I read the "Red River" series by this author, this book is the prequel, although it was published after the other series.

This book starts in Valdres, Norway in 1878. Ingeborg Strand & her cousin, Gunlaug, were laughing together, they were closer than sisters! They had decided that Per Tollefson wasn't rotten, but he couldn't hold a conversation! Ingeborg's mor called her & Gunlaug, her voice sounding somewhat disgusted. She left her Mor know that they were picking dandelion leaves, the first of the growing season. Gunlaug was looking forward to the dance, when she could see Ivar. Gunlaug's sister, Hamme, was picking dandelions at home, but Gunlaug had told her mor that Tante Hilde had asked for her help. When Hilde called again, they decided that they had cleaned out that particular dandelion patch. Ingeborg's brother, Hjelmer, came running for them because Mor wanted her help with delivering the Gaard baby & was waiting for her. Greta, the Gaard's oldest child, had come calling for Hilde, then went back to take care of the other children. Hilde had told the parents that if they continued having babies so often, there may come a time when the mother didn't make it. Ingeborg prayed that this was not the time. The older boy met them at the road & told them to hurry. Despite already puffing, they started to jog, carrying all they needed for the delivery. Hilde asked the interrupting mother-in-law to bring hot water to start the tisane. The woman left a feeling of dislike in the room. When she brought the water, she was frowning. Hilde helped her patient back into bed. Trude grew tired and her panting filled the room. Ingeborg felt for the babies head & helped it to turn. After the child was born, Ingeborg wrapped him in a blanket. Eventually the blood stopped. Ingeborg was honored when her Mor told her she could clean the baby. Together, mother & daughter dried the baby. As they walked home Ingeborg told her mother that she wanted to learn more about helping people live, like the baby. She didn't need a husband to be a midwife.

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I loved this prequel to the Red River of the North series! So amazing! You find out all the backstory behind the characters of Ingeborg, Roald, and their families. 5 stars! A must read, whether you have read the Red River of the North series yet, or not. ( )

Lauraine Snelling researches thoroughly the aspects that she presents. I enjoyed the development of the plot, setting and historical time frame.

I had trouble keeping track of the people. I don't know she could do it better, with the big families intermingling, with cousins, siblings and second cousins...but I couldn't keep them apart, except for the one main character.
Part of it was the names---which were authentic, but hard for me to remember.

Sometimes I lost the plot with all the details of the setting and cheese making techniques.

I wondered about the seter. Would no adults be present the entire time? I know children can be responsible, but that seemed quite a stretch for that length of time. Possible, but doubtful. Made me want to pursue that idea (in my spare time).

I enjoyed the book. It wasn't one of those quick reads, because of the history and the information presented. But a nice change. ( )

Full disclosure- I skimmed a lot and didn't finish it.

I realize it's kind of petty to take issue with a book because of something like names, and the author was being authentic to the culture, but she didn't have to choose names like Ingeborg and Gunlaug for the main characters... even Ingeborg's sisters had better names. Lots of heavy G and R sounds which make make it hard to chew through.

But I could overlook this if I fell in love with the characters or even found them mildly interesting. But I just didn't understand them. It seemed to me that there were a lot of (immediately) contradicting thoughts and actions from Nils and Ingeborg. One minute she's saying she won't put her brother in the same position she's been put in (matchmaking) and then all of sudden she's forcing them to dance. I had a lot of "what? what just happened?" moments when reading.

Also, both Nils and Ingeborg were constantly frustrating me because they dwelled a lot on their problems but were always avoiding confrontation or being passive aggressive. I don't have respect for people or characters who whine about their circumstances and are unwilling to adress the problems head on. Both should have just spoken to their parents and then heard them out. Maybe it was a cultural thing.

The narrative was a little weird and confusing for a while- we'd switch back and forth between mar/Hilde etc. and characters would refer to themselves as if they were speaking about someone else ("did he think her daughter...")

Overall, there was lots of dialogue, but not much being said, lots of actions being described, but nothing really happening. ( )

I feel like I've been to Norway and back. The Seter sounded so beautiful. It was a lot of hard work.
Nils loved the mountains and was found and rescued. His time in the Seter let him find true love. But on way to connect with Ingeborg, an accident claimed his life.
Ingeborg had a fun loving family until the death of an Uncle. The will caused a split between the two brothers. Also they were grieving over loss of brother.
Life's hardships made Ingeborg wonder where God is in all life's situations.
Her Mom's cousin passed away in childbirth an also the baby. Her husband wants Ingeborg to be his wife and go with him to America and help care for his 4 year old son. There is no love. But Ingeborg feels God is in it.
The titleis so fitting.