A Hearth in Candlewood

Candlewood Trilogy #1

by Delia Parr

With genteel grace and quiet fortitude, Emma Garrett presides over Hill House, a stately boardinghouse in the canal village of Candlewood, New York. She finds her purpose in caring for her guests, ministering to them with a generous dose of wisdom and humor. But when a "runaway grandma" lands on her doorstep, Emma's need to fix every wrong places her in the midst of a family feud.

Emma's concerns heighten when her attorney, Zachary Breckenwith, delivers life-changing news, leaving Emma reeling from the implications. With her future suddenly uncertain, Emma longs to restore the peace of Hill House--for her guests and within her own heart.

FIND A WELCOME RETREAT IN CANDLEWOOD AS YOU EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY, FRIENDSHIP, AND FAITH IN THE LIVES OF ITS QUAINT AND COLORFUL CHARACTERS.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical, Romance, Ebooks

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Delia is the author of fifteen historical novels who now devotes herself to writing inspirational historical romance. The mother of three grown children, she is a full-time high school teacher in southern New Jersey who spends her summers writing on Anna Maria Island in Florida.

Reviews

[Margaret Metz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book for me to rate. On the one hand I thought the writer did an excellent job creating a story world and making me believe it was true. Not a whole lot happened there though. This wasn't the sort of story with a lot of tension or conflict. Only near the very end do you start to see the beginnings of something ... and then it just cuts off abruptly with no real closure at all. That's a pet peeve of mine. I know there are more books, but when you leave more questions than answers -- it feels more like one long book that you just couldn't fit in between the covers than a series that is supposed to tie together.

Another positive is the characters. They were funny, touching, authentic, and that was what kept me wanting to read until the end.

So, if you're looking for a light historical read and you don't mind getting the entire trilogy, this might be a good choice.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been wanting to get started on this trilogy for a few years now and I'm so glad that I finally did! This was soooo good!!! I loved the characters! There was a new challenge in each chapter. It was an exciting book and yet a total "comfort" read. I'm so excited to read the rest of the trilogy and everything else by Delia Parr.
This is definitely my kind of book!

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and how they interconnected especially those staying at High Hill. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see how things turn out for the main characters.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books that suffered for me not having read anything about it before going it. I just dove right in, which left me very confused about where we were in time/place. Even if I had read the back cover, I still think I would have wished that the stage had been set a little better for the story.

This book is a gentle read. It's more about the middle-aged characters and daily life than any plot. It would be the perfect read on a lazy summer day.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Hearth in Candlewood" is a Christian historical novel set in the 1840s in a small canal town in New York. It's the first novel in the series, but while I was reading it I wondered if it was the 9th or 10th in the series since there were so many interesting stories briefly referred to as back story.

I really enjoyed the characters and setting. I found the vivid details about the time and setting to be interesting and they brought the story alive in my imagination. The characters acted in realistic ways, and there was an underlying humor to the book. I liked how Emma would scold someone for how they behaved, then realize she needed to apologize for something she'd done and so have to go back and humble herself. Though she "said a prayer" a few times or would realized her behavior wasn't Christ-like, the novel wasn't preachy. Yet her faith obviously had an impact on how she acted, though she obviously still had much to learn about faith.

There were two sources of suspense: the conflict about the "grandma's" sons (which Emma was calm about solving, so I assumed it'd work out) and the suspense about her not really owning the house. I would have been okay with the book ending without resolving the house problem if we hadn't been told that the true owner was expected to arrive any minute and make his decision...and then the book ends. I don't like "cliff-hanger" endings.

The story also lost a bit of charm for me over the whole chicken scenario. I've owned chickens for year. I just can't imagine anyone--even "village folk"--being terrified of a hen calmly sitting on a table. Yet all the characters are! Also, chickens don't ruin everything they look at (like a hat that fell off as a man dashed by) or sit on (like some riding trousers). I took me out of my immersion in the story, though it probably won't be a problem for others.

There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this charming, engaging story.

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma Garrett, a widow, owned a boarding house on a hill where people could come and stay for short periods of time, or live much longer. Her mother-in-law lived and worked there, and an aging pastor she had taken in.

