Most Popular Books by Lauraine Snelling

Fourteen-year-old DJ Randall wants nothing more than to compete as a show jumper in the Olympics. The challenges that stand in her way only spur her to work harder toward her dream. Whether it''s mucking out stalls and hosting pony parties to earn money to buy her first horse or navigating the changing family dynamics at home, DJ relies on her faith in God to see her through the most daunting obstacles. Collection Two includes Close Quarters, Moving Up, Letting Go, Raising the Bar, and Class Act.

Will the War''s End Bring the Highwood Family Together Again? When a disastrous decision by the new wagon master forces Jesselynn Highwood and her companions to separate from the wagon train, she races back to Fort Laramie to find a guide to take them to Oregon. But the guide has a far different plan, and following her heart, Jesselyn agrees to join him, her rag-tag band in tow. The ensuing journey is fraught with hardship and danger. Is hope for the future sill a prospect? Back in the East, Louisa Highwood and brother Zachary are captured by Union soldiers for smuggling medical supplies into Richmond. Can Louisa find a way to obtain her brother''s freedom before it''s too late? Rare courage and dogged determination will be hallmarks of the Highwoods'' long way home. Their futures--and that of their beloved Twin Oaks--hang in the balance.

In this novel filled with friendship, grief, and travel gone awry, three friends take their dream trip to Florence, Italy in memory of a beloved woman who has passed away. As the last will of a close friend is read, three women discover that they have inherited a legacy from her: the funds to take a dream trip to Florence, Italy, in her memory. With plenty of hilarious travel mishaps along the way, this book is a story of deep friendship, of making room in our lives to celebrate and remember, of grief, of the realization that friendship keeps the memory alive, and the sweet discovery of unexpected romance.

A New Dakotah Territory Saga From Bestselling Author Lauraine Snelling! Book 1 of Dakotah Treasures. Author Lauraine Snelling once again takes readers west to the untamed land of Dakota Territory, introducing new characters both unique and appealing. Ruby Torvald and her young sister, Opal, have received an inheritance from their long-lost father who left home years ago to seek his fortune in the Black Hills. When they leave their comfortable situation in Chicago and arrive at the mining town of Medora to claim their inheritance, the sisters discover that rather than the legacy of gold they expected, their father has left them a shocking bequest. Ruby''s bold determination in the face of scandal leads the reader on a journey both heartwarming and inspiring.

Fourteen-year-old DJ Randall wants nothing more than to compete as a show jumper in the Olympics. The challenges that stand in her way only spur her to work harder toward her dream. Whether it''s mucking out stalls and hosting pony parties to earn money to buy her first horse or navigating the changing family dynamics at home, DJ relies on her faith in God to see her through the most daunting obstacles. Collection One includes Olympic Dreams, DJ''s Challenge, Setting the Pace, Out of the Blue, and Storm Clouds.

Nilda Carlson has been trying to save enough money to go to America for months, so when a letter from Einar and Gerd Strand arrives, offering to pay her ticket, she jumps at the chance. Her younger brother Ivar accompanies her, and they can''t wait to join their brother Rune and his family in the northern forests of Minnesota. Signe and Rune Carlson are thrilled to welcome Nilda and Ivar to America, but life on the farm remains a struggle. Though Gerd has softened and grown to love the Carlson family, Einar is still harsh and unforgiving, obsessed solely with felling as many trees as possible. Rune is trying to build a new home for his wife and children, but Einar refuses to help and forbids anyone from the nearby community from stepping foot on his land. What dark secret must lie in his past to have caused him to isolate himself--and anyone living under his roof--in this way? When a tragedy lays the truth bare, the Carlsons and Strands will have to come together like never before and become a true family.

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?

A 5-in-1 value collection of horse-themed stories for preteen girls exploring contemporary issues and faith. Ages 8 to 12.

When widow Anji Baard Moen returns to Blessing, North Dakota, with her children, two men enter her life. As she moves forward from her loss, who will capture her heart?

