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His Precious Inheritance
The Baby Surprise After an adorable toddler arrives on her boss's doorstep, Clarice Gordon's job offer transforms from full-time journalist to part-time nanny. Clarice agrees to care for Charles Thornberg's little brother as long as she can continue writing. But soon Charles stirs emotions in Clarice that are far from professional... Charles never dreamed he had a long-lost brother, but he'll do everything to ensure the little one is loved. And Clarice amazes him with the warmth and care she shows the boy-so different from the career women he's known. Charles doesn't like surprises in his neatly ordered life, though thanks to this one, he may have stumbled upon the family he's always wanted...
Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2015
9 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Clark
55 books84 followersMarried to her own personal hero for over fifty-eight years, mother of three, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother to a beautiful baby girl, Dorothy calls on her life’s experiences—including designing and helping her husband build their home, complete with beams they hewed by hand and a real, old-fashioned walk-in kitchen fireplace she occasionally cooks in, to add color and depth to her stories. But, while she still knows how to clean used bricks, mix mortar and swing a mean hammer, she now only designs homes for the characters in her books. An antique lover, she fills those homes (and her own) with furnishings appropriate to the time.
When she is not busy writing, Dorothy enjoys visiting with family—who live much too far away—and traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research for future books. She values her American heritage and believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing Christian historical romance.
When she is not busy writing, Dorothy enjoys visiting with family—who live much too far away—and traveling with her husband throughout the United States doing research for future books. She values her American heritage and believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing Christian historical romance.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 29, 2023
Read 1x only.
Inspirational historical romance. The heroine no longer
relied on God b/c she and her mother were mistreated
physically & mentally by her father & male sibs. And
father thought those 2, servants. Her reasoning- how
could God subject these 2 women to this? Upstate New
York 1878.
This featured two romances. Nice try on this story. But
the malaria relapse seemed tacked on. And the ending...
Clarice's sire & 3 brothers worked in the oil fields. She &
her mother ran the farm & cleaned and cooked. And washed
work clothes saturated in oil. One day mom collapsed when
ready to hang heavy laundry. Her husband didn't want a
"cripple." So mom joined Clarice at the boarding house
where she stayed.
Trained teacher, Clarice, had the summer off, but wanted
to become a journalist. Clarice assumed all men guilty
of "selfish cruelty." Her new immediate boss, Charles,
started a bi-weekly newspaper. The mother of Charles
abandoned him at age 5, when she sent him to boarding
school, with a one-way adult escort. She had provided
funds for the school+ escort. How did she know the adult
could be trusted?
Both leads had trust issues, she came across as prickly
& he as impatient. Tradition-bound Charles disliked
career women ie his mother & Clarice. The half-brother,
Jonathan, was delivered to Charles at work, via a ship &
train. The adult escort left without talking to Chas.
So Clarice felt torn : how to help bed-bound mom at the
boarding house, & nearly 3 yr old Jon (as a temporary pd.
favor to her boss) & still be a part-time journalist?
Charles had a prior case of malaria ,which flared up again.
He asked Clarice to arrange, organize & supervise getting
the paper out on time. On top of all her responsibilities.
The mutual declaration of love seemed weak & the ending
too perfect. Jon stole the show & talked more forthrightly
than most adults in the story, with the exception of the
h's mom. I tired of the grumpy MCs.
Inspirational historical romance. The heroine no longer
relied on God b/c she and her mother were mistreated
physically & mentally by her father & male sibs. And
father thought those 2, servants. Her reasoning- how
could God subject these 2 women to this? Upstate New
York 1878.
This featured two romances. Nice try on this story. But
the malaria relapse seemed tacked on. And the ending...
Clarice's sire & 3 brothers worked in the oil fields. She &
her mother ran the farm & cleaned and cooked. And washed
work clothes saturated in oil. One day mom collapsed when
ready to hang heavy laundry. Her husband didn't want a
"cripple." So mom joined Clarice at the boarding house
where she stayed.
