This is the first of a trilogy that transports the reader to the time of horses & carriages and to the lives of women making their way in an unwelcoming business world. You'll hate to say goodbye to the well-developed characters.
First Series from Bestselling Author Julie Klassen
The lifeblood of the Wiltshire village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. But when the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant owner. Jane has no notion of how to run a business. However, with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must find a way to bring new life to the inn.
Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to find her place in the world. As she and Jane work together, they form a measure of trust, and Thora's wounded heart begins to heal. When she encounters two men from her past, she sees them--and her future--in a different light.
With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane employs innovative methods to turn the inn around, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place. Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell? And will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love?
About the Author
Julie Klassen is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She worked in publishing for 16 years and now writes fulltime. Three of her books have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie has also won the Minnesota Book Award, Christian Retailing's BEST Award, the Midwest Book Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards, and ACFW's Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.
