When romance calls, will she choose to answer?

Hannah Gregory is good at many things, but that list does not include following rules. So when she must apply for a job as a switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won’t be easy. Hello Girls must conduct themselves according to strict-and often bewildering-rules, which include absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training.

Hannah doubts it will be difficult to keep that rule-until a handsome young lawyer starts getting under her skin.

With historic details that bring to life the exciting first decade of the twentieth century, Lorna Seilstad weaves a charming tale of companionship that blossoms into sweet romance.

Hannah Gregory has dropped out of law school to support her two teenaged sisters after their parents die. She’s struggling to make ends meet, and the bank has foreclosed on the family farm. Furthermore, the young lawyer sent to evict her then has the audacity to assist with the sisters’ move into a rental property in town. But when an old friend is accused of arson she has no one to turn to but that same lawyer. Lincoln Cole is willing to represent him pro bono, but he’ll need to break through Hannah’s stubbornness if he’s to be successful.

When Love Calls is a romance mixed with drama. While the main narrative is about the relationship between Hannah and Lincoln, a significant subplot involves ongoing tension between Western Union and the telegraphers’ union. More than one fire has been started deliberately; Hannah knows her friend is innocent but, as a member of the union, he’s reluctant to give out the name of who he believes is responsible. Meanwhile, Lincoln is being urged to drop the case by a fellow lawyer who wants to take on two fire insurance companies as clients.

This is a delightful tale set in 1906 Des Moines, Iowa. Each character has an identity that stands out in the crowd. Lincoln is ambitious but caring, and Hannah is independent but wise enough to know when she needs to follow the rules. The scenes set at the telephone exchange are detailed but keep the reader interested. The strict rules the operators had to obey are incredible. Who knew you couldn’t sneeze without raising your hand? That’s definitely a rule I would have probably broken more than once!

When Love Calls is the first title in Lorna Seilstad’s The Gregory Sisters series. Sadly, it looks like we’ll have to wait until next year for the second.

Thank you to Revell for my free copy of When Love Calls, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Read the first chapter of When Love Calls

Publisher: Revell (a division of the Baker Publishing Group)

Publication Date: May 2013

Page Count: 352

Read more on:   Lorna Seilstad’s Website   Revell’s Website

Purchase on:   Amazon   Barnes & Noble   Christianbook.com      

Want to win my copy of When Love Calls?

The necessary stuff aka ‘the fine print’

1. This is only open to residents of the lower 48 states of the USA due to mailing costs.
2. Book will be mailed via USPS media mail with delivery confirmation.
3. Your full name and mailing address will only be used to mail your prize. After I receive confirmation of delivery that information will be deleted. It will never be given or sold to a third party.
4. You must be 18 or older to enter.
5. This contest runs from Thursday, May 16, 2013 until 11:59 EDT on Thursday, 30 May, 2013. Entries submitted after this date will not be accepted. The winner will be announced via Twitter.
6. Comments left on this post are not considered entries and will not increase your chances of winning.