Every Graceful Fancy

The Dickens Inn #5

by Anita Stansfield

What could be more unlikely than a romance between a traumatized and unwed expectant mother and a charming, wealthy, and ambitious young man with philanthropic dreams of astonishing proportions? Acclaimed, bestselling LDS author Anita Stansfield does not hesitate to take on tough and sensitive issues, and has a gift for handling them with wisdom and compassion. In this compelling conclusion to a remarkable series, the Dickensian Inn once again proves itself to be a place of warmth and welcome a place where, under the gentle tutelage and friendship of proprietors Chas and Jackson Leeds, the light of the gospel and the miracle of forgiveness change people's lives and bring peace and healing. Every Graceful Fancy is a story of courage and quiet heroism, a captivating novel about people and the choices that define them. Ms. Stansfield's gift for creating an engaging story with characters we know and love sweeps the reader along in these pages toward a genuinely satisfying, happy, and graceful ending.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Lds, Church, Religion

320 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Anita Stansfield, the LDS market's #1 best-selling romance novelist, is an imaginative and prolific writer whose romantic stories have captivated her readers.

"With sales approaching a half million, Anita Stansfield has clearly found a niche in this market," said Nicole Martin, Publicist for Covenant Communications. "Her popularity stems from her ability to empathize with and write about the issues that LDS women deal with on a daily basis."

"I always write for women like me. It's through my interaction with other women that I've found there are some personal and emotional struggles that are typical," said Anita Stansfield. "I hope my writing makes women feel better about themselves and shows them these real problems can be solved through gospel principles."

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about some tough issues. Dealing with rape with the result in pregnancy, adoption, forgiveness, family relationships, and the effects of wealth. Catherine Jane or Kate is sent to Anaconda, Montana and the Dickinson inn to reside until she gives birth to the baby that was the result of a drug induced rape. Kate's parents are only willing to support her with money until the "situation" is taken care of. Her mother is a deplorable human being that only cares about her social status and doesn't even believe her daughter. Kate is pleasantly surprised when arriving at the Leed's bed and breakfast to find a spirit of acceptance and support. Little does she know that Chas and her have a connection. Chas' father raped her mother with Chas as the result. They both deal with issues of forgiveness for those that did them wrong and caused such heart ache.
Mick, a young, rich philanthropic dreamer also comes to stay at the end. They both find they have much in common. They are both from wealthy families, both only children, both want to help others, and both find each other at the Dickensian Inn. Mick has a past connection with Jackson from his FBI days. Mick was kidnapped and Jackson helped to save him.

[Laura Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I

[Abbie Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good conclusion to this series, wrapped a lot of loose ends up and generally was a good story. I really enjoyed how it wasn't really about Chas and Jackson like the other four books were, but more focused on how they helped others and how the others' lives were changed.

[Angieluila Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite one out of the whole series. I loved the whole store. I could not put it down.

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great ending to a good series.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I feel like I am not being very truthful in my ratings. I think I rate on the thought that there is something redeeming going on in these books. I did enjoy this book more than the previous one. I like that Stansfield deals with tough subjects in a compassionate way and I still like that her characters are able to handle ugly situations with grace and 180 degrees from what I would probably do. But sometimes (ok most of the time, or I wouldn't bring it up) it feels like it's the same characters revolving through the same books saying the same weird things. And for the love of heaven.....I like to fantasize about having a gazillionare husband but it isn't looking very likely for this to happen in the near...or distant future. STOP with the men that don't have real jobs and hang out all day taking care of the kids and making dinner! For real.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the books in this series. I loved the first book, the middle three were ok, and then this last one was a nice one to end it all. I think I'm a sucker for romance stories. It just made me think of the time I was dating my husband before we got married. It's a happy time in life when you find someone you want to be with all the time. I love how the books are so easy to read since I don't have a lot of time to sit and read very often. It's nice to be able to finish a book in just a few days rather than a few months.

[Megan Scow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series. At some points I felt personally close to the characters and at other points they felt like family. Sometimes I felt these books personally effect me, and at other parts I wanted to tell the characters to suck it up and turn and face reality. This book was good, but I felt like it was not needed in the series. I was also a little disappointed that it didn't focus a whole lot on Chas and Jackson and their kids. Other than that I really liked this book and series!!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised when I saw this book come out because I thought vol 4 was the final one so I bought it and I read it in 2 days. I like Anita Stansfield because her books are quick and easy to read and they keep my attention. I gave it 5 stars because it made me cry. Any book that makes me cry gets 5 stars. I really liked this book and would have given it lots of stars even if it didn't make me cry.