Trained teacher, Clarice, had the summer off, but wanted
to become a journalist. Clarice assumed all men guilty
of "selfish cruelty." Her new immediate boss, Charles,
started a bi-weekly newspaper. The mother of Charles
abandoned him at age 5, when she sent him to boarding
school, with a one-way adult escort. She had provided
funds for the school+ escort. How did she know the adult
could be trusted?
Both leads had trust issues, she came across as prickly
& he as impatient. Tradition-bound Charles disliked
career women ie his mother & Clarice. The half-brother,
Jonathan, was delivered to Charles at work, via a ship &
train. The adult escort left without talking to Chas.
So Clarice felt torn : how to help bed-bound mom at the
boarding house, & nearly 3 yr old Jon (as a temporary pd.
favor to her boss) & still be a part-time journalist?
Charles had a prior case of malaria ,which flared up again.
He asked Clarice to arrange, organize & supervise getting
the paper out on time. On top of all her responsibilities.
The mutual declaration of love seemed weak & the ending
too perfect. Jon stole the show & talked more forthrightly
than most adults in the story, with the exception of the
h's mom. I tired of the grumpy MCs.
February 8, 2017
About this book:
“The Baby Surprise
After an adorable toddler arrives on her boss's doorstep, Clarice Gordon's job offer transforms from full-time journalist to part-time nanny. Clarice agrees to care for Charles Thornberg's little brother as long as she can continue writing. But soon Charles stirs emotions in Clarice that are far from professional…
Charles never dreamed he had a long-lost brother, but he'll do everything to ensure the little one is loved. And Clarice amazes him with the warmth and care she shows the boy—so different from the career women he's known. Charles doesn't like surprises in his neatly ordered life, though thanks to this one, he may have stumbled upon the family he's always wanted…”
Series: Part of the ‘Love Inspired Historical’ line; not connecting to any other books.
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 3:5 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read & remembered; Prayers, Thanks & Blessings over food; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Clarice doesn’t want to pray & is bitter towards God (*Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*); Mentions of God; Mentions of Prayers; Mentions of Bibles & reading; Mentions of Churches, an Assembly, Bible studies & Sunday School; Mentions of blessings; A couple mentions of Heaven.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘thunderation!’ is exclaimed; Clarice’s father & brothers abused and were awful to her and her mother & many mentions of the abuse (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain; Mentions of a fire; Mentions of illnesses; Mentions of gossip; Mentions of divorce; A couple mentions of drinking.
Sexual Content- two semi-detailed kisses; Touches, Warmth & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to be held & Longing; Nearness; Noticing; Mentions of an affair between two married people; Mentions of flirting & wolfish grins; Mentions of staring & blushes; Mentions of reputations; A couple mentions of crushes; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Clarice Gordon
-Charles Thornberg
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1878
283 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I almost didn’t pick this book up because of the cover—I know, I know, that sounds bad, but this photographer really doesn’t like the angle—but I’m glad I did as I enjoyed this one. While the ending did feel a bit rushed, I really liked all the historical mentions of different things in this book.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“The Baby Surprise
After an adorable toddler arrives on her boss's doorstep, Clarice Gordon's job offer transforms from full-time journalist to part-time nanny. Clarice agrees to care for Charles Thornberg's little brother as long as she can continue writing. But soon Charles stirs emotions in Clarice that are far from professional…
Charles never dreamed he had a long-lost brother, but he'll do everything to ensure the little one is loved. And Clarice amazes him with the warmth and care she shows the boy—so different from the career women he's known. Charles doesn't like surprises in his neatly ordered life, though thanks to this one, he may have stumbled upon the family he's always wanted…”
Series: Part of the ‘Love Inspired Historical’ line; not connecting to any other books.
Spiritual Content- Proverbs 3:5 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read & remembered; Prayers, Thanks & Blessings over food; Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Clarice doesn’t want to pray & is bitter towards God (*Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*); Mentions of God; Mentions of Prayers; Mentions of Bibles & reading; Mentions of Churches, an Assembly, Bible studies & Sunday School; Mentions of blessings; A couple mentions of Heaven.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘thunderation!’ is exclaimed; Clarice’s father & brothers abused and were awful to her and her mother & many mentions of the abuse (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain; Mentions of a fire; Mentions of illnesses; Mentions of gossip; Mentions of divorce; A couple mentions of drinking.
