The Seeds of Change

Larkspur gets into a jam one night when she tries to help her younger brother out of a pickle he has gotten into at the local saloon with a card sharp. Larkspur, as well as being a member of the local church is also a great poker player. She enters the saloon on the way home from church one afternoon when said brother and his friend have lost big time. She fools the cardsharp into thinking she doesn't know how to play and then ends up taking the pot and getting her brother and his friends' property back as well as a tidy nest egg for herself. When she exposes how the man was cheating he vows revenge. He can't stand the fact that he was bested by a young female. Larkspur and her sisters, Forsythia, Delphenium and Lilac take off to join a wagon train on the Oregon Trail, leaving their older brother to run the family mercantile and take over the house their parents left them and also their younger brother who doesn't want to come along. They end up buying some property in a small town in Nebraska on the trail and settle there. This is a great tale of women that can do it all in a pinch and just an interesting look at life in a wagon train and in a small town / farm. With four sisters I'm thinking there will end up being four parts to this series and I look forward to reading them all.

I have voluntarily reivewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Lauraine Snelling is a prolific author of historical romance, and she is well suited to the role. She excels at her craft which makes her books a delight to read. In her latest offering, she begins a new series and I cannot wait until the next one to come out.

Four sisters and two brothers live in Ohio working in the mercantile and growing gardens with the seeds their mother left behind for them. When the younger brother gambles away their home place, the oldest sister comes to the saloon to win back what he's lost. Larkspur, or Lark as she is called, figures out that the gambler has been cheating. When she calls him out on it, she makes an enemy, just as she had made an enemy of the deacon who had been leading the church since their pastor had met with an unfortunate accident. Fearing for her life, her older brother, Anders, sends her and their sisters to Nebraska to buy a farm and to settle in a new place. The trip to Nebraska is not without its difficulties: Lark masquerading as a man to protect her sisters, children who are suddenly orphaned, one of the sisters becoming ill, and disgruntled wagon train members. The girls take in the children and are befriended by a doctor and his nephew who were on their way to California. The one thing the girls want to do more than anything is to begin to grow and sell flower seeds. All of the girls have been named for various flowering plants and shrubs--Larkspur, Delphinium, Forsythia, and Lilac, and all of the girls are as pretty as their name-sakes.

There are twists and turns throughout the book that make it an engaging read. Like I said before, Lauraine excels at weaving a tale and I am sure that in the subsequent books, she will tie up all the loose ends quite well, because the gambler and the deposed deacon are still out to get Lark.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a seed catalog to fulfill all of your floral dreams.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

THE SEEDS OF CHANGE is the first novel in the Leah's Garden series by LAURAINE SNELLING. It is the story of four sisters who go west in 1865 in order to escape an angry deacon and a humiliated poker player who have threatened Larkspur. The sisters, who all have the names of flowers, were well taught by their father and are tough, good shots and good at hunting. Lark, as she is called, becomes Clark in order to keep the four of them safe. The journey is full of calamities but the young women's faith in God helps them through. I like to see the way they help others on the wagon trail, especially the children.
They settle down well in Salton, where Lark buys land with her poker winnings, but letters from their older brother make them worry that the men who are after Lark still pose a threat.
It is an enjoyable read with romance, great characters and a good Christian message. I recommend The Seeds of Change to anyone who enjoys historical romance.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

so enjoyed this read, and really didn't want it to end, but at least there is another book to look forward to.
The Nielson family is very close, and with danger lurking, Larkspur resumes being Clark, and they are off to a new life for the sisters. There are four sisters traveling and they increase there family along the way, they are willing to give it all for others.
I loved how the title of the read resonates in several ways, and also with help in their survival. These girls are will prepared for their journey because of the foresight of their parents, and they share their skills with others.
Such a heartwarming read, and they wear their faith and love of the Lord for all to see!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

The Seeds of Change by Lauraine Snelling, with Kiersti Giron, is the first book in the Leah’s Garden series. This is a great story Christian Historical Fiction story of four sisters, all named after flowers, who flee their home after Larkspur wins back what her brother and his friends have lost in a poker game. Needing to change her identity, she dresses as a young man and goes by the name of Clark.

