to construct and clean things. We need people to be doctors and be librarians. I think it is easier to surround yourself with Christians and missionaries and preach the gospel, then it is to go to work and come home and still try to be Godly. But does that mean that I am not being Godly. No. I am just called to a different mission field. I don't know why someone didn't sit down and explain this to Astrid. I have had missionaries tell me this. What is the deal?
It just didn't really make me want to keep reading since I don't really think that Astrid and Jacob belong together and I didn't really think that Astrid was making the right choice.
December 1, 2021
4 1/2 stars
April 28, 2010
Fans of Lauraine Snelling will be thrilled to get their hands on her newest book, A Measure of Mercy, the first in her Home To Blessing Series.
Astrid Bjorklund has a natural gift for medicine and dreams of becoming a doctor. At 18 years of age, she has her whole life ahead of her and is hopeful about her future in medicine.
When tragedy strikes Astrid’s family, her plans to attend medical school become impossible. Astrid gives up her dreams of studying in the big city and resigns herself to studying under the beloved Dr. Elizabeth, who has already given her much practical hands on experience.
Read my full review at:
http://redlilycafe.blogspot.com/2009/...
January 26, 2011
Ok I like a good christen romance as much as the next romance seeking mom but this was too much. I think they prayed in this book 20 times before the first chapter had even ended. WHo does that? It was not realistic even for back then. It bugged me too much....I just can't read anymore of this author I guess. I couldn't finish it and had to put it down. I wish there was a rating for tried to read it and couldn't.
November 17, 2009
Be warned: this is part of a new Red River series so there is no resolution at all. Disappointing for that reason.
August 9, 2022
3rd time still good
December 20, 2018
A Measure of Mercy is the story of Astrid Bjorklund from the town of Blessing. Not having read any of her other series about this family, I very much felt like it is necessary to read the series in order so that you can keep all of the characters straight and know their backstories better. This did not fully hinder my ability to enjoy the story, but not knowing all of the intricacies of the relationships definitely had me mixing people up from time to time. Astrid was a good main character, and the story was entertaining with the struggles and transitions of the time. Astrid's training in Chicago was very interesting to read about. I didn't feel like there was a typical climax in the story before the end of the book. The story seemed to go along at an even pace with the events at the end of the book having the same impact level as the other events throughout the rest of the tale. Astrid's decision that she made at the end is probably the most impactful part of the end, but that kind of a plot point is not the same as something more dramatic, like someone getting kidnapped and needing rescuing at the end of a story. Also the way Astrid went ahead with her decision seemed rather rushed and abrupt. She decided what to do and then she went, without letting anyone know beforehand or pausing to take a break after her arduous training. Despite this, the result of her decision will be very interesting to read about in future books. Overall, it was an enjoyable tale, but I did wish there were more dramatic moments to really bring the story high before the resolution at the end.
March 7, 2019
While I enjoyed reading the book, I concur with many other readers' comments that they felt as if they were dropped into the middle of a story. I checked a couple of times to ensure that this was indeed the first book in this series. I felt I was supposed to already know Astrid and her family/friends, as well as Joshua.
I was compelled by the struggle Astrid felt as she had to decide whether to go for medical training and whether to heed the call to Africa, as well as the some of the situations with which she dealt at school. But for a romance, there was so little interaction between Astrid and Joshua that it felt like a let-down. Not knowing what the author has in mind for the rest of the series, maybe it all makes perfect sense to her, but not so much to me.
I also agree that the lack of background given in this book about Joshua's previous knowledge of Astrid, it does feel a bit weird that he is presented initially as already having decided that Astrid is is chosen bride. It works well that she seems attracted to him, or at least enjoys his attention, but it feels as if a significant piece of the puzzle is missing. In the Amazon description, it says "Love blossoms through their letters", but it felt as if their letters were so few, short, and shallow, that the blossoms didn't quite happen.
Perhaps if it was clearly indicated in the book somehow (description, back cover?) then I would know I needed to read something else first to make sense of it all.
Overall, a bit slow and disjointed, but with some touching sections.
I was compelled by the struggle Astrid felt as she had to decide whether to go for medical training and whether to heed the call to Africa, as well as the some of the situations with which she dealt at school. But for a romance, there was so little interaction between Astrid and Joshua that it felt like a let-down. Not knowing what the author has in mind for the rest of the series, maybe it all makes perfect sense to her, but not so much to me.
I also agree that the lack of background given in this book about Joshua's previous knowledge of Astrid, it does feel a bit weird that he is presented initially as already having decided that Astrid is is chosen bride. It works well that she seems attracted to him, or at least enjoys his attention, but it feels as if a significant piece of the puzzle is missing. In the Amazon description, it says "Love blossoms through their letters", but it felt as if their letters were so few, short, and shallow, that the blossoms didn't quite happen.
Perhaps if it was clearly indicated in the book somehow (description, back cover?) then I would know I needed to read something else first to make sense of it all.
