Lauraine Snelling

When her carefully ordered life is shaken, the path forward requires finding the courage to trust again. Helen Stenerson has planted her roots in the community of Green Creek, Iowa, and poured her heart into teaching. She's determined to avoid romantic entanglement--her teaching contract forbids it, and a broken engagement has taught her the dangers of opening her heart. But thoughtful seminary student dger Gunderson begins to weaken her resolve with his genuine interest. When an urgent letter from Ohio is delivered to Helen, her carefully ordered world is shattered. The letter brings news of her aunt's failing health, and when Helen rushes back to be with her, her aunt reveals secrets about Helen's past that upset everything Helen thought she knew. Returning to Green Creek with more questions than answers, can Helen embrace love and the path God has for her? This heartwarming Christian historical romance from Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron transports readers to small-town Iowa, exploring themes of healing, second chances, faith, family, love, community, and new beginnings. A perfect read for fans of frontier romance, Janette Oke, and Tracie Peterson.

When her carefully ordered life is shaken, the path forward requires finding the courage to trust again. Helen Stenerson has planted her roots in the community of Green Creek, Iowa, and poured her heart into teaching. She's determined to avoid romantic entanglement--her teaching contract forbids it, and a broken engagement has taught her the dangers of opening her heart. But thoughtful seminary student dger Gunderson begins to weaken her resolve with his genuine interest. When an urgent letter from Ohio is delivered to Helen, her carefully ordered world is shattered. The letter brings news of her aunt's failing health, and when Helen rushes back to be with her, her aunt reveals secrets about Helen's past that upset everything Helen thought she knew. Returning to Green Creek with more questions than answers, can Helen embrace love and the path God has for her? This heartwarming Christian historical romance from Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron transports readers to small-town Iowa, exploring themes of healing, second chances, faith, family, love, community, and new beginnings. A perfect read for fans of frontier romance, Janette Oke, and Tracie Peterson.

When her carefully ordered life is shaken, the path forward requires finding the courage to trust again. Helen Stenerson has planted her roots in the community of Green Creek, Iowa, and poured her heart into teaching. She's determined to avoid romantic entanglement--her teaching contract forbids it, and a broken engagement has taught her the dangers of opening her heart. But thoughtful seminary student dger Gunderson begins to weaken her resolve with his genuine interest. When an urgent letter from Ohio is delivered to Helen, her carefully ordered world is shattered. The letter brings news of her aunt's failing health, and when Helen rushes back to be with her, her aunt reveals secrets about Helen's past that upset everything Helen thought she knew. Returning to Green Creek with more questions than answers, can Helen embrace love and the path God has for her? This heartwarming Christian historical romance from Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron transports readers to small-town Iowa, exploring themes of healing, second chances, faith, family, love, community, and new beginnings. A perfect read for fans of frontier romance, Janette Oke, and Tracie Peterson.

Newlywed Maya Bredesen and her husband plan their trek as immigrants from Norway to a new life at her cousin's boardinghouse in America, but on one last fateful fishing trip, a fierce winter storm steals away her husband. With her dreams for the future crushed, Maya is left grieving on the voyage to Iowa, accompanied instead by her brother, who plans to move in with the local magistrate and finish his seminary degree. Arriving at a boardinghouse spilling over with orphans and a newly-married couple, Maya seeks to find her place amid the chaos. A new friendship develops between her and Eben Miller, the reserved, kind neighboring farmer. Just as Maya begins to recover from her wounded heart, more tragedy engulfs her. As she and Eben weather trials together, can they overcome the difficulties this new land holds when it seems so far from becoming home? Lauraine Snelling creates a heartwarming picture of overcoming grief and embracing love on the Midwestern frontier.

Newlywed Maya Bredesen and her husband plan their trek as immigrants from Norway to a new life at her cousin's boardinghouse in America, but on one last fateful fishing trip, a fierce winter storm steals away her husband. With her dreams for the future crushed, Maya is left grieving on the voyage to Iowa, accompanied instead by her brother, who plans to move in with the local magistrate and finish his seminary degree. Arriving at a boardinghouse spilling over with orphans and a newly-married couple, Maya seeks to find her place amid the chaos. A new friendship develops between her and Eben Miller, the reserved, kind neighboring farmer. Just as Maya begins to recover from her wounded heart, more tragedy engulfs her. As she and Eben weather trials together, can they overcome the difficulties this new land holds when it seems so far from becoming home? Lauraine Snelling creates a heartwarming picture of overcoming grief and embracing love on the Midwestern frontier.

