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 ...
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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?
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A Song of Joy is the fourth book in Lauraine Snelling's Under Northern Skies series about a Norwegian family that immigrated to Minnesota. This book continues the story of Nilda Carlson in the year of 1911. The best part of this wonderful story is its reminder of the pure enjoyment one can received from the simplest of blessings: time with friends and family, fresh produce, a bird's song, and a cool breeze on a clear summer's night. Since reading this book I have purposefully been making myself attend to these types of blessings rather than allowing them to slip by unnoticed. The pervasive theme of the joys of giving and serving are also treasures in A Song of Joy. I thank Lauraine Snelling for reminding us of these joys, and to whom we owe our thanks. She allows God to use her gifting as a storyteller to both entertain and minister.
I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.
