A Haven on Orchard Lane

by Lawana Blackwell

In difficult circumstances, Charlotte Ward, once a famed stage actress, tries to restart her career--only to experience disaster. Against her better judgment, her estranged daughter, Rosalind, comes to her mother's rescue and moves her to a quiet English coastal village.

Charlotte is grateful to get to know Rosalind after years apart. As one who has regrets about her own romantic past, it's a joy for Charlotte to see love blossom for her daughter. For Rosalind, however, it's time away from teaching--and now she must care for the mother who wasn't there for her. And what could be more complicated than romance? Together, mother and daughter discover that healing is best accomplished when they focus less on themselves and more on the needs of others.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian, Victorian

416 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2016

About the author

Lawana Blackwell is a full-time writer with 13 published novels, including the bestselling Gresham Chronicles series. She lives in Frisco, Texas.

Reviews

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

FELLOW READER FRIENDS I CANNOT EVEN DEAL WITH THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THIS BOOK

I could not wait til work was done this week so I could get on the subway and read some more.

This is Lawana Blackwell at her finest: part Gaskell part Lark Rise to Candleford. Again ( and again and again) Blackwell embroiders a perfect Victorian tapestry, lush with engaging and alluring characters and scenarios.

Her pitch perfect research: from grand political canvas to the make of a hat box is (as always) resplendent here.


You don't READ a Lawana Blackwell book; instead you experience it---softly, slowly. It wraps you in a quilt of lovely words and people and places. It is deceptively simple ---such a mac and cheese experience ---but its gooey warmth is always undercut by real social and cultural challenges.

I really think I could live in this book forever. It has been FAR FAR FAR too long since the last Lawana Blackwell book and I missed her so much because HONESTLY she is currently *the* voice in Victorian fiction narrative.

slow clap. gaining speed.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so charming. If words like cottages, gardens, tea drinking, reading books, buying books, fishing boats, the theater, train stations, pastries... make your heart skip a beat in anticipation to see it and enjoy them yourself, then you will probably find this a very enjoyable read. This was my first book written by Lawana Blackwell and I thought it was wonderful. Warm and endearing, with a good sense of humor and faith woven in seamlessly.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second time with this story was just as enjoyable as the first! Beautiful storytelling and compelling characters! So glad I revisited Orchard Lane.

-----

I felt like weeping when I reached the last page! I so didn't want this read to be over. I just wasn't prepared to return to 21st century Canada any time soon. I'm still crashing in a major disgruntled sulk but I'll try to rally for the sake of the review.

This book isn't anything like I thought it would be. Don't you just love it when a novel surprises you in that kind of knock-your-socks off way? It's told from multiple points of view, though Charlotte and her daughter, Rosalind, play major roles in everything that happens. It's like the house they rent on Orchard Lane becomes the crossroads for various characters. Lives collide and magic happens and Charlotte is at the helm. And I didn't expect that from her. Not after making her acquaintance in chapter one. But there's such a depth of spiritual wisdom and common sense hidden inside that woman -- I think she even surprises herself!

An estranged mother/daughter relationship has the chance at redemption -- a stirring tale all on its own. But this story isn't without a romance. A delicious. tentative, genteel one that develops from an unorthodox first meeting. And be still my heart, the ladies of Orchard Lane are readers! It isn't long before Charlotte and Rosalind become enmeshed in the lives of some of the villagers. I fell in love with all the secondary characters -- a pair of raggedy brothers in particular. This is definitely a story about relationship and how we can shine the light of Christ through our actions.

An impactful novel that entertains as well as inspires.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/07/27/a...

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming!

This is my first Lawana Blackwell novel and will not be my last!

I was expecting Regency romance, but this novel is a bit different. The main character is in her 50s. While there is a larger story line from beginning to end, the vast majority of the pages are about life in a small English village called Port Stilwell. There were many strong characters in the village. I especially loved Danny and Albert. It was also rewarding to watch the relationship from an estranged mother and daughter blossom. Humor was sprinkled throughout and I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. Delightful novel.

I recommend A Haven on Orchard Lane to fans of The InnKeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. It's a sweet gentle read with a few laughs thrown in. I found myself smiling many times while reading. I will miss visiting with these interesting characters.

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through LibraryThing’s Member Giveaways.

