Review of Hot Dish Heaven by Jeanne Cooney.

Hot Dish Heaven by Jeanne Cooney.

Book Description from back of the book.
Publication Date: June 1, 2013
Cub reporter Emerald Malloy is assigned to gather “church food” recipes from the owner of Hot Dish Heaven, a café in a small town in the Red River Valley. Upon her arrival, she learns of a local unsolved murder. Confident that solving the case will catapult her from newspaper “gopher” to investigative reporter, she questions the locals while attending a benefit dinner-dance at the VFW. By the end of the night, she’s consumed lots of hot dish and bars while talking to everyone from the Irish-Catholic priest who lives among these Scandinavian Lutheran farmers to the café owner’s eccentric aunts. She also meets a hunky deputy sheriff and learns some tough lessons about herself. But the question remains, will she live long enough for any of it to matter?

Leona's Review

I checked out this book from my library. I have been reading more mysteries based in Minnesota lately.

Emerald, Emme, is a reporter for a newspaper in Minneapolis and her assignment is to get recipes from a local cafe in Kennedy, Minnesota. When talking to the owner, Margie Johnson, talks about a murder that was never solved. Emme begins her search for the murderer and so this leads the reader to the suspects and what their reason might be to kill Samantha Berg.

I did not care for some of the language that included the a*** and s*** words. Somehow I did not expect these words to be used by some ladies I have met on Minnesota.

It was an easy read and this book does include lots of "hot dish" recipes .I  call them casseroles but they are "hot dishes" in Minnesota.

The recipes call for white Crystal sugar because this is from the beets they harvest in this part of Minnesota.

Some recipes are:

Tater-Tot Hot Dish

Cheeseburger Hot Dish

Hester's Favorite Jell-O

Three- Bean Hot Dish

Nut-Goodie Bars

Recipe for Hester's Favorite Jell-O

"1 can cherry pie filling

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cup hot water

1 large box of cherry Jell-o

1 can coca-cola

Dump the first 3 ingredients into a kettle and bring to a boil. Add cherry Jell-O. Stir and let cool. Add the can of regular soda and stir until the bubbles disappear. Chill until firm. Cover with Cool Whip. I know this sounds like a weird Jell-O recipe, with soda pop and all, bit  it's actually very good."

I am giving it a 3 star rating. I will probably read the next book,  Hot Dish Heaven: A Second Helping of Murder and Recipes.

Joanne Cooney may be reached at http://www.jeannecooney.com

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Historical Records Survey Minnesota

 

 

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Historical Records Survey Minnesota

Inventory of the County Archives

Otter Tail County

The Minnesota Historical records Survey Project

November 1940

No. 56

Work Project Administration

First pages are history of the Otter Tail County and the rest of the pages are records.

Got from University of Minnesota Wilson Library through MNLINK.

Not much on genealogy except for the history.

 

Review of FOR SALE MINNESOTA by Lars Ljungmark

   

Lars Ljungmark

FOR SALE- MINNESOTA

Organized promotion of Scandinavian Immigrants 1866-1873

[Borrowed from library. M 325.2485 L.  The Swedish Pioneer Historical Society Chicago 1971]

Contents:

PART l- INTRODUCTION (page 1)

The Scandinavian immigration to Minnesota 1850-1875 (page 1)

Factors behind the emigration from Sweden (page 3)

Immigration propaganda from Minnesota (page 8)

PART ll- IMMIGRATION-PROMOTION BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA UP TO AND INCLUDING 1873 (page 17)

The immigration policy of the state, 1858-1866 (page 17)

1867: State activity at its peak (page 26)

State immigration promotion and private assistance to emigrants in 1868 (page 52)

1869: State immigrants- promotion activity under auspices of the various ethnic groups (page 57)

1870- 1873: Diminishing state immigration-promotion because of the drive of the land grant railroads (page 65)

Conclusion  (page 69)

PART lll- IMMIGRATION-PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF THE MINNESOTA RAILROADS UP TO 1871 ( page 70)

Introduction (page 70)

The Scandinavian immigration policy of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (page 78)

