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Gabriel Sisters #2
Her Patchwork Family
Christmas is for families…And Felicity Gabriel intends to build a family right away! When she inherits a mansion, she decides to turn it into a home for orphans. But her first charges test her resolve. One child is a thief, suspicious of her kindness. The other is the local judge's traumatized daughter.Broken by war, Judge Tyrone Hawkins is devastated when his little girl runs from him to Felicity. But Felicity's courage despite the town's scorn for her orphanage and her caring way with his daughter restore his lost faith. Now he wonders if they all can find the family they seek…just in time for Christmas.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Lyn Cote
127 books593 followersLyn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 4, 2010
Yea! I love this new series. Too bad I've got to wait a whole year for the third book! Loved this book. The characters are brought to life in a great way. The experiences that each character goes through, no matter how prominent they are in the novel, plays an important role. Everyone has things from their past that they have to learn from. The heroine feels the need to completely devote her time and attention to just the children of the orphanage and thinks that she must live a life of spinsterhood...yet, God had other plans. It was through the hurt of another child that she was able to open her heart and mind to what God really had planned for her. Sometimes we see things one way, when we can have so much more than we planned. And, I must say I love the names Lyn picked out for the Gabriel sisters!
February 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this story, and it tugged at my heartstrings more than once. Dealing with the court system is something I am unfortunately becoming used to, and it is not fun in the slightest. I see so many flaws in the system. I could relate to Felicity's desire for changing it... After all we're all real people, with real issues, not just a case number...
I loved Felicity, one of my favorite girls names, and I loved how strong and caring she was. I can only hope to be like that, doing whatever I can to be of help and service to my fellow brothers and sisters here on earth... Love is the key after all.
I loved Felicity, one of my favorite girls names, and I loved how strong and caring she was. I can only hope to be like that, doing whatever I can to be of help and service to my fellow brothers and sisters here on earth... Love is the key after all.
January 2, 2010
Another good book from Lyn Cote. This book is part 2 in a three part series about the “Gabriel Sisters.” This book follows Felicity Gabriel as she inherits a mansion and turns it into an orphanage in Illinois in 1867. Some of the preliminary background information I felt was missing in the book but maybe if I had read book #1 the questions would have been answered. (However this was only a minor issue and anyone can pick up this book alone and read it.) One theme in the book prejudge was written about very well from an 1867 standpoint. It always amazes me when reading historical books that people had so much prejudice about others – they judge people by things they can not control (color of their skin, if their parents are alive or even if their parents were married) rather than who the person actually is and what their heart is like. Always a good reminder for us even in 2010. The book jacket indicated that Felicity’s first charges test her resolve but I thought it was her neighbors who did and their opinions, prejudices and lack of compassion. Felicity seemed to have a knack for knowing what children wanted – I did wonder where this came from? The romance story between her and the Judge Hawkins was well written but seemed to be rather fast paced – after all this book only took place over three months. I also liked the mystery that was written in the book – how really did the kids know each other and how would this play into the other characters in the book. I thought the mystery part was again well written. For those that are apprehensive about reading “inspirational” fiction this book was not preachy at all. Overall a good book – would recommend it to anyone.
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July 18, 2018Following the Civil War, Quaker Felicity Gabriel heads to Illinois to start a home for orphaned children, but her biggest challenges come in the form of her close-minded neighbors and in the broken family of Judge Ty Hawkins.
I loved Lyn Cote's first book in this continuity, Her Captain's Heart, and this second book didn't disappoint. She has a real skill for depicting strong, moral female characters without making them unbelievable, and also for making the struggles of those who love them also memorable and believable. Her male characters too show great strength despite their wounded, guarded lives, and I found the relationship between Felicity and Ty to be quite engaging. I was hesitant to read a book that revolved so much around children, and while sometimes the kids were just too perfect or just a tad bit unrealistic, they never annoyed me too much. I also appreciate Lyn Cote's focus on social justice issues in her romances; as with Her Captain's Heart, I really enjoy that the love is not limited between the hero and the heroine, but that their relationships is situated and influential to their greater community. Definitely sweet, definitely feel-good, and definitely not the last Lyn Cote book I'll be reading.
I loved Lyn Cote's first book in this continuity, Her Captain's Heart, and this second book didn't disappoint. She has a real skill for depicting strong, moral female characters without making them unbelievable, and also for making the struggles of those who love them also memorable and believable. Her male characters too show great strength despite their wounded, guarded lives, and I found the relationship between Felicity and Ty to be quite engaging. I was hesitant to read a book that revolved so much around children, and while sometimes the kids were just too perfect or just a tad bit unrealistic, they never annoyed me too much. I also appreciate Lyn Cote's focus on social justice issues in her romances; as with Her Captain's Heart, I really enjoy that the love is not limited between the hero and the heroine, but that their relationships is situated and influential to their greater community. Definitely sweet, definitely feel-good, and definitely not the last Lyn Cote book I'll be reading.
September 7, 2015
The Gabriel Sisters
Book 2
This book captured my interest almost from the beginning and kept it through the entire book. Several characters play a vital role in knitting this story together. This book takes place after the Civil War. The country is still in an upset and there are many people still hurting - including children. My heart went out to Camie, Judge Tyrone Hawkins' daughter. She lived in fear of something that Tyrone cannot figure out, and she would never look at him. But when she meets Felicity Gabriel, her whole world changes.
