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Sweetland of Liberty Bed & Breakfast
Sometimes you have to move back to move forward ... at least that's what Samantha Jarrett thinks.
Sam feels that she has nothing else to lose. Her husband dies suddenly, her beloved grown kids move far away and then, without warning, she loses the job she loves.
She's always led a predictable, cautious life. But what did that get her? A dead husband, a low bank account and nights so lonely she cries herself to sleep. Seeking the comfort and familiarity of home and family, Sam does something unexpected: she buys the nicest house in her small Indiana hometown and returns to open a bed-and-breakfast.
But not everyone is happy that she's home. She soon faces obstacles she didn't know existed that test her strength -- and her faith. The book includes a plot that takes some unexpected turns on the way to resolution.
Besides a solid storyline, learn about what it takes to open a bed-and-breakfast, decorate with Samantha, sample her recipes and read scriptures that mean a lot to her.
A coming-of-age book ... for the midlife woman starting over or thinking about it.
Those interested in small towns, the Midwest, bed and breakfasts, and getting what you think you want, will relate.
Sam feels that she has nothing else to lose. Her husband dies suddenly, her beloved grown kids move far away and then, without warning, she loses the job she loves.
She's always led a predictable, cautious life. But what did that get her? A dead husband, a low bank account and nights so lonely she cries herself to sleep. Seeking the comfort and familiarity of home and family, Sam does something unexpected: she buys the nicest house in her small Indiana hometown and returns to open a bed-and-breakfast.
But not everyone is happy that she's home. She soon faces obstacles she didn't know existed that test her strength -- and her faith. The book includes a plot that takes some unexpected turns on the way to resolution.
Besides a solid storyline, learn about what it takes to open a bed-and-breakfast, decorate with Samantha, sample her recipes and read scriptures that mean a lot to her.
A coming-of-age book ... for the midlife woman starting over or thinking about it.
Those interested in small towns, the Midwest, bed and breakfasts, and getting what you think you want, will relate.
174 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2014
18 people want to read
About the author
Donna Cronk
3 books13 followers When I cleaned out our attic as a way to redeem the time early in the pandemic, I found much more than objects.
I found lessons learned, advice given and taken, failures and follies, successes and silly memories.
While THERE'S A CLYDESDALE IN THE ATTIC: RFELECTIONS ON KEEPING AND LETTING GO is a "memoir of sorts," it's also loaded with topics that include faith, family, farm, school days, parenting, and so much more.
My finds beg the question: What's in YOUR attic? It will be a theme I explore during this next season of sharing experiences and swapping stories at social and service clubs, book clubs, and banquets.
The book is different from my two novels, SWEETLAND OF LIBERTY BED & BREAKFAST, and the sequel, THAT SWEET PLACE: AT HOME IN THE HEARTLAND.
Check them all out and let me know what you think.
I grew up on my family's farm in tiny Union County, Indiana. Early memories include pretending that I had my own talk show where I interviewed famous guests, and pretending to "cover" a political convention.
That little girl could never have imagined that she would cover a presidential inauguration, but it happened.
Early on in life, my grandmother shared exciting stories of what our community was like around 1900 -- and way before that. Her mother had seen the Lincoln Funeral Train.
I loved the stories and at 16, while watching the dog show at the 4-H fair, I knew in a sudden "ah-ha" moment that I wanted to be a newspaper reporter, one like the intern I saw walking around with a notepad and camera.
I've never wanted to be anything else.
A career journalist, my days are now spent writing columns for several newspapers, marketing the CLYDESDALE book, and finding the silver linings around every corner. I also aim to show gratitude to the Good Lord for his provision.
It's a fun ride and if anyone asks me to speak or attend a book club or otherwise take the show on the road, my answer, if possible, is YES!
I'm active in my church, an international Bible study, a volunteer service group, and am co-founder of the writers' support group, the Writer Chicks Society.
Brian and I have been married for a long time, and pray for many more years and days of life and laughter together!
I found lessons learned, advice given and taken, failures and follies, successes and silly memories.
While THERE'S A CLYDESDALE IN THE ATTIC: RFELECTIONS ON KEEPING AND LETTING GO is a "memoir of sorts," it's also loaded with topics that include faith, family, farm, school days, parenting, and so much more.
My finds beg the question: What's in YOUR attic? It will be a theme I explore during this next season of sharing experiences and swapping stories at social and service clubs, book clubs, and banquets.
The book is different from my two novels, SWEETLAND OF LIBERTY BED & BREAKFAST, and the sequel, THAT SWEET PLACE: AT HOME IN THE HEARTLAND.
Check them all out and let me know what you think.
I grew up on my family's farm in tiny Union County, Indiana. Early memories include pretending that I had my own talk show where I interviewed famous guests, and pretending to "cover" a political convention.
That little girl could never have imagined that she would cover a presidential inauguration, but it happened.
Early on in life, my grandmother shared exciting stories of what our community was like around 1900 -- and way before that. Her mother had seen the Lincoln Funeral Train.
I loved the stories and at 16, while watching the dog show at the 4-H fair, I knew in a sudden "ah-ha" moment that I wanted to be a newspaper reporter, one like the intern I saw walking around with a notepad and camera.
I've never wanted to be anything else.
A career journalist, my days are now spent writing columns for several newspapers, marketing the CLYDESDALE book, and finding the silver linings around every corner. I also aim to show gratitude to the Good Lord for his provision.
It's a fun ride and if anyone asks me to speak or attend a book club or otherwise take the show on the road, my answer, if possible, is YES!
I'm active in my church, an international Bible study, a volunteer service group, and am co-founder of the writers' support group, the Writer Chicks Society.