The beginning of the active immigration policy of the Northern Pacific Railroad 1869-1871 (page 132)

The colonization policy of the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad 1869-1871 (page 150)

1869-1871 (page 150)

Conclusion (page 153)

PART lV- THE IMMIGRATION-PROMOTING ACTIVITY OF THE MINNESOTA RAILROADS 1871-1873 (page 155)

The immigration drive of the Northern Pacific 1871-1873: a lost race against time (page 155)

The Swedish drive of the Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad 1871-1873 (page 210)

CONCLUSION (page 263)

APPENSICES (page 267)

1. The population of Minnesota according to census figures ((page 267)

2. Hans Mattson 1832-1895)

3. Original entries of land under the Homestead Laws in  Minnesota 1863-1873 (page 369)

4. Fish Lake Township, Chisago County  (page 271 )

5. The emigrant lists in Gothenburg (page 277)

6. The pull from America, as seen in Mollersvard's emigrant lists (page 281)

Bibliography (page 293)

Index of names (page 302)

Leona's Review:

This book concentrates on the railroad. The part about Fish Lake Township mainly is about the census and how many were farmers. Swedes were the main buyers and farmers.

Jay Cooke's involvement in the Northern Pacific project is on page 132.

The book is very detailed with census figures, graphs and names.

I did not read it as a novel but did read certain pages of interest.

I was looking fro information for my husband's family who were Swedish immigrants.

A great book for research.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Death Before Dinner, An Otter Tail County Mystery by Gerald Anderson

   

 
Review of Death Before Dinner,  

An Otter Tail County Mystery by Gerald Anderson
 
From Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0738708747, Paperback)
Could something like murder happen in Fergus Falls-a quiet Minnesota town known for its Scandinavian heritage and great lake fishing? Yah, you betcha!
Every August Dr. George Gherkin, the Fergus Falls State University president, hosts a faculty party. It's tradition for George to lock himself inside the kitchen to prepare his signature dish. But instead of Chicken Kiev, the guests find their chef with a meat cleaver buried in his head.
All the guests are suspects. There's Sally Ann Pennwright, Gherkin's scorned secretary and former mistress; Sherwin Williams, the assistant professor of Art who's been denied tenure for years; and Francis Olson, the athletic director whose attempt to leave Fergus Falls was thwarted by Gherkin. Everyone has an ax to grind with the selfserving, manipulative university president. Can the small-town sheriff-who hasn't handled a homicide case in his entire career-solve this unsavory crime?

Leona's Review

I has a problem rating this book but it did get better as it progressed. The Ole joke advanced it from a 3 1/2 star to a 4 star rating. I usually give 4 star ratings when research has been done and I learn something; I did from this book.
I chose this book from my library because I was doing genealogy research for my husband's family. They are from Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
The book begins with a prologue and the death of George Gherkins. The first chapters describe the characters in the book and their issues with the president of the Fergus Falls State University.
The descriptions of the town and people were great and so I liked this history and information. The author is detailed in his descriptions of food, the decor of the homes and clothing of the characters. The author does leave the reader trying to solve the mystery of the murder and why it happened . I did see politics in this book but we are in Minnesota and they are political.  ( I am not a Minnesotan, just married to one and he is a Scandinavian. We do live in Minnesota).

Main characters:
Dr. George Gherkin-President of Fergus Falls State University
Dolly Gherkin-Wife of George Gherkin
Guest List:
Abigail Armbruster- Mayor of Fergus Falls
Dr. Isabel Corazon- Newest Vide-president at Fergus Falls State University
Francis Olson- Athletic Director at Fergus Falls State University
Sally Ann Pennwright- Private Secretary of George Gherkin
Lance Sterling- President of alumni association
Ruth Sterling- Wife of Lance Sterling
Dr. Harold Winston-Professor of History at Fergus Falls State University
Brick Wahl- A Contractor
Sherwin Williams-Assistant Professor of Art
Mae Williams- Wife of Sherwin Williams

Sheriff and Deputy
Palmer Knutson- Sheriff of Fergus Falls
Orly Peterson- Deputy of Fergus Falls


I recommend  Death Before Dinner for a good read and some history of a small town in west central Minnesota.
Leona Olson
www.mnleona.blogspot.com


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Book Review of Romance and Mystery Under the Northern Nights by Authors of the Northern Lights Writers.

