Land of Dreams is a wonderful historical fiction tale that you are not going to want to miss. It will tug at your heartstrings. Lauraine Snelling has long been an author I love. Her books bring history to life and really also draw you in. They make you part of the immigrant plight and teach you a few words in another language as well.

Amalia is 20. She’s single. And yet she’s now in charge of a 5-year-old. Not only that, but she’s on her way to take possession of a boarding house and run it. All because her friend on the immigrant ship to America from Norway died of cholera, asking her to take on these tasks.

This is how this book begins.

After surviving the ship, Amalia and Ruth must travel to Iowa. From there, they must find the boardinghouse they inherited and make it a success so that they have money and a place to live.

I loved getting to know these girls. And then there is the bachelor who steps up to help them. And all the orphans that seem to show up on their doorstep. There is also opposition along the way.

This is one of those novels that showers you with scripture and bathes you with knowledge while wrapping you up in a warm towel of love. I could not put it down and already want to go back for another visit.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Great book! Ready to continue the story with book 2. Makes you stop and think about all the really hard things our ancestors dealt with.

I thought this was a very well written story. I loved how Amalia helped to created a family from people who are often overlooked. I loved her big heart and that she was so welcoming to all those who ended up on her doorstep. I liked her strength and how much she loved and her willingness to fight to protect those she loved. I also liked how Absalom would fight to help those who were often taken advantage of. I liked how Amalia and Absalom made such a great couple and had big hearts.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Thursday, April 24, 2025
Land of Dreams




Amalia and her parents were making a difficult journey across the ocean from Norway to America. America was the "Land of Dreams".
That sure sounded familiar to my Mom's journey in the 1950s. Thank God, the ship was more modern and probably an easier journey. She immigrated with her Mom and siblings to America from England. Her father came the year before to save up for them to come.

My Mom has told me how difficult it was to fit in and be accepted. Her father got a house in an Italian neighborhood. There were language difficulties. Cultural differences.

Amalia experienced this when she first arrived. Fortunately, she met some wonderful neighbors. She was accepted and cherished.

A wonderful story. Lauraine Snelling knows how to write a book that leaves you wanting more. The characters were wonderful. The plot keeps you turning the page.

Just lovely to read.

Land of Dreams is the first book in the Home to Green Creek Series by authors Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron. This is a Christian historical novel about a young Norwegian woman immigrant, Amalia Gunderson. I was captivated by the story and loved it! Set in late 1880’s, a group from Norway board a ship and head to America to make a new life. Tragedy strikes and many families are affected. Amalia is on that boat and her life is forever changed. The writing in this novel is exquisite. It swept me away to 1889, carried me on ship to the New World, and gave me so many emotions. It is evident the authors did extensive research by the details. Conversations were authentic, the characters were expertly crafted, and I learned a lot by reading this poignant tale. I appreciated the life and Christian messages tucked in the story. There was one particular character that was unhappy and made life miserable for those she encounters. Don’t we all know someone like that? I highly recommend this beautiful novel. It would make a wonderful reading club choice. There are discussion questions in the back to help facilitate the chat. I give it a 5 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

Land of Dreams is such a sweet story with themes of faith, fortitude, trust, and the challenges of new beginnings. The characters are endearing and relatable. Amalia, with her sweet nature and beautiful heart, is easy to empathize with and root for. Absalom, with his kindness and patience, complements her perfectly. Their relationship is both believable and inspiring. Plus, for whatever reason, a boardinghouse setting always piques my interest and adds an extra layer of charm to a story.

The elements of starting over, caring for others, offering grace, and keeping faith make this tory uplifting and memorable. It evoked a range of emotions form me, leaving me feeling satisfied.

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions are 100% my own.

I have enjoyed other immigrant tales by this author, and this one doesn’t disappoint. She has a way of bringing the situations to life so that you feel like you’re right there with the characters, who definitely seem like real people. This character-led novel continued at a comfortable pace, with calmness pervading amidst multitudes of trials as Amalia Gunderson and her young charge, Ruth, sail from Norway to America, only to find orphaned Ruth’s promised inheritance anything but welcoming by both the condition of the neglected boardinghouse and the rude treatment by the older cousin who has been living there. You have to admire Amalia as she pushes forward for what is right and does her best to turn the situation around. In the last quarter of the book, the action and drama ramp up for some heart-pounding suspense. I appreciate the faith element included in the touching story. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #LandofDreams #NetGalley.