This is such a fun story to read. I enjoyed how the girls had so many talents and were so loving and caring to those they met.. Their father had taught them how to shot a gun and use a knife for hunting and safety. Their mother had taught them the love of flowers and music. I enjoyed the way music was used in this story. I also enjoyed the strength they had to build up the farm and make a home for themselves and the children they adopted. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this story from the publisher through Netgalley, this is my honest review.

A gentle love story set in the western US. It was slow, but the romance was sweet, so that kept me turning the pages. The christian aspect wasn't too heavy, so non=religious readers could find enjoyment in this one too.

Lauraine Snelling has written a fun read and it has made me snicker in most places.
My favorite thing about the whole book is the closeness of these sisters and their faith!
I also enjoyed their trip on the trail and allowed myself to "picture" what it might have been like for these ladies. I rather love the idea!
Imagine the view from their eyes instead of in the car like I did in 2005.
I didn't want this book to end. The adventure was awesome!
The one person that I didn't like was the preacher. I couldn't stand him and the way he treated Larkspur. So not fair!
I loved the girls' names too! They were certainly unusual. I very much enjoyed getting to know them.
Five stars for a well written storyline and for keeping my attention throughout the whole book.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

Lauraine Snelling provides us another meaningful historical tale. As the first in a series, this story wove in characters and settings designed to keep our interest for a long time. Snelling never disappoints.

The Seeds of Change
by Lauraine Snelling
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian | General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction
Pub Date 01 Jun 2021 | Archive Date 11 Aug 2021

Lauraine Snelling books are well-loved in our library. This is the first in the series of four sisters who are all named after flowers. It is a sweet romance and it kept me turning the pages. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for the ARC. It is a great book!

5 star

I am absolutely blown away by this book, it is one of those that you will want the story to keep going on. You can picture everything beautifully in your mind and your silently cheering for the sisters!!! I fell in love with this story, I truly hope it keeps going. It is one of the best written books that I have read in quite awhile. I will be recommending this to many people this summer. And of course I will be rereading it. It is diffidently a keeper.

This was a beautiful story. I felt embraced by this story and didn't want to put it down. It ended way too soon for my liking.

The Seeds of Change by Lauraine Snelling is the debut of Leah’s Garden series. I have read all of Lauraine Snelling’s novels and she never fails to disappoint. I thought The Seeds of Change was well-written with developed characters. I could tell Lauraine Snelling did her research. The author captured the time period with the dialogue, clothing, attitudes, conveyances, and so much more. I was transported back in time as the Nielson sisters traveled west looking for a new place to settle. This is an inspiring tale. We get to see what people can accomplish when they put their minds to it and rely on God. The Seeds of Change is a faith filled story. The Nielson sisters as well as the majority of the other characters are Christians who rely on God. They pray for guidance and want to make sure they are following God’s path for their lives. This is also a story about survival. It was not easy to survive in the west. This story has drama, faith, family, joy, sorrow, and romance. The Seeds of Change is an engrossing story that held my attention until the very end. I was sorry to turn the last page. I look forward to reading the next story in Leah’s Garden series. The Seeds of Change is an uplifting, engaging tale that lingered with me longer after I finished it.

1865 Another beautiful new series by Lauraine. I was hooked in the first chapter and loved every new character. Such depth and love between them all. Their parents are gone, and because of a gambler four sisters are pretty much forced to leave their home and head to Nebraska in a wagon. The journey isn't at all easy for them or for other travelers. (I could picture Ward Bond as the wagon master.) Lark is disguised as a boy to hopefully throw off anyone looking for them.
Their arrival in Salton was orchestrated by a brother for them from back home. Their next task was getting settled, meeting new people. But danger still lurks in the background, keeping you on edge even as you're happy for each accomplishment. There's lots to work out. Excellent read with wonderful new friends. Wraps up way too fast. Can't wait until the next book! Love that cover.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #TheSeedsofChange #NetGalley