The story centers on a new boarder, also a widow, who decided to run away from her two sons who were making her life difficult with their disagreements. She just wanted peace, and she had none with her sons. The rest of the book was about Emma trying to help her, but also trying to figure out why someone wanted to buy up property around Candlewood.

This book reminded me of the Gresham Chronicles by Lawana Blackwell, just not as satisfying. Well, maybe I was looking at the story as I would Ms Blackwell's books. The parts that were supposed to be humorous fell flat for me. One of the main stories alluded to a lot was how Emma, the owner of Hill House, was cheated out of the house purchase. The money was taken, but papers were never filed, and the seller (executor of the estate) disappeared. So now she has a renovated, thriving boarding house, and she doesn't even own it. But nothing came of it in the story...which I suppose is the hook to encourage me to buy the next book. Problem is, by the time I finished this book, I was not in the least curious to finding out who the real inheritor of the house was. Lost complete interest.

I read Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr and enjoyed it a lot, but this book just didn't capture my interest.

[Anne Hawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful book is reminiscent of the Miss Read series and the Mitford books. It is a simple inspiring tale of Widow Emma who runs a Victorian boarding house in the canal town of Candlewood. The story is set in the 1840's and has an interesting collection of visitors and permanent residents who people Emma's life. There is Emma's mother-in-law, who has been with Emma for thirty years, 2 16 year old girls who help about the house, a retired minister and the elderly Aunt Frances. As Emma struggles to make Candlewood a ministry to provide a caring place for guests, she also struggles to bring her own actions in accord with the God she loves.

Some may call this book or the Mitford and Miss Read books to sweet or unearthly, but they detail the daily lives of people who struggle to do the right thing and to hold themselves accountable to God. The struggle Emma has to guard her heart and to treat all the people she encounters with God's love inspires me to do the same. I can't help think how different this book is to the recommendations of modern thinking. We are encouraged to "look out for number one." "if you don't like it, lump it" or "that's just the way I am, baby." It is refreshing to read about people who struggle to do God's will in everything.

[Mayda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a trilogy, this book introduces the reader to the people in Candlewood, a canal town in upper New York, set in the 1840s. Emma is the proprietor of a boarding house. A widow, she recently sold her general store to buy this boarding house. Living with her is her mother-in-law and a retired clergyman, as well as her live-in help. It’s not an easy existence for her to make a living, and of course, complications arise, including a runaway grandma, asking for asylum from her two grown sons. It's an interesting depiction of life at this time, with Emma managing to take care of everyone and their needs in this gentle tale of bygone days.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I love the setting of Hill House in the town of Candlewood! The author uses such detailed writing that I felt as if I was there, a participant.

The characters are relatable and easy to like! Emma is the epitome of hospitality! She just loves having a full house! I like how the women of the house support each other.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series to find out what happens next!

[Lisa M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s just a very sweet book. Main character a mid 50s widow with grown children and grandchildren.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hearth in Candlewood was my first exposure to Delia Parr. She strikes me as highly character-centric, which I prefer. Historically set in the canal-building era prior to the railway boon, Candlewood is a small town in the midst of transition. The characters also are in a similar state of transition, from the retired pastor and widows who live at Hill House to the young ladies who work there. In the center of it all is Emma, proprietress of the boarding house known as Hill House for its expansive hilltop viewpoint overlooking the new canal. Parr's tale of the town and the characters in it didn't draw me in as powerfully as Jan Karon's Mitford, whose characters are nearly as real to me as people I've actually met, but at the same time, I am eager to hear more of their lives. A comforting message of trusting God in uncertainty, living peaceably, and the value of having purpose in one's life regardless of age are ongoing themes in the book. At first, I was dissatisfied with the ending until I learned there were two more books in the trilogy. I guess I will be making another visit to Candlewood in the future.

