A Season of Grace

The Carlsons settle into their new lives in Minnesota in Snelling’s strong third Under Northern Skies novel (after A Breath of Hope). In 1910, Nilda Carlson, who immigrated to America from Norway, begins assisting the wealthy Mrs. Schoenleber, who needs help managing a large estate and packed social calender, in the town of Blackduck. Nilda’s job takes her from her family for days at a time but opens the door to high society. That society includes Dreng Nygaard, a young man who accosted Nilda back in Norway and who promises revenge on her for his being sent to America as punishment. Nilda refuses to be scared by Dreng, and Snelling affectingly portrays the emotional toil such abuse has on Nilda. When the suddenly repentant Dreng apologizes, the community counsels Nilda to accept and believe him against her own judgment. She gives him another chance to redeem himself in her eyes, but he attempts to rape her when she leaves her house alone. Nilsa’s fight against Dreng emerges as an instructive, emotional study of how a church community deals with the fallout of sexual harassment and abuse. With themes that have contemporary resonance, Snelling’s powerful historical drama will appeal to inspirational readers of all types. (Nov.)