A Table by the Window [Paperback]

Lawana Blackwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

Having survived a tumultuous childhood, Carley has fashioned an orderly life for herself in San Francisco. Then a private investigator brings her news of a large inheritance—and a house in Tallulah, Mississippi, from a grandmother she can barely remember. Carley visits Tallulah and the serenity of small-town living charms her into staying and opening a bistro there. But Carley finds more than she bargained for in Tallulah: along with faith, self-worth, romance…a murder mystery that threatens her newfound happiness. From bestselling author Lawana Blackwell.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A deep character driven novel on the importance of being loved." -- The Best Reviews

"A good read and I'd pick up another of Lawana Blackwell's contemporary books again with no hesitation." -- Christian Fiction Reviewer

"A triumph over the things in life that threaten to weigh us down...a novel to share with the family." -- Road to Romance

"Blackwell pens a winner with captivating characters and surprising plot twists." -- Augusta Magazine, April 2005

"Contemporary Christian storytelling at its best!...The settings are vibrant and the supporting characters are...rendered with care...Highly recommended!" -- The Romance Readers Connection, April 2005

"Ms. Blackwell has indeed penned a story that was exceedingly good and one that this reviewer highly recommends." -- Inspirational Romance Writers

"The twists and turns...are engagingly written and will keep the reader guessing.... highly recommended." -- Romance Junkies

Blackwell weaves an unhurried tale... Her style is a refreshing change... Recommended for women who savor the books they read." -- Christian Book Previews

About the Author

Lawana Blackwell is a full-time writer with 10 published novels, including the bestselling Gresham Chronicles series. She and her husband have three grown sons and live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764224727
• ISBN-13: 978-0764224720
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #896,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Suspense Read!, March 11, 2005

By 

Kristi Ahlers (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Table by the Window (Paperback)

Ms. Blackwell has indeed penned a story that was exceedingly good and one that this reviewer highly recommends.

Carley has not had an easy life. Abused as a child and than a delinquent in her teens she manages to get her act together in a group home and becomes a teacher. She thinks she has little money, no family, and is stuck putting up with the hypocrisy that comes working at the private academy she teaches at when a visit from a P.I. changes everything. She now has money, family and the freedom to stand up for her beliefs.

Thinking she will just fly to Mississippi, sell off the house she has inherited before finding another teaching job back in San Francisco turns to staying in the charming southern town and putting down roots and getting to know family. She might even allow her heart to be touched by a man. With the sweet comes the sour when a murder mystery touches a little too close to Carley for comfort. Will she be able to stay one step ahead of a killer and still stay alive?

Without going into a deeper synopsis as this could give away storylines for the reader this book is filled with many twists and turns which will keep the reader fully engaged in the story. Although the reader is clued into who the murder is mid way through the story this in no way diminishes the suspense portion of the story. Carley is a very likable chacter and one readers should be able to identify with. This is not a preachy inspirational read and the use of faith here is done tastefully. The setting of this story was very nice. Having grown up in Northern California (Yuba City to be exact) Ms. Blackwell as done a very good job of her description of both San Francisco and so on. Readers will wish they could pull up a chair in Tallulah, Mississippi themselves. I highly recommend this read and look forward to reading Ms. Blackwell in the future.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Read!, April 13, 2005

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Table by the Window (Paperback)

In A Table by the Window, author Lawana Blackwell takes on some difficult subjects and when you first look at the list, it seems a bit daunting. But Blackwell tackles the subjects with sensitivity, and at the same time manages to tell a story that will warm your heart. And when you've finished the book you'll yearn for more of Tallulah, Mississippi and its inhabitants. Even though Tallulah has problems, the residents are connected to each other and honestly care about each other.

Carley Reed's childhood was filled with abuse and neglect, yet she managed to become a schoolteacher and keep a pretty positive attitude. Her quiet life in San Francisco is turned upside down when a private investigator informs her that she's inherited her grandmother's estate in Tallulah, Mississippi.

Carley is charmed by the town, the people and the family she never knew. She decides to stay, creates a new career for herself, helps a young girl who reminds her of herself at age 17 and even finds some romantic interests. But a murder threatens her happiness and may even threaten her life.

The faith aspect of A Table by the Window is subtle; however, Blackwell neatly manages to convey faith through the character's honesty, integrity and strong sense of morality as well as faith-based statements.

I found myself wanting to trade in my busy life for the small-town serenity of Tallulah because it's a place where people know your name and care about you and your history.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Something new from a favorite author, June 1, 2005

By 

Teresa Slack "Fiction Author" (http://www.teresaslack.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Table by the Window (Paperback)

I fell in love with Lawana Blackwell's characters and style with her Gresham Chronicles, and have enjoyed everything I've read since. A Table By The Window is something totally different from the Victorian England the author is so at home in. But I loved it. Her characters are skillfully drawn, flawed and real. Sometimes I lost track of the many family members flitting in and out of Carley Reed's life, but then, I often do that with my own relatives. I felt like a part of Carley's story, and as so many others noted, I couldn't help wishing I could spend more time in Tallulah, MS.