[Shirley Chapel · Rating 4 out of 5]

All these years Widow Emma thought she owned her beautiful boarding house only to find out that she didn't. What an interesting turn of events! What's to happen to all her boarders when the real heir to the estate makes his appearance . For now readers will have to wait until they read Book two because although there was a lot of interesting happenings in book one readers are kept waiting to find out who this mysterious heir is and what he intends to do with his inheritance.
This work of fiction takes place in and about 1840. There wasn't a spark of romance until the last chapter . Since I have a healthy dose of curiosity about the 1800s and how people lived back then I always enjoy historical fiction. It's fun to see what was considered proper behavior when we look around us today and see anything goes and is considered normal.
I borrowed this book from the Prime lending library. I wasn't required to do a review but choose to do so. All statements I made here in this review are my own thoughts.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy read about a widow living in Candlewood in the 1800s. She has a very deep faith and tries to live by the holy book. Not usually my type of thing, but very comforting to read about a thoroughly nice person, who tries to give of her best to everyone she comes into contact with. Very enjoyable!

[Darlene Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice light Christian reading. Set in 1841 -- small town New York. As the jacket describes them -- quaint, colorful characters. Thanks, Christi, for a good read Christmas gift!

[Liane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy read once I got used to the style of writing. Quite a lot of typos, but didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. Some comical moments, and some well written descriptive passages.

[Sharon Paavola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relaxed read for at bedtime. So far I'm enjoying it. There must be sequels but I'm on to reading other books right now.

[Kim Berger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. That family isn't always blood. Faith based .

[Rebekah Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Hearth in Candlewood was a different reading experience for me within the historical Christian fiction genre. In many Christian fiction novels, the main character is a young woman. In A Hearth in Candlewood, there are less than a handful of minor characters that fit that description and the main characters are all above the age of 50. I first thought, “wow this will be an interesting read!” There was little to no romance, which did not take away from the book. However, the book did not provide a side story or substance to replace the romance, which made for a very LONG and drawn out novel. There were a few interesting characters that tried to pick up the slack, but they fell short due to the slowness of the storyline.

What happened in A Hearth in Candlewood? Honestly, nothing that couldn’t have been solved in 50 pages, but the author ended up making the conflict a 300+ page endeavour. Our main character, Emma Garrett is a widow who purchased a boarding home in Candlewood, NY after the death of her husband. Emma, with the help of her mother-in-law, runs the boarding home. After an elderly woman shows up on Emma’s doorstep late one evening, she takes her in and asks questions later. The women in caught in-between a family feud, and has left her home. Emma feels responsible for solving the family issues throughout the story.

I contemplated several times not finishing the story, but having read Delia Parr’s work before, I decided to stick it out and see if the story picked up pace and had a more satisfying ending. Unfortunately it did not. However, this one review will not deter me from reading more from Delia Parr, this series just happens to not be for me personally.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had been looking forward to reading this book for quite a while: the title sounds so 'cosy', and the cover is simply lovely. Unfortunately, the anticipation was better than the actual reading.
Not to say that the author doesn't write well . . . she does! Also not to say that the story line wasn't engaging . . . with the first real action of the novel being an 80-ish year old widow announcing she's 'run away from home', how could it be otherwise?
No, the real 'sticking point' for me, and the reason it took me so long to finish the book was Emma. When you don't particularly even *like* the main character, it's hard to want to find out what she'll do next. She said she trusted in God, but her actions did not match. She does eventually take her head out of the sand to a degree, but I'm honestly not sure if I'll be finishing this series.
(That said, I will be reading more of the author's work, as my problem was not with her writing and storytelling at all!)
2.5 stars

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a really lovely historical, family saga. Very easy to read with fabulous characters which I really enjoyed getting to know. It is the first in the Candlewood trilogy and I am going to seek out book 2 to find out what happens to all of them next.

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The engaging village of Candlewood in 1840s New York provides a glimpse into the past that will inspire and uplift today's readers. Fifty-one-year-old Emma Garrett runs Hill House, a boardinghouse on a hill at the edge of town. Emma ministers to her guests, both the transient and those who call Hill House home. Gifted with an uncanny ability to see the unique strengths of her guests, Emma serves and challenges them with homespun wisdom and absolute faith in God. When eighty-year-old Widow Leonard shows up at Hill House to escape a heated land dispute between her two sons, Emma welcomes her and tries to help her heal the family feud. But tragedy soon hits closer to home when Emma's very ownership of Hill House is called into question!

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant American Christian fiction about a young middle-aged woman called Emma who runs a guest house in a small town in the 1840s. Good writing, interesting descriptions, and the settings and conversations feel believable.

