Mixed Blessings

by Elvi Rhodes

For Venus Stanton, the attractive young vicar of Turston, life could not be better. When she first came to this traditional parish, with its beautiful church and conservative congregation, many people found it hard to accept a woman priest. After a tricky start, however she is now accepted by most of her parishioners, even though some people cannot and will not recognize her.

To the delight and surprise of the parish, Venus is to marry Nigel, the doctor from the local practice. Her eleven-year-old daughter Becky, after some misgivings, has accepted the idea and there is a joyous ceremony at the church. Venus soon finds that marriage, motherhood and her priestly duties do not always go together…

549 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 28, 2005

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first book Blessings in Disguise which I somewhat enjoyed. I was pleased to be able to get this book from the library.
So glad I did, as I enjoyed this one more. This book carried on, more or less, from where the last book finished. Venus (The Vicar) has a lot on her plate. After re-marrying, juggling her personal life and the lives of the people in her parish, she doesn't have much time to herself. I don't want to say too much, as it would spoil the plot for those who want to read it. I did enjoy meeting up again with the characters from the first book, but also getting to know a lot of new ones. It has some funny parts but also some sad parts.
I do love stories set around a village/community so this was right up my street.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

Narratively tedious and technically a complete mess.

All third person, but the point of view shifts around fairly randomly for odd sentences here and there. We get contradictory statements within the same paragraph. And the "plot" consists of "oh, I think I'll just introduce this idea and then abandon it because whatever".

Dialogue is completely implausible, many character actions are similarly daft, and, while I'm no expert on Church of England ecclesiology, I'm pretty sure some of what we're told about it is just plain wrong!

[dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down to Earth

I have not read any books by this author but I found myself reading every page with pleasure. Venus the vicar is a wonderful caring person who tries to help everyone in her parish even those who think they don’t need help. She has the support of her husband who is a doctor. Some don’t like her being in the church and malign her. More support comes from different areas.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow on from Blessings in Disguise and although a bit of a slow burner (!) - I almost gave up at one point - I was glad l kept going. A heart warming story of personal and professional triumph for Venus as she develops as a vicar, mother and wife. A feel good book.

[Olly Dark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming

So very real.
You are drawn in to Village life right away.
Church slightly too good to be true, but a book most would enjoy.