Overall, a bit slow and disjointed, but with some touching sections.
September 6, 2019
Smelling never disappoints!
Having read all the background books about the people of well researched but functionally town of Blessing, ND, it is delightful to read about the next generation. This book centers on Astrid Bjorkland, who is finishing her medical training to become an actual MD. As extra training, she is to go to the women's hospital in Chicago.
However, she doesn't want to leave Blessing, her family, friends, and someone special she is interested in. Does she go to the Windy City to advance her surgery skills? Can she continue after first losing patients?What about this Joshua who has taken a personal interest in her as well? And to top all that off is a new consideration...is God calling her to be a medical missionary way over in Africa??
Astrid, who never wanted to leave her home town is facing a deluge of hard choices...but if she is being called by God, why isn't He making His choice for her clear?
This is Christian fiction, but the message is subtle and meaningful for the character. This is not a poorly written piece where the writer is preachy and demands you adhere to his/her distinct unguided beliefs and judgements.
Having read all the background books about the people of well researched but functionally town of Blessing, ND, it is delightful to read about the next generation. This book centers on Astrid Bjorkland, who is finishing her medical training to become an actual MD. As extra training, she is to go to the women's hospital in Chicago.
However, she doesn't want to leave Blessing, her family, friends, and someone special she is interested in. Does she go to the Windy City to advance her surgery skills? Can she continue after first losing patients?What about this Joshua who has taken a personal interest in her as well? And to top all that off is a new consideration...is God calling her to be a medical missionary way over in Africa??
Astrid, who never wanted to leave her home town is facing a deluge of hard choices...but if she is being called by God, why isn't He making His choice for her clear?
This is Christian fiction, but the message is subtle and meaningful for the character. This is not a poorly written piece where the writer is preachy and demands you adhere to his/her distinct unguided beliefs and judgements.
February 21, 2020
I honestly didn't think I'd like this book at all. I only picked it up because I needed something to read and was in a hurry. This book was the first one I picked up.
I enjoyed this so much! I've never read a book like this that heavily incorporated Christianity. Although I myself am not a Christian, I thought it fit the time period where this takes place and the main character very well. The book itself isn't about religion but it's mentioned very very often. I thought I'd get bored with it but it was done tastefully.
I loved the main character! She was kind, strong, persistent, respectful, and just all around a great person. She didn't let anything stop her and I liked that a lot.
There was a little sexism for sure, but given what time the book takes place, I'd say it's probably fairly accurate to what aspiring female doctors faced at the time.
Overall this was a solid read and I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a good story about a woman trying to find where she belongs.
I enjoyed this so much! I've never read a book like this that heavily incorporated Christianity. Although I myself am not a Christian, I thought it fit the time period where this takes place and the main character very well. The book itself isn't about religion but it's mentioned very very often. I thought I'd get bored with it but it was done tastefully.
I loved the main character! She was kind, strong, persistent, respectful, and just all around a great person. She didn't let anything stop her and I liked that a lot.
There was a little sexism for sure, but given what time the book takes place, I'd say it's probably fairly accurate to what aspiring female doctors faced at the time.
Overall this was a solid read and I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting a good story about a woman trying to find where she belongs.
April 1, 2018
The cover says "Home to Blessing: Book 1." What it doesn't mention is that this is a series that follows one (or maybe several given the number of relatives that had updates in the first couple of chapters) other series. So that's my main complaint: I feel like I've crashed someone else's family reunion and I keep getting snippets of stories about people I've never met and don't really care about. Astrid is clearly a gifted physician, but after the death of a severely injured patient, she suffers from a loss of confidence. But, rather than dealing with what seems should be the main plot, we keep meeting more and more characters, most if whom have Scandinavian names that (to me, at least) are similar enough, I have to keep flipping back to see who's who. Maybe if I'd read the preceding series, I'd know some of these people and there stories and be interested enough to continue, but I'm just not.
June 21, 2021
Astrid Bjorklund is now 18 and unsure whether to go away to medical school or stay in Blessing. Her sister-in-law, Elizabeth wants her to go so she can learn the newest techniques since she herself attended and to have the same experience learning at a hospital for women in Chicago herself.
The first part of the book, Astrid is waffling back and forth until she finally goes. A young man, Joshua Landsverk whom she met years earlier has moved back to town and is obviously attracted to her as is she to him.
Before Astrid even goes, she hears a minister missionary speak and is torn as to what path God wants her to follow, stay in Blessing or travel to Africa to serve among people who have no access to medical care.
That is the premise of the whole book and sounds like the next two books in this trilogy will be more of the same. What about what she wants? Is it always waiting for God to tell us what to do? I'm getting a little frustrated by all this indecision!
The first part of the book, Astrid is waffling back and forth until she finally goes. A young man, Joshua Landsverk whom she met years earlier has moved back to town and is obviously attracted to her as is she to him.
