The Widow of Larkspur Inn (The Gresham Chronicles, Book 1) [Paperback]

Lawana Blackwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2007

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....

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...all ages can enjoy the story of grief, challenges, and joys of widow and orphans, innkeeping, and valuable friendships." -- Lutheran Libraries, Winter 1998 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

LAWANA BLACKWELL is a full-time writer and the author of the bestselling Gresham Chronicles series. When a writing course at Louisiana State University rekindled her dream of writing, she was further encouraged in the craft of writing fiction by bestselling author Gilbert Morris. She and her husband live in Louisiana and have three sons. Visit lawanablackwell.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Repack edition (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764202677
• ISBN-13: 978-0764202674
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,818 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story!, October 23, 2002

By 

Anna M. Vandenhazel (West Valley City, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Widow of Larkspur Inn (The Gresham Chronicles, Book 1) (Paperback)

Upon the death of her husband, Julia Hollis and her 3 children, are forced to leave London and live in the village of Gresham, in an abandoned coaching inn, accompanied by Fiona, a loyal servant who left an abusive past. A friend loans her enough money to make improvements and eventually they open the home to several paying residents. The book starts out rather depressing, but once the Hollis family's lodging business is up and running, lots of interesting and humorous plots develop among neighbors, some of whom believe that the Larkspur Inn is haunted, and the Larkspur Inn's owners and boarders.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read!, June 21, 2000

By 

M. Tidman (nowhere in particular) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Widow of Larkspur Inn (The Gresham Chronicles, Book 1) (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book, and the others in this series. It deals with many issues facing Christians in a lighthearted manner, but that doesn't at all mean that it's fluffy. I could not put this book down. Julia Hollis, the main character, moves to the small town of Gresham after the death of her husband and other devastating events. Readers will sympathize as this city girl learns about country living along with her three children. The author achieves a wonderful story with memorable, realistic characters. You don't want to miss this book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic book!, February 10, 2003

By 

Cheryl McDermitt (Branchville, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Widow of Larkspur Inn (The Gresham Chronicles, Book 1) (Paperback)

This book was really wonderful. The main character, Julia Hollis had so much strength, faith, hope and love. Julia was married to Phillip, who had hidden his love of gambling. She was forced out of her home when Phillip died because of his gambling debts. She moves her family (3 children and her maid/friend) to Gresham to the Larkspur Inn. The Larkspur Inn was the only property of her husbands that the Bank didn't want. She returns the Larkspur Inn back into the beautiful Inn it was in its glory days. Lawanna Blackwell makes you feel as if you are there in Gresham and all the tenants and the owner and her family are your friends! She meets the vicar, Andrew Phelps, whom she forms a friendship with. I can't tell you what happens with the rest of their lives, because it would spoil the book. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book and enjoy! I loved this book so much, I just ordered the other two in this series!!