Book Review of Romance and Mystery Under the Northern Nights by Authors of the Northern Lights Writers.

Book Description

From back of the book:

In For A Penny - Lori Ness
A couple who believes their marriage is irrevocably broken finds healing, life lessons and hope during a visit to an eccentric relative.

Hot Shot - Denise Devine
When Megan Bristol's fiancé jilts her via a text message, her plans to get even with him lead her right into the arms of another man.

Shadow Trail - LuAnn Nies
A quiet romantic weekend in the north woods of Minnesota turns into a dangerous adventure that Crystal hadn't bargained for.

Count the Days - Diane Pearson
Mary never expected her life in a north woods resort to turn to isolation and include an oppressive marriage. When she gets mail and reconnects to an old friend, the door opens to revenge, murder, and escape. Letters tell the story.

Love, Fish and Fangs - Edna Curry
Detective Bob and his family go on vacation and discover a murder. Paperboy son, David, recognizes a customer at the scene. Is David in danger?

Heal My Heart - Shirley Olson
17 year old Julie, unable to take the abuse of her mom and step-father, escapes her prison and grabs a train for Duluth. Searching for a new life, while encountering dangers and problems, she finds a real family love and trust when she finds God.

Candlelight and Silverware - Edna Curry
When Bob invites his world traveler boss and his wife to dinner, his Minneapolis suburban housewife, Carol, panics. How will she measure up?

Night Magic - Nancy Pirri
In depression era Minnesota, Helen Swenson inherits her deceased parents' dream resort--six cabins in need of repair near the Canadian border. Lumberjack Riley Flaherty has recently lost his job. When Helen offers him a job as one as her 'handy man' he gladly accepts, smitten by her beauty. When wild animals in the northern Minnesota woods threaten them into leaving, they don't give in, but discover true love beneath the northern lights.

Breath of God - Lori Ness
A girl on a Minnesota farm in the early 1900's has been forced into a woman's responsibilities too soon. Betsy's struggle to come to terms with what her mother planned for her and the expected roles for women brings her into conflict with both family and community expectations. Memories of the love between her parents and her mother's love help Betsy make the decisions she needs to face the future.

 

Leona's Review:

I found a clipping from the newspaper about these authors who meet in a place near me in Wyoming, Minnesota so I had an interest in the local authors. I checked out this book from my library in North Branch, Minnesota.

This book is a selection of short  stories and all include the Northern Lights and stories based in Minnesota.

This group of authors is called The Northern Lights Writers of Minnesota. http://www.northernlightswriters.org  

After each chapter is About the Author.

Lori Ness http://www.christinearness.com

Denise Devine

LuAnn Niles

Diane Pearson

Edna Curry http://www.ednacurry.com

 and  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=613178895

 

Shirley Olson http:/www.Skalpinolson.com

and http://www.Truthinfiction.com

 

Nancy Pirri  www.melange-books.com

 

I enjoyed this book of Minnesota short stories and will give it a 5 star rating.

 

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

 

Book Review of Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Book Review of Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke 

 From goodreads.com:  

"The holidays are the icing on the cake for bakery owner Hannah Swensen. Surrounded by her loved ones, she has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas until murder is added to the mix...
When it comes to holidays, Minnesotans rise to the occasion and the little town of Lake Eden is baking up a storm with Hannah leading the way. The annual Christmas Buffet is the final test of the recipes Hannah has collected for the Lake Eden Holiday Buffet Cookbook.
While Hannah is baking the day s goodies at The Cookie Jar, the evening s plans begin to jell. Start with the best Lake Eden culinary creations, add two of Hannah s sometime boyfriends, a pinch of her ready-to-pop pregnant sister, and a dash of her mother and new significant other, an actual British lord, and what do you get? A recipe for disaster, but the juiciest ingredient is yet to come...
The recently divorced Martin Dubinski arrives at the buffet with his new Vegas showgirl wife all wrapped up in glitter and fur. His ex-wife, however, seems as cool as chilled eggnog. And when Hannah s mother s antique Christmas cake knife disappears, its discovery in the d�colletage of the new and now late Mrs. Dubinski puts the festivities on ice.
With everyone stranded at the community center by a blizzard, Hannah puts her investigative skills to the test, using the ingredients at hand: half the town of Lake Eden and a killer. Now, as the snowdrifts get higher, it s up to Hannah to dig out all the clues and make sure that this white Christmas doesn t bring any more deadly tidings.
Includes over twenty-five original recipes for you to try! (less)

