Lauraine Snelling

Some stories crack open something deep. Land of Dreams didn’t whisper, it spoke—into places in me that needed the reminder: starting over is never neat. Healing doesn’t always announce itself. And faith? It holds steady, it is a gift from God to be treasured.

This isn't just a story about settling land—it’s about settling souls. The kind of tale where trust is more than a theme; it’s the air these characters breathe when nothing else makes sense.

“Lord God, hold us close.” show more Amalia’s prayer is for every reader who’s walked through change they didn’t ask for, or faced uncertainty with trembling hands. Her resilience doesn’t shout. It shows up in the small, unglamorous moments—when she keeps going, keeps serving, keeps believing.

And oh, the community. Rough edges. Old wounds. But laced through it all? People choosing to stay, to help, to be present. God doesn’t always show up in big miracles—sometimes He’s in the neighbor who brings soup, the hymn sung while scrubbing a floor, the unexpected courage to open your home and heart again.

The hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, is a battle cry within these pages. These characters live it. They stand in the storm, not because they’re strong, but because God is.

Another beloved quote: “Thank our Lord, God, He is the one who does the healing.” And that, right there, is what this book keeps circling back to. Healing isn’t self-made. It’s God-given. Unearned. Unexpected. Sometimes slow. But always real.

The writing doesn’t try to impress—it invites you in. I could feel the chill creeping through the cracks in the boardinghouse, hear the crunch of snow, and sense the ache of loss wrapped in the warmth of new friendship. I didn’t read this book with my eyes—I felt it with my heart.

If you're weary but hopeful, tired but trusting, this is the kind of story that will sit beside you like a friend and remind you: God still sees. God still heals. God still leads forward, one unsure step at a time.

This story didn’t let go when I turned the last page. It walked with me. It still is.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability. show less

This is the second book in the "Leah’s Garden" series by Lauraine Snelling and Kirstie Giron, which follows the fortunes of four sisters who are homesteading in Nebraska Territory just after the American Civil War. This one focuses on Delphinium (Del), who has become a schoolteacher for Salton, the town near their homestead. She encounters RJ, a friend of her older brother from the war. He has recommended RJ make a new start in Salton, since he seems adrift after his fiancée deserted him, show more and an attack by a Confederate renegade took one of his eyes and left him with sporadic attacks of excruciating pain.

Del’s stress over making a success of both her school and the homestead and RJ’s surly manners brought on by the pain he is concealing lead to initial mistrust and misunderstanding. Gradually, through grace and their own better natures they begin to understand each other’s hearts and build first a friendship and later something more.

It’s a warm and satisfying story, and well worth reading. I look forward to the next sister’s story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

One of those books, part of a series, that you really look forward to, sink right in and become immersed. It feels like home. Wonderful characters, everyday life, with all its struggles and complications. Strong, smart women and men who have travelled a long distance, determined to live right and make a homestead and town for themselves. Strong and living in faith. Fabulous creativity and ambition, holding themselves to high expectations. You have to love them all in this family and show more appreciate their hard work. Written so well, painted clearly what it was like to live then. Great book to get lost in.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ATimeToBloom #NetGalley #LauraineSnelling #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BethanyHousePublishers #BethanyHouse #KierstiGiron #ChristianHistoricalFiction show less

I loved this book! The story is full of surprises, difficult circumstances, accidents, births, death and and some beautiful love stories! I enjoyed the setting of Nebraska in the 1800's.
The Nielsen farm comes to life with descriptive words and prose.

The characters are so familiar to me! They're like family! The Nielsen sisters are amazing! They're industrious and never shirk from hard work. I love the closeness of this family and how they include others in their lives! Larkspur is such a show more take charge woman. She does struggle with matters of the heart. Isaac's character is complex. He loves Larkspur but is hesitant to act on that love.

Faith in God is prevalent throughout the book! I liked that the characters struggled and weren't shy about it. I also enjoyed the stories that were told during the church services. They touched my heart. It's evident that the authors value faith.

I was provided a copy of the book from Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less