Season of Grace
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4.6 • 34 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
In 1910 Minnesota, Nilda Carlson's dreams are coming true. Though her first few months in America were difficult, her life now resembles the images that filled her daydreams in Norway. She and her younger brother Ivar live in their own house, just a short distance from her older brother and his family. Together they work the farm and fell trees for lumber. They plan to grow a dairy herd, weave rugs out of their own wool, and make skis to sell. Everything is going right.
The only thing missing from Nilda's life is love. But though she has two suitors--a quiet schoolteacher and a handsome lumberjack--Nilda feels hesitant. A terrifying experience in Norway has made her cautious where men are concerned. When she thinks she sees the man in question, all her fears come flooding back. Is it possible the danger has followed her across the Atlantic? If Dreng Nygaard is truly in Minnesota, all of her dreams for the future could come crashing down around her.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The Carlsons settle into their new lives in Minnesota in Snelling's strong third Under Northern Skies novel (after A Breath of Hope). In 1910, Nilda Carlson, who immigrated to America from Norway, begins assisting the wealthy Mrs. Schoenleber, who needs help managing a large estate and packed social calender, in the town of Blackduck. Nilda's job takes her from her family for days at a time but opens the door to high society. That society includes Dreng Nygaard, a young man who accosted Nilda back in Norway and who promises revenge on her for his being sent to America as punishment. Nilda refuses to be scared by Dreng, and Snelling affectingly portrays the emotional toil such abuse has on Nilda. When the suddenly repentant Dreng apologizes, the community counsels Nilda to accept and believe him against her own judgment. She gives him another chance to redeem himself in her eyes, but he attempts to rape her when she leaves her house alone. Nilsa's fight against Dreng emerges as an instructive, emotional study of how a church community deals with the fallout of sexual harassment and abuse. With themes that have contemporary resonance, Snelling's powerful historical drama will appeal to inspirational readers of all types.
Customer Reviews
Third Under Northern Skies novel
A Season of Grace by Lauraine Snelling has us traveling to Benson’s Corner, Minnesota in August of 1910. Rune and Signe Carlson are moving into their new home with their children. Gerd Strand will also be joining them leaving her old home for Nilda and her younger brother, Ivar. Nilda is enjoying living in America with her family, but she still has nightmares of Dreng Nygaard attacking her. They are becoming less frequent and she hopes they will go away with time. Rune and Signe have a housewarming party and Nilda finds that she has two gentlemen interested in courting her. Petter Thorvaldson, a lumberjack they met on their trip to Benson’s Corner, and Fritz Larsson, the local schoolteacher, are both interested in Nilda. The family then receives news that their father has passed away and Gunlaug Carlson, their mother, wishes to immigrate to America to be near her children which pleases the family. Nilda and Ivar are invited to a young person’s social at Mrs. Gertrude Schoenleber’s home and the ladies quickly whip up a new dress for Nilda to wear. Nilda is shocked when Petter walks in with Dreng. That night her nightmares return with a vengeance, and Nilda is afraid Dreng will exact revenge he promised. Mrs. Schoenleber offers Nilda a position as her assistant which will provide wonderful opportunities for Nilda. The only downside of her new job is encountering Dreng who has managed to charm the local ladies. Will Nilda be able to move forward with her life or will Dreng’s attack continue to haunt her?
A Season of Grace is the third installment in Under Northern Skies series. This is a series that you need to read in order. Each book in Under Northern Skies series builds upon the previous one. We have watched the various characters adapt to America and they are beginning to prosper. Rune and Signe are thrilled to have their own home, but they do not want to leave Gerd behind. Gerd has blossomed since the Carlson’s have come into her life and she has come out of her shell since her husband passed away. I have enjoyed watching Gerd’s journey. The focus of A Season of Grace is Nilda. She is given a wonderful opportunity by Mrs. Schoenleber that will allow her to learn how to read and write English properly, meet new people, live in a larger city, learn proper etiquette, get new clothing and a chance to travel. Lauraine Snelling has created such lovely, heartwarming characters that I look forward to visiting in each new Under Northern Skies book. I like hearing about how the farm is prospering. We get to experience the daily life on a farm which includes taking care of the animals, making their own cheese and butter, cutting wood to keep the fireplaces going, butchering the animals, making soap, creating their furniture, and much more. If you are looking for a book full of action, then A Season of Grace is not for you. There is activity at the end of the story as Nilda’s story with Dreng reaches its climax. Dreng is the dark element in the story. The Christian elements are beautifully woven into the story. The family is grateful for each blessing in their life. Prayer, grace, hope, and forgiveness are other Christian elements in the book. A Season of Grace proceeds at a gentle pace which I enjoyed. It allowed me to appreciate and absorb the story. I am giving A Season of Grace 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I look forward to visiting the Carlson family again in the next Under Northern Skies novel.