A HEARTH IN CANDLEWOOD

Author: Delia Parr ISBN: 0764200860 8/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE
Time Period: 1841 New York

With genteel grace and quiet fortitude, Emma Garrett presides over Hill House, a stately boardinghouse in the canal village of Candlewood, New York. She finds her purpose in caring for her guests, ministering to them with a generous dose of wisdom and humor. But when a "runaway grandma" lands on her doorstep, Emma's need to fix every wrong places her in the midst of a family feud. Emma's concerns heighten when her attorney, Zachary Breckenwith, delivers life-changing news, leaving Emma reeling from the implications. With her future suddenly uncertain, Emma longs to restore the peace of Hill House--for her guests and within her own heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A HEARTH IN CANDLEWOOD is the first book in Delia Parr's new Candlewood Trilogy. Set in the fictional town of Candlewood, New York, during the 1840's, Parr tells the story of Emma Garrett and the boarding house that she runs along with her mother-in-law.

Emma is a sweet, widowed woman. Tending to the needs of her guests, she gets not only personal gratification from them, but also emotional gratification. The people that have visited the boarding are a unique bunch, and give this story a special added touch!

When Emma learns that the boarding house may be taken away from her, she does everything in her power to keep it. Also, Emma is now embroiled in the middle of a family feud between a mother and her two sons.

As Emma deals with the possibility of loosing her boarding house and also dealing with this mother and her sons, the only thing Emma can do is look to God to help steer her in the right direction.

Delia Parr's A HEARTH IN CANDLEWOOD is a nice, smooth read. At times it becomes a bit complicated due to the two storylines and how they are interconnected, but it really does't take away too much from the story. If you're looking for an inspirational read filled with unique characters and rather interesting plots, then I would recommend reading A HEARTH IN CANDLEWOOD.

Julie Kornhausl