Whispers of Love

Blessed Assurance #1

by Lyn Cote

Civil War widow Jessie Wagstaff must fend for herself and her son. When a stranger, Lee Smith, befriends Jessie's son, even though she recognizes nine-year-old Linc's need for a father figure, she's reluctant to let a new man into their life. When the Great Chicago Fire blazes, every heart is pushed to its limits.

Genres: Christian

280 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1999

About the author

Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.

Reviews

[Heather Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it strange to like the book but think the romance was lame? 😅
The author captured life in 1871 Chicago really well! I was impressed by all the research (and therefore confused that she didn't know the fire ended when it rained) and there were so many layers of relationship in the family and community. But Lee did a terrible job wooing Jessie. I mean, it was bad! I'm going to keep it on my shelf for the Chicago fire though.

[Anya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start of by saying how much I like reading romantic fiction. Every once in a while I need a good sappy story, it cheers me up and makes me feel better about reality. I find hope and comfort in them because, let's face it, 99 % of romantic stories end well.

"Ik fluister je naam" is a true romantic sappy story from beginning to end. We've got a charming heroine who stays true to her principles and eventually finds true love. There are the 2 gentlemen eager to claim her hand, with the necessary jealousy occurring every now and then. And of course there is the big fat lie who drives the perfect couple apart, followed by a crisis which (of course) re-unites the happy couple again.

Like I said, it's a basic sappy story. And that's what slightly bugged me. It could have been so much more. The characters could have been much more complex, the part in which the great Chicago fire takes place could have been fleshed out more... (The fire is what drew me to read the book in the first place so I felt kind of cheated on that point.) There is some real potential hidden in this book, potential the author didn't seem to recognize or if she did, she decided to ignore it and keep the story as basic, simple and platonic as possible. A real shame.

So even though "Ik fluister je naam" did a really good job at keeping me entertained on Friday evening, I am rating it only 2 stars. Mostly because the book, characters and scenes could have been so much more. I would have really REALLY appreciated a more in depth perspective of the characters' inner thoughts.

So 2 stars for lack of complexity, for rushing the final 10 or so pages and for not elaborating more on the great Chicago fire. But it's an entertaining book nonetheless. ;-)

[N.]

DNF

[Kimberlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great historic fiction/Christian romance during the fury of the Great Chicago Fire.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chicago
April, 1871

Jessie Wagstaff: Lost her husband in the Civil War. Took in boarders to survive 
Linc: Jessie’s son
Lee Smith: Intriguing, unknown man just shows up one day
Dr. Gooden: Cares for Jessie, but won't tend to ex-slaves as a practice
Hiram: Jessie’s stepfather, militaristic, overbearing
Susan: Ex-slave, Jessie’s housekeeper, best friend
Ruby Ex-slave: Susan’s grandmother 


New man in town befriends Jessie's son. Jessie seems to resent it. Even though she recognizes nine-year-old Linc's need for a father figure, she's reluctant to let a new man into their life. 

Then the Great Chicago Fire happens and lives are changed.

I love the way God is trusted throughout.

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy enjoyable read.