When Love Calls, Gregory Sisters Series #1
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The world of Hello Girls is fascinating. ItâÂÂs also restrictive. If one makes the cut and gets into the phone operatorâÂÂs school, itâÂÂs still no guarantee sheâÂÂll end up with a job.
They are told up front that half of their class wonâÂÂt make it. Hannah really needs this job to put food on the table and care for her sisters. After her parents death, the bank repossessed the farm and house, so sheâÂÂs desperate for the job.
Big problem - all the rules and regulations. Hannah canâÂÂt seem to stay out of trouble. The two men hanging around her create another problem. ThereâÂÂs that rule about no male callers during a womanâÂÂs time in school.
Hannah/s attempts to stay out of trouble while fighting her attraction to one of these men makes a good story. Then thereâÂÂs that danger that gets one of the men tossed into jail.
IâÂÂm looking forward to reading more about the Gregory sisters.
***A special thank you to Donna Hausler for providing a review copy.***
May 15, 2013
true-to-life story that flows so beautifully
May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. --Ruth 2:12
Iowa 1908. The Gregory sisters' parents have passed away from influenza. Hannah is home from law school at Drake University to care for her younger sisters. While leaving the grocer, she notices an advertisement: SWITCHBOARD OPERATORS wanted.
As supper is ending, there is a knock at the door. A legal representative of the bank is there to ask if Hannah is aware their father had taken out a second mortgage on their farm? He has come to give them notice of foreclosure and auction of personal property to go toward the mortgage, with one week to vacate. Lincoln Cole said as no payment has been made in the three months since her father's passing, there is no other recourse.
Hannah is among two dozen applicants who have come to interview as "Hello Girls" telephone switchboard operators. She is chosen along with her new friend, Rosie, and they begin the rigorous training that includes no contact with any males during their two-week course. Their instructor stops in at church to make sure they are attending and speaks to the pastor to verify the reference given. On one end of Hannah's pew is her childhood friend, and on the other is the young lawyer. What a day for them to be bookends!
Hannah is a take-charge, headstrong young woman. Finishing law school has now come to an end for her as she focuses on caring for her teenaged sisters. She supports them to reach their dreams. Tessa, the youngest at fourteen, is quite dramatic and outspoken. She has become my favorite and I look forward to her appearing. Her aspired dreams change by the moment. I learned a lot from her about preparing the soil for transplanting tea roses. Charlotte enjoys preparing their meals. Her dream is to attend cooking school and open her own restaurant. She has her first beau, and his outlook is different from her own. I liked how George revealed his own character without exposure from someone else.
Lincoln Cole is a young attorney whose firm is projecting he will follow in the footsteps of his father, who was in the senate before he passed away. Regardless of his future standing, Lincoln takes on a case for justice-sake and not political appearance ~ and his interest in Hannah ~ who has a delightful entry in chapter one at the grocer and again when she is "quite able to get in a rowboat by herself." You are going to love the development of "getting to know each other" of these likeable protagonists.
I like the true-to-life story that flows so beautifully. Lincoln has the input of his aunt Sam, and she is delightful when she comes to visit from St. Paul. Full of her own opinion as well, she is a wonderful addition to the story. I liked how the inner striving for each of these sisters was resolved. They find their own place while leaning on each other during their mourning process. They are remarkable in listening and following through in caring for each other. They have had good training and biblical example. I may have overused the word "delightful" but indeed this is exactly how I would describe this wholesome story of values in business and relationships, overflowing from In God We Trust.
***Thank you to Revell Blog Tour Network Historical Fiction for inviting me to be part of the book tour for When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad and sending a copy of the book. No other compensation was received.***
May 12, 2013
When love calls is the first book on the new series by Lorna Seilstad. When her parents are both killed, Hannah Gregory quits law school to take a job as a "Hello girl" at a local hotel switch board to take care of her two sisters. However the job proves to be quite a challenge when Hannah finds the rules to confining. Add to that a union strike, a rash of fires, a good friend arrested on suspicion of arson, and lawyer that is getting on her last nerve.
As with her previous books, the author sets her story in historic Iowa. I liked the description of the capital building and it was fun to see Hannah's reaction about riding in a automobile for the first time.
This was another great read from this author.
May 9, 2013
A Great Book!
At times, a mystery can form a common bond.
Hannah is looking for a new job adventure to call home. After reading an ad for a switchboard operator she decided that perhaps this would become a perfect fit for her and a way to provide for her and her sisters, Tessa and Charlotte. When she meets an attorney who was hired to assist with monetary affairs an unrecognizable spark captures the attention between the two. Is patience enough to ignite the chemistry? While dreams are hung on a limb what will become of the sisters?
Offering a perfect mix of fun, humor, history and romance When Love Calls shines. I was drawn into the storyline from the beginning and connected right away with these well formed, personable and spunky characters. Life walking into a history book the scenery was reminiscent of the period and the dialogue fitting, charming and easy to follow. The book has no dull or dragging parts and is a read that historical fiction lovers will enjoy and savor. I was entertained by this inspirational and spiritually challenged novel and will recommend it to others. Well written! 5 Stars! I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishers for this blog tour for my review.
May 13, 2013
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