Sexual Content- two semi-detailed kisses; Touches, Warmth & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to be held & Longing; Nearness; Noticing; Mentions of an affair between two married people; Mentions of flirting & wolfish grins; Mentions of staring & blushes; Mentions of reputations; A couple mentions of crushes; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Clarice Gordon
-Charles Thornberg
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1878
283 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I almost didn’t pick this book up because of the cover—I know, I know, that sounds bad, but this photographer really doesn’t like the angle—but I’m glad I did as I enjoyed this one. While the ending did feel a bit rushed, I really liked all the historical mentions of different things in this book.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
September 3, 2025
(sexism, anti-family, violence, domestic violence, violence against women, dysfunctional family, parental disrespect)
Despite being traditionally published, this book was poorly edited. In reading it, I have to wonder if the author set it aside and then came back without reading what had been written. The main female character, Clarice, is taking care of her mother, who had been in an abusive relationship. Still, it is almost as if Clarice forgets she is scared of men at different points during the story, and her fear reactions are afterthoughts. The main male lead, whose name is the too similar "Charles," keeps his hatred of working women in check, though. Because both lead characters have names with almost the same letters in them, you have to read carefully.
I found the premise of her being able to to be over-the-top as were some of the feminist complaints she had. For example, just because a guy acts surprised when she arrives on time doesn't mean he thinks all women arrive late.
Not surprisingly, the author seems to forget all the things Clarice was supposed to do because some are mentioned in the beginning, but we never see her doing them. In some ways, Charles' mother was better than Clarice because she knew she could not care for a child while working and sent him away to boarding school. Clarice, however, is a supermom. She can balance a full day of quality time with the toddler and day-long outings with the child and Charles while working an insanely busy work schedule.
There were other unbelieveable things: A child of less than 3 who was born in Paris and moved from country to country across Europe would not be speaking English. In fact, he might not be speaking at all, especially since no one seemed to have worked with him. Clarice’s father could not have gotten a divorce because of his mother’s condition--"in sickness and in health" has been a part of marriage vows since the 16th century and someone had to be at fault for something serious in order to obtain a divorce in the 1800s. He could have claimed abandonment, but he kicked her out and she had a good reason to leave, so he would have had to lie or that would not have been a valid reason either. Since he did not beat her to a pulp nor cause her injury, they would have both been stuck in their marriage even if both wanted out of it. It is also unlikely the divorce would have been completed in the brief time span of the book.
Although the author clearly did detailed research on the typewriter that was used, the inaccuracies in other places kept pulling me out of the story, and the unbelievable premise of a single woman being supermom irritated me by promoting that women can have it all--when in fact, working women have to make family sacrifices that they often regret.
Despite being traditionally published, this book was poorly edited. In reading it, I have to wonder if the author set it aside and then came back without reading what had been written. The main female character, Clarice, is taking care of her mother, who had been in an abusive relationship. Still, it is almost as if Clarice forgets she is scared of men at different points during the story, and her fear reactions are afterthoughts. The main male lead, whose name is the too similar "Charles," keeps his hatred of working women in check, though. Because both lead characters have names with almost the same letters in them, you have to read carefully.
I found the premise of her being able to to be over-the-top as were some of the feminist complaints she had. For example, just because a guy acts surprised when she arrives on time doesn't mean he thinks all women arrive late.
Not surprisingly, the author seems to forget all the things Clarice was supposed to do because some are mentioned in the beginning, but we never see her doing them. In some ways, Charles' mother was better than Clarice because she knew she could not care for a child while working and sent him away to boarding school. Clarice, however, is a supermom. She can balance a full day of quality time with the toddler and day-long outings with the child and Charles while working an insanely busy work schedule.
There were other unbelieveable things: A child of less than 3 who was born in Paris and moved from country to country across Europe would not be speaking English. In fact, he might not be speaking at all, especially since no one seemed to have worked with him. Clarice’s father could not have gotten a divorce because of his mother’s condition--"in sickness and in health" has been a part of marriage vows since the 16th century and someone had to be at fault for something serious in order to obtain a divorce in the 1800s. He could have claimed abandonment, but he kicked her out and she had a good reason to leave, so he would have had to lie or that would not have been a valid reason either. Since he did not beat her to a pulp nor cause her injury, they would have both been stuck in their marriage even if both wanted out of it. It is also unlikely the divorce would have been completed in the brief time span of the book.