In 1889 on the ship coming to America from Norway Amelia lost her parents to cholera. The people staying by them also died, leaving her as legal guardian to their little daughter. Her obligation as guardian took her to Iowa, to the girl's inherited boarding house which had fallen into much disrepair. Their lives had been changed on the ship and now they faced many new challenges, but good people came into their lives as well. Hard work and loving hearts make all the difference as they form a new family and make a new life for themselves. They're wonderful people you'll quickly love and yet there are some you'll mistrust. Struggles, some heart wrenching times. Melting warmth. People you'd love to know and be neighbors with. Leaves you wanting more to the story!

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#LandofDreams #NetGalley #LauraineSnelling #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #BethanyFiction #ChristianHistoricalFiction #KierstiGiron

A trip from Norway to America brings tragedy but also new responsibilities to Amalia. Her parents die on the trip over of cholera as well as a little girl named Ruth who also loses her parents. Before her death Ruth’s mother signs guardianship of her as well as care of a boardinghouse to Amalia.
Obstacles confront Amalia as she finds their new home at the boardinghouse. I admired her strength and determination in spite of the house in disrepair, dirty and very little furniture not to mention a cantankerous woman already living there. How to cope when there’s very little food and stray souls keep showing up? Amalia had resilience that I never would have found in myself. This gave my heart a warm feeling as I read and their faith that God would see them through.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review.

Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron team up to create the Home to Green Creek series. The first book in the Home to Green Creek series is called Land of Dreams. Land of Dreams puts Readers on a ship in the 1880s that’s headed to America with people looking for a better life. Unfortunately, the ship experiences a cholera outbreak and many do not make it off the ship. Amalia is excited about a new life in America with her Parents. But as they travel on the ship Amalia finds herself taking care for the sick and dying on board. After Amalia loses her Parents to cholera, Amalia continues to care for those sick on board and their Families. Befriending one of the sick, Amalia agrees to raise their daughter Ruth, should anything happen. When Ruth’s Mother dies, Amalia instantly becomes Ruth’s guardian, traveling to Iowa and the Boarding House that Ruth’s Family inherited. When Ruth and Amalia arrive in Iowa, they are welcomed by everyone and are befriended by some–especially Absalom, a man obtaining a law degree to help immigrants. But Ruth’s distant Cousin Zelda makes Ruth, Amalia, and everyone Zelda comes across miserable. Whatever is thrown at Amalia, she does her best to handle it as Christ would, seeing the Lord’s Blessings everywhere she turns, becoming an example to everyone in town.

I absolutely loved Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron! Ms. Snelling and Ms. Giron paint such a beautiful story of God’s Grace and how to truly be a neighbor to those in need. I loved Amalia instantly! I admired how Amalia helped anyone that came across her path, giving them whatever they needed. I love all the people that Amalia took in, regardless of their stature or ability to pay. I love that Amalia gave a tangible example of how Jesus would act to others, especially the young ones that God put into her care. I also loved seeing what the children learned from Amalia and how they put it into practice themselves, impacting the world for Jesus. I thought Amalia showed great restraint and grace when it came to Zelda, because Zelda sure got on my nerves! I thought that Ruth was really sweet and how she accepted and treated others, due to Amalia’s example. The way Ruth depended on Jesus was precious! I also loved Absalom and his heart for others, treating them how Jesus would regardless of where they are from. I also thought that Amalia and Absalom were perfect for each other. Most of all, I loved how Ms. Snelling and Ms. Giron drenched Land of Dreams in God’s Truth, using it’s Characters to point it’s Readers to Jesus, showing the Reader that whatever may come God has a plan and everything will work out according to His Will. If you are looking for a read with a Powerful Message that shows us that we can truly Love Our Neighbor, then I highly recommend Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron! I’m excited to see where Ms. Snelling and Ms. Giron take the Home to Green Creek series next!

Have you read Land of Dreams? What did you think of the book?

I would like to thank the Publisher and Celebrate Lit Blogging Tours for giving me a copy of Land of Dreams to review, for letting me be a part of the Land of Dreams Celebration Tour, and for providing the information needed for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My review is also on Goodreads, Amazon, and my blog Leslie's Library Escape.

Land of Dreams by Lauriane Snelling with Kiersti Giron is the first book in the Home to Green Creek Land. This story takes place in 1889 as Amalia travels from Norway to Decorah, Iowa. As cholera takes over the ship, many are lost including Amalia’s and Ruth’s parents. Amalia has been assigned guardianship to Ruth and is to take care of the boarding house until Ruth is old enough to take over.

