Book Review: The Bride of Ivy Green

From The Back:

Come home to Ivy Hill, where friendship endures, romance triumphs,
and mysteries are revealed in this eagerly anticipated conclusion. . . .

Spring is in the air . . . and change is too. Mercy Grove has lost her girls' school and is resigned to life as a spinster, especially as the man she admires is out of reach. She contemplates leaving Ivy Cottage to become a governess--a decision with consequences she never imagined.

Meanwhile, her friend Jane Bell is facing a difficult decision of her own. Should she accept Gabriel Locke even if it means giving up her inn and destining another man to a childless marriage?

When a secretive new dressmaker arrives in the village, Mercy, Jane, and the other ladies of Ivy Hill attempt to befriend her, but they soon suspect she isn't who she claims to be.

Together, the women of Ivy Hill look forward to one wedding, but surprises lie in store and dearly held dreams may yet come true.

My Reflections:
This is the third and final installment in the "Tales From Ivy Hill" and it most certainly is a nice way to end this charming cast of characters. At just over 440 pages you will feel satisfied with the way this author is able to weave and tuck every last detail snuggly into place. 

I loved the author's notes, her inspiration for this book, a real lion attack. wow! Her descriptions of this quaint town were spot on, I felt swept away and truly enchanted in the time I was immersed in this series. I am sad it has come to an end, but am eager to see what's next for this author! 

I was also so sad to see the end to Mercy's Girls school. This school was in her home and it was the perfect arrangement.
I love how God works in life, even though this was fiction I could very well imagine a scenario like this occurring. A person loses their coveted job and resigns them self to spinsterhood, (OK perhaps not in the modern day, but in 1820 sure) God always has a plan, never in our wildest imagination can we predict his marvellous ways. The roads we take are often more like hills with sudden drop-offs and mountaintop beauties, but never the less God has a plan. Sometimes we don't get to experience the full extent of it here on earth but I just know there will be many surprises waiting in heaven...OK, I digress. 

Back on topic. Mercy's brother has arrived and temporarily shut down her source if independence. Having to live with her brother is not exactly what she had in mind, especially now that he has his new wife. When Mercy gets relegated to the attic, so that her room can be turned into the guest suite she is more than ready to jump ship. Then an offer from Mr. James Drake falls in her lap the opportunity to be a governess to her beloved former student Alice. Is this the answer to her dilemma?

Mercy is not the only gal in transition Jane, has big decisions to make that will impact the rest of her life. Can she give up what she loves for Gabriel Locke? What about the new seamstress in town, what is she hiding?

Get ready to cry, Laugh out loud and shout for joy as you flip through to the last page with a satisfying sigh. 
This book was everything I expected and more, if you can start with book one and go from there, it will be a much easier read than agonizing over long wait times in between the series.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Julie Klassen

JULIE KLASSEN (www.julieklassen.com) loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess,...

Continue reading about Julie Klasse

Book Review: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

From The Back:

Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she's inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.

Rachel's hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or whom--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.

My Reflections:

Welcome back to Ivy Hill and all the ladies of Ivy Cottage.
This second book, in my opinion, is even better than the first. All the key elements are hit with this one, romance blossoms, mysteries are unleashed and friendships are made stronger.

The storylines center around Rachel and Mercy, who both find themselves with love interests and both find themselves in challenging situations that present themselves in all sorts of creative manners. 

Rachel is cleaver and resourceful, her subscription library has the whole town talking. Will she be able to make it successful and in the process become more independent and self-assured? Will she get her second chance at romance, or will her fear and grief hold her back?

Mercy's heart yearns for a family of her own. Pouring her heart into the school for girls helps hone her passion and ease her pain, yet what awaits her? Will a secret foil her attempts to love and care for a wee one all her own?

This being the second book in the series and it following right along without much preamble, I would not categorize this as a stand-alone. I feel to get the most out of it you should read these in order starting with her first in the series. 
I enjoyed all the many layers of this novel, it has much to offer. Although it takes a bit to get going once you adjust to the style and pace I am sure you will enjoy the ride. Expect some of the threads to be left unwound, I personally dislike cliffhangers, but I am sure Klassen's next book has everything neatly sewn together. Although I must admit it seems oh so far away at this very moment!
If you love Jane Eyre style reads you will most likely enjoy this authors style and pace. A great end of the day read!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Julie Klassen

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the...

Continue reading about Julie Klassen

Book Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

From the Back:

The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business, but with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn.

Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to overcome her losses and find purpose for the future. As she works with Jane, two men from her past vie for her attention, but Thora has promised herself never to marry again. Will one of them convince her to embrace a second chance at love?

As pressure mounts from the bank, Jane employs new methods, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place, including a mysterious newcomer with secret plans of his own. With the help of friends old and new, can Jane restore life to the inn, and to her empty heart as well?

My Reflections:

Set in the 1820's in the quaint village of Ivy Hill, England, this story sweeps you away from day to day and envelops you in pure charm.

Julie Klassen has done a marvelous job of capturing the essence of this tiny winsome town, from the quirky inhabitants to the breathtaking backdrop. It all creates a cohesive environment where you want to snuggle in and never leave its folds. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but don't despair there will be more books to follow, however, the next book "The Ladies of Ivy Cottage" is not due for almost, a whole year!

The story centers around an innkeeper by the name Jane Fairmont Bell, Yes, a woman innkeeper. As you can imagine this was not the norm in the 1820's. Having inherited it from her late husband at the tender age of 29, she has some big decisions to make. Will she watch the Inn wither or will she take charge and run The "Bell" herself. With determination and a large loan looming over Jane, she enlists the "help" of her mother in law Thora Bell. Through a strained relationship, the two women plow ahead through grief to try to save the Inn. Things are definitely amiss, but Jane is one determined lady.

I love a book that highlights the aspects of a small community. We cannot do great things alone but with many people's support and guidance, couple this with Gods leading and grace and we are set forth on a journey worth exploring and savoring! Life is so good, and Julie Klassen has written an exceptionally tender novel exploring the human spirit.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

                                                About the Author 

1. JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the...

   
   

   Continue reading about Julie Klassen