Leave a Candle Burning

Tucker Mills Trilogy #3

by Lori Wick

Lori Wick's bestselling Tucker Mills trilogy concludes with Leave a Candle Burning about a widowed physician, Dannan MacKay, who creates a new life for his daughter but longs for the faith to love again

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

316 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

About the author

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."

Reviews

[Jaclynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 3rd book in the Tucker Mills trilogy; I picked up the book at a yardsale for free and haven't read the other 2 books yet, but this one was a nice read by itself. The story is about a new doctor, Dannan, who has just settled into the community and meets a young woman, Scottie, who he is immediately attracted to...the only catch is that he later finds out she is already married and to a man, Eli, about 15 years her senior. And to make it more difficult, this man requires the doctor's attention frequently. But Eli and Dannan become good friends and Dannan must carefully guard his heart. In the meantime Eli has plans he's making for Scottie's future before he dies.... and Dannan suddenly becomes a father to his niece. Never a dull moment in this book; and a good mix of everything for Christian fiction.

[Courtney | Lasting Joy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't be favorite series by Lori Wick, but still an enjoyable series.

This was the best book in the series. It was about a young doctor who finds out his closest family members have passed away and they have asked him to raise their 3 year old daughter. It was about him navigating his way as a new dad, juggling his career as the small town doctor and stumbling upon love. It was a good read.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this trilogy years ago, but thankfully, it’s not one you necessarily have to read in order—or even read all three—to follow along with the story. Lori Wick is a fantastic Christian author, and I’ve read many of her books and enjoyed them. If you were standing in front of me and asked, “So, how did you like this one?” I’d probably shrug and say, “Yeah, it was alright.”

Honestly, I was pretty confused when I started reading. The synopsis talks about the town doctor, Dannan McKay, and how he needs to find a new mother for his young daughter. But at the beginning of the book—and for several chapters—there’s no mention of a daughter or any small child in his life. I kept going back to the synopsis, wondering if I was reading the right book. Eventually, it all started making sense when Corina is introduced as his niece, whom he adopts after his cousin and his wife pass away from an illness. Once that piece fell into place, everything lined up.

The characters were good—not great. And I don’t quite know how to say this without sounding negative, but I’ll try my best. Christian fiction tends to have a bit of a “perfect world” feel to it. (Maybe not always, but that’s been my experience after reading many books in the genre.) The characters always seem to react the way they should as Christians. They say the right things, do the right things, and always seem to have the perfect words for every conversation. In real life, as Christians, we do try to bring things back to Christ, but in fiction, it can sometimes feel a little forced. And this book was no exception.

That said, there were plenty of encouraging moments. The theme of taking your cares to the Lord and praying through every situation is woven throughout the story, which I really appreciated. But the writing style? Very Hallmark movie. Everything happens exactly when it’s supposed to, and it’s all pretty predictable. I love Christian fiction, and I enjoy seeing characters live out their faith, but sometimes it leans a little too much into the idea that Christianity is always sunshine and roses.

Overall, it was a good book! Not my favorite, but still an enjoyable read.

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read the first two books and honestly didn't know they existed when I started this book. I actually quite liked this book. It was a very sweet and soft type of story. Some little things happened hear and there but it wasn't that sort of book where it's full of dramatic scenes. It felt like you were reading about people's real lives and not some dramatized version of their lives. I liked how the author choose to switch between different points of view often; there were a lot of characters in this book and this constant switch in narration definitely helped me remember the characters and their different story plots better. If you're looking for a sweet book that's not full of dramatic situations but has some really good God moments and lots of examples of being Christ-like and sharing your faith in a respectful manner with others, then this is the right book for you. That was actually one of the things I really enjoyed, the characters shared their faith with others and encouraged them to seek out God on their own. They didn't pressure them into believing but just shared with them, encouraged them on how they can find their answers to their questions, and also tried to answers any question about God that they could.
Personally, I don't know if I would read this book again but I did enjoy my time reading it. I especially liked how the author ended the book with a nice little bow and tied everything together in the end. I suspect that she did this because this was the last book in the series. Maybe one day I'll read the other two books and get more of Jace's and Reese's story but for now I am content with just knowing about Dannan and Scottie's story.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice conclusion to this trilogy about life in a small Massachusetts town in the 1800s. Their beloved physician has retired and his nephew (Dannan) has taken his place. His world, though, is turned upside down when he must take custody of a young niece after the death of her parents. Scottie is a married woman although her marriage has been one of convenience to a bed-ridden husband. The book shows us how Dannan deals with his young charge, his attraction to a married woman and his faith is at the center of all of it. One thing I didn't like was that the 3 year old girl was allowed to call all the adults by their first name. The book did have a nice epilogue that described where all the characters were about a decade later. No sex or profanity.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tucker Mills Trilogy is a series of books that evolve over time. Although they could be read as stand alone the characters presented in book One, Moonlight on Millpond, continue to interact, assist and grow individually and collectively in the town.
New characters are presented in Book 2, Just Above a Whisper and in this final book, Leave a Candle Burning, more residents are introduced with the original town story in mind. Throughout the series Douglas Muldoon, one of the two ministers in town, serves as a confidante and guide for all in the community.

