Today I’m happy to share my review of author Lorna Seilstad’s latest, While Love Stirs, for Revell Publishers’ “Revell Reads Blog Tour”.
While Love Stirs is a fun and light historical romance, following character Charlotte Gregory as she dreams of having her own restaurant in early 1900s Minnesota. Having completed Fannie Farmer’s School of Cookery, she has returned to her “Aunt” Sam’s house, hoping to find work in a kitchen. After participating in a gas company’s cooking comp
etition, she is hired to travel in the state, cook, and promote the modern methods of cooking on a gas stove. During her travels, she also is able to speak about a subject she is passionate about – the importance of proper nutrition in hospitals for recovering patients.
While she travels and during her time at home, she meets two completely opposite young men: Lewis Mathis and Dr. Joel Brooks. Lewis is a singer hired by the gas company to travel with Charlotte and provide entertainment at the events. While he is obviously attracted to her, she just thinks him kind and fun. Charlotte thinks Dr. Joel Brooks, on the other hand, is one moment caring and the next obstinate. He and Charlotte comically clash over the food his hospital serves, and over every other subject they discuss, it seems.
When Charlotte and Joel must plan a benefit gala together, they are challenged with getting along and staying on task for the benefit of the hospital and orphanage.
With humor and flair, Lorna combines historical details, like the real-life Fannie Farmer’s School, with heartfelt characters. Charlotte and Joel’s banter is entertaining. Their opposite and in-charge personalities immediately cause them to spar, while Charlotte’s independent antics get her in sticky and hilarious situations. This proves quite entertaining as Charlotte and her friends and family go through one scrape after another.
A thread of faith ties each character’s story together, stressing that God places dreams in our hearts for a reason, but He may carry them out differently than we plan. Though I usually like a little more drama and conflict in a novel, this is a nice lighthearted story. It’s a feel-good kind of romance, with sweet characters and a fun plot. It would make a great and fun summer read.
Connect with author Lorna Seilstad at her website, or see news and upcoming releases from Revell at their website.
Note: Thank you to Revell Publishers for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Green Mockingbird 