I typically don’t read Christian fiction but I still enjoyed this book. It was a fairly simple story but the setting made up for it. I’m a sucker for cute little English villages.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haven on Orchard Lane by Lawana Blackwell
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Format: : Audiobook, narrated by Beverly A. Crick
Characters:
Charlotte Ward: Well known actress
Rosalind: Charlotte's daughter
Roger: Charlotte's horrible husband
Jude Pearse: Bookstore owner, Rosalind's love interest
Mrs. Hooper: The inn's owner, gossip and all-around unpleasant person
Noble Clark: Off-key church soloist, interested in Rosalind
Danny and Albert Fletcher: Abused kids Charlotte wants to help

I rather liked this book! Ms Blackwell often writes stories set at boarding inns, and so this story is.

Beginning with a wretched marriage and a disastrous acting career restart, with a tragic news article about her, Charlotte Ward suffers a breakdown and hospitalization. Her estranged daughter comes to her rescue, whisking her off to a small English fishing village several hours away for a much needed break, and healing.

There the fun begins, with characters you are sure to love (and love to hate), a blossoming romance, and a revitalization of lives we watch with anticipation.

I always enjoy Ms. Blackwell's stories and absolutely loved this one!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a lovely gentle story that still has a compelling plot and well developed and enjoyable characters.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book not really knowing what to expect, and was soon engulfed into the lives of Charlotte Ward and her daughter Rosalind. As I read on the blurb on the back of the book about Charlotte, a renowned actress, but failure as a mother, or was she?
I found Charlotte as a very caring woman, she seemed to be there for others whom were less fortunate, or to help them onto the right path, but some of her life decisions were pretty bad. For one thing she really had bad choices of men, including the current husband, who now was accusing her of outrageous sins. Now the time of this story is the 1880’s in England, and woman are really second-class citizens, without many rights.
Rosalind is an accomplished teacher, and does come to her mother’s aid even though she has many issues with her, and I could really understand where she was coming from. She takes her mother to a quaint coastal town, which made me want to live there. So many hurtful things to get revealed, and we can understand what the causes of some of the problems were.
Of course life cannot be all sunshine and roses, and our ladies have a few trials and are taken by people who mean harm, and are out for their own gain. I recommend this book, what a great summer read, and you won’t want to put it down!
I received this book from the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are books I like, books I love, and books I LOVE. This book for me was one I LOVED!!!! I must admit I began reading the book without knowing what the story was about. I just kept seeing this book in emails and on social media and loved the cover. It looked so warm and inviting and I just knew I had to read it.

The inside of the book is just as spectacular as the cover. I slowly got pulled into the story and was gently wrapped up in it. The characters were real and very authentic. I liked Charlotte and Rosalind and thought they complimented each other well. Mrs. Deamer and Coral, Jude and Jinny, Danny and Albert; these were all perfect additions to the story and were just as well-developed as the main characters and made me feel like I wanted to be part of the story. Lord Fosberry, Mrs. Hooper and Noble, while not quite as enjoyable as the rest of the characters, were well-developed, too. They were the perfect balance to the other characters.

The storyline was fantastic and the descriptions were so well-written I felt like I was actually there and part of the story. I enjoyed how the story progressed at a perfect pace and wasn't rushed or dragged out. Every plot development was spot on to make the story entertaining. There was a great flow from chapter to chapter that kept me reading "just one more" until I had read several.

While this was a story I wanted to rush through to find out what happened it was also one I took my time reading. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and wanted to spend as much time with these characters as I possibly could. This is a book I would enjoy reading again and again.

Great story and great writing combine to make this book a wonderful escape. If you are looking for a good story with down-to-earth characters this book is for you. I highly recommend taking the time to read this book. You won't be disappointed!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been years since I read a Lawana Blackwell novel, but I loved her Gresham Chronicles and am thrilled to report that Orchard Lane in Stilwell, Devon, has all the charm of Gresham, and the characters are just as engaging.

Charlotte has been successful professionally, but has not made good choices in terms of relationships. Despite these hardships, she has retained her Christian faith and the desire to reunite with her one child, daughter Rosalind.

Rosalind had a difficult upbringing but has finally found her place as a teacher in a famed school for girls, and doesn’t care for this forced reunion with her estranged mother. But both women come to appreciate the attributes of the other, and to reach out to those around them.

Lawana Blackwell has never written “typical” romances. She always has a combination of older and younger characters (although, as one character takes great pleasure in pointing out, even twenty-seven-year-old daughter Rosalind is rather too old to attract male attention. Blackwell also shows characters who prefer to live out their Christian faith rather than merely talking about it. Her heroines show grace and kindness despite the hardships they’ve overcome, and it’s great to read.

If there is an overall theme to A Haven on Orchard Lane, it’s marry in haste, repent at leisure, as so many of the marriage relationships are sour and controlling, a result of marrying for the wrong reasons. Or perhaps the theme is marry for character and love, not money and title—as seems to be the common factor in the sour relationships.

I hope this is the beginning of a new series—I'd like to read more about the inhabitants of Stilwell. Recommended for historical romance fans.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing an ebook for review.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been trying to read this book for a while now and while I still love the slow and easy way that Blackwell presents a story; I just did not like this one. Because the writing is still so perfectly pleasing to me I could give no less than 3 stars. My conclusion in this read is that I really don't want to read about divorce, abuse and scandal. Maybe the issues faced reminded me of a more modern world. This world we live in is full of baggage; it's all over the TV the internet and frankly I just don't want it in my books. That's my time to leave it all behind. The positive side to this read is that it does encompass a well rounded group of characters. And the romance was a delicate touch without the frivolous notions that are so prevalent in Christian Fiction today. I wasn't exactly steeped in the time period and I'm not sure why but the historical attributes I so enjoy reading about were missing. Of course I will read another Lawana Blackwell if she writes again; but probably I will sample first before buying.

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty awesome book! I loved the themes of redemption and new-starts and such, and the characters were amazing. Charlotte and Rosalind and Danny and Albert ... and Jude. Jude was the best. The details about Charlotte's acting life really fascinated me.

The only reason I subtracted a star is because I found the prologue confusing and didn't know what was going on at a few places in the book for longer than I would have liked.

This is a Goodreads-only review.

~Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews

[Janell R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, can I just say, I love this cover! And pretty much all Mrs. Blackwell's cover's for that matter. They just give me the most delicious feeling! The best part is that they reflect the style of writing that is inside the pages of the book: homey, comforting, muted and yet rich descriptions. Just beautiful!

Secondly, I would like to apologize because this review is long overdue. :-( I read this book probably 2 months back, but my excuse is that there has been a lot going on in life, and it's taken a bit of time for things to settle down (mainly my brain :-).

So without further ado...

As I mentioned above, I loved the writing style of this book! It wasn’t a cliff-hanger, a suspense, or a thriller. But it was written in a style similar to Elizabeth Gaskell that kept me going back for more. It was a story of trust and forgiveness in more lives than just one.

Rosalind had to find forgiveness for her mother, and Jude Pearce also had to find forgiveness for his family. There were many other wonderful themes throughout the book, and I think my favorite storyline was that of Danny and Albert Fletcher. Oh, my heart just went out to them, and Danny especially was just so sweet, but Albert’s frankness was wonderfully refreshing too!

I will say the one drawback to the story was the fact that Charlotte left her husband (at the beginning of the book) and felt justified in doing so. She was not in an abusive relationship, though he did manipulate and control to large degree. At the end of the story she realizes that she made a mistake in marrying him, but the fact still remains that when we make choices, even bad ones, we must live with the consequences.

So I think, overall, I would give it 4 stars (if not for the one drawback above , it would have been 5). A very enjoyable story!

*Disclaimer: I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Ward was a stage star, until she married a man who thought she had money. In this marriage, she feels degraded and unloved, then a gentleman comes from London offering her a role in Hamlet. Charlotte decides to go but things did not work out.

Charlotte's estranged daughter comes to help her and moves her to a village along a coast. This turns into a difficult situation that eventually leads to healing.

I loved this book and the characters made me feel for them from the very beginning. Lawana Blackwell is an accomplished author who does not let her readers down with this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars TOP PICK

[Mikayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lawana Blackwell's style, so this book felt like coming back to a place I loved, simply because of her writing. I really enjoyed the characters and the setting.
Part of me wished this was a continuing series, but also it was a perfect stand alone book. <3

[Gabriellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and a bit of a slower pace. Not as good as the Widow on Larkspur Lane but good still!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haven On Orchard Lane by Lawana Blackwell is a wonderful historical Christian novel set in 1880 in England.
There are many themes within the novel and one of those is that of fathers. Earthly fathers can be fickle and have their faults. They are all shown to be lacking. In contrast there is our Heavenly Father Who will not let us down and always has our best interests at heart.
Prayer is another major theme. When life is difficult, characters turn to God in prayer. When life is good, they thank God. Prayer should be a two way communication but "prayer is conversing with Him. But too often it is one-sided." We need to remember to pause and listen for God to answer.
The novel reminds us that where two or three are gathered, Jesus is there too. The characters go to church but there is a time when they are unable to do so. Three of them gather in the living room and wait on the Lord.
The theme of forgiveness and regret permeates the story. Charlotte, an actress gave her baby Rosalind to her aunt to bring her up. It was done in order to give Rosalind a stable upbringing. Now twenty seven years old Rosalind is full of hurt for the lost years. Charlotte hates herself for giving up her baby, even though it was done out of love. As the pair meet up there is a lot of hurt and regret. In order to heal, forgiveness needs to be given and received. The face in the mirror needs forgiveness too and this is hard to receive.
Within the tale there is a sub plot similar to Cinderella. There is a cruel stepmother and two little boys... Danny aged ten and Albert aged four. Their brotherly bond is unbreakable and delightful to witness.
There are racial and religious prejudices seen within the novel. These tug at the readers heart with the sense of injustice and outrage. How people can treat others differently due to the colour of their skin or their religious persuasion is just plain wrong. Thankfully Lawana Blackwell has characters who look beyond this and into the heart. And there is God Who loves all His children. "It took much prayer. The hatred was a ball and chain." Hatred due to treatment by others needs to be dealt with or our lives will be ruined. It needs to be given to God, forgiveness extended and then there is freedom to move forwards.
Lawana Blackwell shows how destructive gossip can be. One must avoid gossiping at all costs. Gossiping destroys lives.
The power of love invades the whole novel. There is the love of God, the love of a mother and daughter, blossoming romance and the love for children. Love is powerful. It is faith in action as the command to take care of the widows and orphans is played out within the novel.
The action in the story moves from Lincolnshire to London, Cheltenham and Devon. Lawana Blackwell has some wonderfully descriptive passages so the reader can really 'see' the places in the novel.
A Haven On Orchard Lane is a delightful study of both relationships and country life. This was my first novel by Lawana Blackwell and I am now hooked. I loved her style of writing. I loved her characters. I adored Danny and Albert. There were some beautifully touching moments involving them in the novel.
The story is over. I feel lost. I have left my friends behind. More please Lawana Blackwell.
Escape to the nineteenth century countryside and leave modern life with all its pressures behind. Grab a drink, a comfy chair and settle down with A Haven On Orchard Lane - you won't regret it.

I received this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review. No monetary compensation was received and all views expressed are my own.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back, Lawana Blackwell! After a multi-year break since her last published novel, Blackwell has offered up a lovely historical novel in "A Haven on Orchard Lane", with characters that you cannot help but grow to love. I thought that the author did a remarkable job at capturing the spirit of the Victorian era, and if I could have stepped into the pages of this story to experience everything first hand, I surely would have! The village where the story is set is simply charming, with all the small town drama to go along with it. The story is filled with a multitude of subplots that kept the pace moving swiftly, and I quite enjoyed all the little twists throughout the book. The relationship between Charlotte and her daughter Rosalind is particularly beautiful to watch unfold, as they go from a place of estrangement to one of reconciliation, which is pure grace in action and one that readers will no doubt be encouraged by. And I think my favourite subplot of the book is how the women all band together to help the abused brothers in their relationship with their step-mother, resulting in many scenes that I found especially moving. All in all, despite this being a fairly lengthy novel at over 400 pages, I simply wasn't ready to leave these characters behind as the book drew to a close. Happily, the epilogue leaves readers with a great ending, and our imaginations are free to consider what lies in store for Charlotte and Rosalind and all the rest of the cast of this story (although should the author choose to pen a sequel, I would be delighted!)

