Tender Mercies by lauraine snelling

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Update 12/37/2017:

At 5 am, I am lying in bed, sobbing bitterly for the loss of a sweet friend. My heart is crying out to God, asking why this had to happen. I am praying for strength for the rest of the family. Remembering the same feeling I had previously expressed, and then it suddenly dawns on me and I chuckle. They are fictional! :-) The deaths are not real, yet they wrenched my heart as if they were!

I firmly believe that it takes a master storyteller to immerse you so deeply into a book that the boundaries between reality and fiction become blurred. When you can predict the reactions of your characters, when their thoughts and actions on the page draw you personally closer to God. When you are blessed beyond measure by the time spent with them, that's an EXCELLENT story! :-)

April 17, 2015

I cried my way through this book. There was an abundance of heartache, yet there was also joy. I would find myself smiling through the tears. This is an amazing series that has the power to touch your emotions and take you on a rollercoaster ride of feelings. It makes you feel as if you are part of the story, experiencing everything along with the characters. The author has done a remarkable job of creating a world that is both captivating and moving.

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CChicken

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Heartwarming.
The journey of hardships endured and overcome is a truly touching one. It is filled with moments of sadness as they face numerous challenges along the way. However, the sense of rejoicing that follows their victories is equally powerful. Their strength in the face of adversity is simply amazing. It is a testament to their unwavering determination and resilience. What is even more remarkable is their strong faith, which serves as their guiding light through the darkest of times. This series is a must-read as it offers a profound insight into the human spirit and the power of hope. It will leave you inspired and uplifted, and remind you that no matter how difficult life may seem, there is always a way forward.

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Remster20

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I absolutely love this series.

I was reading it while coming home from Ohio.

I had a significant amount of time in the airport and on the plane to engage in reading.

This particular installment ended on a very sad note that truly touched my heart.

Katy and Zeb had such a beautiful romance blooming.

But then, to have Katy die in childbirth along with the baby was simply heart wrenching.

However, I was happy that the Pastor and Mary Martha got married in the end.

The author does an excellent job of keeping the series moving forward with all the different twists and turns involving the main characters.

It makes the reading experience constantly engaging and full of surprises.

Overall, this series has become one of my favorites, and I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us.

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Reshyurem

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The book I just finished reading is not as good as the first three books in the series, but it's still okay. The pacing is a bit slow moving, which can make it a bit of a slog at times. However, there are some really good aspects to it. The descriptions of the land and the storms are quite vivid, although at times they do go on for a bit too long. The story also jumps around a lot, which can be a bit disorienting. But despite these flaws, I did still like the book. I think the author did a good job of creating a unique and interesting world, and the characters are well-developed. Overall, it's not a perfect book, but it's definitely worth a read if you're a fan of the series.

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spider_confetti

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

December 1887
Blessing, Dakota Territory

The main characters are numerous, and there are too many others to enumerate.

Reverend John Solberg is a single minister. Mary Martha McAlister, Zeb's sister, is new in town. Katie Bjorklund McAlister is the woman John had been in love with, and Zeb McAlister is Katie's husband. And there are many more!

The wonderful faith element throughout the book is quite evident. In fact, every book in these Dakota series has a satisfying emphasis on God.

If I were Norwegian or knew more about this culture, I believe I would have a better appreciation for this series. Perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this book, so I didn't care for it as much as I hoped to. I was a bit overwhelmed by the many characters, and then the sad events that caused the main characters to doubt God also affected my reading experience.

I think I might be done with Blessing, North Dakota and the Bjorklund family, at least for a while.

The book was narrated by Callie Beaulieu, who did a pretty good job. She didn't attempt the Norwegian accents, but that was acceptable. Overall, it was an okay read, but not one that completely captured my heart.

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VoltCollector

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have loved this series to an extreme extent!

I read the first four books back to back, almost without any sleep!

I held off on reading number five because I read the reviews and someone mentioned that it was overly sad.

I had a lot of things happening in my life at that time, so I couldn't endure the sleepless nights and the tears that I knew I would shed.

However, I started reading it yesterday and completed it today.

The first half of the book was quite good, and I had no idea what the reviewer was referring to.

But about two-thirds of the way through, it really hit me.

I became a sobbing mess.

It was indeed a good read, very well written, and I have a great affection for the characters.

Nevertheless, this particular installment was a rather sad one.

Despite the sadness, I still appreciate the story and the way it was crafted.

It managed to evoke such strong emotions within me, which is a testament to the author's skill.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this series.

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KingRey3

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is a very good series indeed.

Each installment in the series has its own unique charm and吸引力. The storylines are engaging and keep the readers hooked from start to finish.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for the audience to form an emotional connection with them.

The writing style is流畅 and easy to understand, yet it also manages to convey deep emotions and complex themes.

Whether you are a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this series has something for everyone.

It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good story and wants to be entertained.

Overall, this very good series is highly recommended and is sure to become a favorite among many readers.

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DYNASTIA

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is yet another outstanding book within this series.

This time around, the central character hails not from Norway but from Arkansas. Mary Martha is the sister of one of the husbands in the family from Norway.

When she first arrives, she only knows English. However, she quickly embarks on the path of learning Norwegian.

Moreover, she becomes a helper in the school, where she assists three sisters in learning English. Interestingly, this process also benefits her own language learning.

As she spends time teaching the sisters, she gains a deeper understanding of the English language herself and discovers new ways to communicate.

This not only helps her in her daily life but also enriches her cultural experience.

Overall, Mary Martha's journey in this book is filled with challenges and growth, making it a captivating read.

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Red River of the North #5

Tender Mercies

lauraine snelling

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