Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!!

This was the first book I have read by Lawanna Blackwell. Needless to say, I was thoroughly impressed. This is the type of book I wanted to spend forever reading because it was so good. When I finally finished the book, I was left with such an uplifting feeling. This book is so positive and encouraging and I'm sure it would brighten anyone's day. The book also has a lot of practical advice that we could all apply to our everyday lives. Truly, one of the best books I have ever read.

I'm an avid reader. It is a stress reliever for me and I choose books by the person who writes them. This is the first book I have read written by Lawana Blackwell but it will not be the last. The characters and place became so real to me and all without stress. I didn't feel the need to race through it. I wanted to savor every word. I will recommend her books to anyone.

I just love this series. I've read it many times and decided to purchase it off Amazon for my own. Lawana Blackwell has a unique style of writing that makes you feel like you are actually in the time period. Her other books are great as well. Check them out.

This book is an excellent way to spend your time. The characters in the story appear real and Ms. Blackwell writes in a way that makes you feel that you are a part of the lives of these people. Although there are several characters, you never get confused with them. The story shares with the reader the possibility of being able to do anything with the help from God. It is highly uplifting and positive and shares hope for everyone. Very few books are so interesting to read. Once you start reading the book, you won't want to stop.

I picked up "The Widow of Larkspur Inn" at a used book store because I could not find the books I was looking for. Had never heard of Lawana Blackwell and this was the only one of her books there. I did not read it right away, but once I started it I didn't want to quit. She is one of the best writers I have read. She is quite unique......has such wonderful true to life characters. It is hard for me to believe I had not heard of her or read her books before now and now have a list of all her books...obtained from Amazon.com.....and can hardly wait to read them all.

The Widow of Larkspur Inn is a complex, multilayered tale of the many varied residents of the English village Gresham. There is Julia, a widow whose penniless condition has forced her and her three children to move to a long-abandoned inn in order to eke out some type of living for themselves. Fiona is her loyal maid with a mysterious past. Mrs. Kingston is a difficult-to-please busy body who is Julia's first lodger in the inn, one whom she cannot afford to turn away. Mr. Trumble is the kind storekeeper who talks constantly in malapropisms, and the Worthy sisters are the town gossips who know everything that goes on in Gresham--and then some. Add to this mix an out-of-work actor suffering from bouts of depression, an unusual cook who just happens to be a midget,a handsome widowed vicar with two lovely daughters, and a mysterious ghost who inhabits the Larkspur Inn, and you have a perfectly delightful tale of the ups and downs of the wonderful inhabitants of Gresham. In the tradition of Karon's Mitford series, Blackwell expertly weaves a tale from day-to-day living by people who exhibit a strong faith in God. I can't wait to visit Gresham again!

The Widow of Larkspur Inn digs into the details of life in the late 1800's, from the different class structures to occupations right on down to foods and inventions during the time span. This approach involves the reader in the setting quite successfully. You can actually see how the Inn is set out. Emotions are certainly not left out in this series! I am starting to relate to the characters and worry about what will happen to them. Christian values are displayed throughout this book also. Julia learns the hard way about letting the Lord lead her in all aspects of her life. Slowly, but surely, she realizes that if she lays her worries and problems and trials of life at the foot of the Cross, she is much more at peace and things fall into place. She goes through the Refiner's fire and becomes more polished in the ways of the Lord than before. Very good read!