I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction, and award the book 4.5 out of 5 stars. Readers will enjoy the great setting, the nicely developed characters, and the well-handled romance, and be left wanting more.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Haven on Orchard Lane by Lawana Blackwell was a welcome surprise to me. I remember loving her books when I was younger, but I haven't seen any from her in a long time. When I saw a book written by her to review, I was so excited! But then when I read her premise I was hesitant. I wasn't sure if I would enjoy her story or not, but I was willing to take a chance to read her writing again. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was into the story, but honestly, I shouldn't have been since her writing has always been superb. Her characters have always had depth and realistic problems to resolve.

Charlotte Ward has been in a demeaning, controlling marriage for the last few years so when she gets an unexpected opportunity to go back on stage she is ecstatic. But she has let herself go in her new life and is nervous if they would be happy with her. Because of her husband, Charlotte had to leave in the middle of the night to get to London where she happily reunites with the theatre. But at her first play she sees her husband smirking at her and blanks out.

Rosalind, Charlotte's daughter, gets a message about her mother at the school she teaches at. She hasn't seen her mother in years and doesn't want to renew her acquaintance with her, but her friend encourages her to help her mother out.

Charlotte is happy to see her daughter after years apart and is hoping that they can finally be close, but notices Rosalind isn't as happy about the situation. Will they ever be able to reclaim their lost relationship?

I really enjoyed the depth of this story. The mother and daughter relationship was superbly done, and I loved how Rosalind really desired to do what God wanted even if it wasn't what she wanted to do. I think this story would be enjoyed by anyone who loves stories with more depth. You don't have to be a historical fiction enthusiast to fall in love with this book!

I was given this book for free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read a Lawana Blackwell book in many years when this book and synopsis caught my eye. I am very glad I bought the book. Lawana had done an outstanding job with this one.

Charlotte Ward, former actress of stage in London, now married to an uncaring man, is offered a chance to come back to the stage. Things do not go well and she is forced to go incognito to a small village in Devon. Her long estranged daughter, Rosalind, goes to see about her, in the village. Can their relationship be mended? Is there a future for them in this little village?

This book reads like one of those wonderful British miniseries. It is so full and rich and profound. It draws the reader in immediately and you just want to take up residence in a cottage next door! Many characters abound here and Blackwell fleshes them all out very well. Many have secondary stories and I loved that about this book. I was amazed at how rich this book was!

The spiritual lesson is also wonderful here. Even when we think we have totally messed up, God still has a plan for us. A wonderful plan to bring fullness to our hearts and give us great hope.

I highly recommend this book.

[writer... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this Letter 'H' title for November's Thanksgiving Challenge - and by a new to me author I'll be reading again. An older main character with many sound words of wisdom and character - a much appreciated change from the too many willful young protagonists making decisions with negative consequences affecting themselves and others.

[Ginnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. The only part that dragged was the epilogue, but if you know me, I always think epilogues drag.

Haven't read a Blackwell book in years but I am glad I picked this one up. A mother and daughter who have been estranged are brought together again in an urgent situation. Jude is the best hero I've had the pleasure to read in a while.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A stage actress in hiding? Yes, please! I was intrigued by this aspect of the story and enjoyed seeing how Charlotte’s story unfolded. I liked her compassion for the poor and abused children around her. It was also interesting to see her reconnect with her adult daughter, with whom she’d lost touch prior to the opening of the story.

The mother/daughter relationship was beautifully highlighted in this novel. Getting to know one another, learning to get along with one another… there were many facets to Charlotte’s and Rosalind’s relationship that kept me interested in the majority of this story.

The small-town gossip brought a bit too much melodrama for my taste. I also did not appreciate a line about atypical romantic preferences. It was a random remark that seemed only used for sensationalism rather than having a purpose in the plot.

Overall, the tone was reminiscent of Jane Austen’s or Julie Klassen’s novels, though in the Victorian era rather than the former authors’ Regency era.

Content: one profane phrase, one mention of opium as a medicine

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the village this author created. It was truly a haven, not only for Charlotte and her daughter Rosalind, but also for those people who came in contact with them. Charlotte was so endearing and humble yet her wisdom touched so many lives and she embodied God’s love for others. 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.

[Gwenyth Lynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delightful read. The author dealt sensitively with the estranged relationship between Charlotte and her daughter Rosalind and it was pleasing to see the warmth that developed in their interaction with one another as well as love blossom unawares in another direction.

[Deedee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars...

[Tracey Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Hannah Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liking this author!