Book Review: Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling

Excerpt: "Are you telling me this ranch is not ours?"

Mavis Engstrom shook her head, wishing for a way to erase the anger she could read on her son's face. Ransom wore the ice blue eyes and steel jaw of his father when he was fighting for control. "No, that is not what I am saying. I said the ranch belongs to Cassie Lockwood too." Whispers in the Wind, pg 7.

Back Cover: She's Come This Far.... Must She Turn Back Now?

After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.

Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But younger son Lucas decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.

Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

My Review: Whispers in the Wind is the second book in the Wild West Wind series. You can read my review of the first book in the series, Valley of Dreams, by clicking here. I hate giving bad reviews, but I did not enjoy this book. The plot didn't move me, the characters weren't deep enough, and the dialogue was stilted and boring. I am sure some people will really enjoy this novel, but I did not. I won't be wasting my time to read the third book in this series.
My Rating:

My Recommendation: I recommend this book to those who have read Valley of Dreams, the first book in this series, and enjoyed it.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling

Excerpt: After the last person was served and before the early dinners got up to leave, Jason Talbot stood up from the table off to the north corner that had become his. "Folks," he called. When the din continued, he raised his voice and clapped his hands. "I have an announcement to make." He paused and waited. Slowly the troupe quieted and stared at him, waiting.

"Much to my sorrow, I have to tell you that this has been the final performance of the Lockwood and Talbot Wild West Show. Pick up your pay envelopes. We are just not making enough money to cover expenses, and there is nothing else I can do but close the doors."

Cassie stared at him, her stomach wrapping around itself. Surely this couldn't be.

Not like this. Valley of Dreams, pg 25

Back Cover: WILD WEST WIND
Exciting New Series from Bestselling Author Lauraine Snelling

When Cassie Lockwood's mother died, Cassie began travelling with her father's Wild West Show. Along the way, she became an amazingly skillful trick rider and sharpshooter, likened by some to the famous Annie Oakley. When her father passed away, she continued to work with the show, having nowhere else to go.

Now Cassie has discovered that "Uncle" Jason, the show's manager, has driven the show into debt, and he's absconded with what little money was left. Devastated, Cassie decides to try to find the hidden valley in the Black Hills of South Dakota where her father had dreamed of setting down roots. She has only one clue. She needs to find three huge stones that look like fingers on a giant hand. With Chief, a Sioux Indian who's been with the act for twenty years, and Micah, the head wrangler, she leaves the show and a bundle of heartache behind and begins a wild and daring adventure.

Will they find the valley before winter closes in on them?

My Review: I usually enjoy books that are part of a series, especially the first book of the series. However, I was very disappointed with Valley of Dreams. Though the characters were well developed, the story felt like it went no where. I like books that raise questions in my mind, and then answer them as the story goes along. While Valley of Dreams raised many questions, very few were answered by the end of the book. This book does not work as a stand alone novel.

My Rating:

My Recommendation: I do not recommend this book without the rest of the novels in the series.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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.)