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very near and dear to my heart as it deals with adoption. I shed a few tears because my family is also very grateful to two selfless birth mothers who provided us with a couple of miracles and I was able to relive those moments in the later part of this book. We will love our birth moms for eternity! The only negative to the book is that I felt the romance between the two main characters developed really fast, but a fun read.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the 5th and final book in the Dickens Inn series. I just feel like it wasn't necessary to have this many books in the series. I felt like the author was just grasping at a storyline in order to continue the series. There were some feel-good parts, but a lot of it was actually pretty cheesy. I'm glad to be done with this series. I should have quit after the third book, but it's hard to when I'm that far into a series.

[Lisa the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously?

Everyone who shows up at the Dickensian Inn has an epiphany of "I've found my soul mate, and want to get married" within 24 hours of meeting? This book makes couple number three to do so (out of five books). I found myself rolling my eyes a bit over that issue in by the time I got to this book.

I did like the characters and their growth, the example of compassion and forgiveness is a great message, even if it is handled a bit too simplistically.

[Cami McHan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thus is the type of changing of the characters I like. I was sorry of getting tired of Jackson and Chas by like the second book, so having a new main couple was really, really nice. Also, Mick and Kate are so cute! Although, I feel like every single one of the love stories in this series were so fast and had little to no opposition. And the fact that everyone that came to the inn left with a romance somewhat annoyed me. I still enjoyed it, but that did get tiring.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to end the series. Chas has an arc in the story. The two 'new' characters, we were introducted to Mick for a brief moment in a previous book, are wonderful charcters. Lots of room for their story to continue. I am curious to see if Anita does continue their story in a new book. There must be a story behind Avis's actions.

[Berdean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it. So fun to read something that even though it has a sad part, it has a lot
of fun parts too. Just easy reading
A really rich college gal gets raped, becomes pregnant, parents send her away, treat her cold. She
ends up at a Bed and Breakfast, where she is loved, treated well, meet friends, and falls in love.
the ending isn't what I thought it would be, but it works out....

[Joy Spraycar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another love story in true Anita Stansfield tradition. If you enjoyed her other Dickenson Inn novels you'll love this one too. Great trama, love, and support, and a family with so many malfunctions it reminds me of some that I know. A wonderful ending and great insight into disfunction and how to cope. I suggest trying this one.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book more than many of the other books in this series mainly because of the story line. But it follows along with any other Stansfield book-all of the characters seem the same and handle their situations and problems so well. My feeling is that most people in "the real world" wouldn't handle these situations with such ease. But I am a sucker for a happy ending!

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all the Dickins Inn Series, however this one was extremely wonderful. As an adoptive mother it helped me see the true sacrifice that was made in my behalf for 2 of my children. I love the compassion, the romance, and the way that steps are so clearly portrayed to resolve difficult issues that plague so many people. I am a great admirer of all Anita Stansfield books.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tops off the series very well. It is uplifting and inspirational. Anita Stansfield has a way to always bring in gospel principles especially the Atonement without being preachy. I would recommend the whole Dickens Inn series, they are an uplifting read.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Anita. And as usual she did not disappoint. I appreciated that neither of the main characters had been through or were going through so much that I had to put it down. It was fun, fulfilling and just what I needed.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, I've been waiting for some better story lines in the Dickensian series. It was nice that the focus of this story was more about some special guests at the Inn than about Chas and Jackson. Of course they played a part in the story, but Not significantly.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this whole series! If you find yourself needing to forgive someone for any reason, this book can help you find a way. It was one of Anita's best that I have read and I have read them all! I even own them all!(even the ones out of print!)
Can't wait to see what she does next!

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun easy series. I rated this only 3 stars because I read this series to fast (in 2 weeks) and I was getting board with the story line. I think if I would have taken it a little slower I would have enjoyed it better

[Muirhorses · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series I couldn't wait until the next one came out

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hate to see this series end. The day after finishing this one, I felt like I missed hearing about my friends.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other four books in this series it was an easy read. I loved the characters and was glad to know everything worked out for a happy ending. Would love to stay at the Dicken's Inn.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of this series, this one is probably my favorite. It seemed more realistic to me than the others.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tender story about forgiveness and healing and the power of good friends.

[Cheyenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was so repeatitive that I only read the first sentence in each paragraph and never missed anything!

[Karijean31 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always Anita Stansfield writes good books!