Hidden History

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #4

by Melody Carlson

Two sisters who have turned their childhood home into a bed and breakfast inn stumble upon their father's boyhood journal and discover his hidden history, learning how faith changed the course of his life.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Romance, Adult, Audiobook

297 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Largely boring with a few interesting tidbits thrown in. I liked the subplot with the pig; its owner was one of the two characters with any distinguishable voice.

***originally rated 3 rounded up from 2.5, but after reading Winter Wonders, this one’s definitely more of a 2.

[Christina Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

God reflections

I love the way God is at the center of everything these sisters do. It makes you reflect on God yourself.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice finds an old diary of her fathers and the sisters start reading it at night. They find out how hard of a life their father had and how he came to know God. Jane’s old beau comes to town and they are getting ready for the fall festival in town. Their friend Vera has an odd illness the doctors can’t figure out, until Alice hears something on the radio.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable light reading book from the Grace Chapel Inn series from Guidepost. Acorn Hill is a place that I would really like to visit, of course I do, from my chair at home.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just the sort of thing to read to uplift your soul and make a cozy getaway. All from your own sofa or sunny porch, with your own coffee pot or tea cup nearby and a batch of your own cookies fresh from the oven.

[Sheila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not get into this book at all.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Grace Chapel Inn stories are so cozy and comforting. I’m really enjoying listening to them when I want a homey read.

[Mrs. Margaret Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly good!

I love this series about three sisters who turn their family home into a Bed & Breakfast Inn. The characters are so well drawn, none is superficial and it's great to read how each one grows spiritually and in their relationships with each other and other people. The core of this book is the sisters' reading their father's diary from his teenage years.......how he came from a dysfunctional home with a boorish father and came from atheism to faith in God. I am glad there are so many more books to enjoy in this lovely, wholesome and delightful series!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I read of the series and won't be reading anymore. It was an easy read, but didn't seem like there was much point to the story. I just found it quite boring and nothing really happened.

[tina angelozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Good story line and interesting to follow each family members life l they each have their own personality that clicks

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overview: Meet the sisters who run Grace Chapel Inn. We have Louise--an elderly widow pining for grandchildren--, Alice--an elderly nurse, well part-time anyway--, and then we have Jane, a fifty-something with artistic flair. So what happens when Alice finds a journal of the late Pastor Daniel Howard? And what’s wrong with one of her old friends?

Dislikes: Grandfather Howard was given a raw deal in this book, even from his own son. Though, Daniel was understandable, as his journal was dated from when he was in high school. But, his daughters didn’t have much consideration for the fact that their Grandfather had lost so many in such a short time. Prohibition was between the two World Wars. Besides, God doesn’t forbid booze

Both the small town citizens, as well as the former pastor’s family, were shown to be rather close-minded. Oh, sure they both seemed to care about those they saw on a day-to-day basis. But, if the person was an atheist, or having a bad day, then they didn’t show much compassion at all. It used to be that Christians sought out these types of people.

Likes: Creativity wasn’t treated like trouble waiting to happen.

And Grandpa Howard did try to encourage his children. Many men want their children to follow in their footsteps. As much as he groused about his son wanting to continue school, he did not force Daniel to quit.

Conclusion: It may have been the fact that I don’t really care for Christian fiction, or I may have started with the wrong book, but this story isn’t for me. Maybe you’ll have better luck. Just keep a Bible with you when you read this one.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing on with my trek through this sweet and charming book series. This is book #4 and I believe I read this one the fastest. Probably because it was Alice centric, and I relate most to her character.

Side Note: Alice is the only one of her sisters that has never wed or had kids. She stayed for most of her life in the place she grew up with her dad until he passed. As someone in their 30's, unwed, no kids and lives with their mother optionally, yep I can definitely relate. But also, Alice feels like she has no talent with her younger sister Jane being a chef, artist, jewelry maker, decor expert and gardener and her older sister Louise a wiz with finances, a good mother and a pianist/piano teacher. Alice feels she's just a nurse and a part time inn keeper, but she realizes herself and from others that her talent is taking care of people. It's being a good person, helping others all the time, listening to problems and giving peaceful advice. And I myself am surrounded by all my talented friends that this is what I've often felt that my talent is basically taking care of others and being reliable friend.

So, this book has a lot going on, but at the heart is a journal the sisters find of their father's that tells of his journey from a faithless teen to finding God and some secrets are revealed. Also, a college beau from Alice's past, "the one that got away," comes to town for work, but also possibly for more...? A pet pig that the whole town gets all huffy about, a charity Fall festival and a sick Vera who just can't seem to find out why she's so sick lately. Yeah, this book really does have a lot going on, but it's such a good read and definitely made me want to find out how each of these stories would conclude.

Found: Bought off Amazon

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was from Alice's point of view. There was a little bit of a mystery with Vera's illness. I liked the way the author brought prayer into the solution. Vera's faith grew as a result of the illness and I liked that as well.

Alice's work with the Angels is inspiring though i still can't really paint a picture in my head of what this group looks like.

But what i liked most about this book was the reading of the sister's father's journal entries. This is the first time in this series I really feel like i'm getting to know a character... and it is their already deceased father! I wish there had been more journal entries although i have my doubts about a young boy's ability to keep a journal. So i guess the author kept it realistic there with sparse entries dated far apart.

And lets not forget about the baby pig! It made me giggle right out loud. This gets an extra star just for that.

All in all, this is a pleasant pre-bedtime read.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment in the story of three sisters who run a bed and breakfast in a small town. A diary is found of their deceased fathers' and they are able to discover some things about his past that they never knew.
For enjoyment there is a pet pot-bellied pig that an older woman takes on baby buggy rides, a possible romance for one of the 60-something-year-old sisters and a mysterious medical diagnosis of one of their friends.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a book from the voice of the mobster, Grendel, this was a nice, light, inspiring story of the three sisters and their bed and breakfast set in a quaint small town. I have enjoyed all the books that I have read in this series.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird coincidence that 2 of these Grace Chapel Inn books ended up in the rotation so close together, but finishing this just after watching Frances McDormand’s depressing NOMADLAND made me grateful for the dose of sugary goodness. Still, I’d better space these out better before I need insulin.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this series about a year ago and I absolutely love these books! I love the whole premise of Grace Chapel Inn and how the sisters are always looking for a way to serve others and share Christ's love.

[Christina Sinisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet book that gave me glimpses of God's handiwork, but the writing was a bit simplistic...three sisters who run an inn and still pursue their own lives. That's a dream of mine, but the story itself didn't grab me...

[Asmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like these books quick easy reading happy endings and i like the way the authors make me feel like i am actually there i can see the village the views etc the descriptions are great

[Joyce Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love the fact that I can follow the lives of these 3 sisters and the other regulars in town.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and sappy read. Religious, didn't like the ending. Not sure if I will read the series. Still enjoyed it.

[JoAnn McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - a nice glimpse into their fathers history ! Love these characters such a nice clean book

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the continuing story of the sisters…hope my library has more books of Rales from Grace Chapel. Good book!

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the sisters’ father. It rounded out his character more.

[Charlene Ngo · Rating 3 out of 5]

W

[Judy Mareda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, short story about 3 sisters learning about their fathers school age years. It was a feel good book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story…like an episode of Little House in the Prairie. This is book #3 - now to search for the others…

[Coralee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to really like these inspiring, people-focused stories from Grace Chapel.

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are a great read, now I have to find the next one.