This is really character-based, so there's not a great deal of plot, but I found the people quite engaging. Emma in particular, if a tad daunting at times, is a likeable person who copes well in what was almost entirely a man's world in the era.

It was a good book to read, off and on, while travelling. First in a trilogy, and I don't plan to get hold of the later ones, but I'm glad I read it. My edition was for the Kindle and I downloaded it on special offer back in 2012.

Three and a half stars would be fairer.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

A Hearth in Candlewood is about a widowed lady who is the proprietor of an inn ion a hill outside a small ,but growing town along a shipping canal in 1840. Emma Garrett runs the inn with the help of her late husband's mother. A retired minister, who has had a stroke lives at the inn. 80-year-old Widow Leonard "runs away" to Candlewood Inn to get away from her sons arguing over a land dispute.

The story is mainly character studies about the regulars at the inn and mainly Emma, a wise Christian woman, who helps and challenges her guests. There are some serious challenges, including the possibility of losing the inn. This issue is not settled in the book, but the is a sequel.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say this type of book is similar to the Mitford series by Jan Karon in the fact that it follows one main character interacting with members of her household and town. I did enjoy this book more than I enjoyed any of the Mitford books, however.

This is definitely a read when you are in the mood for a slow paced and heartfelt story. There was a main problem for the protagonist to overcome, and the book had smaller mishaps occur along the way.

I enjoyed the setting and the characters. I plan on reading the next two in the series via my library. Glad that I randomly found this at a goodwill shop, too. Consequently, this is not a book that I see myself reading again, but I enjoyed the time that I had with it :)

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable book featuring Emma, a widow, who is running a boarding house in Candlewood, New York -- Hill House. In this first book in the series based in the 1800s, we meet Emma, her mother-in-law, and the people who work for her. Widow Leonard shows up on her doorstep asking for a place to stay. She is supposed to be staying with her two sons but since they are feuding, she leaves and vows not to return until they reconcile. You also meet a few boarders as they come to stay at Hill House. Emma is doing well until she receives some very disturbing news that could upset her entire life. While Widow Leonard's situation is resolved, the rest is not - leading to the second book. No sex, no profanity and a mild Christian message.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The pace was a little slow for me right now, but I persevered and am glad I did. It's one of those feel good, neighborly books that make you want to meet the characters in person. They are so personable and so likable. The problems they face seem minor compared to some of the things I deal with on a daily basis, and so it's good for me to slow down a bit from my own hectic life. I think that's a big reason why at first it seemed too slow, but as I continued listening (audio book), it calmed me and I enjoyed it immensely. I'm looking forward to the next.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want more stories like this.

This is the type of book I like to find and read. They are not easy to find. Why i Iove this story is the great writing bringing multitude of levels of 'life' together. The strengh of each character. The beautiful descriptions of the period in time and the description of the landscape. The humor and the pain, just like in life. And faith. It warms my heart to bring faith into the story. ;-)

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was a quick read. The story is about Widow Emma who has sold her general store and purchased a home to run a boardinghouse. Her home is along the Erie Canal and she has a lot of returning guests. Along with her guests she has a staff of her mother-in-law and 2 young girls to help in the kitchen and to clean. Also living there is the retired preacher who is recovering from a stroke and a "runaway grandma".

[BlueJeansAndTeacups · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever watched the British TV series "Larkrise to Candleford" you'll have a good sense of this book's vibe.
This story is set in New York in 1841 and blends village characters and the faith & drama of the leading lady, Emma Garrett, Proprietor of Hill House.
There is only the barest suggestion of a future romance, but there are still 2 books left for me to read in the series.
Well written. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I purchased the set used, via Thriftbooks.com

[Ronnae Stately · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was a different kind of story I wasn’t expecting. I loved all of the characters and there was so many times I just wanted to bust out laughing. The antics of Emma’s mother-in-law and Widow Leonard plus those cray chickens was just to comical to believe. But this is a healthy book with future instances of romance to come in sequels that I can see.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story set in the early 1800s near the Erie canal. A nice slice of life set in a boarding house in a relatively small town. Well-developed characters, decent plotting, nice sense of humor. Evangelical fiction doesn't always work, but this was an enjoyable read.