Newlywed Maya Bredesen and her husband plan their trek as immigrants from Norway to a new life at her cousin's boardinghouse in America, but on one last fateful fishing trip, a fierce winter storm steals away her husband. With her dreams for the future crushed, Maya is left grieving on the voyage to Iowa, accompanied instead by her brother, who plans to move in with the local magistrate and finish his seminary degree. Arriving at a boardinghouse spilling over with orphans and a newly-married couple, Maya seeks to find her place amid the chaos. A new friendship develops between her and Eben Miller, the reserved, kind neighboring farmer. Just as Maya begins to recover from her wounded heart, more tragedy engulfs her. As she and Eben weather trials together, can they overcome the difficulties this new land holds when it seems so far from becoming home? Lauraine Snelling creates a heartwarming picture of overcoming grief and embracing love on the Midwestern frontier.

From Norway to America, they must strive for resilience amid unpromising new beginnings.On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge. As Amalia and Ruth fight for their new home, a trail of orphans shows up on their doorstep, and Amalia makes a promising friend in Absalom Karlsson, the magistrate's son. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that faith and determination can overcome even the most daunting of trials.This Christian historical romance from Lauraine Snelling transports readers to frontier America, exploring themes of new beginnings, resilience, and faith. For fans of Janette Oke and Tracie Peterson.

From Norway to America, they must strive for resilience amid unpromising new beginnings.On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge. As Amalia and Ruth fight for their new home, a trail of orphans shows up on their doorstep, and Amalia makes a promising friend in Absalom Karlsson, the magistrate's son. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that faith and determination can overcome even the most daunting of trials.This Christian historical romance from Lauraine Snelling transports readers to frontier America, exploring themes of new beginnings, resilience, and faith. For fans of Janette Oke and Tracie Peterson.

From Norway to America, they must strive for resilience amid unpromising new beginnings.On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge. As Amalia and Ruth fight for their new home, a trail of orphans shows up on their doorstep, and Amalia makes a promising friend in Absalom Karlsson, the magistrate's son. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that faith and determination can overcome even the most daunting of trials.This Christian historical romance from Lauraine Snelling transports readers to frontier America, exploring themes of new beginnings, resilience, and faith. For fans of Janette Oke and Tracie Peterson.

Can her dreams for the future--and a budding romance--survive the trouble that comes calling?Larkspur Nielsen is determined to keep her family homestead running and to fulfill their dream of starting a seed catalog, with or without her siblings' help. With Isaac McTavish back in town, Lark finds herself at odds with her own heart and her determination to shoulder the burden of carrying her responsibilities alone. But Isaac is set on convincing her that he's here to stay and she doesn't have to carry everything by herself.As a new romance blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate and the other Nielsen sisters are busy caring for their families, Lark bears more and more responsibility on the farm. When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever.

Can her dreams for the future--and a budding romance--survive the trouble that comes calling?Larkspur Nielsen is determined to keep her family homestead running and to fulfill their dream of starting a seed catalog, with or without her siblings' help. With Isaac McTavish back in town, Lark finds herself at odds with her own heart and her determination to shoulder the burden of carrying her responsibilities alone. But Isaac is set on convincing her that he's here to stay and she doesn't have to carry everything by herself.As a new romance blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate and the other Nielsen sisters are busy caring for their families, Lark bears more and more responsibility on the farm. When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever.

They must set aside their own plans and rely on their faith to bring their true destiny to light.Lilac Nielsen's dream has come true: handsome young Reverend Ethan Pritchard has finally noticed her. Yet she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream--the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. She has secretly been submitting a series of drawings under a pen name, and if anyone traces the drawings back to her and finds out where Lilac and her sisters settled, the entire Nielsen family could be in danger.As their family farm expands and Lilac's relationship with the reverend grows, it's a time of new beginnings. But when a family crisis back in Ohio shakes the Nielsen sisters, can they continue to build the new life they've begun in Nebraska? And will Lilac be prepared for what God has in store for her future? "A tender story. I know my readers will enjoy these stories and look forward to the books yet to come."--TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author of the Pictures of the Heart series

They must set aside their own plans and rely on their faith to bring their true destiny to light.Lilac Nielsen's dream has come true: handsome young Reverend Ethan Pritchard has finally noticed her. Yet she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream--the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. She has secretly been submitting a series of drawings under a pen name, and if anyone traces the drawings back to her and finds out where Lilac and her sisters settled, the entire Nielsen family could be in danger.As their family farm expands and Lilac's relationship with the reverend grows, it's a time of new beginnings. But when a family crisis back in Ohio shakes the Nielsen sisters, can they continue to build the new life they've begun in Nebraska? And will Lilac be prepared for what God has in store for her future? "A tender story. I know my readers will enjoy these stories and look forward to the books yet to come."--TRACIE PETERSON, bestselling author of the Pictures of the Heart series

As the last will of a close friend is read, three women discover that they have inherited a legacy from her: the funds to take a dream trip to Florence, Italy, in her memory. With plenty of hilarious travel mishaps along the way, this book is a story of deep friendship, of making room in our lives to celebrate and remember, of grief, of the realization that friendship keeps the memory alive, and the sweet discovery of unexpected romance.

Will their dreams fall apart when confronted with all that is stacked against them?Delphinium Nielsen and her sisters have accomplished much in the past year, traveling west and settling in Nebraska. They are on their way to building a garden in dedication to their mother and working against the forces of nature to make their farm thrive. However, none of that can mask their concern that they are quickly running out of money. Del's work teaching in their booming town offers hope, not only to support her sisters financially, but also to better her students' lives. Not all of the town sees it that way, though, with the rebuilding of the schoolhouse continually neglected and her brightest student's father demanding he work the farm instead of attend class.When their brother Anders arrives with his war-wounded and heartbroken friend RJ, Anders sees the strength of the sisters' idea to start a boardinghouse and decides to invest in it. Del finds RJ barely polite and wants nothing to do with him. But despite Del and her sisters' best-laid plans, the future--and RJ--might surprise them all."Snelling's thorough research pays off in her vivid evocation of frontier-era Nebraska . . . The result is a transportive historical worth getting lost in."--Publishers Weekly

Will their dreams fall apart when confronted with all that is stacked against them?Delphinium Nielsen and her sisters have accomplished much in the past year, traveling west and settling in Nebraska. They are on their way to building a garden in dedication to their mother and working against the forces of nature to make their farm thrive. However, none of that can mask their concern that they are quickly running out of money. Del's work teaching in their booming town offers hope, not only to support her sisters financially, but also to better her students' lives. Not all of the town sees it that way, though, with the rebuilding of the schoolhouse continually neglected and her brightest student's father demanding he work the farm instead of attend class.When their brother Anders arrives with his war-wounded and heartbroken friend RJ, Anders sees the strength of the sisters' idea to start a boardinghouse and decides to invest in it. Del finds RJ barely polite and wants nothing to do with him. But despite Del and her sisters' best-laid plans, the future--and RJ--might surprise them all."Snelling's thorough research pays off in her vivid evocation of frontier-era Nebraska . . . The result is a transportive historical worth getting lost in."--Publishers Weekly

They've been raised to stand strong, but they'll need more than courage to see them through this journeyLarkspur Nielsen is ready for change, frustrated by the small-mindedness of her Ohio hometown and its lack of opportunity for her or her younger sisters. But the push to leave comes faster than she ever expected when several of her bold actions for justice earn her vindictive enemies. Overnight, they must pack up and ready to make a new life out West, hoping to escape notice and any opportunities for revenge. Knowing that four women traveling together will draw unwanted attention, Larkspur dons a disguise, passing herself off as "Clark" Nielsen accompanying his three sisters. But maintaining the ruse is more difficult than Larkspur imagined, as is protecting her headstrong, starry-eyed sisters from difficult circumstances and available young men. Will reaching a safe place to call home ever be possible?

They've been raised to stand strong, but they'll need more than courage to see them through this journeyLarkspur Nielsen is ready for change, frustrated by the small-mindedness of her Ohio hometown and its lack of opportunity for her or her younger sisters. But the push to leave comes faster than she ever expected when several of her bold actions for justice earn her vindictive enemies. Overnight, they must pack up and ready to make a new life out West, hoping to escape notice and any opportunities for revenge. Knowing that four women traveling together will draw unwanted attention, Larkspur dons a disguise, passing herself off as "Clark" Nielsen accompanying his three sisters. But maintaining the ruse is more difficult than Larkspur imagined, as is protecting her headstrong, starry-eyed sisters from difficult circumstances and available young men. Will reaching a safe place to call home ever be possible?