Paperback, 352 pages

Published October 1st 2005 by Kensington (first published January 1st 2004)"

Leona's Review of Sugar Cookie Murder

This was a fast read by Joanne Fluke of another mystery from the Hannah Swensen series.  Hannah has once again found a dead body and begins to help solve the mystery.  This is the 6th book in the series and I have read many of then but not in order. It is a quick read especially when the same characters are in the books. I have the hard copy book that I checked out from my library. There are 341 pages in the book but the mystery part of the book is 168 pages and the rest are recipes.

Today, I made the Rhubarb Bar Cookies I found in the book and the rhubarb is some I picked from my garden this morning. It is good.

I have enjoyed the books by Joanne Fluke and now living in Minnesota helps me relate to the many references to the state. The cold, getting stuck in the snow, hotdishes and potluck dinners are a few.

I loved it when Hannah says that "we" are not pregnant because only the woman is pregnant and I fully agree. We can be expecting a baby but the woman is the pregnant one.

I also loved it when they commented that people in Lake Eden did not steal but there is always a murder.

This is a good read as a cozy mystery. I will give it a 4 star as I enjoyed it very much.

Joanne Fluke may be reached at http://www.joannefluke.com/.   I have emailed her in the past and she did respond.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

 

This is one of the recipes in the Sugar Cookie Murder Book. Yes, there is also a recipe for a sugar cookie.

"Cherry Bomb Cookies

Preheat oven to F*, rack in the middle position.

This is my Grandma Ingrid's recipe. She used to make it for special occasions.

3 cups flour (no need to sift)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

1 cup white (granulated) sugar

2 jars (16 ounces each) maraschino cherries WITH STEMS (about 65 cherries)

small bowl with powdered sugar (confectioner's) sugar

Drain the cherries. Leave them in the strainer while you make the cookie dough.

Put flour, baking powder, soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir with a fork until throughly mixed. Cut in the softened butter with two forks, continuing to cut until the mixture looks like coarse corn meal. (You can also do this in a food processor with the steel blade, using cold butter cut in 1/2 inch chunks)

Beat the eggs in a medium-sized bowl and combine them with the sugar.

Add the egg and sugar mixture to the rest of the ingredients and stir until thoroughly mixed.

Extract small bits of dough with your fingers and wrap them around each maraschino cherry, leaving the stem sticking out. Press the bottoms of the dough-wrapped cherries down slightly on a greased baking sheet (4 rows of 4 cherries works nicely).

Bake at 350*F. for 10 minutes (Cookies will be white-if they start to brown, reduce the baking time). Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet. Then dip them in the powdered sugar so that the entire cookie part is covered, but not the stem.

Yield: 5-6 dozen cookies.

Kids love these because they can pick them up by the stem, pop the whole cookie in their mouths, and pull off the stem.

For Christmas, I make these with one jar of red maraschino cherries and one jar of green. Once they're arranged on a platter lines with a paper doily, they're really pretty."

((Leona's idea is I think these would be fun for the 4th of July using the red cherries))

From Amazon.com:



"Tracie Peterson Delivers Romance and Adventure



When Chantel Panetta's younger sister claims to be in love with Orlando Calarco, Chantel knows there is no hope. The Panettas and Calarcos have been sworn enemies for decades, and young love cannot heal the deep wounds between the two iron-mining families. Yet, unable to resist Isabella's pleas, Chantel agrees to help her sister spend time with Orlando...only to have a run-in with Dante, Orlando's brother. The older, more handsome one.



