Endorsements for The Legendary Women's Ancestor Series: 

The Legend of Randine: Entering the Sisterhood, 

and The Legend of Randine, the Laerdal Letters

Robin Lysne transports us to nineteenth century Norway in this beautifully written story of the spirited midwife Randine. I admired this atmospheric and carefully researched historical novel immensely.

Elizabeth McKenzie

author of The Portable Veblen

Santa Cruz, CA

The Legend of Randine is filled with surprising discoveries. Through the multiple uncertainties of Norway in transition, Randine finds her survival and acceptance tied with a sisterhood of midwives who assist women through the dangers and joys of childbirth using time-honored skills and caring. Randine’s life story could be that of many women of early 1800’s Norway.  Losses, chance and unlikely opportunities coincide with complex people in her life to engage the reader through a rich landscape of a time otherwise hidden to us.

Ralph Knudson, M.D. and Musician

LaCrosse, WI

My own Norwegian ancestry initially drew me to The Legend of Randine, and I was quickly engaged by the story of Randine. I highly recommend this beautifully written novel, not only for its compelling characters, but also for its previously untold drama of the development of midwifery in rural Norway. 

Ruth Olsen Saxton

Professor Emerita of English

Mills College

Oakland, CA

The Legend of Randine: Entering the Sisterhood begins the fascinating life of a young woman, called to be a midwife in the first half of the 1800's. It's accurate detail and pace sweeps one along in a stirring story based on historical fact with a gripping narrative.

Nan Heerens-Knudson, M.A., P.A.

Playwright, Actress and Artist

LaCrosse, WI

NEW! Legendary Women Ancestor Series: Book One: 

The Legend of Randine: Entering the Sisterhood

Based on a true story, set in Bergen, Norway in the 1820’s, this warm-hearted work of historical fiction traces the life of Randine, a young, pregnant girl abandon by her family and church. She encounters terrible loss and rejection, only to find herself under the wing of her midwife and mentor, Ursula. Ursula helps to bring Randine through her grief and into the knowledge of midwifery, where she finds her life’s work in support of others like herself.

As her story unfolds, Randine becomes stronger through her inner revelations rather than placing her faith in the local church. Ursula helps interpret and guide Randine as she experiences dreams and visions of the ancient Norse tradition, the Sisterhood of Freya. The Sisterhood is a supportive group of women, in the Viking tradition, who help other women step into their authentic selves. Her initiation into the Sisterhood changes Randine’s life. Along the way, Randine opens her heart to love again.

Randine becomes one of many midwifes who were part of a population boom in the early part of the 19^th century. The Legend of Randine tells the story of how one young woman grew and matured, despite social norms and restrictions, to move into service and healing for others in the same predicament.

The author shares this story of her great-great-great-great Grandmother, Randine, honoring an everyday hero of healing and service. This is the first book in the author’s new Ancestral Woman’s Series. The second book in this series shares the exciting next chapters in Randine life as she builds a career and discovers new love among the fields and fjords of Laerdal, a tiny village 150 miles inland in the backwater of the Sogn og Fjordane of Western Norway.