Lauraine Snelling A Promise for Ellie

A Promise for Ellie

Lauraine Snelling

Bethany House, Aug 2006, $12.99

ISBN 0764228099

In 1900 Blessing, North Dakota, Ellie Wold and Andrew Bjorklund have planned to marry since grade school. They finally announce the date to follow the harvest to everyone's elation except perhaps long time nemesis Toby Valders, who tasted Andrew's fists over the years. However, happy for his son and pleased that Ellie will soon be his daughter, Andrew's dad Haaken asks the couple to delay the date a bit longer. While Andrew is frustrated and upset, Ellie assumes that her future father-in-law has a justifiable reason though he does not share it with anyone.

Andrew is angry at his father for making such a request, but also at his beloved Ellie who remains calm making him wonder if she loves him. He takes out his anger on completing the construction of their barn. When fire destroys their new barn and what Andrew stowed inside, he assumes Toby did it. Though he promised his fianc e no fisticuff solutions, a raging Andrew burns his pledge of nonviolence to go after Toby; this upsets Ellie who wonders if he will use his fists when they argue.

Returning to Blessing, scene of the Red River of the North series, Lauraine Snelling provides her readers with a deep historical tale starring a couple who seems destined for a life together since grade school. However, his temper may cost both of them everything as he has major anger control issues. The dispute between Toby and Andrew provides the message that violence is never an answer whether it is based on assumptions leading to presumptive strikes or hard core evidence; turn the other cheek enables a victim to calm down long enough to learn rationally the truth.

Harriet Klausner