A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling (book 2, Song of Blessing series)

Lauraine Snelling continues the Blessing, North Dakota story in book 2, A Harvest of Hope. 

From the Back Cover:
Miriam Hastings has her future plans in place...but Trygve Knutson is intent on changing them. 
Just a few short weeks into her year-long training at the Blessing Hospital, Miriam Hastings is called home to Chicago, where her mother is gravely ill.  With siblings to care for, Miriam pleads to be allowed to finish her training in Chicago.  Her nursing supervisor grants her a brief reprieve but extracts a promise that Miriam will return to Blessing and fulfill her one-year commitment.
While in Chicago, Miriam has tried to get Trygve Knutson and Blessing out of her mind, but his letters make that impossible.  Trygve is busy building a house, hoping he can convince Miriam to return to North Dakota and marry him.  Torn between Trygve's love and her family's needs, she doesn't know what to do.
When Miriam finally returns to Blessing, she buries herself in her work.  But no matter how hard she tries to put it off, she has some life-changing decisions to make about her future, her family...and the man who is never far from her thoughts.
What will it take to convince her to stay?


My Review:
It's always good to read a series where the characters are familiar and you get to see them interact together.  I will say that this book moved a little more slowly for me and I had a hard time finishing it.  Although, after I got through the middle, the pace seemed to pick up and rush toward the end.  I also noticed that there were parts of the story where I felt I should know more of the background then I did.  So, after a little investigation, I saw that there are 2 other series that take place in the little town of Blessing, North Dakota--Home to Blessing and Daughters of Blessing.  It might be good to read those first before this series so that you have all the background information since it is not repeated in this series.  I have enjoyed getting to know the characters and  seeing how their lives play out throughout the trials and circumstances that they encounter.  Looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, Streams of Mercy, coming October 2015.

***I received this free book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.