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Vernon Moore
The Widows of Eden: A Novel
It hasn't rained in a hundred days, it's hotter than Beelzebub's oven, and the ground is harder than a castiron skillet. The good folks of Ebb, Nebraska, could surely use a miracle. Lifelong residents are fleeing, and the town is on the verge of collapse. Wilma Porter, the plucky owner of the Come Again Bed and Breakfast, and her indomitable friends from the Quilting Circle need to do something to save Ebb, and fast. But short of praying for rain, there's little even the powerful Quilting Circle can do. Enter Vernon L. Moore. The last time this mysterious traveling salesman came to stay at the Come Again B & B, he turned the town around in six days. When he left, he became a legend. Wilma and her friends have come to expect surprises from Mr. Moore, but this time they're stunned when he brings three widows from the town of Eden with pasts as enigmatic as his.The Widows of Eden is an entertaining, inspiring novel about community, hope, and a new way of looking at the things that matter most.
- GenresFiction
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2008
12 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 24, 2024
To get a real feel for what I thought of this book, please read my reviews of the two books that came before it, In the Land of Second Chances and One Part Angel. With this book, the three form what I hope will be only a trilogy telling the story of what happens when Vernon Moore pays a visit to the hopeless folk of Ebb, Nebraska.
Having established what I thought of those, it should come as no surprise that I was not impressed, to say the least, by this third installment. Here we have more of the same, although at least we are given the beginnings of an explanation of where the mysterious Mr. Moore comes from. I was not thrown a bit by the vaguely supernatural nature of the theory that the people of Ebb come up with, it just seemed forced and laid on top of the story very heavily.
This book follows the pattern set by its predecessors. There is a crisis in Ebb and Vernon Moore rolls into town to save the day. Except, rather than just addressing the problem, he has to do it in the roundabout way of convincing one of the main players to have faith. His arguments this time are a combination of the arguments he made in the first two books.
There is really nothing new here. The characters, none too interesting to begin with, have become parodies of themselves. I can only echo what other reviewers have said: if you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one. If you didn't, or haven't read the first two, don't bother with this one.
Having established what I thought of those, it should come as no surprise that I was not impressed, to say the least, by this third installment. Here we have more of the same, although at least we are given the beginnings of an explanation of where the mysterious Mr. Moore comes from. I was not thrown a bit by the vaguely supernatural nature of the theory that the people of Ebb come up with, it just seemed forced and laid on top of the story very heavily.
This book follows the pattern set by its predecessors. There is a crisis in Ebb and Vernon Moore rolls into town to save the day. Except, rather than just addressing the problem, he has to do it in the roundabout way of convincing one of the main players to have faith. His arguments this time are a combination of the arguments he made in the first two books.
There is really nothing new here. The characters, none too interesting to begin with, have become parodies of themselves. I can only echo what other reviewers have said: if you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one. If you didn't, or haven't read the first two, don't bother with this one.
August 7, 2022
Third and last book in the series. I really got attached to all the characters and loved the voice of Wilma, our storyteller. As usual, lots of good quotes to ponder. Good-bye Vernon and the folks in Eden....it was nice knowing you.
"In general, I believe that we should take the positive view until proven otherwise."
"In general, I believe that we should take the positive view until proven otherwise."
July 12, 2020
Loved this Trilogy. Will miss the characters. Got attached to them.
April 28, 2023
This is the first book in this series that I have read.I enjoyed the faith quotes and telepathy. The small town added to the plot.
September 11, 2019
A very sweet tale. Reminds me very much of Fannie Flagg's story telling style of the south. Mr. Shaffner speaks for small town America of the mid west. I have not read the other two preceding novels but this stood well enough on it's own that I didn't feel I missed anything. Not being a religious person I usually stay away from mushy God themed stories - but this was OK - not over the top. I enjoyed the humorous writing and the main characters voice.
March 12, 2008
To get a real feel for what I thought of this book, please read my reviews of the two books that came before it, In the Land of Second Chances and One Part Angel. With this book, the three form what I hope will be only a trilogy telling the story of what happens when Vernon Moore pays a visit to the hopeless folk of Ebb, Nebraska.
Having established what I thought of those, it should come as no surprise that I was not impressed, to say the least, by this third installment. Here we have more of the same, although at least we are given the beginnings of an explanation of where the mysterious Mr. Moore comes from. I was not thrown a bit by the vaguely supernatural nature of the theory that the people of Ebb come up with, it just seemed forced and laid on top of the story very heavily.
This book follows the pattern set by its predecessors. There is a crisis in Ebb and Vernon Moore rolls into town to save the day. Except, rather than just addressing the problem, he has to do it in the roundabout way of convincing one of the main players to have faith. His arguments this time are a combination of the arguments he made in the first two books.