Tucker Mills is an example of how the world would work if we committed ourselves to common goals and assisting one another rather than creating divisiveness and rancor.

Thanks to Lori Wick for providing an epilogue with information about the futures of the families this reader came to consider as neighbors and friends. Thanks also for the religious commentary and the demonstration of how one matures as a Christian, reminding those who read these novels that growing in faith is an individual, unique and daily process that can be improved with guidance and interaction.

[Summer Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Wick's romances are peaceful, gentle tales. There's not a lot of angst or drama. There's no desperate longing or heaving bosoms. There's also not an abundance of diversity, which will be a turn-off for some readers. Like Jane Austen, Wick wrote what she knew in a political climate that was different from where we are today.

But Wick's works are full of romance, kindness, love, and an acknowledgment of God's goodness and grace, even in the hard times. And that is why I like them. In this one, I also appreciate that the 3-year-old little girl behaves like a thrre-year-old and not a precocious match-maker as I've seen other authors do.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story by Lori Wick. Although I had not read books 1 and 2 in the series, I feel this book can stand alone on it's own. There are enough hints throughout the story line to figure out what is going on and enjoy the new story about Scottie and Dannan in this book. Learning to trust the Lord through tough times as well as daily living is the theme throughout this easy to read, enjoyable novel.

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the history and the purity of the romance. I also need some of the faith insights that come through the characters' words and actions. Overall, enjoyable.

However, I do wish there were not quite so many points of view. I also wonder at the historical accuracy of children calling adults by their first names. That was jarring to me--we don't even allow that now in the south, just saying.

Having said that, I'm reading another by this author as we speak.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the three books this was easily my favorite! Possibly because the characters have been developing since the first your truly began to feel as though they were neighbors. You definitely need to read all three in order if at all possible, to see the growth of the town but this one was icing on the cake for sure!

This is probably the 5th or 6th book I have read by Ms. Wick and I highly recommend her as a great author!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story of a small town in New England in the 1840’s filled with God fearing folks finding their way through heartaches and joys, with the Lord’s help. Central to the story is the new young doctor who has taken over his uncle’s practice. Upon moving to town he meets a beautiful young woman when she hits him in head with a rake. Unfortunately, she is married and Dannan must school his feelings for her. But God had a plan.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tucker Mills book 3

This story had a sad beginning, but definitely got happier as it went on. I often think that if I lose my husband, I won’t even look at another man, but like it happened in this story, you never know what God has in store. Praise God! I very much enjoyed this series.

[Tina Mulkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book & a wonderful series

What a sweet story of redemption and love! It was wonderful getting to know the new doctor, Dannan and the Peterson family. The romance was sweet and slow. I recommend this read and the whole, sweet trilogy if you’re looking for a comforting and lovely read.

[Margaret Fraleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scottie had been caring for Eli ever since his wife die, with the help of
Eli and Iris. Eli succumbed to his ill health.

Dannan has been the doctor in Tucker Mills. His brother and sister-in-law
died an he has taken guardianship of his niece.

Wish much sadness will thee be a happy ending in Tucker Mills.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Characters are interesting; Christian message was less in this one than in the last one. Again, I had serious issues trying to remember a historical setting for this as most of the names screamed 1980s instead of 1840s, and historical mannerisms were constantly violated, such as having adults tell kids to call them by their first names.

[Tami Tullberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and this series. I like that the characters you met in book one stayed with you throughout all of the books as new characters were being introduced. The storyline in each book was creative and I loved how each book shared Scriptures. Very good!

[Karol L. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending to this series

I’ve loved this series so much, and this third book is my favorite. The author always has a little unexpected twist to her stories which make them memorable. A great conclusion as well seeing the family years later. Well done!

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice series overall, but not the best of Lori Wicks’s series. There were definitely parts that if written like other Lori Wicks books that I would have been in tears, but some parts felt rushed that really could have been touching.

[Deborah Steen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as some of her other books

It jumped around so much it was hard to follow. I have enjoyed her other books more. She is a good writer.

[Phylisha Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Christian book with themes of love, sacrifice, denial and most of all living a truly spiritual life. Loved this book.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much that I read it two times.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the first 2 on this series, but it seemed like this story, especially the ending was forced. Making sure to give all characters an ending.

[Rena Glubay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Not as good as #2 in the series but still liked it.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed # 2 in series but found this kept interweaving too many characters/plots. Like it though.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice story...unique. Good characters. Good writing. Happy Ending.

[Abigail Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Lori!

[Stephanie Salyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I couldn't put it down. First time I had ever read this series. Such a interesting set of characters.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a very enjoyable trilogy!

[Linea Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[annabeth ☼ · Rating 2 out of 5]

*1.5

I have nothing more to say to this series or the revolting stories in it, so I’ll just leave ya with a cheesy but good one-liner:

Leave a candle burning? If it’s next to this book, Always.