A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman, ©2013

 

After definitely loving Winter in Full Bloom, I have been looking forward to Anita Higman's newest novel, A Marriage in Middlebury. And... after seeing the cover ~*Rose Cottage TEAROOM*~ I am definitely in! Overuse of definitely....

My cousin and her husband have a Tea Room and if you are ever in Madison, Wisconsin, be sure to visit ~*Legacy House Imports and Tea Room*~ for a cozy afternoon with friends ~ or to mingle alone with a book in a sunlit room ~ a respite to a quiet world; you will come away refreshed.

Tearooms are magical.










I absolutely love finding tearooms ~ one I love and would like to return to is in the back of an antique store ~ when not serving meals, the ice cream parlor is open for you to get just the exact cone you would like. My friends and I had a delightful lunch and went back especially to celebrate two birthdays. From the ceiling hung cups and saucers with each table setting being different with quilts behind them. My favorite? Half a panini sandwich and a delectable salad with walnuts and cranberries. Y-u-m. And of course, tea...

 
Homecoming means coming home to what is in your heart. --Author Unknown

The Rose Hill Cottage Tearoom is a special place next to an antique store. The older homes have been turned into businesses by each other and are delightful. Charlotte blends special teas just for the personality of the regulars who come by. One gentleman leaves a few petals each day on his saucer from his carnation in his lapel. Charlotte gathers them in her apron pocket and offers back a potpourri for him to enjoy made from the petals he has left. She is so caring and a shelter for a little boy who comes to visit.

When the story opens, one of her waitresses alerts her to the presence of an old beau seen coming their way. Yes, it is Sam Wilder, a little older but she would know him. He has come with his bride-to-be at the illness of his father. Senior Mr. Wilder requests to see Charlotte but it is not to ask forgiveness for stopping her from marrying his son when they were younger. So many interesting characters meet in this story and there are unlikely twists and turns. Besides the little boy, my favorite was a man Sam meets and talks to on the church steps. He becomes a turning point in the story.

I enjoyed the Easter dinner party given in the Wilder house and the conversations that went around the table. Free to be who they were and to answer openly, even the silent looks spoke loudly to those who would notice.

The reason I liked the story so much was the happenings in Middlebury. Written with humor and respect, our protagonist continues on in what she knows best. Those who enter her tearoom are treated with honor and caring. Charlotte is asked to enter her tearoom recipes into a published cookbook centering around her tearoom. When Charlotte is overwhelmed, she has an actual prayer closet. A fun yet serious read, A Marriage in Middlebury will leave behind how becoming transparent and vulnerable will open the way to healing and love. Decisions we make to protect someone aren't always the right ones. By them coming to the realization of their need, the Lord is able to change them and their circumstances greater than man ever could. A lot of issues are brought out in this story and they are discussed among the characters involved with truthful answers rather than being glossed over at the moment. Because of this they were able to get beyond their past to move forward. When they didn't know what path to take, they prayed. It took coming together to realize this was what would bring their answers. An excellent book I would recommend.


What happens when the matchmaker finds a match for herself? 
Charlotte Rose Hill has been serving up country delicacies, uniquely blended teas, and matchmaking advice for her quirky but beloved customers for more than 10 years. But for her, marriage seems like an elusive butterfly, always out of reach. At 18, Charlotte fell in love with a young man, Sam Wilder, but his family convinced her to walk away from their relationship. She did, and then became engaged to another man, who later died before they were married. Now, more than a decade later, Charlotte finds that she still has feelings for her first love. Initially thrilled to learn that Sam has come home to Middlebury, Texas, Charlotte is devastated to learn that he’s brought someone with him: his fiancée. But all is not lost when the townsfolk decide to get involved. Will Charlotte and Sam find their way back to each other?

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, is the author or coauthor of thirty-five books for adults and children. She has recently been honored with a 2013 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award and is a two-time finalist in the 2013 Selah Awards as well as a finalist in the 2013 Cascade Awards. She holds a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art.
Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Please visit her online at anitahigman.com.






***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for inviting me to be part of the blog tour for Anita Higman's newest novel, A Marriage in Middlebury, and for sending me a copy to review. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***


A MARRIAGE IN MIDDLEBURY | ENTER Anita Higman’s Double Kindle Fire Giveaway & RSVP for “Tea for Two” 12/12 Facebook Party!

Anita Higman is celebrating the release of her latest book, A Marriage in Middlebury, with a double Kindle Fire giveaway (one for you & one to give away!) and a "Tea for Two" Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire for you AND a friend
• A Marriage in Middlebury by Anita Higman (one to keep and one to give away!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 12th. Winner will be announced at the "Tea for Two" Facebook Author Chat Party on December 12th. Invite your friends and connect with Anita for an evening of book chat, prizes, and an exclusive look at Anita's next book!

So grab your copy of A Marriage in Middlebury and join Anita on the evening of December 12th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by clicking JOIN at the event page. Spread the word — tell your friends about the giveaway and party via FACEBOOK or TWITTER. Hope to see you on 12/12!