The Nielson family is a close family, all four girls, another brother with their parents. Larkspur the oldest girl, is running from a man she outwitted in a poker game, he has threatened to get his money back and recompense for the embarrassment she caused him. So Larkspur becomes Clark, a man and they are off to a new life. They join a wagon train going west. Four sisters traveling and they increase their family as they take in children that were suddenly orphaned . The wagon master and others look to Clark and consult him/her if needs be. There is much excitement and perils, sickness and death along the trail and they wonder will they ever arrive. But arrive they do to Salton. Nebraska. Their elder brother had arranged for the purchase of a homestead, such as it was. Their next task was getting settled, meeting new people. But danger still lurks in the background as the gambler had found out where they are.
Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I have read almost every book this very prolific author has produced.
With very well researched historical books you can feel the authenticity coming through as you flip the pages of each of her books.
This is the first book in a new series called Leah's Garden.
Larkspur Nielsen is tired of the closed mindedness of her home town in Ohio and after winning at a poker game when it comes down to it she knows she must make her escape.
Escape she does with her sisters in tow in the middle of the night and she once again uses the disguise of "Clark Nielsen" accompanying his sisters to Independence, Missouri, to join a wagon train bound for Oregon.
We see the hardships they face along the way as they settle in a new territory.

Published June 1st 2021 by Bethany House Publishers.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Lauraine Snelling wrote The Seeds of Change in the Leah’s Garden series. This was an excellent book that took place shortly after the end of the Civil War.
Larkspur (Lark, Clark) Nielson is the oldest of the sisters, with Forsythia following close behind. Delphinium and Lilac were the other sisters with their brother Anders being the oldest of the clan. Jonah was the seventeen year old brother who had a penchant for getting into trouble and poker was not his strong suit. Lark was the one who taught him the game and he came to her begging for her help in getting his money back as well as his friend Bernie’s deed when they lost it to a newcomer to town.
She was able to obtain the money and the deed back from the cheating newcomer, but she embarrassed him, and her brother heard that he swore revenge. Lark knew that she was already in trouble with Deacon Wiesel from the church because she had walked out on his sermon just before Jonah had approached her. When Lark arrived home around midnight with Jonah, the rest of her family rallied around to the victory and the possible trouble following her home. A decision was made for Clark to escort “his” sisters out west toward Nebraska with the brothers staying in Ohio. The girls could shoot and liked adventure.
This was another great book by Snelling and one that I highly recommend. I can’t wait for more in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. #TheSeedsOfChange #LeahsGarden #LauraineSnelling

First sentence: I truly hate that man.” “Lark, you know Ma said we should never hate anybody.” Larkspur’s sister Forsythia, third of the Nielsen daughters, spoke out of the side of her mouth, the way they had learned so as not to be heard by anybody else. Especially in church. Forsythia had spent a good part of her young life trying to keep her older sister out of trouble.

Premise/plot: The Seeds of Change is the first in a new series by Lauraine Snelling. Larkspur, Forsythia, Delphinium, and Lilac are sisters heading west. Lark, the oldest, will be posing as CLARK, for safety. The decision to head west and join a wagon train came quickly. In fact, this decision isn't without some protest from some of the sisters! But circumstances have arisen that throw the girls safety into question. Life on the trail will be challenging--though these girls have been raised to do just about everything--shooting, throwing knives, etc. But what happens when they reach their destination? Can the girls make a new start?

My thoughts: I tend to love books about pioneers heading west via wagon train. The stories are always tough and full of some drama--expect no less here, life on the trail could be DEADLY.

I think my favorite part was the family adopting the kids--including a newborn--who became orphaned on the wagon train. I loved, loved, loved seeing Forsythia take on the role of mother.

I loved Forsythia's romance with the doctor (from the wagon train).

This is the first in a series and I think that's a good thing. If this was a stand alone I'd probably be a bit disappointed. We've got a good start to a plot--but not a full plot.

The Seeds Of Change is a beautiful story of how God can take a bad situation and use it for good. Larkspur "Clark" Nielson is very self-assured and that gets her into trouble. She tries to help out her younger brother and ends up having to become Clark and travel away from all she knows. I loved the strong female characters in this story. And the romance, while not the focus, adds a nice touch. Lauraine Snelling proves once again that she is a master storyteller.


So grab a pot of tea and curl up for a fantastic read!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.