Felicity is seen as a strong woman who believes men and women are equal, but her strong personality does not take away from Tyrone's. Throughout the book, I rooted for these two as their love for each other grew. There was something dark happening in the town - a sub-plot that left me feeling sorry for children who were so unprotected back then! The truth about why Camie acted the way she does was heart-breaking, but it was nice to read how she evolved from her darkness.
Book 2
This book captured my interest almost from the beginning and kept it through the entire book. Several characters play a vital role in knitting this story together. This book takes place after the Civil War. The country is still in an upset and there are many people still hurting - including children. My heart went out to Camie, Judge Tyrone Hawkins' daughter. She lived in fear of something that Tyrone cannot figure out, and she would never look at him. But when she meets Felicity Gabriel, her whole world changes.
Felicity is seen as a strong woman who believes men and women are equal, but her strong personality does not take away from Tyrone's. Throughout the book, I rooted for these two as their love for each other grew. There was something dark happening in the town - a sub-plot that left me feeling sorry for children who were so unprotected back then! The truth about why Camie acted the way she does was heart-breaking, but it was nice to read how she evolved from her darkness.
March 2, 2010
This story was very inspiring to me. With a Quaker background and having been involved in the foster care system, I thoroughly enjoyed the main character, Felicity, and her heart for helping children. The changes she brought into the lives of several children made me remember what an influence one person can have and made me glad that I work with children as a teacher. Lyn Cote did a fantastic job of developing her characters in such a way that you loved some, disliked others, and wanted to keep reading to find out if they overcome their difficulties. The historical details and setting seemed very appropriate and accurate. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will certainly be reading more.
January 10, 2010
This is a good clean romance about how two unlikely people meet. Felicity Gabriel is a Quaker who inherits a mansion after the Civil War who plans on turning the mansion into an orphanage and doesn't plan on marrying. Tyrone is the local judge and a Civil War Veteran who is haunted by the war whose daughter runs off to Felicity's orphanage where he gets to know Felicity better.
September 7, 2010
I thought this was a sweet story featuring a likable heroine and a hero with a tortured soul (I'm a sucker for those!). I have never read this author before so didn't know at all what to expect, but I enjoyed her writing style and look forward to reading more of her work.
June 25, 2010
A awsome book and i love the cover it is so pretty, but truely a great book!
July 30, 2024
Heart warming! Easy read.
January 24, 2012
A little slow, but beautiful in it's lessons! I find the characters too good to be realistic if that makes sense, bit the plot was endearing. A nice book about family though! Good peaceful, sometimes nail-biting, read!
March 2, 2012
This book is a must read. Once you start it, you'll get engrossed in the characters' plights and won't be able to put it down.
May 2, 2012
This book was different but cute.
June 8, 2013
Wonderful! A stand alone book of its genre in its handling of difficult topics through strong, central female characters without sacrificing a drop of romance.
January 27, 2016
Boring. Nothing much happened.
December 3, 2018
I really loved this book! I love how Felicity always did get best to help the children. She's a true advocate for children's Rights, and it's such a wonderful thing to read about! I enjoyed the tomans and the mystery as well. A sweet, enjoyable read!
May 18, 2020
One of the best
If you love historical romance, you will love this book. I started reading frontier family by Lyn Cote. It lead me to t his saga. Keep writing about these characters please
If you love historical romance, you will love this book. I started reading frontier family by Lyn Cote. It lead me to t his saga. Keep writing about these characters please
November 24, 2018
I loved it! A very enjoyable exciting read! Great book!
May 10, 2019
I’ve read all three in the series and this was my favorite.
April 2, 2012
Wow, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I usually consider serial romances to be light and fluffy and usually not too good, but this book was so compelling, I had to finish it in one sitting. So much for getting to bed at a decent time! I would give it 4.5 stars, because it was better than 4, but the only books I give 5 stars to are keepers and this one, while great, wasn't a keeper. I don't have the room to keep all of the books I read, so I have to be super picky with which ones I keep. Usually it's a keeper if I think I will want to re-read it one day. I don't like paying for the same book multiple times.
The story line wasn't over-done on the sweetness, which I appreciated. The characters were pretty well fleshed out and the mysteries and issues the protagonists faced were plausible. The leading lady was a Quaker, so the religious bits didn't seem forced, they made sense.
All in all, good book and I recommend it if you are looking for a "realistic" romance.
The story line wasn't over-done on the sweetness, which I appreciated. The characters were pretty well fleshed out and the mysteries and issues the protagonists faced were plausible. The leading lady was a Quaker, so the religious bits didn't seem forced, they made sense.
All in all, good book and I recommend it if you are looking for a "realistic" romance.
August 20, 2021
Australian edition of this book was 2014 and I'm reading it in 2021.
Felicity and Ty's story in state of Illinois. along journey from Pennsylvania where her Quaker family called home. ( a strong and very different female approach) Where are they today?
Children's home mission from an inheritance. Some villain who didn't want to let orphan kids have a good life was the challenge. Snobbery and judgment plus opinions of who got educated are matters that needed changing after war.
Felicity and Ty's story in state of Illinois. along journey from Pennsylvania where her Quaker family called home. ( a strong and very different female approach) Where are they today?
Children's home mission from an inheritance. Some villain who didn't want to let orphan kids have a good life was the challenge. Snobbery and judgment plus opinions of who got educated are matters that needed changing after war.
May 4, 2019
Delightful, and surprisingly believable.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews