No Distance Too Far

Home to Blessing #2

by Lauraine Snelling

Astrid Bjorklund travels east to become a missionary doctor, but a deadly measles outbreak at the Indian reservation nearby her home in the Red River Valley may turn out to be her true missionary calling.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Adult Fiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Award-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).

Reviews

[Jennifer McClurkan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about a family from blessing who follows God.

[Mayda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This may be the second book in this series, but there are other series about this same town and its inhabitants. Maybe if you had read about the town of Blessing from its beginning, you would be more invested in these characters, but it seems like they suffer from a lack development to those of us who have not already read about them. This novel deals with women’s health, specifically pregnant women and miscarriages. But most of the book is spent on Astrid and her inability to make up her mind about going to Africa or not. She just can’t figure out what God is calling her to do. It seems pretty obvious to the reader where she is most needed, but poor Astrid takes the entire book to figure that out. Not the most thought-provoking novel, though I think that’s what it is intended to be. Somehow, it misses the mark.

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this book as soon as I finished the first in the series--eager to find out what happened with the two main characters, Joshua and Astrid.

I have to admit I got a bit aggravated. There was so much about other people and other issues that I just wasn't that interested in so I started skimming. When you actually pay full price for a book, you want the good stuff.

Then, I got to the end and I was like, what? No spoilers, but I was frustrated. There is too much other stuff in these books and the two main characters need more time together.

Just saying.

[Sadie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the 1st!

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio book

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Astrid has taken the step of faith and enrolled in the missionary school, though she still isn't sure if she's supposed to go to Africa or back to Blessing. Some at the missions school make it clear they think she should get a husband and get older before going to Africa, which gives Astrid lots of practice in holding her tongue. Others at the school are very encouraging, and she makes friends who definitely help grow her faith.
Back in Blessing, Joshua continues to wonder if Astrid is the right girl for him or not, especially when she sends him word she's been accepted to go to Africa for two years. Being busy drilling more wells and putting up windmills and helping with other construction projects is keeping him from thinking about her too much though. Elizabeth is going through a very rough pregnancy. Ingeborg is doing all she can to help her daughter-in-law and the community by filling in for the doctor, but eventually they phone Astrid and tell her they need her home to help. Astrid comes hurrying back to help save her sister-in-law's life and run the clinic for her, all the while wondering if she is supposed to stay in Blessing or if she'll be leaving for Africa in a few weeks. A visit from the foundation that will help build the hospital in Blessing brings the decision to a crisis. Blessing or Africa?

Snelling knows how to spin a story and encourage readers in their Christian walk at the same time. I continue to enjoy the characters and setting, and now I may have to go back and read past stories about them because I don't have the next book in the Home to Blessing series at hand. (Something that will be remedied asap.) I know I said it about the last book, but it remains true in this book as well: I love how Snelling has real-feeling people wrestling with very real questions about God and trust and faith and calling. She manages to convey deep truths in a way that comes across as authentic and loving and a natural part of the story instead of preachy.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some birthing scenes and a scene where dead bodies are discovered, but no violence.

[Cindy]

Although I no longer call myself Christian, I still love some Christian fiction and Lauraine Snelling is one of my favorite authors. She does an excellent job of making you feel what the characters are feeling without TELLING you how they are feeling. Second book in the series, so you would want to read the first one before this one.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I think Astrid took to long to figure out what she was supposed to do and she is a little self-righteous.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't go to Africa. Elisabeth loses baby boy
Still good the 3rd time

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Distance Too Far comes with an interesting paradox. The story itself moves along at a steady pace, picking up right where it left off in the last book. She goes on to missionary school and struggles with the decision to go to Africa. Eventually, she is called home to help with a crisis, but the big hook that is mentioned on the back of the book doesn't even come into play until the last few pages of the story. Where the book is marketed as her struggling with a big new medical challenge, it has almost nothing to do with the story contained within the novel. Most of the story is about her still trying to figure out if she should go to Africa or not. I wasn't a fan of this direction for the story. After having her struggle with this decision for so much of the first book, for her to still be battling the same questions for almost the entirety of the second book as well seemed a bit too bland and one note for me. I would have liked a little more variety in the story. Additionally, playing the story off as containing some dramatic tale about her battling a new medical crisis near her home is really false advertising for this book. Astrid's relationship with Joshua is also rather confusing for me. We are spending a lot of time getting to know him, so you would think that because of this then he has to be the one that she ends up with. However, from everything she says and feels about him, it seems more and more like they are not right for each other and her big romance has got to come from someone else. Currently, for everything to line up correctly for them to end up together does not seem like something that will ever come together. The book itself is entertaining with the family drama, history, and relationships. It pulls at your heartstrings and makes you want to be a part of the Bjorklund clan. The life on the prairie is fun to learn about. It follows the same track as the first book where the events are pretty even keel throughout the entire novel, with no real climax at the end. So while not a struggle to read, I still wanted a little more excitement from the plot.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh Astrid.... I just kept saying that the whole book. I had to do a lot of backward page turning to the family tree for the characters bc it was awhile since I read book 1. There was no catch-up so to speak from book 1 to book 2. So I didn't remember much.