This is a very enjoyable story to read as it tells of the struggles Amalia has with the house and dealing with Miss Berg, who is the only occupant of the boarding house when they arrive. Miss Berg has sent the animals to the neighbor and had the neighbor tend to the fields. She has also parted with most of the home’s furnishings

Amalia is a very caring and compassionate person who finds helpers for the boarding house by taking in others in need of food and shelter. I found the story to be very enjoyable to read, especially of the different tasks she had to take on to return the house to a condition that she could reopen it to boarders. I enjoyed how quick people became friends with her and how they supported her with the struggles with Miss Berg, especially the new lawyer in town. This is a very interesting and enjoyable story to read to get an insite into what it took for early settlers to make a home for themselves and others.

I especially enjoyed the author’s note at the end as Lauraine Snelling has long been one of my favorite author. I enjoyed reading of a part of her family’s heritage in MN.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

What an amazing story of hope and trust in God. Right away I knew that Amalia was going to be my favorite character. Traveling from Norway to America she hopes to find a new beginning. I can’t imagine how hard it was to be on the ship for a long time. Helping with the sick on the ship with cholera was a testimony to her strength. She never thought she would be a guardian to sweet Ruth until a tragedy strikes. I couldn’t wait to see if Amalia would be able to keep her promise to Ruth’s mother.

When they arrive at their destination trouble starts. Someone is not happy that Amalia has showed up with documentation giving her rights to the boardinghouse. Well Ruth is the owner but until she is older Amalia is in charge. The friction can be felt as the battle begins. Harsh words are spoken that shows Amalia must trust God in this situation. The grace that Amalia shows to Miss Zelda is a great illustration to others. We are to love our enemies and Amalia does this without question.

I loved following the characters and watching their spiritual growth. I love how the author illustrates how God is with Amalia throughout the story as she overcomes the many trials she faces. Let’s not forget about Absalom. He is such a great character who begins a sweet relationship with Amalia that shows grace and patience. I thought he was a good shoulder to lean on as so many roadblocks came.

I liked how Amalia’s neighbor was so kind. He has been taking care of the livestock and offered to help with getting the barn and land back in shape. Looks like things are going well. Or is it? Don’t miss this wonderful story that is faith filled and shows how God always show up when you need Him.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

I am always so excited to read a book by one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. I know some years ago I read a series by the author with Norwegian characters and the Norwegian culture and enjoyed it very much this has the same in it. I read it awhile ago so I can't remember if any of the characters from that series are in this book or not.
Making a new start is not easy but when the unexpected happens it's doubly hard.
On a ship bound for America Norwegian immigrant, Amalia Gunderson becomes the guardian of a young girl who lost her mother on the voyage.
She and five year old, Ruth find themselves in a strange and new land with a house, Ruth will inherit when she is of age but it is not empty. Despite being pushed and pulled in a lot of directions with opposition to what she is doing and some bad advice Amalia show her strength and perseverance. Doing what is right in this new land by taking care of the child and honoring God is her mission and though struggles are ever present she will not give up on herself or God. With a boarding house being run there are other orphans that show up and through hard work and sacrifices all work towards a common good.
The author has a way of writing realistic fiction that I feel as though I am there experiencing it as well.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley for my honest opinion.

America was slowly getting settled by immigrants. Amalia Gunderson and her parents were just a few of those traveling on the ship that unfortunately became a ship of death. Many of those traveling died of cholera, including Amalia’s parents. With no chance to grieve, she was asked to become legal guardian to young Ruthie, who had also lost her parents. Finally arriving in Iowa, Ruthie’s inheritance of a boarding house became Amalia’s problem and eventually joy.

Eclectic boarders joined these two taking away the loneliness and creating family. The struggle for new immigrants was real. This wonderful fiction story depicts what many went through to make a home in a new and strange land.

An early copy was received through Bethany House Publishers, Baker Publishing Group, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

It has always been a pleasure to have a new book release from Lauraine Snelling and her Land of Dreams is no different. It starts off the Home to Green Creek series. I loved getting to know the main characters, Amalia, Ruth, and Absalom. Their story was so sweet and heartwarming to read. I loved taking this adventure with them and seeing how it would unfold for them in the end. It is among my favorites I have read by this author.

I am going to give Land of Dreams five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean historical romance. I look forward to the next installment from the Home to Green Creek series.

I received a paperback copy of Lauraine Snelling's Land of Dreams from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

I enjoyed reading Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling. I began reading and I was quickly drawn into the story. The characters are developed. I liked that they were realistic with strengths as well as flaws. They will need to be strong and have faith if they are to overcome the obstacles thrown their way. I like that there were twists along the way that kept things interesting. I cannot imagine traveling from Norway to America. It was a long journey that would require various modes of transportation. I enjoyed the lovely setting. I could visualize it thanks to the author’s picturesque descriptions. Faith was beautifully woven into the story, and I felt that it enhanced it. One of my favorite moments was when one of the ladies had to deal with a difficult individual. I like how she behaved and her comment afterward, “Why couldn’t everybody just be nice?” is something that I often wonder as well. I like how people befriended Amalia. They helped her settle into the town and boardinghouse. They also supported her as she dealt with the difficult Miss Berg. There was one struggle after another with Miss Berg. I appreciated the author’s note at the end. Land of Dreams is a story about new beginnings, compassion, trust, friendship, loss, and faith. I cannot wait to read the next book in the Home to Green Creek series.

