It isn’t often that I discover a Christian women’s fiction book that deserves mention. The Widow of Larkspur Inn is one of those rare gems.
(As I type this, the Kindle edition is still FREE for download.)
What I love about this book:
The plot is not predictable; it makes frequent subtle turns that keep the reader engaged with the story. It has a Christian theme, but it is never “preachy” or saccharine. There are romantic elements to the story, but they’re handled beautifully and realistically. What drives the story is not the “match up,” but the spiritual journey of the heroine. The cast of characters is broad, but each is so unique that it isn’t difficult to remember who’s who. The quaint little town and its lovable, quirky inhabitants truly come to life under the skillful pen of Ms. Blackwell. I found the book to book to be reminiscent of Austen. Best of all, the plot contains a few APOLOGETICS arguments!!! (And good ones at that!)
Here’s the synopsis from Amazon:
When Life Seemed Its Worst, Gresham Awaited Julia Hollis’ opulent life in Victorian London crashes to pieces when her husband passes away. Worse, she is told by his bankers that he gambled away their fortune. Now, the family’s hope rests on The Larkspur, an old abandoned coaching inn in the quaint village of Gresham. Driven by dread and her desire to provide for her children, Julia decides to turn the dilapidated inn into a lodging house. But can she–who was accustomed to servants attending to every need–do what needs to be done and cope when boarders begin arriving? And then an eligible new vicar moves into town…
I give it five stars. *****
Happy Friday!
I am on to book two of this series.