Is She Really Leaving Forever?
Tracing the difficulties and joys of carving out a life from the
Dakota sod in the second half of the 800s, Tender Mercies continues
Snelling’s Red River saga and will pull your heartstrings and make
you feel the joys and frustrations of life on the open lands of the
9th century mid-west.
The rich farmlands of the Dakota Territory in 1887 are finally
beginning to yield the abundant harvest the pioneers had dreamed
about so long. The establishment of the railroad has brought
significant changes to the small town of Blessing as well as
prosperity to the Bjorklund family and their neighbors.
Among the townsfolk, Reverend John Solberg--despite being wary of
matchmaking efforts in the past--is developing a friendship with a
delightful young woman through their common love of books. Mary
Martha has a gentle southern charm that wins everyone in her circle
but too soon she is called on to return home to care for her
mother. She leaves behind many heavy hearts and countless questions
of whether it will be the last time to see her.
Lauraine Snelling is an award winning author of over 30 books,
both fiction and non fiction for adults and young adults. She has
two horse series for young teen girls, the GOLDEN FILLY SERIES
which is completed and HIGH HURDLES. Lauraine is also the author of
the popular RED RIVER OF THE NORTH series set in North Dakota in
the past part of the 19th century. The Bjorklund brothers bring
their families from Norway to begin a new life on the land they
will turn from prairie to fertile farms.
Besides writing both books and articles, Lauraine teaches at
writer's conferences across the country and has an active speaking
career. She and husband Wayne have two grown sons, four grand dogs
and live in the country where Lauraine can garden, sew, do crafts,
cross stitch, enjoy her birds and eventually have a horse
again.