A Harvest of Hope by Lauraine Snelling

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?

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About the Author:

Lauraine Snelling is the award-winning author of over 70 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold over 2 million copies. Besides writing books and articles, she teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California. Learn more at www.laurainesnelling.com.

I was blessed with this book by Bethany House Blogger Program in exchange for my honest opinion. 

My Thoughts:
This book is centered in the town of Blessing, a small town where there is much love, as well as, some ornery characters. Astrid and Elizabeth are doctor's at Blessing's hospital. They are working on training nurses with lots of hands-on experience. This is where Miriam comes in. 

Miriam came as a nurse-in-training from Chicago. When her mother became deathly ill she returned to Chicago to put her to rest as well as check on her brothers and sisters. She is torn between her commitment to her studies, her family, and the man she is beginning to love. She is struggling between returning to Chicago when she finishes her schooling or moving her family to Blessing. Miriam is a woman of integrity, determined no matter what the cost to keep her word. Which of course is part of what Trygve admires so much about her, and part of what makes her indecisive about their relationship having any future possibilities.

I feel like this story is not just a romance about Miriam and Trygve, but a well-rounded tale of people and families who worked together to build a community. They followed God's calling to love each other, and extend His love to the unlovable. You will be able to participate in the joys and sorrows, see the love and forgiveness, and watch as they extend grace and mercy to their fellowman. 

I enjoyed this book even though it wasn't a fast paced, action packed page turner. It was more like watching lives unfold like flowers as the characters grow and bloom. It was as though, I myself were part of the townspeople, participating in their story, becoming a part of their lives. I think it helps to have read the first book in the series to really grasp everything that is going on in this book. 

You can read my review on it Here.