Sixteen-year-old Tricia Evanston and her father share something very special: their love of horses. With Tricia as jockey and her father as trainer, the two have big dreams of winning the Triple Crown. Tricia has other pressures, too, like declining grades, a strained relationship with her mother, and the constant worry about her father''s failing health. But Tricia''s faith in God always gives her the strength to push her limits. Collection Two includes Shadow Over San Mateo, Out of the Mist, Second Win, Close Call, and The Winner''s Circle.

In Minnesota in 1911, Nilda Carlson is torn between society life in the city of Blackduck and spending time with her family back home on the farm. Her employer, Mrs. Schoenleber, gives her more and more responsibility and experience, including recommending new opportunities for her philanthropy. Still new to America herself, Nilda focuses on the area''s immigrant community, but she''ll have to fight to get her ideas accepted by the locals and donors alike. In the meantime, one of her greatest joys is her weekly piano lesson with the handsome schoolteacher, Fritz. But just as Nilda is beginning to realize she has feelings for him, a stylish, affluent young woman moves to Blackduck and monopolizes Fritz''s attention. With her humble background, how can Nilda hope to compete with such a sophisticated beauty?

Unforgettable Courage and Romance From Lauraine Snelling Warming countless hearts and bringing history to life, Lauraine Snelling''s Sisters of the Confederacy is an exciting tale of courage, adventure, and romance. After finding her expected safe haven destroyed, Jesselyn Highwood must decide where to turn next. With no place left to go, Jesselyn decides to head west on the Oregon Trail. Here she encounters hardship, danger on the journey--and love. Meanwhile, her sister, Louisa, smuggles desperately needed supplies for the hospital in Richmond where she helps care for wounded soldiers. As both sisters face the ravages of war, one remains strong in her faith while the other struggles to understand a God who allows such atrocities to continue.

The arrival of a wealthy young man leads Grace to question what she really wants in life.

Can her dreams for the future--and a budding romance--survive the trouble that comes calling? Larkspur Nielsen is determined to keep her family homestead running and to fulfill their dream of starting a seed catalog, with or without her siblings'' help. With Isaac McTavish back in town, Lark finds herself at odds with her own heart and her determination to shoulder the burden of carrying her responsibilities alone. But Isaac is set on convincing her that he''s here to stay and she doesn''t have to carry everything by herself. As a new romance blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate and the other Nielsen sisters are busy caring for their families, Lark bears more and more responsibility on the farm. When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever.

Contains A Promise for Ellie, Sophie''s Dilemma, A Touch of Grace, and Rebecca''s Reward.

Ellie Wold can''t wait to graduate from high school. She and Andrew Bjorklund have been waiting to get married since...well, since forever, and in June they will finally wed. When Andrew announces they have to postpone the wedding, she''s disappointed but takes it in stride--there must be a good reason, or Andrew''s pa wouldn''t ask it of them. But Andrew is angry and can''t understand why Ellie isn''t upset too, especially when they''d been planning to "marry up" ever since they were in grade school. Disgruntled, he works out his frustration in stubborn determination to finish building their barn and mail-order house, working himself to exhaustion. But just when the new house is nearly finished, an unthinkable tragedy occurs. Throwing aside the vow he made to Ellie, Andrew seeks revenge... As their plans unravel, it looks as if their love may not survive. Is this the end of their dream? (Daughters of Blessing Book 1)

Lareana Amundson, with her faith in God remaining unshakable, can almost find something to smile about, even with the tragic death of her husband John and a new baby son to bring up alone. When she meets a wealthy entrepreneur named Trey, she has no way of knowing how their lives will be linked.

"Jeremiah McHenry returns to Medora to make a new life. Will he be able to convince Amethyst that he is the kind of man she''s been looking for?"--Provided by publisher.

Her first mistake was emigrating alone. Was this one even worse? Augusta Bjorklund, after discovering her intended bridegroom married someone else, decided to leave her broken heart in Norway and start a new life in America. But knowing no English, Augusta misunderstands a ticket agent''s directions in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in the harried confusion, she boards the wrong train. Her Bjorklund relatives eagerly await Augusta''s arrival in North Dakota. When the train reaches the town of Blessing with the woman nowhere in sight, the worried family hopes she will be on the next train. But the following morning only her trunk shows up. Arriving at the end of the line, Augusta is met by a handsome young rancher, Kane Moyer, who is waiting for his Norwegian mail-order bride.... She told him she was headed for Blessing. Why will he not take her there?

