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Lorna SeilstadRevell / 2014 / Trade PaperbackOur Price$14.064.3 out of 5 stars for While Love Stirs, Gregory Sisters Series #2. View reviews of this product. 30 Reviews
Retail Price$15.00Save 6% ($0.94)Availability: In StockStock No: WW721820
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GramsElizabethtown, KYAge: 55-65Gender: female4 Stars Out Of 5Nice Read for Those Who Like Historical RomanceMay 22, 2014GramsElizabethtown, KYAge: 55-65Gender: femaleQuality: 4Value: 4Meets Expectations: 4While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad — A Book Review
This novel takes its theme from 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of the widow who owed a great debt after her husband's death. She went to Elisha for help, and he told her to collect all the empty vessels she could from her neighbors and pour out her remaining oil into all of the vessels. Once the vessels were full, the flow of oil ceased. He told her to sell the oil, pay off her debt, and for her and her son to live on the rest. Lorna Seilstad tells a story of relying on God to use what we have, and to trust Him to fill our empty vessels. A message most of us need to be reminded of from time to time.
The story is set in the early 1900s. Charlotte Gregory has trained in the science of cookery under the tutelage of Fannie Farmer. After finding it difficult to locate someone who would allow a female chef in their kitchen, Charlotte accepts a position giving cooking demonstrations to promote the use of gas ovens. Most homes had coal or wood burning ovens. She also, to the greatest degree possible, educated nurses in nutrition's role in the healing process, frequently going head-to-head with Dr. Joel Brooks. Sparks of all kinds fly whenever Charlotte and Joel are together, and as if they were "cooking with gas," those sparks cause one explosion after another in their relationship.
This book is sweet and romantic, the kind of story Hallmark movies are made of. While there is a bit of intrigue, it definitely takes a backseat in this second story of the Gregory sisters. The first book concentrated on the oldest sister, Hannah, and I imagine the next will reveal more of the life of the youngest sister, Tessa. Charlotte, the middle sister's story was easy to follow, and there were no real spoilers for going back to book one at a later time. This story moves at rather a slow pace, but there is enough tension between the main characters to hold the reader's interest. If historical romantic fiction is your genre of choice, I predict that you will be pleased with this selection. If your preferences run in a different direction, this won't be the book to sway you into becoming a fan of the genre.
Thank you to Revell for providing this book in exchange for my honest opinion. -
KateAge: 25-34Gender: female3 Stars Out Of 5An interesting storyMay 27, 2014KateAge: 25-34Gender: femaleQuality: 4Value: 4Meets Expectations: 43.5
This is the first book that I have read by this author. And I did not realize that this was the second book in the series, thankfully this story worked well as a standalone. I was introduced to main characters of the first book, and the interactions with them was fun. I might need to back peddle in the series and get acquainted with them.
I will state right off that the main characters didn't click with me right away. The bickering between Charlotte and Joel was a bit much in the beginning. However, as the story moved along and Charlotte advanced in her career, the story picked up and left me wondering where the story was going. Charlotte grew on me as the story progressed and it was fun reading through her how the time was changing in the kitchen with cooking. Joel, he started off a bit ridged, a very orderly, everything has a place type of person. The old way has worked, so why change it. I will say, in real life, those type of people rub me the wrong way, so it was an uphill climb for Joel.
I'm not giving anything away, I promise! I'm glad that these two characters spoke how they are so different and had problems meshing at times. It wasn't glossed over, or given the opposites attracted story and that was the end of it. They each had things to work out and they knew it.
I did connect with the quickly to the secondary characters. I enjoyed the peppiness of Tessa and the thoughtfulness of Hannah. The sisters were all so different, but they meshed well. Hannah is a new mother, so her focus is on her growing family, but she makes time for her family and watches out for everyone the best she can. Tessa is young and wanting to try something new each week. However, when the opportunity to work at a theater comes along, she goes for it, but she doesn't get the job she wants, an actress. She is pushed into the roll of an assistant in the back office. Then there was Aunt Sam. She is a spunky older lady who has taken on the role as matriarch to the sisters.
I'm interested to see what will happen in the third book.
Thank you to the Revell Reads Blog Tour, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. -
Parmi les pagesMinnesotaAge: 45-54Gender: female3 Stars Out Of 5While Love StirsMay 24, 2014Parmi les pagesMinnesotaAge: 45-54Gender: femaleQuality: 3Value: 3Meets Expectations: 3This novel takes place in St. Paul, Minnesota, which was fun for me to read since I am a native of the state. I recognized many of the places Ms. Seilstad mentioned and described. And I appreciated her accuracy of the historical events and places of the novel. I found it interesting how she sprinkled cooking language throughout the dialogue keeping with the cooking theme of the story. For example; "And of think Miss Gregory may be the spice this place — and perhaps even you — could use." Regarding the story line, it seemed disconnected and unsophisticated. Often it read as separate incidents and subplots without good transitions or continuity. I felt the author had some good ideas for the scenes but didn't incorporate them into a seamless plot and story. One aspect of the story that was commendable was how the author weaved in some spiritual elements, especially the Bible story about the Elisha and the empty vessels and how Charlotte related it to her situation.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for an honest review. -
LifeofLiteratureGender: female3 Stars Out Of 5Interesting History, but Forced RomanceMay 22, 2014LifeofLiteratureGender: femaleQuality: 3Value: 3Meets Expectations: 3While Love Stirs is a breezy, simple read. The plot moves quickly and while it can be read easily, it is also quite rushed at times. Charlotte is a strong female, independent and determined to fight for what she believes is right. Joel is frustrating in his inability to see the positive points of Charlotte's arguments and does not encourage affection from the reader. The novel is very dramatic. Every slightly inconvenient event is turned into a significant problem; however, the issue is resolved so quickly the reader feels disconnected and left behind. The "fighting" between Charlotte and Joel is especially forced. Nevertheless, the overall themes of the book are enjoyable. Charlotte's cooking creations sound delightful and her desire to help others through her cooking is admirable. The author's knowledge of various history subjects is commendable and interesting to read. Overall, the novel is recommended.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. -
VictoriaUnited StatesAge: 18-24Gender: female2 Stars Out Of 5Not My TypeMay 15, 2014VictoriaUnited StatesAge: 18-24Gender: femaleQuality: 5Value: 5Meets Expectations: 3Every now and then a book just sounds good. It's not a genre that you usually read but you decide to step out of your comfort zone and give it a try.
That's what I did when I agreed to review a copy of this book for Revell. As it turns out, it just wasn't for me.
Lorna Steilstad did an excellent job tying in the views of the early 1900's as well as the information regarding cooking. She gives characters spunk and charm and uniqueness in a way few authors can. In this book, Molly, the widowed companion hired to travel with Charlotte, had me laughing! She's got a southern saying for EVERYTHING and I loved it.
I was disappointed with this book because of all the mush. Charlotte has two men to choose from and one from her past that still haunts her.
I've never been one for romance novels and with a name like "While LOVE Stirs", I should have known better....BUT, with the setting and Charlotte being hired to give cooking lectures and demonstrations on the gas stove of the day, I just couldn't resist!
I never recommend romances to women. I know there is a thirst for them, but I just can't take these kinds of books seriously.
If you're a fan of Lorna Seilstad, you'll probably enjoy this book. It is well written, she has excellent character development, and she throws in plenty of historical tidbits too.
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