There is really nothing new here. The characters, none too interesting to begin with, have become parodies of themselves. I can only echo what other reviewers have said: if you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one. If you didn't, or haven't read the first two, don't bother with this one.
Having established what I thought of those, it should come as no surprise that I was not impressed, to say the least, by this third installment. Here we have more of the same, although at least we are given the beginnings of an explanation of where the mysterious Mr. Moore comes from. I was not thrown a bit by the vaguely supernatural nature of the theory that the people of Ebb come up with, it just seemed forced and laid on top of the story very heavily.
This book follows the pattern set by its predecessors. There is a crisis in Ebb and Vernon Moore rolls into town to save the day. Except, rather than just addressing the problem, he has to do it in the roundabout way of convincing one of the main players to have faith. His arguments this time are a combination of the arguments he made in the first two books.
There is really nothing new here. The characters, none too interesting to begin with, have become parodies of themselves. I can only echo what other reviewers have said: if you liked the first two, you'll probably like this one. If you didn't, or haven't read the first two, don't bother with this one.
April 13, 2015
This is a very entertaining read. It is light hearted but with a serious undertone - kind of like the iron fist in a velvet glove. Behind the aw-shucks humor, the folderol and fun are some hard questions - i.e. - Is there such a thing as divine intervention in daiy human life? Is God really interested in ME? Does he influence individual lives directly or does he delegate (influence through people, events, circumstances)? For all the seriousness of the questions, the story does not come off as heavy handed, preachy or religious. The author makes the reader think without hitting him/her over the head - well, he does hit you over the head but it is with a foam filled pillow and not a baseball bat. Add in a cast of seriously flawed characters you have to love spiced up with the enigmatic Vernon Moore and the Widows of Eden and you have a really good read. (Nobody really knows who or what Vernon and the Widows are - they fade into the sunset but don't quite disappear over the horizon. I suspect we could see them again, which would suit me just fine.)
September 2, 2009
I gave it until 100 pages, but I couldn't go any further, as there are too many wonderful books in this world to waste time on mediocre ones. This book is like Fannie Flagg without the charm. This book moves at a snail's pace, is repetitive, and is filled with country bumpkin language and way too many one-dimensional supporting characters to keep straight. Does Mr. Moore save the town of Ebb? Sorry, but I just can't bring myself to care.
October 21, 2008
This a the third in a series of books that I intend to read after reading this one. This was funny, warm and easy to follow if, like me, you haven't read the other two books. It's a lot of fun and makes you think about faith, regardless of what religion you put your faith in, it makes you think.
July 23, 2010
This book was the third in a series, and I think it was meant to be the final one. It answered some lingering questions, but it seemed to me that the author was tired of his main character. So in this book he added 3 supporting characters but didn't develop their personalities at all. Overall, a disappointment as I thoroughly enjoyed the first and second installments.
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August 5, 2011I won't give it any stars. This book was a waste of my time. Now I am stubborn, once I start a book, I will finish it come hell or high water. This was a stupid book to me. Now I will admit I read it when I was very sick and my view on life was disgusted at the point too, but I would not recommend it at all and will not give it any stars. Its supposed to be funny. I didn't see the humor.
November 12, 2008
The third book in the series of Vernon Moore as the traveling salesman. I enjoyed finding out more about Mr. Moore and all the people of Ebb, Nebraska. I don't think it was as good as the firsts book, In the Land of Second Chances, but I liked it. A quick, easy and enjoyable read.
January 24, 2009
I read this for the book club with Karen's friends. It was slow with too many characters introduced at the beginning. I then found out it was the third book in a series. It underlining message of faith and God made it worth the read.
June 1, 2009
A very mysterious book. Interesting reading. Who IS Vernon Moore? Magician, con-man or miracle maker? Halfway through and I haven't a clue! I think this is actually a sequel, so will be looking for the others.
July 7, 2016
I picked up this book at random at a library book sale and bought it because I liked the cover. It is an enjoyable story about faith and hope with lots of quirky characters. There is some crude language but nothing super offensive.
February 15, 2009
I normally don't lean towards books that would be described as "charming" but this was a pleasant read.
June 6, 2009
Last of the trilogy. I enjoyed all of the books.
July 16, 2009
I didn't feel this book was as good as the first 2. I couldn't keep my attention in the book for the entire time.
Read
May 11, 2010Sort of interesting. Had to return it to library before I finished it, but I haven't checked it out again to finish the last few chapters--I guess I wasn't hooked.
December 20, 2010
Got it for my 80 year old mom and was suprised when we both loved it!
January 5, 2011
I enjoy this author
June 7, 2011
I am surprisd at how much i enjoyed this. It was charming- not my usual fare, but very engaging.
January 17, 2015
this was a great book. I loved following the story and I now want to find other books by this author. I loved his style of story telling.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews