The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter: The Gresham Chronicles (Blackwell, Lawana, Gresham Chronicles, Bk. 2.)

Rating:
Summary: Well written, wonderful character development.
Review: As with her first in the Gresham Chronicles, Lawana Balckwell keeps your attention and satisfies your questions! I enjoy how she weaves the characters lives together and how she flows smoothly from one scene to another. She keeps all the characters fresh in your mind...no going back to see "now who was that?", and doesn't dwell so long on one scene or charatcer that you lose intest in another. Great job of creating strong characters who compliment not compete againt each other. Can't wait for number 3!

Rating:
Summary: another lovely visit to Gresham
Review: At the end of book one, Julia and Andrew have decided to wait for several months before their wedding. Book two deals with the time period of their engagement. Quite a lot happens in this few months: both Laurel Phelps and Philip Hollis are now old enough to attend boarding school, a mysterious stranger and his young son come to Gresham, the prickly Mrs. Kingston finds herself being courted by none other than the Squire himself, and Mercy Sanders dreams of a way out of her impoverished and underappreciated lifestyle. Elizabeth Phelps, declaring herself finally over her broken heart from book one, concentrates on her relationship with Paul Treves, knowing that it will lead to marriage. But as their relationship progresses, so do Elizabeth's doubts. She really is not sure if she loves him as a betrothed wife should, and she seeks out the advice of her future stepmother. While Elizabeth is still struggling with her questions about her future with Paul, an unexpected visitor comes to Gresham. Will he be able to win Elizabeth's heart, and, more important, to convince the Vicar that he is worthy of her attention? Will Philip ever be able to adjust to the cruel taunts and pranks played by the older boys at boarding school? Will the mysterious Mr. Langford let down his guard to the good people of Gresham and be able to become a true father to young Thomas? Does the Lord really have a husband in mind for Mercy? Will Mrs. Kingston let the Squire break through her barriers and be able to love again? Once again, Blackwell has portrayed a lively village full of romance, family values, and the assurance that God sees his flock through everything in The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter. This was a wonderful additon to the series, and I am looking forward to my next visit to Gresham.

Rating:
Summary: another lovely visit to Gresham
Review: At the end of book one, Julia and Andrew have decided to wait for several months before their wedding. Book two deals with the time period of their engagement. Quite a lot happens in this few months: both Laurel Phelps and Philip Hollis are now old enough to attend boarding school, a mysterious stranger and his young son come to Gresham, the prickly Mrs. Kingston finds herself being courted by none other than the Squire himself, and Mercy Sanders dreams of a way out of her impoverished and underappreciated lifestyle. Elizabeth Phelps, declaring herself finally over her broken heart from book one, concentrates on her relationship with Paul Treves, knowing that it will lead to marriage. But as their relationship progresses, so do Elizabeth's doubts. She really is not sure if she loves him as a betrothed wife should, and she seeks out the advice of her future stepmother. While Elizabeth is still struggling with her questions about her future with Paul, an unexpected visitor comes to Gresham. Will he be able to win Elizabeth's heart, and, more important, to convince the Vicar that he is worthy of her attention? Will Philip ever be able to adjust to the cruel taunts and pranks played by the older boys at boarding school? Will the mysterious Mr. Langford let down his guard to the good people of Gresham and be able to become a true father to young Thomas? Does the Lord really have a husband in mind for Mercy? Will Mrs. Kingston let the Squire break through her barriers and be able to love again? Once again, Blackwell has portrayed a lively village full of romance, family values, and the assurance that God sees his flock through everything in The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter. This was a wonderful additon to the series, and I am looking forward to my next visit to Gresham.

Rating:
Summary: I want to go to Gresham!
Review: Blackwell has created a town full of charming inhabitants that I'd really like to visit. Since I can't, reading the books is the next best thing! The Gresham Chronicles are well-written. I've read the first three, and I eagerly await an addition to the series. In "The Courtship of the Vicar's Daughter," young Elizabeth Phelps deals with handling her emotions and learns about what makes a solid foundation for a marriage. I highly recommend this book to readers young and old, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Rating:
Summary: Great story line-keeps you going to the very last page!
Review: I couldn't put down the book. It really keeps you wondering what will happen next. I also enjoyed the everyday aspect of Christianity that she writes about.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: I highly recommend this book. It is really good. I enjoy
all of Lawana Blackwell's books very much. The stories are
always entertaining and full of love. They are all very decent
stories and very enjoyable to read.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book!
Review: I highly recommend this book. It is really good. I enjoy
all of Lawana Blackwell's books very much. The stories are
always entertaining and full of love. They are all very decent
stories and very enjoyable to read.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written!
Review: This 2nd book in THE GRESHAM CHRONICLES is full of life and vitality. Though it may seem at first kind of like a soap opera it's anything but! Julia Hollis and Andrew Phelps are busy preparing for their wedding. Julia is also sending her eldest child, Philip to secondary school. Will he be able to handle all the pranks and taunts of his fellow students? Mercy Sanders has been living with her family's reputation for a long time. Will she ever escape to find love? She is stunned at the advice given to her to win the heart of Gresham's newest resident and his adopted son. Elizabeth Phelps, Andrew's eldest daughter is wrestling with her decision to marry Paul Treves. But Jonathan Raleigh appears and turns her world upside down. Will she follow her heart to find her true love? Will the grumpy old Squire Bartley find love? This book is full of humour that creeps upon you. I heartily recommend this book for anyone who likes a good fireside read. Great story by Lawana Blackwell!

Rating:
Summary: Great continuation of first book in series
Review: This book continues the story of the courtship between Julia Hollis and Vicar Andrew Phelps. Andrew originally moved to Gresham to get his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, away from the man she loved in London when they learned that he was unfaithful to her. Elizabeth is now seeing a young curate in a nearby village when the other man finds her again - he appears to have changed his ways and asks her forgiveness, and also takes on the position of schoolmaster in Gresham. You will also enjoy the courtships of other locals, including bossy Mrs. Kingston and the obnoxious lord who owns the cheese factory.

Rating:
Summary: Great continuation of first book in series
Review: This book continues the story of the courtship between Julia Hollis and Vicar Andrew Phelps. Andrew originally moved to Gresham to get his oldest daughter, Elizabeth, away from the man she loved in London when they learned that he was unfaithful to her. Elizabeth is now seeing a young curate in a nearby village when the other man finds her again - he appears to have changed his ways and asks her forgiveness, and also takes on the position of schoolmaster in Gresham. You will also enjoy the courtships of other locals, including bossy Mrs. Kingston and the obnoxious lord who owns the cheese factory.