Never Give Up

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #31

by Pam Hanson, Barbara Andrews

When they adopt an injured fawn, the Howard sisters find themselves appreciating the wonders of spring in new ways. When they discover a sweet little fawn in distress, what can the Howard sisters do but try to find it a proper home? At the same time, when Louise spots her latest student behind the wheel of a car instead of in front of a keyboard, she also finds herself in a difficult situation. And Jane is enjoying the company of an antiques expert and learning a thing or two about kindness, careful shopping, and making old things new.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Donna]

This was somewhat different as the sisters take in a fawn that was left on the roadside, but it turned out well for all. Really enjoy the Grace Chapel Inn books.

[Cheryl]

The sisters find a fawn and bring it home to their shed, while trying to find a place to take it to. Louise is asked to give driving lessons to one of her piano student. It turns out very trying since the student brakes for birds. Jane joins an antiques expert shopping for antiques postcards and learns a lot about antiques, postcards and helping others.

[Lisa]

Visiting Acorn Hill is always a pleasure. It was so fun going with Jane and their guest, Ann to the different sales to search out cards. Alice’s compassion encompasses animals as well as people. Louise draws on her music to help her piano student.

[Debby]

I enjoy this series. The ladies feel like family. The stories are uplifting, and the characters complement each other very well. The town is somewhere you would visit if it really existed.
Just enjoyable little books.

[jodie]

Disruptive

This is a very good read for those who like details the story its self was wonderful very educational about wild life and collecting

[Jean Hall]

I wasn't sure I would like this book at first, but was drawn in as I read farther. I even got a chuckle out of parts of it and now would like to read more in this series.

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Karen]

January Reading Challenge: A book that begins with the letter "N".

[Debbie Phillips]

I love this series. I am slowly reading them and collecting them. I just love them. Oh, how I would love to live in Acorn Hill. I know. I say that every time I read one of these... but I mean it.

This one is about never giving up...as the title states. Don't give up looking for treasures at flea markets. :-) Don't give up on God's creation, care for it the best you can and leave the results up to God. And, most importantly never give up on yourself when you are struggling to learn something and it is harder than you thought it would be. You can achieve your goals if you don't give up. Those were the lessons in this book.

Oh, also, don't forget to praise those around you that do things to make your life pleasurable and easier. Especially things like cooking and gardening. Louise and Alice take over in the kitchen for one morning so that Jane can have a day off. She deserves it. She works hard and rarely takes a day for something for herself...especially in the 'busy' season. Alice and Louise have a REALLY hard time in the kitchen. Cooking is just not their thing. Taking a turn in the kitchen makes them realize they have not thanked Jane enough for all the wonderful meals she makes for the Inn and for them.

Here is a quote from this section of the book to show what I mean...
"Their guests seemed to enjoy Alice's story of kitchen woe, and they graciously assured the sisters that the pancakes, misshapen though they were, we as delicious as they were filling. They checked out with smiles, promising to return and sample one of the inn's famous breakfasts prepared by Chef Jane, and Louise deducted the price of the morning's breakfast from their bill.
"We don't praise Jane enough," Louise said as they collapsed at the kitchen table for cold cereal and juice before they tackled the chaos in the kitchen.
"Not nearly enough." pg 229

This caused me to be especially thankful to my daughters who have taken up the slack at home. The girls do most of the cooking. The girls and my son, Christopher, wash all the dirty dishes and pots. Except for Sunday. On Sunday the three of them have the day off. Sunday, my hubby cooks and I do the dishes...except for this coming Sunday. They don't expect me to do dishes on Mother's Day. I am thankful for all they do. Taking up the slack now that I am working 25 hours a week. It means a lot to me and I made sure to tell them so this week.

Who does things for you? Have you told them how grateful you are lately??? Do it. Soon.

[Theresa Lange]

Inspirational

[Janie R.]

There were several topics in this story, the one of the Howard sister finding a doe in the middle of the road, taking care of it, was sweet and compassionate. A topic I found very interesting, (because I deal with antiques and collectibles), was the treasure hunt for antique postcards. There was some very good information about finding the "real" deal. One of the characters,a guest at Grace Chapel Inn, who did this, was a spokesperson for a charity that went around to different places- garage sales, estate sales, craft mall,etc. looking for these postcards, sometimes she went to different organizations to speak, and invited people to donate them to this charity who helped world hunger.

[Michele]

Another great entry into this series about three sisters who live in Acorn Hill, PA and they turn their old family home into a B&B after the death of their father. In this book, Louise is challenged by a young piano student who wants her to give her driving lessons. Alice is tasked with taking care of an orphaned fawn and Jane strikes up a friendship with a guest who is also an antiques expert.

Lovely stories, wonderful characters, nothing offensive. I love these books.

[Connie]

Another Grace Chapel Inn book that is worth reading. This story tells of antiquing, compassion for all living things, and patience in difficult tasks. Again one of my favorite series and all of the books have been great!

[Linda]

Great story. Nice to read a book with no violence, sex or gay people in it. I am enjoying "The Tales From Grace Chapel Inn" series.

[Diane]

I love this series. I feel like I am visiting old friends every time I read one of the books in this series, and this book didn't let me down.