The Proposal by Lori Wick

The Proposal by Lori Wick. Harvest House, 2002. 297p. Series: The English Garden, #1. (0736905588)

I do believe Lori Wick is one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. At the moment I’m rereading the English Garden series and can’t help compare the books to some other novels I’ve read recently. The Proposal is book one in the series.

Back cover:

1810 – London, England

William Jennings is a man who has never known the love and companionship that marriage brings – and doesn’t want to. But when a relative dies, leaving Jennings three young children, his whole world is turned upside down.

As the last male of his generation, he’s thrilled to have two boys to carry on his name. Yet what is he to do with a little girl? As Jennings sets about pouring his life into the boys, the brothers tolerate their kind but demanding guardian – until they discover their younger sister is a the mercy of a cruel nanny.

Jennings is finally driven to his sister for help, and while spending the summer at her home, becomes acquainted with her neighbor. Intelligent and deeply grounded in her faith, Marianne Walker has a chance to show Jennings the world in a different light. Will Jennings find himself drawn to this woman – and to the God she so obviously loves?

My review:

 After reading several novels where the main and only point is the romance, it is refreshing to read a novel where there is more to the story. The three children are important characters and a lot of the story revolves about them grieving their father and getting used to their new life with Jennings.

The reader also meets Jennings’ sister, Lydia, husband Palmer and their children. It is through this family that Jennings meets Marianne Walker. And it is also Lydia and Palmer to whom Jennings turns when he starts wondering about the Bible and Christ.

One thing I really like about this book and the series is how the author seamlessly includes portions of sermons and Bible verses. It’s not “preachy” and the sermons serve a purpose in the story.

Another aspect I really like is how the romance is handled; it’s sweet, it’s simple, it’s chaste.

Go read it! Wake County; Find it at a library near you; Buy it from ChristianBook (Updated 9/9/12: Buy it from Amazon)

Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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