Although the author clearly did detailed research on the typewriter that was used, the inaccuracies in other places kept pulling me out of the story, and the unbelievable premise of a single woman being supermom irritated me by promoting that women can have it all--when in fact, working women have to make family sacrifices that they often regret.
November 13, 2019
A sweet historical romance. I really liked the historical details of the typewriter which was new technology at that time. Having gone from typewriter to computer now, I found it fascinating to see how someone would respond to the typewriter as a new instrument. Full Review is at my website: lorainenunley(dot)com
I received this book complimentary in a giveaway. I was not required to give a review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
I received this book complimentary in a giveaway. I was not required to give a review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are my own.
October 13, 2023
Cheesey? Yes. What made me read it? It started as a joke between my husband and I. Pleased to say although this is not my genre it and it was a little silly to me it was not the worst book I've read. Sometimes you need a little silly romance added to your list.
September 4, 2017
This was a charming story. The baby is a sweetheart. I liked how Clarice and Charles relationship grows slowly. The behind the scenes at the newspaper office made for an interesting read.
February 5, 2019
This was so cute and sweet!
December 12, 2019
I loved this book. Both of the main characters are very determined and are motivated by their pasts. The story is great. I like where something terrible is actually a blessing in disguise.
August 26, 2025
Cute story
January 20, 2016
I loved everything about this historical romance. Clarice Gordon, a career woman, becomes a part-time nanny to her boss’s brother. She is so focused on cementing and furthering her career as a journalist, yet the joy of caring for the small child becomes an even more important task.
What I liked: I loved the way Clarice shows such love and concern for whatever task she is given, whether it be working for the paper she is writing for, or caring for the brother of her boss. She learns to bloom where she is planted and falls in love, with both the little boy she is caring for as well as her boss. Both main characters, Clarice and Charles, grow and mature in character from the beginning of the story until the end, and you can’t help but fall in love with them both.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, there was nothing I could find fault with.
Ms. Clark wove a satisfying tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. Over all, I give this book five stars, and I recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction.
What I liked: I loved the way Clarice shows such love and concern for whatever task she is given, whether it be working for the paper she is writing for, or caring for the brother of her boss. She learns to bloom where she is planted and falls in love, with both the little boy she is caring for as well as her boss. Both main characters, Clarice and Charles, grow and mature in character from the beginning of the story until the end, and you can’t help but fall in love with them both.
What I didn’t like: Honestly, there was nothing I could find fault with.
Ms. Clark wove a satisfying tale, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. Over all, I give this book five stars, and I recommend it to all lovers of historical fiction.
January 6, 2020
This is an excellent read with excellent characters and a cutie pie! Charles and Clarice make (again) an excellent team lol. I loved getting to know the behind the scenes work of the paper business and found it fascinating that they answered reader questions just like libraries in the bigger cites:) That's my inner librarian crooning xD
Read this!
Read this!
June 1, 2016
Sweet story.
Sometimes we need a hand up.
If you stay true to your goals and work hard, you will achieve good things.
When you are considerate of others, good things will come to you.
Sometimes bad things have to happen for you to recognize good things.
Reach up, reach down, reach out; reach ... expand your opportunities and rewards.
Sometimes we need a hand up.
If you stay true to your goals and work hard, you will achieve good things.
When you are considerate of others, good things will come to you.
Sometimes bad things have to happen for you to recognize good things.
Reach up, reach down, reach out; reach ... expand your opportunities and rewards.
August 6, 2015
Love Dorothy Clark stories, another great one....
September 22, 2015
as said in reader letter at end of the book a great story about 'two wounded people given a happy ever after ending by God gently leading them into the knowledge of His love.'
August 20, 2016
Another well written book by Dorothy Clarke. Two wounded souls meet and fall in love. The characters were well written and the addition of the toddler was cute.
August 26, 2020
Interesting story - clean with some Biblical verses.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews