Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Loving Liza Jane - 1st in Little Hickman Creek Series
Author: Sharlene MacLaren
Publisher: Whitaker House
ISBN: 978-0-88368-816-6
Release Date: April 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1890s/Kentucky
Overall rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: None (kissing)
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Minimal
Sharlene's Website:
www.sharlenemaclaren.com
Liza Jane Merriwether knew the teaching job in Kentucky was God’s will so she left Boston and headed west. What she found was a far cry from Boston, but soon the town of Little Hickman, though a bit rustic, was a quaint place to teach school.
Ben Broughton, a widower and father of two daughters is charmed by the new schoolteacher but in haste he decides that his daughters need a mother and he could use the help on his farm so he sends for a mail-order bride.
Soon Liza’s feelings begin to grow for Ben as his for her. But Ben thinks Liza is sweet on one of his closest friends, Jon Aitkins. Liza and Jon are friends and neither can understand why Ben is keeping his distance. In the meantime, the head of the school board points out that Liza’s contract states she will not do anything improper like keeping company with a man. She has no choice but to keep her distance from Ben. Their love is growing for each other but how can they remain distant from each other?
Liza knows God sent her to teach and help the few hill people around the area. But not all of the hill people are friendly and soon one becomes her enemy. Liza seeks God’s direction to work with these people. But bad things soon happen to Liza and Ben has a hard time not taking the law into his own hands.
Knowing he loves Liza, Ben feels it’s too late for he thinks she loves another. But he also realizes that he hasn’t been acting as a Christian man should toward his friend or Liza and cries out to God for forgiveness for his humanness, renewal of his spirit and direction for his life. Liza’s strong feelings are also pulling her in two as she loves teaching and thought that’s why God sent her to Kentucky.
How will God lead both Ben and Liza to each other? Can they let God lead them, obey and depend on Him for the blessings He has in store for them? What about the mail-order bride that’s on her way?
Sharlene MacLaren’s writing gives the reader the right amount of detail to make the scenes unfold like you’re watching a movie. All the characters have a genuine and likeable humanness to them but its Liza and Ben’s deep devotion to God no matter what the circumstances that make them loveable. Their devotion is truly an inspiration and makes you think about your own dedication to God. The prayer Ben cried to the Lord was touching. We’re human but God is forgiving and loving and there can be good that comes from the bad things in life if we let Him lead us.
Loving Liza Jane is a charming story. I can see with this first book that the Little Hickman Creek Series will be one of my favorites. Do you think the next book in the series may be about the mail-order bride? Can’t wait to read it!
Trudy
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