Book Review: A Measure of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

"'So has this convinced you to go to Chicago?'

Astrid thought for a moment. Elizabeth had been insisting she go for more formal instruction at the Alfred Morganstein Hospital for Women and Children. Since she already had so much practical experience helping at the surgery in Blessing, she would only need to go for the surgical training. But Chicago was so far away! Yet working with Dr. Althea Morganstein, Elizabeth's own mentor, would be invaluable. Astrid knew her sister-in-law had taken her on with this plan in mind. She also knew Elizabeth would take it personally if Astrid didn't pass the rigorous examinations Dr. Morganstein required." A Measure of Mercy, p 18.

Astrid Bjorklund is faced with a life altering decision, does she stay in Blessing and continue working in her sister-in-law's surgery, or does so go to Chicago and further her training and become a real doctor? Just when she seems to know the direction she is going to go, life takes a drastic turn when she loses two patients. She now battles with the calling and her faith in God. The plot thickens when a familiar stranger comes back to town and steals her heart. Things don't get easier after an African missionary comes to preach at Astrid's church. Astrid wonders if she will ever know which way God is leading her.

This is a story about the search for life's direction. Lauraine Snelling paints an interesting picture of life at the turn of the 20th century in the small town of Blessing, North Dakota. This book is part one in the Home to Blessing series. I have to admit that this is the first of Lauraine Snelling's Red River books that I have read. Even though this is book one in a series, I think it would be helpful to the reader to have read the previous Red River series. (I believe there are three different series before this one.) I was a little lost at times because of missing so much of the back story that was so often, but briefly alluded to.

The one thing that bothered me most about this book is that it never answered the question that was so clearly stated on the back cover of the novel. "Will she regret the choice she's made?" The question wasn't answered because the choice wasn't made till the last ten pages of the story. I found that more then a little frustrating. However, I'm sure the question will be answered in her next book that is coming out in the spring. (I see that it is already available for pre-order on Amazon.)

I would recommend this book to people who are already familiar of the Red River books by Lauraine Snelling.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing.)