Chantel can't deny the attraction that flares when she's with Dante. But when a tragedy occurs at the mine, is there any hope that the hatred that has simmered between these two families might be resolved? Or will Chantel's hope for love be buried amidst decades of misunderstanding?"


Leona's Review



Another good book from Tracie Peterson. This is the third book of the series, Land of Shining Waters. We are taken to Ely, Minnesota to October 1890.

Chantel Panetta has returned for a year long visit to her Nonna and Nonno (grandparents) in Italy. The parents send their unmarried children to Italy when they turned twenty-one.

Things have changed when she finds her younger sister has fallen in love with Orlando Calarco. The tension between the two families began in the old country decades ago and the story is that is it over the death of a mule. The women of both families accept the love but the fathers are still at odds until an accident in the mine changes that. God is also very involved with the families. " You believe God spoke to you." Father Buh replied. "I believe God speaks to all of His children"

The author brings the reader into the tension and love in her books with the characters. There are some laughs and some tears.

The descriptions of the area and the mines brought memories of my grandfather and uncles who worked in the coal mines of Colorado. Chantel's family moved to Michigan and then to Minnesota; mine moved from Michigan to Colorado. Tracie Peterson talks about the dinner pail and I have my grandfather's pail he used in the mines. My grandparent's used Nona and Nono instead of Nonna and Nonno. One of the men's name was Vittorio, my first uncle's name. When I was doing research for when he came to America, I kept looking for the name Victor on the immigration records before I realized that was his Americanized name. This book really connected personally for me.

In the book there are references to the foods, the needlework (tatting), chores (chopping wood) and a Minnesota winter. Many words are in Italian: "Si, che fa bene. That's good".

The miner's lady is dedicated to Chantel Karch, You are an awesome woman. Always look to Jesus!.

The books of the Land of Shining Waters are The Icecutter's Daughter, The Quarryman's Bride and The Miner's Lady.

Tracie Peterson's web site is www.traciepeterson.com

I received a complimentary copy to read and review from Bethany House. The opinions are my own. I give it a 5 star rating.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

Review of Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren Book Review
"Publication Date: March 22, 2013 | Series: Christiansen Family


Book Description from amazon.com

"Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near. New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case. Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself."


My review:
This is the first book I have read by Susan May Warren and it did not disappoint. Based on the North Shore in Minnesota in the fictional town of Deep Haven. (There is a Deephaven, Minnesota close to the Twin Cities.)
Ivy Madison has moved to the small town of Deep Haven from Minneapolis to become the new assistant county attorney. She is excited to be living in a small, secluded town. Ivy gets involved right away in the local auction when she bids on a local bachelor as the town has a charity auction. She thinks it is Owen, who is a brother of Darek Christensen.
Ivy finds right away that Darek has a problem with grief, guilt and not being able to forgive his old friend, Jensen. Darek had been a hot shot firefighter and was gone a lot of the time during his marriage; now he regrets he was not at home more.
There is a fire in the Boundary Waters and the firefighters have come to Deep Haven to fight the fires. These are old friends of Darek when he was a forest firefighter. Concerns are for the lodge and cabins of the Christensen family resort.
There are four main characters in the book and the chapters go from one character to another. At one time Claire, Felicity, Darek and Jensen were close friends.
Ivy has been in foster homes since the age of 9 and finds a welcome reception with the Christensen family.
Claire loves and adores her grandfather and wants him to be able to live in his own home.
Jensen carries the guilt of the car accident that killed Felicity. He tries his best to be liked by the locals but this is a small town.

List of some characters:
Ivy Madison- the new assistant county attorney
Darek Christensen- a bitter man who has lost his wife in an accident he believes could have been prevented.
Tiger- 5 year old son of Darek and Felicity
John- father of Darek
Ingrid- mother of Darek
Grace-sister of Darek
Owen- brother of Darek
Casper- brother of Darek
Amelia- youngest sister of Darek
Claire- works at Pierre's Pizza; her parents are gone as missionary doctors.
Gibs- grandfather of Claire; she calls him Grandpop
Jensen Atwood- the man who hit and killed Felicity in a car accident.

