The Widow's Choice: 1941

The House of Winslow #39

by Gilbert Morris

Life during the Great Depression has been hard for Alona Winslow Jennings, but it is turned upside down when she loses her husband in a terrible accident. When she marries Oscar Moran, a wealthy older man, her motivation is far more about Oscar providing for her three young sons than any romantic inclinations. Oscar is indeed a good provider, but there is no spark of love between them. She realizes the error of her decision when she begins to feel drawn to Jason, a fighter pilot in the raging second world war. Alona and Jason's friendship grows amid the tumult Amerida's increasing involvement in the global crises. Will Alona remain true to her marriage vows--and her faith in God--in spite of her turbulent circumstances?

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

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

also published under the name Gilbert L. Morris

Gilbert Morris was one of today's best-known Christian novelists. He lived in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with his wife, Johnnie. He is the father to Lynn Morris and Alan Morris

Series:
* Adventures of Kerrigan Kids
* American Century
* Appomattox Saga
* Barney Buck
* Bonnets and Bugles
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Lynn Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Lynn Morris)
* Chronicles of the Golden Frontier
* The Creole (with Lynn Morris)
* Danielle Ross Mystery
* Daystar Voyages
* Dixie Morris Animal Adventures
* Far Fields (with Robert Funderburk)
* House of Winslow
* Jacques and Cleo: Cat Detectives
* Katy Steele Adventures (with Alan Morris)
* Lady Trent Mystery
* Liberty Bell
* Lions of Judah
* Lone Star Legacy
* Omega (with Lynn Morris and Alan Morris)
* The Price of Liberty (with Robert Funderburk)
* Reno Western Saga
* Seven Sleepers
* Seven Sleepers: The Lost Chronicles
* Singing River
* Spirit of Appalachia (with Aaron McCarver)
* Too Smart Jones
*

Reviews

[Heather Burdge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a 3.5 ⭐️.

Love that it wasn’t so wrapped up in WW2 and was more focused on the family and less alternative characters.

There is one single reference to the Winslow line which makes me wonder why it was included at all as much as I liked it.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alona loses her husband in a work accident, and tries to provide for her 3 boys by marrying a wealthy, well-meaning man. There is no love between them, although she keeps her vows. After he dies, she marries his flyer brother.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing book about hardships, loss, heartache, and overcoming!

[Jencey/ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Widow’s Choice is one of the few remaining novels in the House of Winslow series that I hadn’t read. We are into World War II and how does this impact the members of the Winslow family? We meet a new character Alona Winslow Jennings who is the daughter of Cassidy and Serena Winslow. She is not mentioned in previous novels. So what do I think of this one?
Synopsis:
Alona Jennings couldn’t be happier with her family, her husband Truman Jennings and their three sons Tim, Carl, and Zachary. One day out while out with her husband and family he points out a bunch of crows in the sky. He then refers to it as a crow summer. This means that something bad is about to happen. Alona doesn’t put much stock in this saying until she gets news of her husband’s death. Although she receives a settlement from the quarry where he worked, she finds herself a widow during the Great Depression. How will she provide for her family? Will the next man who comes along be the right answer?
My Thoughts:
I have loved reading The House of Winslow series. I don’t know that this novel was particularly my favorite in the series. The character of Alona was interesting to me because Alona is not listed as a character in the previous novels in the series. The other characters to me really followed the typical formula for a House of Winslow novel.
The one surprise for me was the plot. It became more of a disappointment. One plot device that the author uses is to have a member of the Winslow family start out as the bad apple that redeems him or herself. Since I have seen this plot before the story became predictable. This time there is one twist where the bad apple is not a Winslow but one of the other characters in the novel.
Always continue with the series!

[Michele Minor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book set during the Depression and the beginning of World War II. When Alona loses her first husband in an accident she struggles to support herself and her three sons during the Depression. When local wealthy business owner, Oscar Moran takes a liking to her and her boys she marries him in haste. When she meets Oscar's half brother Jason she becomes attracted to him but she she wishes to remain loyal to her marriage vows. The ending of the book is predictable.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 - reading about the depression and the attack on Pearl Harbor makes me glad I live in this time period. The book ended too soon - I would have liked a little bit more written about Jason and Alona...

[Odetta · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was like listening to Genesis - lots of genealogy.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was fast!! not my favourite that's for sure

[Jennifer Landes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, but didn't really captivate me.