At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling (Book 2 of Home to Green Creek Series)

At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Continuing on with the *Home to Green Creek* series by Lauraine Snelling, Book 2 picks up where Book 1 left off. It continues the story of Amalia, a Norwegian immigrant who came to Iowa to start a new life. She is raising Ruthie, an orphan in her care, while also running a boardinghouse until Ruthie comes of age. In this book, Amalia’s cousin makes the journey across the ocean to immigrate to Iowa and help her with the boardinghouse. We see more characters in this book to fall in love with as well as book 1 characters to continue reading about their journeys.

This book was just as good as the first—and I loved it! There is quite a bit more sadness and heartache in this story, but there is also love, healing, and faith. The characters take you on an emotional journey, and you find yourself laughing, crying, and feeling every emotion right alongside them.

I won’t give away any spoilers, but when I finished this book, I immediately wanted to pick up the next one. I am fully invested in the lives of these characters and can’t wait to see what happens next!

Unfortunately, the third book in the series hasn’t been published yet, so now I have to wait to find out what comes next. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing this series!

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here. 

August 8, 2026 – Started Reading

August 10, 2026 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling (Book 1 in the Home to Green Creek Series)

Land of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

**5 stars!** Completely engrossing! I was attached to the characters and their stories right away.

I have lived near Decorah, Iowa, all my life, and I am also very Norwegian, so when I saw this book, I knew I had to pick it up. It felt like it could have been connected to my own family tree. My grandpa came to the Midwest from Norway with his mother when he was just two years old, so I especially loved reading about what life was like for Norwegian immigrants during those days.

The challenges, faith, and endurance of the characters were so refreshing to read about. I found myself becoming completely invested in their lives and finished the book in just three days!  The book had be thinking a lot about how I could help others more in my life.  Amalia is so open to serving others and grounded in her Faith.  It was inspiring.  

I loved this book so much that I ordered the second one in the series right away. I want to keep following these characters and find out where their lives take them. Of course, I immediately looked up the third book, only to discover that it hasn’t been released yet! 😭 Now I’ll have to wait, which will be hard because I need to know what happens next!

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here. 

I’m also excited to discover that Lauraine Snelling has several other series that look amazing. I’m so happy to have found a new author whose books I know I’m going to love!

**Book Description:**
On the ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother, vowing to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge.

August 3, 2026 – Started Reading

August 6, 2026 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker

Pax, Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars If I could give 100 stars I would. 

loved it. loved both. deep and emotional

I'm so glad the author chose to make a sequel to the much beloved book Pax. This one was just as good as the first, though just as painful to read. I really don't understand how this is a kid's book. I'm a grown woman and I find the book extremely deep emotionally and it is so intense and so sad. I know this book is about healing, but I cried so very much.
I didn't want the story to end. I finished the book in two days. This book picks up with Pax and his mate having a litter of pups. The land is devastated in the after effects of war. Pax must find a better home for the family with more food, clean water, less people, etc. He sets off to find this and I will not put in any spoilers. But this story gripped me heart and soul from beginning to end.

 
I want more. I am fully invested in the lives of these beautiful foxes. I wish the author would write another in the series about them; sadly she said this is the last novel on them. 😢

If you would like to read this book, you can find it here. 

October 28, 2025 – Started Reading

October 30, 2025 – Finished Reading

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Happy Reading! ~*~ The Bookworm Geek ~*~

Review: Magic Lessons

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story was well written. There are basically 3 sections to the story: When Maria was a little girl, when she was on her own/teenager, and then when she is older. Each part draws you in and you don't want to put the book down. I finished reading this in three days it was so good. As I was reading the book I kept getting this feeling that I knew this story somewhere - there were parts that were familiar. And then I looked it up and it hit me "Practical Magic." This book is apparently the prequel to that. It tells the beginning of the Owens women's story.

I was angry at times with this story - why do all books have the woman be stupid and do things for love even if they know how dumb they are? Why do they chase a guy that wasn't good to them? Just once I want a book where the woman knows how stupid the guy is and doesn't chase him. Just once I want that woman to pick the good guy, the right guy.

Regardless, this is a story about smart women that do stupid things because of their emotions. It pulls you into the story and you will be sad when the book ends. Some parts are a little wordy, and some parts could do with more explanation. Overall, a really good book.

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 READING PROGRESS 

October 20, 2020 – Started Reading 

October 23, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review: Waiting for Hope

Waiting for Hope by Karen J. Hasley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The second book in the series started out great. The first half kept me interested and I enjoyed the story of Hope's journey. About halfway through is when the book became super predictable and not as fun to read. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't exciting or new either. It was the same old "broken girl from wrong side of the tracks meets handsome rich guy; they fall in love but don't want to acknowledge it; tragedy happens and they realize they can't live without each other." This type of story has been written time and time again. If I hadn't wanted to read book 3, I probably wouldn't have finished book 2. It was nice to learn some of the things that happened between book 1 and 2 though; I enjoy reading about Lou's family.

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READING PROGRESS

July 13, 2020 – Started Reading
July 22, 2020 – Finished Reading

Review: Pax

Pax by Sara Pennypacker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beautiful and amazing story. The two things that stuck with me throughout the book were sorrow and adaptation. I cannot believe this is a book for young readers - the message is powerful and very much useful to adults.
The story was building and building and then it reached a climax and then ended! I was mad, sad, torn. I wanted more story. I wanted to know what happened to each of the characters (besides the dad, he was a jerk). I do hope there is a sequel. I felt like I was left hanging.
I read this because the reviews mentioned how it was a good book for adults to read and it sounded interesting. I loved having the two points of view, the fox and the boy. I really loved the dimension to the fox; I could have read from his point of view all day.
I tried to get my teenager (13) to read it but she felt too much sorrow after the first chapter and didn't want to go on. I highly suggest this book to any adult.

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