Before Astrid even goes, she hears a minister missionary speak and is torn as to what path God wants her to follow, stay in Blessing or travel to Africa to serve among people who have no access to medical care.
That is the premise of the whole book and sounds like the next two books in this trilogy will be more of the same. What about what she wants? Is it always waiting for God to tell us what to do? I'm getting a little frustrated by all this indecision!
September 24, 2019
I enjoyed getting to know Astrid Bjorklund and the Bjorklund family. The novel is based on an upright, close knit family.
I found Astrid's journey to becoming a doctor very interesting. Astrid's mother was a practicing healer, and her sister-in-law a doctor. So it's only natural that Astrid would follow in their footsteps. I look forward to reading more books in the Home to Blessing series to follow Astrid further in her life's journey.
The characters easily flood into their prayer life throughout the book and I enjoyed that. Only one time did a character quote something that was unbiblical Doctrine, but I overlooked that misstep and was able to enjoy the rest of the book.
I found Astrid's journey to becoming a doctor very interesting. Astrid's mother was a practicing healer, and her sister-in-law a doctor. So it's only natural that Astrid would follow in their footsteps. I look forward to reading more books in the Home to Blessing series to follow Astrid further in her life's journey.
The characters easily flood into their prayer life throughout the book and I enjoyed that. Only one time did a character quote something that was unbiblical Doctrine, but I overlooked that misstep and was able to enjoy the rest of the book.
December 1, 2021
What a Wonderful Beginning to a Series!
A young woman, interested in healing, has been working with the little town's only physician. The doctor has taught her everything she knows and now is the time to go to the hospital amd medical school where the doctor trained and study medicine. The young woman takes the train and begins training. It is clear that this young woman possesses the desire and ability to train to be a doctor. Read this book to follow her progress in medical school. I enjoyed this book and hope you enjoy it also.
A young woman, interested in healing, has been working with the little town's only physician. The doctor has taught her everything she knows and now is the time to go to the hospital amd medical school where the doctor trained and study medicine. The young woman takes the train and begins training. It is clear that this young woman possesses the desire and ability to train to be a doctor. Read this book to follow her progress in medical school. I enjoyed this book and hope you enjoy it also.
October 4, 2024
I have never read any books by Lauraine Snelling. I'm so glad this was not mainly a romance novel set back in early 1900's! It was good enough that I will continue reading all 3 books of this series.
This apparently is book 1 of a 3-book series called Home to Blessing. Blessing is a town in North Dakota, and this is a story of one of the daughters of Norwegian immigrants. I think the thing I liked most about this was the scripture that was quoted often from the Holy Bible and how each person struggled to LIVE the way the Lord guides through scripture.
This apparently is book 1 of a 3-book series called Home to Blessing. Blessing is a town in North Dakota, and this is a story of one of the daughters of Norwegian immigrants. I think the thing I liked most about this was the scripture that was quoted often from the Holy Bible and how each person struggled to LIVE the way the Lord guides through scripture.
October 6, 2017
The Home To Blessing series is about Ingeborg and Haakans daughter Astrid who is studying medicine and Joshua Landsverk who even after leaving Blessing two years ago has never forgotten Astrid. Full of characters new and old this book is the perfect start to the continuing story of Blessing, North Dakota. I definitely enjoyed reading Astrids story and look forward to continuing it in the next two books.
March 3, 2019
Special Blessings
The people of Blessing were so amazing they became like family and friends. But one of the best things about this story was the fact that I couldn’t even guess what was going to happen in the story. Would she go to Chicago? Later I tried to figure out if she was going to Blessing or to Africa. I love it when an author keeps me guessing up the end. Laurine Snelling certainly kept me in suspense. She is a great author. I highly recommend this series.
The people of Blessing were so amazing they became like family and friends. But one of the best things about this story was the fact that I couldn’t even guess what was going to happen in the story. Would she go to Chicago? Later I tried to figure out if she was going to Blessing or to Africa. I love it when an author keeps me guessing up the end. Laurine Snelling certainly kept me in suspense. She is a great author. I highly recommend this series.
April 4, 2019
I didn't know this was based on other series. There was some confusion in the beginning about characters, mostly because there are so many! But that's just like real life confusion if you've tried to explain a big family to someone! The main characters are wonderful and the medical things were written so accurately and kept you on the edge of your seat! The spiritual content as well as tensions about family obligation were expertly intertwined with the everyday events of the book.
April 7, 2024
Astrid and her family live in the growing town of Blessing. Astrid is studying to be a Doctor under the totalage of her sister-in-law, Elizabeth (who serves as the town doctor). Astrid is given the opportunity and priviledge to further her education at a medical college in Chicago. So many important life choices face her as Astrid's faith grows. Prayerfully, she does what she feels called to do.
This is part of the "Home For Blessing" series.
This is part of the "Home For Blessing" series.
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