Keeping the Faith

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #47

by Pam Hanson, Barbara Andrews

With a new bed-and-breakfast threatening to open in Acorn Hill, will the Howard sisters be able to keep the Inn running -- and keep the faith? It should have been a relaxing summer, but Louise, Alice and Jane face a new challenge -- a husband and wife have checked into the Grace Chapel Inn but seem to have more on their minds than a simple vacation. They poke and pry and ask all sorts of questions about the inn and how it is run. But a young man on a mission saves the day when he walks into their lives and helps lighten their cares -- and even brings romance to one of Alice's coworkers. Will hope prevail again in the hearts of those who walk through the doors of Grace Chapel Inn?

Genres: Christian, Christian Fiction

309 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2011

About the author

Pam grew up within earshot of her mother's manual typewriter. Her mother wanted a career she could combine with motherhood and four children, and she made her first sale to Highlights for Children, when her children were in kindergarten. Her mother is the author of 20 romance novels under her own name, Barbara Andrews. Pam majored in journalism in college and later worked as a reporter. Pam married with with Mr. Hanson, a college-professor, and they created a family. Pam teamed up with her mother after the birth of her first child, Erik. They published their books under the pseudonyms Jennifer Drew and Pam Rock. For several years their partnership was long-distance, fueled by high phone bills! They make writing a lot easier these days. So does the fact that mom and daughter share digs in West Virginia, along with Pam Hanson's husband and their two sons, Erik and Andrew. Pam is also the director of advising for West Virginia University’s School of Journalism.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guests book a week at the inn but are constantly asking questions and snooping around the inn.The sisters find out the guest plan on opening a B and B of their own in the same town making the sisters worry about their future. Another guest that is walking across the US shows up at the hospital with badly infected blisters so stays for over a week, giving the sisters inspiration. Alice has been put in charge of a wellness news letter. Aunt Ethel and Florence start a walking club that doesn’t work like they hoped.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it has been too long since I did that. I started this book yesterday and happily finished it this morning and then started the next book as well and before I knew it I was halfway through that! I might finish tomorrow, but I am going out to the movies with my dear daughters, so I may not finish until later in the week.

This book was intriguing and wonderful. It certainly kept me guessing and I was as concerned as the sisters were by the strange behavior of the newest guests at the Inn.
"Jane tried her best to sound grateful, but loving one's enemies was a whole lot more difficult than offering them dinner." (pg 163)
"Life would be so simple if black was black and white was white, but gray was confusing. Alice was by nature so good that it wasn't in her to be unkind to anyone. Louise was so strong in her faith and her standards that she was able to stand up to every situation. Jane still wished that she'd never set eyes on either of the Snypers, but she didn't like the way she felt.
She had much to pray about when she would finally be alone. The Lord's command to love one's enemies seemed so difficult. She felt humiliated by the need for the Snypers' help and diminished in her own eyes by her failure to love them as she felt she ought." (pg 164)

Thankfully there was also a lovely long stay by a Christian young man who is on a cross country walk and has to rest because of infected blisters.
"'Don't you ever get lonely?'
'Oh no, ma'am. I'm never alone.'
'You've been traveling with someone?
'The Lord Jesus is with me every step. I like to think He enjoys seeing some of God's creation as we go along. He was quite a walker Himself, you know.'
Alice didn't answer. Her eyes misted over with wonder at the faith of the young man beside her." (pg 67)

Does everything turn out ok for the sisters or will they have to give up their bed and breakfast and their home?

I recommend this series for Christian Adults, ladies will especially like this series. It is ok for teens to read but I don't think they would be interested in the stories of Christian middle aged ladies who own an Inn.

Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
Prompt names completed go here…
#21 - A book by two female authors

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful edition to this series about three sisters who turn their old Victorian home into a B&B after the death of their father. In this book, all three are put to the test as husband/wife guests are asking some very pointed questions about the business. Then, when they find out the guests' ulterior motive, they feel betrayed.

Another guest is a young man who is walking halfway across the country to raise awareness about the need for hiking/walking trails. After he is sidelined with blisters, he stays at the inn and becomes a blessing to everyone he meets.

A wonderful Christian book with no offensive elements.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

a Nice Light summer read
Keeping the Faith by daughter=mother team Pam Hanson and Barbara Andrews continues the tales from the town of Acorn Hill and the Grace Chapel Inn run by three sisters Louise, Alice and Jane. When guests start being overly inquisitive about the inn, the three sisters are on edge yet not wanting to put their guests out. Then, a stranger walks into their lives, quite literally and touches the hearts of everyone around him. A novel of faith, family, friends and forgiveness, Keeping the Faith is sure to inspire readers of any age.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful last story in this series. The next two books are Christmas memories so this would be the last adventure before the ladies reflect on memories of their lives. A lesson in humilty, faithfulness and hope taught to all by a young man passing through. I will miss settling down with the ladies as I finish this series. If you haven't been to Acorn Hill, I suggest you take a trip.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Chapel Inn series was/is another great series of light, entertaining novels to read.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Melissa Stoltz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am inspired by the sisters who run the inn and how they treat their guests. I just love all of the books so far in this rather large series of books from GuidePost. Makes you wish you could go and visit them and pick up some their wisdom and their laid back town spirit so to speak.

[Margaret]

This book is one of the best in the Grace Chapel Inn series. All the books are light reading, but well written. I especially enjoyed this story as it featured a long- distance hiker and I read a lot of hiking memoirs.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, I'm getting more of the series to read.

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how much I enjoy this series. I am always looking for one that I haven't read yet. I just love them!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good Grace Chapel Inn book. Enjoy them all so uplifting and spiritual books, keep writing.

[Amy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a lighthearted read. Encouraging as the faith of the sisters was tested and yet they remained true to their trust in the Lord through the circumstances they faced.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, inspiring as always