A Song of Joy by Lauraine Snelling

A Song of Joy by Lauraine Snelling ISBN-13: 9780764232923 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Bethany House Released: August 6, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
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 rich young man attempts to impress her with what his wealth can offer her.


My Review:
A Song of Joy is a Christian romance set in 1911 in Minnesota. This book is the fourth in a series and the third with Nilda as the main character. I didn't realize this was a continuation of her story, and I haven't read the previous books. The first few chapters "spoil" what happened in the previous books to get new readers up to speed on what she's gone through. Fritz hardly spent any scene-time with Nilda, but it was clear that Nilda and Fritz were attracted to each other and only each other. A rich, young man attempted to impress Nilda with his wealth so she'd marry him, but there wasn't much suspense about how the romance would turn out.

Much of the story was spent describing daily life for her family on the farm and for Nilda in town. Enjoyable historical details about farm life, manners, and such were woven into the story. Some suspense was created during Nilda's efforts to come up with ways to help the poor, local immigrants and gain support (and money) for her projects. Plus a detective clearly bent on causing trouble for Nilda kept popping up to question people about her or to say nasty things to her.

There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this story to those who have read the previous novels and who will enjoy learning how things are working out for those characters or to people interested in what life was like for immigrants at this time.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.