53830

I enjoyed this story immensely! From the moment the story starts and they are discussing coming over from Norway to North Dakota by ship, I found the story so interesting as it unfolded. I thought the author's description of the ship and the voyage was done so well. As the journey continued across the country on a covered wagon, I actually felt I was there and could feel their excitement but also the tremendous hardship of the trip.
I loved all of the characters and reading how they began to build their homes and their trials and tribulations in living in a new country. ( )

Excellent book. ( )

I have been reading another series by this author ("Daughters of Blessing"), which I am really enjoying. I discovered that this series, "Red River of the North" is the first series written about how the Bjorklund family came to America from Norway. So, I decided to go back to the beginning and I am so glad I did. This story fills in many of the things and people mentioned in the "Daughters of Blessing" series.

This story starts out in Norway and takes you on the passage over to America and the extreme difficulties two families shared as they tried to make a home for themselves in the Dakota Territory. They were strong people, who endured great losses, but who were able to continue on and discover a land that would provide a home for future generations. The author did a good job of letting you imagine what it would have been like to experiece the blizzards of Winter in the 1880s in the Dakota territory. I am so glad I went back and started this family saga from the beginning. ( )

Promises of untold wealth and land had drawn Roald and Ingeborg Bjorklund from the fjords of Norway to America in 1880, but the prairie refused to yield its treasures without a struggle. Will they be strong enough to overcome the hardships of their first winter? The Bjorklund's remain proud of their heritage and sustained by their faith.