A Time to Bloom by Lauraine Snelling sweeps us back to 1866 in Salton, Nebraska. The Nielsen sisters are working hard on their farm and to bring the businesses necessary for the people in their area to thrive. Del Nielsen is the town’s schoolteacher and the only family member bringing in money. Del is frustrated that the men in town are slow to rebuild the school. She finds it frustrating to teach in the church where she cannot have things set up as she would in a proper classroom. Del loves teaching and wants to provide the best possible education for her scholars. One of her students, Tim is extremely bright, but his father prioritizes farm work over school. Two other students have a father who frequently visits the liquor tent and takes out his drunken rages on his family. Anders Nielsen, the sister’s brother, visits to bring needed supplies and see about the boarding house the ladies which to erect. He brings his friend, RJ Easton who survived the war only to be attacked on his way home by an angry confederate. His wound continues to pain him. RJ was looking forward to marrying his sweetheart. He arrived home to learn that she married someone else why he was away fighting. A fresh start is just what RJ needs. His background makes him the perfect person to head the boardinghouse project. RJ gets off on the wrong foot with Del. She tolerates him but does her best to avoid him. God has a way of changing the best laid plans. A Time to Bloom is the second novel in Leah’s Garden. It picks up where The Seeds of Change ended. I suggest reading the series in order as it will allow you to get to know the Nielsen’s along with their dreams. I thought A Time to Bloom was well-written with realistic, developed characters. The Nielsen sisters are very busy with the farm, school, and boarding house. I do not know how they manage to accomplish so much in a day (I would be worn out after an hour). Life is not easy in Nebraska at this time. They face many challenges that include grasshoppers that destroy crops, a twister that destroyed the school, a liquor tent set up near the town, which is causing problems, family violence and so much more. They do not have the luxury of modern conveniences, nor do they have much money. These bright women manage to come up with some clever ideas. Lark has more ideas than time. These sisters have dreams, and they intend to see them to fruition. There most important goal is establishing Leah’s Garden in honor of their mother. The Nielsen sisters are lucky to have Anders as well as their friends to help them. People work together to improve the town and their lives. The Nielsen’s also have their faith. They know that God will help them and guide them. They must rely on him and his timing which each of them struggle with (patience is a virtue). The author addresses difficult topics in A Time to Bloom. Alcoholism, racism, and domestic violence are just three of the issues. I thought the author did a wonderful job handling these difficult subjects. I can tell Ms. Snelling did her research into the time period. She really captured the attitudes, language, dress, inventions, conveyances, etc. I thought faith was beautifully incorporated into the story. My favorite line from A Time to Bloom is, “But my ma would say we’re not supposed to be in charge anyway. That’s what God is for.” I look forward to returning to the Nielsen sisters’ story in the next installment of Leah’s Garden. A Time to Bloom is a heartwarming tale with galling grasshoppers, a blossoming township, a worrying wound, liquor tent troubles, a mastermind at mathematics, and three savvy sisters. ( )

This is the second book in the "Leah’s Garden" series by Lauraine Snelling and Kirstie Giron, which follows the fortunes of four sisters who are homesteading in Nebraska Territory just after the American Civil War. This one focuses on Delphinium (Del), who has become a schoolteacher for Salton, the town near their homestead. She encounters RJ, a friend of her older brother from the war. He has recommended RJ make a new start in Salton, since he seems adrift after his fiancée deserted him, and an attack by a Confederate renegade took one of his eyes and left him with sporadic attacks of excruciating pain.

Del’s stress over making a success of both her school and the homestead and RJ’s surly manners brought on by the pain he is concealing lead to initial mistrust and misunderstanding. Gradually, through grace and their own better natures they begin to understand each other’s hearts and build first a friendship and later something more.

It’s a warm and satisfying story, and well worth reading. I look forward to the next sister’s story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ( )

A Time to Bloom by Lauraine Snelling, with Kiersti Giron, is the second book in the Leah’s Garden series. This is a great Christian historical fiction story of four sisters, all named after flowers. This story takes over where the first one ends, so it is best to read in order. This is such an encouraging story to read. The sisters are hardworking and open minded to trying new adventures to help build their lives in a new area. Del works as the town’s teacher to help bring money in while the others work the farm. I so enjoyed that their brother, Anders, is finally able to visit them and see the progress they have made and the hard work they have done. He is encouraging in the prospect the sisters have for building a new business.

I especially love the fact this book focuses on flowers. Not only will the flower garden be a memorial for their mother, but it will help the family. As I read the story I so wanted to add new variety to my own gardens. I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review. ( )