I found this book to be very enjoyable. Centered around faith and trials, this story kept me captivated until the end. Lauraine Snelling and Kiersti Giron captured the full depth of the struggles the characters were dealing with as they traveled from Norway to America. Will their faith remain strong enough to overcome their obstacles? You will have to read the book to find out.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All words are my own.

Some stories crack open something deep. Land of Dreams didn’t whisper, it spoke—into places in me that needed the reminder: starting over is never neat. Healing doesn’t always announce itself. And faith? It holds steady, it is a gift from God to be treasured.

This isn't just a story about settling land—it’s about settling souls. The kind of tale where trust is more than a theme; it’s the air these characters breathe when nothing else makes sense.

“Lord God, hold us close.” Amalia’s prayer is for every reader who’s walked through change they didn’t ask for, or faced uncertainty with trembling hands. Her resilience doesn’t shout. It shows up in the small, unglamorous moments—when she keeps going, keeps serving, keeps believing.

And oh, the community. Rough edges. Old wounds. But laced through it all? People choosing to stay, to help, to be present. God doesn’t always show up in big miracles—sometimes He’s in the neighbor who brings soup, the hymn sung while scrubbing a floor, the unexpected courage to open your home and heart again.

The hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, is a battle cry within these pages. These characters live it. They stand in the storm, not because they’re strong, but because God is.

Another beloved quote: “Thank our Lord, God, He is the one who does the healing.” And that, right there, is what this book keeps circling back to. Healing isn’t self-made. It’s God-given. Unearned. Unexpected. Sometimes slow. But always real.

The writing doesn’t try to impress—it invites you in. I could feel the chill creeping through the cracks in the boardinghouse, hear the crunch of snow, and sense the ache of loss wrapped in the warmth of new friendship. I didn’t read this book with my eyes—I felt it with my heart.

If you're weary but hopeful, tired but trusting, this is the kind of story that will sit beside you like a friend and remind you: God still sees. God still heals. God still leads forward, one unsure step at a time.

This story didn’t let go when I turned the last page. It walked with me. It still is.

I received a digital ARC of this book from Celebrate Lit Publicity Group. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

I was drawn to this book because I *might* be planning a trip to Norway at some point. And, the Norwegian lass on the cover just looks so pretty! Often, I feel like the real-life models so frequently seen on historical fiction covers these days just don't "work." They look like modern people in an old-fashioned costume. But this example looked charming. The story is about Amalia, who (unfortunately for me) is already on the ship to the US from Norway as the story begins, in 1889. Her parents die of cholera on the journey, as do the parents of a 5-year-old girl, Ruthie. But Ruthie's mom asks Amalia to be Ruthie's guardian in the new world, and to help with the Iowa boarding house Ruthie inherits. The book then follows their time as they attempt to spruce up the neglected boarding house and make a go of it again. They meet many townsfolk, and create a family of sorts there. Although none of the book is set in Norway, there are some Norwegian phrases and a bit about the culture. I hadn't realized that Iowa was a big destination for Norwegian immigrants.

I'd class this as a "gentle read." And often, books like this just don't excite me much. So I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed "Land of Dreams" quite a bit. Snelling writes well, and I found I could always just skim a page about the chickens scratching in the yard or something that didn't interest me. There was quite a bit of Christian faith, but woven in naturally. I liked the observation by one character that "he was grateful for the familiar rhythms of Lutheran liturgy, that he could worship in body and spirit even if his mind struggled at times." I've had similar thoughts as I sat in liturgical churches. Amalia is very sweet and I enjoyed her example of how to behave when dealing with a very difficult person. "Why couldn't everybody just be nice?" she wonders. I've wondered that too, Amalia.

If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, give "Land of Dreams" a try.

Amalia has been through so much: the crossing to America, a cholera epidemic that stole her parents from her. Now she’s guardian to a small girl and headed to an unknown land, determined to do her best whatever happens.

There are many twists and turns throughout. Amalia encounters the unpleasant woman who lives in the boarding house that now belongs to Ruthie. She also meets Absalom, an attractive lawyer who helps her with legal troubles. How she deals with everything that happens shows her faith in God and His care for her.

This book was difficult to put down. I enjoyed how the characters and story developed. 5 stars.

I received an ARC for my honest review.