In ‘The Northern Lights Series’, author Lisa Tawn Bergren has written a sweeping saga of a group of Norwegian immigrants who leave their coastal hometown of Bergen in 1880, and come with stars in their eyes and hopes in their hearts, to America, the land of opportunity and how they begin their life, how they adapt, their happiness and tragedies, their loves and lives. It mainly focuses on the life of three women - Elsa and Tora Anders (sisters)& Kaatje (pronounced Kaatya) and the men who love them, Peder Ramstad, Karl Martensen, Trent Storm and Soren. This book focuses chiefly on Elsa and Peder, but the others characters are also featured.

Beautiful and talented Elsa Anders fulfils her dreams of marrying her childhood sweetheart on the eve of their immigration to America. Peter is the captain of his own ship and Elsa wants to spend the rest of her life along her dearly loved husband’s side even as she is torn by having to leave her family behind, especially her father who has been the mainstay in her life. In America she finds and develops her creative talents of sketching and painting. But what is this loving yet strong-willed wife to do when her new husband refuses to even consider taking her along with him on his voyages?!! How much separation can their new marriage withstand?

To further complicate their budding married life comes the vixen Tora Anders, Elsa’s younger sister, who stows away on the ship journeying to America. She is a very very ambitious young woman who knows well the power of her beauty and yields it like a deadly weapon! Then there is Kaatje, a simple and pregnant Norwegian wife whose life is chained to Soren, an utter cad and a philanderer who can never change his ways. She comes to America hoping that here at least her husband will curb his wayward ways! And then there is Karl Martensen, a man who is in the most torturous position of being in love with his best friend’s wife Elsa and whose only support in this dilemma is Christ. All them come to America, dreaming grand dreams and hoping that Christ will keep looking after them and prevent them from straying.

Lisa Tawn Bergren has once again created a masterpiece!!!

‘The Captain’s Bride’ is a rich saga full of historical details, supported by a strong plot line and very realistic characters, who make the book come alive in front of the reader’s eyes!!! It is a very powerful and emotional story which will make the readers laugh and cry with the characters as they learn to live through life’s challenges, love and betrayal, with the help of their firm belief in God and his ways. With this book, the author manages to touch the hearts of the readers like none before. Readers will be fully caught up in this spiritual and adventurous journey upon which the characters embark. A powerhouse of a novel!