Astrid is in missionary school convinced God is calling her to Africa. Yet she never told her family she was going straight from medical school. Ballsy Astrid. God works all good to pass, and this part where she was in missionary school should have been passed over and dumped in the editing stage. It really served no purpose to her story at all. She ended up leaving anyway to go help her sis-in-law with a hard pregnancy. And that's that. She is back. But how many chapters were spent on should I stay? Or should I go? Augh!

Then there is the story of her and Joshua. Obviously, he likes her more than she likes him. I mean she doesn't even really think about him. And the letters they write are almost itineraries of their day. No words of I miss you, please come home, I think about you... nada. So when the book ends with Astrid leaving again and Josh looking on, I think yeah that sounds about right.

It was not my favorite by far but I apparently liked book 1, even though I do not remember anything about it. Hence my detailed review this time around. I feel Iike this series will be forgot in a week by me. Writing just didn't do it for me.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The closer I get to finishing these books on Blessing, ND the more tired I grow of them. Don't get me wrong they're good books but none of them have drawn me in like Red River of The North did. Plus this one broke my heart. I do plan to finish this series then start and finish the Song of Blessing series. In all, I did enjoy reading more of Astrid's story and I truly hope everything works out for the best in the final book.

[Vicki Andrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this 3 book series home to blessing was really good! I think this series touches on the theme, or has seemed to of weather or not we're doing what God wants for us, and if we're going in the direction he wants us to in life. Are we hearing him correctly? I am sure many of us ask ourselves this very question in life. I am looking forward to reading the 3rd and last book in this series!

[Alicia Lowery · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story was good. I read these books out of order. So there were so many names and it felt like I was supposed to already know who they were and how they were related - which of course, I did not.

Also, this book didn’t really resolve the story.

So my recommendation? Read them in order and have them all at the ready so you can get a complete story.

[Linda Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best books ever wrote

Great Christian author of all ti. e
I have so loved this series hope more to come. I have over each an every book. And her teaching of the word of God. I wish I could move to Blessing. And be part to these books they are the best I have ever read.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book picked up right after book #1. She still struggled with her decision with where God is leading her. What I like about the book is that the ending finally gives her clarity (and the reader also) with a biblical perspective as well.
There is a lot of medical treatment in this book, but it's still interesting because of it being set in the early 1900s.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it is hard to know for sure What God has called us to do and where. It sounds like Astrid found one closed door but went through another. I wonder what else will happen in the next series ...

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns

I enjoyed the read. The many twists and turns of life’s journey and trusting God threw the mist of uncertainty. Trying to find the answers - keeping true to your word, doing your all, search the scriptures and pray.

[Lewis Romesburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never given another book a “ couldn’t put it down at all “. I loved this book and am reading book 3 now and enjoying it so much. Lauraine Snelling is my favorite author. I’ve read several of he books and have been amazed at her imagination that surprises me when I’m not expecting it.
Thank you. Lauraine for giving us Ingabourg and her journeys.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

This is a cliff hanger. When reading, you think you have everything figured out, then you don’t. The author takes you to the Dakota territory and leaves you wanting more as the book ends.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in a trilogy. Dr. Astrid Bjorkland is trying to put her medical future in God’s hand and let him decide how she will serve Him. I found it interesting, although you must read the next book in order to find out how some issues turn out.

[DEANNA Frey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book2 of the Home to Blessing series. This continued story specifically focused on Astrid, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants and her call to be a doctor, WHERE to be a doctor, and her call to follow the leading of the Lord.

[dyanna hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each One Better

I have to admit, Ms Snelling always gets one to thinking about God's own plan for our lives. I love this series!!

[Amy Beyrle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story. I feel that the Bjorklund family is my family. Just a feel good story.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series :)

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this whole series on Blessing, ND.

[Randi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently you should read the other 16 books before the Home To Blessing series.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit better than first book in the series.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like the ending. I think it was intentional so I would read the next book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series! The names and all the different people is a bit confusing, but I think I am starting to get it :)