The parents of Felicity want custody of their grandchild, Tiger, who they called him Theo. Tiger loves all his grandparents and family members. He is so much part of the story.
The book goes into a custody battle over Tiger as well as community service for Jensen; he pled guilty even thought he said he was not. Failing to finish his three thousand hours could put Jensen in jail for four years. Ivy was the attorney who made the plea bargain for Jensen but Darek is unaware of it.
This is a good read. Susan May Warren has done her research and I did learn about forest firefighters. There is a map in the front of the book and I think adds to the book. I like maps in books because of the visual effect and helps make a connection to the story.
The back of the book has discussion questions that could be used for a book club. I checked this book from my library.
I will give it a 5 star because I learned from the book and enjoyed the characters, especially Tiger. Published by Tyndale Fiction 2013.
Susan May Warren may be reached at: www.susanmaywarren.com
Leona Olson

mnleona.blogspot.com

The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson

 

The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson, A Land of Shining Water Series

Dedicated to : To the Ladies of our morning study.

I have read a number of Tracie Peterson's book and I was not disappointed. I like her style and the strong characters she has in her books. Keep tissues handy because there is always a sad moment or two in a Christian romance.

The Icecutter's Daughter begins on December 31,1895 in a small town in Minnesota. Merrill Krause is trying to help a Belgian mare deliver her foal.

She has four older brothers and a father; Merrill had promised her dying mother she would care for them and that was ten years ago.

She is a strong character and can cook as well as help with the horses and ice cutting in the frozen lakes. Carl Jorgenson tells Rurik she is a good cook and always wins at the fair.

Rurik Jorgenson has come to Waseca, Minnesota to help his Uncle Carl Jorgenson with his furniture building business as Carl has been in poor health. Rurik is from Kansas and had recently broken up with his fiance, Svea Olsson. This was an arranged marriage as was the Swedish custom but a fading custom. Svea broke up with Rurik when she found he was going to Minnesota.

Rurik helps with the ice cutting with Merrill's father as well as helping his uncle build furniture.

The story leads us into a romance when Rurik falls in love with Merrill. Problems arise when Svea and her brother, Nils, arrive in Waseca and she tells Rurik she is carrying his child. Rurik denies he has ever been with her but not all believe him. Nils also falls for Merrill and so the story continues.

The story has a lot of history, both Swedish and German. The ice cutting is still happening in 1895 however, technology is beginning to make this a dying need.

I will say at this point, that my husband and brother-in-law remember the ice cutting in Minnesota lakes in the 1940s when the store cut ice and sold it from Mille Lacs Lake in northern Minnesota.

Be prepared for the food Merrill makes and serves; strudel and spaetzle for two. It would have been nice to have a recipe or two in the book.

Tracie Peterson did have some prayers in the book.

Rurik tells Merrill " One of my very first things I remember memorizing was the Lord's Prayer-in Swedish." (page 213)

The Lord's Prayer was said by Rurik in Swedish: "Fader Var som ar i Himmelen. Helgat varde Ditt namn. Tillkomme Ditt Rike. Ske Din vilja, sasom i Himmelen sa ock pd Jprden. Vat dagliga brod giv oss idag Och forlat oss vara skulder sasom ock vi forlata dem oss skyldiga aro och inled oss icke i frestelse utan frals oss ifran ondo. Ty Riket ar Ditt och Makten och Harlingheten i Evighet. Amen."

(my husband has his grandmother's Swedish Bible)

A German prayer said by Merrill's father: "Komm, Herr Jesu; sei du unser Gast, und segne, was du uns bescheret hast. Amen." (page 87)

"Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest and bless what you have bestowed. Amen"

A good read for some history and a Christian romance.

I give this a 5 star rating.

I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House to read and review. The opinions are my own.

Tracie Peterson can be reached at www.traciepeterson.com

She is the author of more than 90 novels, both historical and contemporary.