The Finest Gift by Lauraine Snelling A plain Jane without any suitors, Arley Hoople doesn’t dare dream of romance this Christmas. So she brings holiday joy to others: repairing her grandmother’s nutcracker and commissioning a dollhouse for the girls at the orphanage. Yet one knock at the woodcarver’s door unexpectedly brings Arley a gift of her own: love. A Blessed Season by Jillian Hart An abandoned girl asks bounty hunter Rafe Jones to track down her long-lost mother for Christmas. The holiday wish breaks through his hardened heart, and he easily finds Cora Sims in Montana Territory. She’s definitely the woman Rafe has been looking for. But is she actually the girl’s mother?

Life once held such promise ... can she ever recapture what seems to be lost?

Escaping Kentucky was the only way to save her family''s thoroughbreds from the Civil War.

Journey along with American settlers who learn that despite where the trail takes them or how primitive their lodgings may be Christmas is all about the heart. Determined to honor Christ’s birth, these pioneers find a way to make Christmas happen in places like a cave, a tipi, and a dugout. Modern readers will enjoy a peek into life before commercialism took over the sacred day, distracting us from the true blessings of faith, hope, and love. Enjoy nine original novellas of Christmas romance as penned from many of today’s leading Christian authors, including Lauraine Snelling, Kathleen Fuller, and Vickie McDonough.

"Soldahl! Next stop, Soldahl!" When Norah Johanson hears the conductor''s words, her heart begins to race. At last she will be in the arms of the man she has promised to marry-Hans Larson. At fifteen, she was so sure of their love. Now, three years later and far from the mountains and fjords of her beloved homeland, Norway, she wonders... She steps off the train, finds her trunks full of hand-embroidered linens, quilts, and household treasures painted with rosemaling designs, and looks for Hans. The pelting march snow stings her cheeks."Where is he? Dear God, what will I do?" When Hans fails to arrive at the train station that night, Nora finds herself thrown into a life she never expected with people she doesn''t know-Reverend and Mrs. Moen and Carl Detchman, a grieving German immigrant. Is this really what God had planned for her? Dakota Dawn is the first book of the Dakota Series that features the intertwining lives of five inspiring women who live in the early 1900s in the farming community of Soldahl, North Dakota.

On a mission to restore her hypochondriac mother to health, Gillian Ormsby also sets about reviving her mother''s wilted garden to its former glory, enlisting the help of Adam, a handsome man who owns a family gardening business with his father.

As folks in Soldahl reel from the war, Pastor Moen''s daughter, Mary, struggles to live with shocking news about the man she loves that arrived by telegram: We regret to inform you that Private First Class Willard Dunfey is missing in action and presumed dead. Thru months of agonized waiting, news came to Soldahl on Tuesday, November 11, 1918 that Victory Day had come. Does she have reason to hope?

Light-hearted and effortlessly entertaining, this series captures all the charm of the old west as two city girls head from New York to claim their inheritance in the Dakotah territories. Their estranged father left them more than they bargained for, but these girls make the best of a bad situation and end up winning friends in the town of Little Missouri.

After graduating in May of 1900, Andrew Bjorklund and Ellie Wold of Blessing, North Dakota make plans to marry once the harvest is over and their new house is finished. They spend the summer working hard, and the Lord seems to shine on and in them in a special way. Everyone rejoices in their happiness. Everyone except for Toby Valders, who is determined to get even for all the drubbings he has taken from Andrew through the years. Andrew, however, has promised Ellie there will be no more fistfights. But when their new barn burns--and many of their possessions and dreams with it--Andrew throws his vows of nonviolence aside, reaping bitter consequences.

Time and distanc have created a rift between Thorliff and Anji Baard, his childhood sweetheart. The only bright sopt in his life is his job at the newspaper.