The House on Malcolm Street: My Review

House on Malcolm Street, The: A Novel

About the Book:  It is the autumn of 1920 and Leah Breckenridge is desperate to find a way to provide for her young daughter. After losing her husband and infant son in an accident, she is angry at God and fearful about the future. Finding refuge in a boardinghouse run by her late husband's aunt, Leah's heart begins the slow process of mending. Is it the people who surround her—or perhaps this very house—that reach into her heart with healing?

About the Author: Leisha Kelly is the author of several bestselling historical fiction books, including Emma's Gift, Julia's Hope, and Katie's Dream. She has served many years on her local library board, continuing to bring good reads and educational opportunities to her community. Once a waitress, cafe manager, tutor, and EMT, Leisha is now a busy novelist and speaker who is active in the ministries of her church. She lives with her family in Illinois.

My Thoughts:  

The House on Malcolm Street has a good basic plotline--a destitute widow is taken in my a relative of her late husband, who seems to make a habit of taking in those who need her. A childhood friend of her husband is a current "project". He too has recently lost a loved one. Can these people bring healing to each other? It is Christian fiction; of course they can, with the help of God.

This is definitely one of those Christian novels that hits you over the head with its message. The characters read Scripture and explain it to each other and the child. They go to church. They explain the Christian message to the Jew next door--who of course converts. Leah is mad at God for taking her husband and son and doesn't want to pray. Her daughter does pray, and of course her simple prayers are answered. If you are someone who likes the religious message in a book to be right out front, this is the book for you.

House on Malcolm Street, The: A Novel is available starting in September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. If you use my link, I get a very small commission.

I'd like to thank Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing for my review copy.