Love's First Bloom

Starred review from September 1, 2010
Its 1838, and Reverend Gersham Livingstone is busy with his ministry to the soiled doves of New York City. However, when one of these fallen women is found brutally murdered, the good pastor becomes the number-one suspect. Worried about the safety of his daughter, Ruth, he disguises her as a reformed prostitute and sends her and Lily, the murdered womans toddler, to stay with the Garners, a kind family on his underground network of people who give ladies of the night a fresh start. As concerned as she is about her father, Ruth is humiliated by her new identity as the ex-prostitute known as Widow Ruth Malloy. Journalist Asher Tripp has nearly ruined the family newspaper, but hes been given one more chance, and he senses that theres something strange about the Widow Malloy. Could she be the notorious preachers missing daughter? With exquisite details and an honest portrayal of human emotions, Parrs heartwarming tale of faith, redemption, and love will appeal to a broad audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)