Leona Olson

http://www.mnleona.blogspot.com

The Captain's Bride by Lisa Tawn Bergren

The following is from goodreads and describes the book:

The Captain's Bride (Northern Lights #1)

by Lisa Tawn Bergren (Goodreads Author)

The Captain's Bride (Northern Lights, #1)

Elsa Anders's dream of marrying Peder Ramstad is about to come true. But as this independent, strong-willed woman discovers her own creative gifts--a love for travel, painting, and the sea--can she find happiness with a captain who insists upon leaving her safely on shore?

Leaving their home in Norway behind, Elsa and Peder embark on a new life with their closest friends. Elsa Anders's dream of marrying Peder Ramstad is about to come true. But as this independent, strong-willed woman discovers her own creative gifts--a love for travel, painting, and the sea--can she find happiness with a captain who insists upon leaving her safely on shore?

Leaving their home in Norway behind, Elsa and Peder embark on a new life in with their closest friends, including: Kaatje Jansen, a woman seeking a new beginning for the sake of her marriage and for the child growing within her; Elsa's sister Tora, a sly young vixen who knows exactly what she wants--and exactly how to get it; and Karl Martensen, a man torn between his friendship for Peder and a forbidden, secret love for Elsa, a man tormented by emotions that threaten to ruin them all.

From the gentle hills of Bergen, Norway, to the rocky coast of Camden, Maine, and across the crashing, danger-filled waves of the open sea--experience an epic saga of perseverance and passion, faith and fidelity, in the Northern Lights series: the new historical series by Lisa Tawn Bergren.

Review by Leona:

The Captain's Bride by Lisa Tawn Bergren

The book begins with a group from Norway planning their voyage to America. Some would go to Camden-by- the Sea in Maine and some to North Dakota.

After the marriage of Elsa and Peder, the group sails to America. There are trials and hardships along the way. When they arrive in America, 20 of the group leave for North Dakota, promising to write and keep in touch.

Peder wants to build a shipyard in Maine with Karl as his partner. Karl wants to build the new steamship and Peder still likes the sails. His father has a shipyard in Norway.

The book takes us to many areas: Maine, Boston, New York, North Dakota, Minnesota, San Francisco and Cape Horn for some.

This book is more about Elsa and Peder but pulls the other characters into the book. Characters go their different ways but still make connections. The stories of the characters are separated by chapters but it is not confusing for the reader; each character has their problems and their blessings.

This is a Christian romance book with prayers to help overcome the hardships and thanks for what they have.

There is no sex or bad language so appropriate for all readers. Maybe a good book for those young people interested in heritage. Keep the tissues handy.

I had an interest in this book because I have been doing the genealogy of my husband's family and his mother's side came from Norway, settled in North Dakota and ended in Minnesota.

Some characters are :

Peder Ramstad- The captain of the Herald, the ship that takes the people to America (24 years old)

Elsa Anders Ramstad- The Captain's Wife (20 years old)

Tora Anders- Younger sister of Elsa (16 years old)

Corina- Older sister of Elsa

Gratia and Amund -Parents of Elsa

Leif Ramstad and Burgitte- Parents of Peder

Garth Ramstad- Sister of Peder

Karl Martensen- Close friend and second mate for Peder

Astrid- Pregnant wife of Kristoffer

Knut Martensen- Son of Kristoffer and Astrid, 3 years old

Gustav and Sonje- Parents of Karl

Kaatje Janssen- A pregnant friend of Elsa

Soren Janssen- Husband of Kaatje

Bjorn Erickson. Kristoffer Swenson and Mikkel Thompson-Workers at Ramstad Shipyard

Ebba- Wife of Bjorn Erickson

Ola- Wife of Mikkel Thompson

Nora Paulson- Teacher of English to the voyagers

Einar Gustavson- friend/ fiance of Nora Paulson

Some crew of the Herald: Riley, Vidar, Stefan and Rees

I received a complimentary copy of The Captain's Bride to read and review. The opinions are my own. I am giving it a 5 star because it held my interest. In fact, I had forgotten to do the review and this is a re-read for me and I still liked it a second time.

Leona Olson

www.mnleona.blogspot.com

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2664586-leona-olson