First thoughts when I finished this book: "I can't wait to visit Hickory Ridge again!!!"
Teaser Synopsis:
Alone and penniless following her father's death and a broken engagement, Bostonian Ada Wentworth journeys to Hickory Ridge to take a position as a lady's companion to the elderly Lillian Willis. Using the millinery skills handed down from her mother, Ada hopes to earn enough money to establish her own hat shop back east. But then she meets Wyatt Caldwell, Lillian's Texas-born nephew, and suddenly her plan seems far less simple.
I loved this book...it was such an enjoyable read for me. I was hooked by the end of the first chapter. I found myself eager to pick it up and get it finished because I wanted to know what was going to happen next for Ada.
- I love this character that the author created. She comes from a life of comfort but realizes that if she doesn't learn how to take care of herself no one else will. She's been disappointed in life by her father and ex-fiance and her trust is hard to earn.
- The cantankerous Lillian was a character I immediately loved. Why? Because she reminded me of my own Grandmother! Even though both of them had very irascible personalities, beneath that tough exterior there were caring hearts.
- I adored Wyatt! He was such a true gentleman and I believed in his character.
- The historical aspects of the Civil War, the aftereffects that it had on not only the soldiers that fought and lived, but also the impact it had on towns and livelihoods of those who lived in them.
- Great story with plausible characters and the dialogue came across very authentic to me.
Recommend? If you're looking for a solid love story with a little bit of faith sprinkled within the pages then I highly recommend this book. There is no Bible thumping going on in this story. The author writes about the faith that these characters had and I feel that she did a wonderful job of making the dialogue sound credible. I don't think it's out-of-place at all for an older woman to read the Bible daily, nor do I find it out of character that she would advise Ada to trust the Lord. Nothing was heavy handed....quite subtle and it worked for me!
I'm looking forward to reading more books that take place in Hickory Ridge!
Rating: 8/10
Author: Dorothy Love
Genre: Gentle Reads
Pages: 320
Published: May 31, 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
ISBN: 9781595549006
GIVEAWAY!
Please leave your email in the comment box if you would like the chance to win
a copy of this book. This will be open until Sunday, November 13th at 11:59 pm.
Open to U.S./Canadian residents only.
A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their two golden retrievers. An accomplished author in the secular market, Dorothy makes her debut in Christian fiction with the Hickory Ridge novels. Hometown: San Antonio, Texas.
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Wowwww! This sounds good! :):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteUp until my father (98 and still counting) fell and broke his hip ending up in a nursing home unable to walk he not only read the Bible daily, but researched the text too. So I could easily believe a cantankerous character doing this too. The book sounds lovely and I like that it has romance and historical aspects too. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great, especially the details about the Civil War, which I wouldn't have known about reading the synopsis alone. I'll get this posted on War Through the Generations for you.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good, and you manage to get so many books with great covers!
ReplyDeleteI didn't read your whole review because I'm reading this next week I think it is. I just wanted to see if you liked it and I'm glad to see you did. I'm looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteGood morning! Thank you so much for hosting me today and for your kind words about the book.
ReplyDeleteJan, I really related to your comment about your dad. My grandfather was a lay minister and read the Bible every day until his death at age 87.
I hope you all enjoy the book. I just received the advance copies of the second Hickory Ridge book, BEAUTY FOR ASHES which will be out in February. Pop on over to my website and click on the "Books" page for a sneak peek at the cover and the story.
Thanks to each and every one of you for commenting. I appreciate you.
Thanks for this fascinating giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeletethis great historical novel interests me. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI know I will love this one as much as you did!
ReplyDeleteThis just looks and sounds like a great book to read! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMargaret
singitm@hotmail.com
I would love to read this! Please toss my name in the giveaway hat :)
ReplyDeletemeah56 aT gMail DoT com
This sounds like something that should be added to the civil war reading list. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds very sweet, great era too. I am sure I would enjoy this book
ReplyDeleteThank you for doing the giveaway, greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
wrensthoughts.blogspot.com
sounds like a great story...thanks for the chance to read it :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a good old-fashioned Christian romance. Sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds wonderful! I'm glad to know it's not too "in-your-face" but rather that it makes sense based on the characters. Thanks for being on the tour!
ReplyDeletesounds good and I like the cover too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's weird for any woman to read the Bible daily. I wish I had that much discipline!
ReplyDeleteIf you can't wait to go back to Hickory Ridge, that's recommendation enough for me.
ReplyDeleteYour review now makes me want to read this one. No need to enter me. I already won a copy.
ReplyDeleteWow, this does sound like a wonderul read. Glad you enjoyed it so much.
ReplyDeleteI have be following this book for some time. I have it on my TBR list and anxiously waiting to read this book. Thank for the opportunity to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Patricia aka Mamaw
plb1050 at gmail dot com
an excerpt from this review is on War Through the Generations.
ReplyDelete