Brian and I have been married for a long time, and pray for many more years and days of life and laughter together!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 11, 2019
Sweetland of Liberty is a sweet, honest book about life in a midwestern small town and one woman's journey into her "new life" as a bed and breakfast honor. It's funny, witty and well written.
The author lives in my hometown and her writing reflects everything that I have come to love and, yes, dislike, about extremely small town living. The challenges in her book mirror many of my own trials starting a BnB. Small towns, less than 5000 people, are like another world compared to anything I have ever known and Cronk capture its nuances brilliantly.
This book is written from a Christian religious viewpoint so if you are looking for books like this or, conversely, do not read them, you should know this.
The author lives in my hometown and her writing reflects everything that I have come to love and, yes, dislike, about extremely small town living. The challenges in her book mirror many of my own trials starting a BnB. Small towns, less than 5000 people, are like another world compared to anything I have ever known and Cronk capture its nuances brilliantly.
This book is written from a Christian religious viewpoint so if you are looking for books like this or, conversely, do not read them, you should know this.
October 1, 2017
This is the first time that I have ever read a novel where the main character pursues the very dream that I have always contemplated following – that is to open a bed and breakfast. This made this well-written book very interesting to me from the beginning.
Also, because the author is a newspaper reporter, I was thrilled with the obvious research to detail that was displayed throughout the book. The characters were also very believable, and I found myself rooting for Sam from almost page one.
The truth is, I am a dedicated Christian believer, but I sometimes have difficulty with novels that seem more legalistic than spiritual. Not this one. It is a good clean read that is encouraging, while still addressing the kind of conflict and issues many of us struggle with each day. It was especially encouraging in how it dealt with the sensitive and complicated issue of grieving the loss of a loved one. As a boomer, it was also very inspiring to observe the protagonist follow her dreams, and even stirred up the fire of my own dreams. Thanks, Donna Cronk, for writing this entertaining and inspiring novel. I can’t wait to read the next one. A definite five stars from a fellow journalist.
Also, because the author is a newspaper reporter, I was thrilled with the obvious research to detail that was displayed throughout the book. The characters were also very believable, and I found myself rooting for Sam from almost page one.
The truth is, I am a dedicated Christian believer, but I sometimes have difficulty with novels that seem more legalistic than spiritual. Not this one. It is a good clean read that is encouraging, while still addressing the kind of conflict and issues many of us struggle with each day. It was especially encouraging in how it dealt with the sensitive and complicated issue of grieving the loss of a loved one. As a boomer, it was also very inspiring to observe the protagonist follow her dreams, and even stirred up the fire of my own dreams. Thanks, Donna Cronk, for writing this entertaining and inspiring novel. I can’t wait to read the next one. A definite five stars from a fellow journalist.
October 25, 2016
I read this book because it had been chosen as the Book of the Month from my local bookstore. What was fun about getting to read this book is that the author lives in the same town that I live in...a very small mid-western town in the middle of Indiana, not unlike Freedom. There were so many details and references that I could relate to since my small town feels a lot like the town in this story. This is just a sweet story about how, when changes come into life, why not jump at the opportunity to do something completely different and have an adventure...even if it doesn't take you to an exotic locale. You can have an adventure by doing something you have always wanted to do. There are subtle Christian undertones with references to Bible verses.
November 22, 2014
Nice reed
This was a quick relaxing read. It was a story not unlike so many my age have experienced. It shows us that if we put our faith and trust in the Lord all things work out for the best. I would recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to make a new life for their self after so many unforeseen circumstances occur in your own life. Waiting Mrs Cronkite for your next good book!
This was a quick relaxing read. It was a story not unlike so many my age have experienced. It shows us that if we put our faith and trust in the Lord all things work out for the best. I would recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to make a new life for their self after so many unforeseen circumstances occur in your own life. Waiting Mrs Cronkite for your next good book!
October 23, 2016
Sweetland of Liberty is a sweet read. It was the book on my nightstand, and I stayed up later than I should have because I wanted to know what was going on in Samantha's world. Donna made the bed and breakfast sound so great that I wish I could reserve a room. The recipes at the back of the book are a nice touch...the icing on the cake, well in this case, sugar cookies. I would say more, but I don't want to ruin a good reading experience for others. You'll just have to get the book!
April 16, 2019
Sweetland of Liberty is a quaint, heartfelt story set in a smalltown in Indiana. The warm storyline develops the numerous characters while keeping a pulse on life in the rural midwest. A quick, enjoyable read with a satisfying end. Definitely a 4.5 for a freshing novel by Donna Cronk, a longtime Hoosier newspaper journalist.
January 22, 2014
This novel was a great story that brings back memories from growing up in a small town. Themes of moving on after a loss & forgiveness intertwine the story. I can't wait for more from Donna Cronk!
November 8, 2014
easy read, and entertaining
February 26, 2015
Not what I was expecting but a good story of life, second acts, family and community.
May 27, 2016
Enjoyed reading this book by my neighbor!
January 5, 2017
A lovely story that I enjoyed very much.
January 4, 2017
I loved the characters and setting of Sweetland of Liberty Bed & Breakfast. It takes place in a cozy little Midwest town that seems to be free of the influence of city rush and problems. Except there is a problem in this little dot on the map. That problems turns this book of historical fiction into part mystery. It is a lovely book and I read it from cover to cover, enjoying every twist and turn. Donna Cronk does an excellent job of keeping your attention while taking you to a beautiful place you'd love to visit yourself one day. I was thrilled to know she'd written a sequel because I wanted to stay in this sleepy little town for a while longer and revisit all of her wonderful characters.
November 1, 2022
The writing is a little weak, but the story is great, and I thoroughly enjoyed this first novel by Donna Cronk.
June 2, 2023
A gently written story of small-town Indiana that included so many of my favorite things. I am anxious to read the next book about Sweetland of Liberty.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews