Empty Nest

Tales from Grace Chapel Inn #44

by Pam Hanson, Barbara Andrews

It's spring in Acorn Hill ... Louise has a serious legal matter, Jane has a new hobby, and Alice does her best to comfort and encourage them both.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction

213 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Pam grew up within earshot of her mother's manual typewriter. Her mother wanted a career she could combine with motherhood and four children, and she made her first sale to Highlights for Children, when her children were in kindergarten. Her mother is the author of 20 romance novels under her own name, Barbara Andrews. Pam majored in journalism in college and later worked as a reporter. Pam married with with Mr. Hanson, a college-professor, and they created a family. Pam teamed up with her mother after the birth of her first child, Erik. They published their books under the pseudonyms Jennifer Drew and Pam Rock. For several years their partnership was long-distance, fueled by high phone bills! They make writing a lot easier these days. So does the fact that mom and daughter share digs in West Virginia, along with Pam Hanson's husband and their two sons, Erik and Andrew. Pam is also the director of advising for West Virginia University’s School of Journalism.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories keep being good in this series. Louise is picked for jury duty, during the time when her daughter has come to visit. Her daughter brings a flaky coworker that can’t be trusted to finish her work, show up at meals or find her way around town. Alice is on vacation from the hospital and interested in a couple who are birdwatcher.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Loved it.
So sad to be coming to the end of this series. So many good books and good memories. Only a few more to read.

This book was about Jury duty and judging others, and about diligence and responsibility in your work. Makes me want to do even better in my job at the library.

"'She's on her own for the first time and I'm afraid it's a make or break assignment. If she doesn't do well, she may be out of a job. I brought her with me to give her a quiet place to focus on the task at hand, but I'm not optimistic.'
'It's going to be quiet in the inn while you're here. She should be able to work without distractions.'
'Joanna is her own distraction. She writes poetry, some of it quite lovely, but she spends a lot more time reading and scribbling bits of verse than she does doing her job. I worry more about her work assignments than she does. I hope she isn't to much trouble for you. I know she's not an ideal guest, but I wanted her to have this one last chance to succeed in her job.'
'That's really kind of you, just what I would expect,' Louise said smiling with pride.
'Oh, I really like her. She's sweet and has a wonderful disposition. She'd do anything for you-if she remembered. I just haven't felt very kindly toward her today. We had to make a trip downtown to pick up things she'd forgotten, which got the day off to a bad start, because we got caught in traffic. I can't believe she didn't even remember her toothbrush, not to mention her allergy medicine. Sorry, Mother, I don't mean to rant, but the girl is twenty-seven, and I feel as though I'm her babysitter.'" (pg 19)

"One of the real hardships of jury duty was that she couldn't talk about the case with the people who mattered most to her. She realized that a feeling of isolation was one of the burdens of being a juror." (pg 181)

And of course, there is a definite thread of faith in Christ...
"As a mother, she couldn't ask for a greater reward than knowing that her child had grown into a devout and caring believer. Like her own faith, Cynthia's was woven into the fabric of her being, reflected in all that she did." (pg 50)

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

In general, I love this Christian series about three sisters who turn their old Victorian home into a B&B after the death of their father. In this book, Louise (the eldest) welcomes her daughter (Cynthia, a children's book editor) to the inn to work when her office is being renovated. Although having Cynthia visit is always a joy for the sisters, this time she brings along a very challenging co-worker who tests everyone's patience.

Louise is called to jury duty and finds herself torn between missing being able to spend time with her daughter and the civic duty of serving.

Another nice book in this great series. I only gave it three stars just because it wasn't one of my favorites but still a good & uplifting read.

[John Selders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experiencing the empty nest.

I enjoy reading stories byvPam Hanson. She keeps her story moving at a good pace. Her characters are realistic and the twists and turns make it a fun trip.

[Lavender · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I love this series, this book was not one of my favorites. I found the character who obviously suffered from some sort of attention disorder, very annoying and frustrating. And I also found the case which one of the main characters was on jury duty with, drawn out and rather boring.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So real, I can't wait to read more from this clean, unique Christian homey series (not romance). Beautiful ending! 😍 Bonus yummy recipe.

As a couple's child is moving away to college, they take up bird watching. Cool info about real 🐦 birds just brought back precious memories for me.

[Becky Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this collection of books! Tales from Grace Chapel Inn; each one just enjoyable!

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in the series. The sisters are off on their individual adventures again. Louise's daughter makes an appearance in this story.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much of consequence happens in this tale. Louise is selected to serve on a jury for a man accused of embezzling. She knows it is her civic duty to serve and she wants to be a "good juror" but the timing is very inconvenient as her daughter Cynthia has just come to the Inn for a visit.
The title of the story refers to a couple who stays at the end. In the fall their only daughter will be going off to college and the parents are going to miss her dearly. Aunt Ethel helps them cultivate a positive view of this change in their lives.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first time I have enjoyed what these authors have written. It was a nice book and as always I learned something about bird watching and the publishing field.

I find all Grace Chapel Inn books to be comforting and enlightening for my spiritually growth.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia and a co-worker come to Acorn Hill while their office building is being renovated. Louise is on jury duty and is missing time with Cynthia. Alice takes Cynthia’s co-worker under her wing.