Sour Milk in Sheep's Wool

“A well written and interesting historic drama which paints a vivid picture of the challenges an unmarried young mother could face at the end of the 19th century. The way Helen Lundström Erwin depicts the life, struggles and meager pay of “statare” in rural Sweden makes you understand why so many opted for a more uncertain future across the Atlantic.”

"Erwin makes history come alive through a beautiful portrayal of ordinary women, their struggle and desire for change."

- Swedish American Museum, Chicago

"I was drawn into their world."

- The American Scandinavian Association

“A timely and poignant look into her own history, Lundström Erwin’s weaving of these women’s stories serves to remind us that we modern torchbearers of reproductive rights owe an insurmountable debt to the women who came before us. And while today we fight to hold on to the choices we have, we must always remember those who have none.”

- Women's Health Volunteer

“Wow- this was great! Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the d’Urbervilles meets the movie Everlasting Moments, EXCEPT the ending is much more empowering for women.”

-Westchester Reader

"Helen writes about people who question their worldviews and recognize the limits of their own bubbles."

- Hopewell Valley Neighbors Magazine

"I couldn't put it down once I started reading! Even though it traces the efforts to gain women's rights in Sweden in the late 19th C. and early 20th C., it is completely relevant to the U.S. struggle because the issues are the same."
"The glossary is outstanding because it includes Swedish words, and real life characters, organizations , publications and places which are helpful to keep the reader on track. This is a must read!"

-Scandinavian Jamestown

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
It will stick with you like Khaled Hosseini’s book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and make you glad you were born in a modern age, in a country where women have the right to vote and access to contraception.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I appreciate the perspective of women and reproductive rights at a pivotal time in the history of women. It really changed the perspective on my family comprised of an adopted grandmother who married a man after she was already pregnant by another. Women had few rights even back then.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An Extremely Timely Historical Novel. One may not think that the women's suffrage and rights movement in late 1800s-early 1900's Sweden would have such relevance to the United States in the present, but Erwin's "Sour Milk in Sheep's Wool" certainly does. This historical novel tells two engaging tales of two different women on different paths as they contend with the restrictions imposed on women who very much live in a man's world. But to Erwin's credit, she does not make her book about victimization - but about the birth of a movement born out of human experience. Highly recommended.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a fantastic book. This book is a shining example for why Historical Fiction is my favorite genre of book. The characters are authentic both in a literal and figurative sense. I think the author’s great grandmother would be incredibly proud the book and the way she was portrayed. Absolutely loved the book!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed this book. In part because of the insight into cultural attitudes towards women and the suffrage movement in Sweden but also because of its emotional impact on the main characters and what they did to survive or experience for independence - which is thanks to women like them is now taken for granted.
Great read for historical fans but also good for those who like stories of relationship dynamics and survival.

James' Journey

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thought Provoking!
The tides of social pressure push us toward our fate, however, the brave, the courageous, the free thinkers forge their our fate, create their own destiny. James is such a man. In the face of injustice he has the courage to listen and learn from the voices of dissension and change the course of his own history and, in a small way, the nation's. In this work of historical fiction, Helen Lundström Erwin has woven a captivating tale of social and personal awakening. Her charters are heart-warming and realistic and move the reader to self introspection. Whom among us are willing to jump from the pot of tepid water before being boiled alive, like the proverbial frog, and stand against injustice?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book gave me a deeper insight of just how methodical and layered the structure of slavery was. I saw that murky position of those (probably many), that deep down inside knew that slavery was not right, but went along with it as long as they did not see it at it's most ugliest and vile form. I was also grateful at seeing and understanding just how determined, creative and steadfastly brave, the abolitionist of these times were. Ms. Helen Lundstrom Erwin did an amazing job of tapping into the psyche of both sides and the middle! Excellent read!!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a timeless story that makes you think about how people think and what it is like to question one's own values.
I for one had not read any books about slavery since middle school social studies. Helen Lundström Erwin's approach is completely different than any text I've read on the subject. The mindset of someone that actually and truly believed they were helping the people they owned never hit home for me before reading this novel. This is a timeless story that makes you think about how people think and what it is like to question one's own values.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Followers of Anne Rice and lovers of indie fiction:
James' Journey is a true rarity in the fictional realm, and it was my favorite read of 2015. If you happen to need a good edifying, engrossing book during your holiday downtime, please consider checking this fantastic title out. For me, it was the one book that increased my unending respect for the moral bravery of the abolitionists, and those intrepid smaller heroes of our world, unnoticed because they are sometimes more pacifist/less flashy about their heroism. (Not that warriors aren't courageous too, they're a different type of bravery.)
While not explicitly connected to Christmas, it certainly has the type of deep ethical storyline of hope/courage in ethical action in the light of disillusioning darkness.
I cannot recommend this book enough! We have very few stories about the abolitionists or any other types of pacifist heroes/heroines, as such this is again a real rarity. - Book of the Year 2015, A Bibliophile's Reviere

Officer Helga Hedgehog Meets the New Neighbors

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Helga Hedgehog accepts her new neighbors without question. She's curious about their differences, not judgmental. The acceptance of sexual orientation seems as natural as the animals that inhabit this heartfelt story. Helga Hedgehog is eager to be helpful to other beings in need and sends a beautiful message of caring and acceptance to the children listening to this story. I loved it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
What a delightful children’s book. Helga Hedgehog is very cute!

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Officer Helga is fearless and friendly. A sweet little story about getting to know others who may be a little different from you.

Please find more reviews on Amazon, goodreads, and Barnes&Noble See below for praise for Helen's Virtual World.

The Foremothers Café

"Thank you for creating the Virtual Space and hosting important gatherings. I'm inspired in so many new ways, by the possibility to gather as sisters and brothers on the planet, unbound by geography, sharing important ideas.I can't thank you enough Helen!!" - Theresa Puckett

“Excited and honored to take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony for The Foremothers Café based on the novel Sour Milk in Sheep’s Wool. This space represents an expansion of the literary imagination. Authors can now build out their works to create rich experiences for their readers. Already we have immersive theatre, and there are so many more opportunities for artistic creation. “New technology opens up new possibilities for artistic creation.”
In the metaverse we are not only crossing genres, but synthesizing and expanding art forms in exciting new ways. What a time to be alive!”- Karen Alexander, XR Connected and XR Women

"I've done a lot of things in VR but I've never stepped inside a book. It is such a powerful concept what you have achieved! This cafe where women came together in secret meetings, for the suffrage movement and fought for women's rights... How you recreated that cafe, now bringing women in XR together to continue that fight and support each other. It is beautiful and brilliant and I left feeling empowered and inspired." - Rebecca Gill, founder of VR Therapies