While Love Stirs

Title: WHILE LOVE STIRS

Author: Lorna Seilstad

Publisher: Revell

April 2014

ISBN: 978-0800721824

Genre: Historical

Take one lovely young woman.
Add two ambitious young men.
Stir . . . and stand back.

As a graduate of Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery, Charlotte Gregory is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove. And she certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures.

Lewis encourages Charlotte's work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

Follow the second Gregory sister as she looks for true love and makes her way in a rapidly changing world in this breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep you guessing. 

Readers will want to read When Love Calls, the first book in The Gregory Sisters series, though WHILE LOVE STIRS does stand alone. I didn’t care much for Charlotte, she is argumentive and insulting even when she goes to apply for work or visit her sister in the hospital. I know she has good reasons both times, but as I’m often reminded you can kill more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.

Charlotte does have training as a chef and more importantly, as a nutritionist, but that was before the times when women were allowed any sort of occupation.

Joel is a caring individual who might’ve been clueless in nutrition, and he might’ve been willing to listen easier if Charlotte was less combative.

I enjoyed Ms. Seilstad’s other historicals better than I did this one. Maybe because of Charlotte’s personality. The writing was excellent. Fans of strong heroines and historical fiction might love this book. $14.99. 352 pages.

Lorna Seilstad is the author of When Love Calls and the Lake Manawa Summers series. A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing contests and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Lorna lives in Iowa with her husband. Learn more at www.lornaseilstad.com.