A Breath of Hope

This winsome second installment of Snelling’s turn-of-the-19th-century Under Northern Skies series (after The Promise of Dawn) continues the story of Signe Carlson; her husband, Rune; and their three boys as they adjust to their new lives in Minnesota. While they miss family in Norway, Signe and Rune also look forward to the arrival of Rune’s sister Nilda and brother Ivar, who have always dreamed of coming to America. As they continue to work clearing the land of Rune’s uncle Einar in order to pay him back for their voyage to America, Einar becomes even more stubborn and mean, isolating himself for long stretches on the farm. Nilda and Ivar’s arrival cheers those on the farm, but only briefly, as Einar becomes more overbearing each day. Snelling’s slow-burning story relies heavily on her knowledge of farm life in the early Norwegian settlements as she packs the story with peculiar details of how families lived and survived. She also puts in a surprise that will leave readers reeling. Although her style can be tedious and plodding, Snelling’s large base of fans will overlook those flaws in order to learn more about the Carlsons’ dream of making a new life in America. (Apr.)