Do You like book The Courtship Of The Vicar's Daughter (1998)?
I come away from reading this book with the same sense of total satisfaction I experience after devouring a great meal. There is much to be treasured in the stories of the good people who populate the village of Gresham. We start with Vicar Phelps and his lovely fiance, Julia Hollis. You will have met these two good people if you read the first book in the series, "The Widow of Larkspur Inn". As Julia and Andrew prepare for their marriage they see around them loving couples,many with paths not quite as smooth to the matrimonial altar as theirs. This is a very rich and satisfying reading experience for me. I much appreciate the way in which the characters in this novel strive to live their Christian faith with a prayer in their hearts almost hourly. The "Vicar's Daughter" referred to in the title is Elizabeth who is Andrew's eldest daughter. She is in the throes of surviving a broken heart that was inflicted upon her by Jonathan Raleigh and his faithlessness. But who turns up in Gresham as the new school teacher but the very much changed Mr. Raleigh. The one thing that hasn't changed about him is his love for Elizabeth. But he has much to prove to her and her good father before he can claim his prize. This is a story that concerns itself with repentance and forgiveness as well as a practical lesson in daily and even hourly communication with the Lord.
—Laura
Continuing the story of the people of Gresham. This book did not disappoint. It was simply a continuation of the lives of the people that were introduced in her first novel, "The Widow of Larkspur Inn" One thing I really like about Blackwell's sequels, is that she doesn't go on and on about previous occurrences in the book before. She makes reference to it when necessary, to make the story make sense, but then moves on. I don't feel like I have to read the first book all over again in order to understand the current story. Sometimes in sequels the author feels like they have to recap the previous novels to get the reader caught up on the story. Blackwell does a fine job in immersing you in the story even if you haven't read the one before, and in keeping it moving, if you have.
—Loraine
Another delightful visit to the English village of Gresham! Lawana Blackwell has captured my attention again with wonderful villagers that I know so well from #1, and introduces some new characters that are just as intriguing and enjoyable. Loved the story line of Seth & Thomas Langford and Mercy. And that Mrs. Kingston is a clever, inventive woman that faces no challenge she can't accomplish for herself - or any one else who needs her! From my original thought (at the VERY beginning of #1) that Mrs. Kingston certainly is "a snob", evolving to just loving her clever, pluckiness and warm heart. I loved #2, The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter and will definitely go on to #3, The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark.
—Patti