Book summary: Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor's child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is his younger brother and rival who haunts her memories. Haakon--whose selfish choices shattered her trust in him.
Having fled the Norgaard orchard after trying to take Aven as his own, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade, where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he's pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon's cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor's--which is already imperiled due to a grave illness brought to him at the first prick of warfare.
Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she's been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he's fighting for.
My thoughts... Reading this book reminds me of the amazing bread pudding I had for dessert the other day: warm, comforting, delicious with every bite, and I didn't want it to end! This is just how I felt while reading "Daughters of Northern Shores."
When I finished the first book in this series, "Sons of Blackbird Mountain," I was in love with the Norgaard family. The way that Joanne Bischof wrote each character endeared them to me. I immediately wanted more of their story. When I saw that there would be a sequel I waiting in eager anticipation then downloaded as fast as I could!
After years of living peacefully, the Norgaard's family life is shaken up again with the return of Haakon and the sudden illness of Thor, which impacts the rest of the family, particularly Aven. The tension is high as the family navigates how to extend forgiveness to Haakon. The parallel to the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son is so beautifully written. There is also a mysterious element as they try to discover the source of Thor's illness.
I really can't say enough about how much I love this series (because you really need to read both books)! The balance of romance, tension, spirituality, and exquisite detail make for an excellent reading experience!
**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via netgalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**
When I finished the first book in this series, "Sons of Blackbird Mountain," I was in love with the Norgaard family. The way that Joanne Bischof wrote each character endeared them to me. I immediately wanted more of their story. When I saw that there would be a sequel I waiting in eager anticipation then downloaded as fast as I could!
After years of living peacefully, the Norgaard's family life is shaken up again with the return of Haakon and the sudden illness of Thor, which impacts the rest of the family, particularly Aven. The tension is high as the family navigates how to extend forgiveness to Haakon. The parallel to the Biblical story of the Prodigal Son is so beautifully written. There is also a mysterious element as they try to discover the source of Thor's illness.
I really can't say enough about how much I love this series (because you really need to read both books)! The balance of romance, tension, spirituality, and exquisite detail make for an excellent reading experience!
**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via netgalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**
2 comments:
Hello Mrs. Stacey. I am a Pastor from Mumbai, India. I am glad to stop by your profile on the blogger and the blog post. I am also blessed and feel privileged and honoured to get connected with you as well as know you and about your husband being a Pastor. It was good to go through your book review. I love getting connected with the people of God around the globe to be encouraged, strengthened and praying for one another. I have been in the Pastoral ministry for last 39 yrs in this great city of Mumbai a city with a great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the brokenhearted. We also encourage young and the adults from the west to come to Mumbai to work with us during their vacation time. We would love to have young people come from your Church to work with us during their vacation time. I am sure they will have a life changing experience. Looking forward to hear from you very soon. We would love to have you and Pastor come to Mumbai to encourage and strengthened the Body of Christ. I am sure you will be having a rewarding time and refreshing and strengthening time for the body of Christ. God's richest blessings on you, your family and ministry . God willing I will be coming to the United States and will be so glad to stop by your place and meet PASTOR and you. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar wankhede.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! We don't have anyone right now who can come serve, but will definitely be praying for your ministry! God bless!
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