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Why I picked it up: I was looking for a light read to take on vacation with me.

Plot: Leah Breckenridge and her daughter Eliza are left destitute after her husband is killed in a train accident. Leah takes her daughter to Andersonville, Missouri to move in with her late husband's aunt. Also living in her boarding house is Josiah Walsh, still grieving the loss of his wife and unborn child. Time and Aunt Marigold's love go a long way toward healing their hearts. but they all rediscover that only God scan bring the peace each one seeks.

Why I kept reading: The story just hit the spot for me. I'm always amazed at the way God works in people's lives. Even though these were fictional characters, I was refreshed and renewed by how the author portrayed God's healing of Lea and Josiah's griefs. ( )

NCLA Review -In September 1920, a newly widowed, destitute mother, Leah Breckenridge, and her six year old daughter, Eliza Rose, are invited to move by train from St. Louis to Illinois to live in a boarding house with her late husband’s aunt. Leah is deathly afraid of trains. Eliza has the faith of a child while Leah is looking for her ability to pray again. Aunt Marigold shares her faith and her hospitality with Leah and Eliza. Mr. Josiah, recovering from his own family turmoil boards there too. Helping Aunt Marigold, Leah immerses herself in daily chores with the garden, the fall fruit harvest and keeping up the boarding house in return for a place to live. Leah is also suffering with lack of love from her surviving parent which requires more traumatic railroad travel. What happens with her faith, her father and her fear of trains makes for an interesting book in a setting true to the area in 1920. Rating: 4 —RE ( )

Simply wonderful! I have heard of Leisha Kelly before but have never gotten the chance to read her work, and I must say that her skills as an author a simply wonderful! This book is powerful, filled with so many characters that you fall in love with and with emotions that really turn your insides topsy turvy!

When I sat down to read this, I was 2 pages into the story when the emotions started flowing as if they were my own. I felt all the emotions from anger to hurt to love that Leah felt. I questioned the things that she questioned, I cried when she cried, I smiled when she smiled. For awhile, I felt as if I was actually Leah and it was ME that Leisha was writing about, with death, and history, and family, and friendship. Awesome!

My heart really went out to little Eliza. She was such an innocent little child with a heart of gold! She was only 5 and she understood things that Leah couldn't understand. Little Eliza really inched her way into my heart and she will be one that I will hang on to for awhile.

There are many things that this book will do to you. You will cry. You will smile. You will pray. You will understand with a deeper meaning about life and what it means to trust in God wholly, and never question His timing, or lose your faith in the One who loves you most. I highly,highly recommend this book out there to everyone. It will open your eyes and your heart and you'll feel as though you are on a roller coaster, not knowing when you will stop and where you will be by the end. Definitely worth of 5 stars from this book lover!

*This book was provided for review by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group* ( )

THE HOUSE ON MALCOLM STREET by Leisha Kelly is a historical fiction set in 1920 Illoinois. It is written in first person, is well written with details and depth. It has faimly drama, tragedy, lost, faith, secrets, moving on with your life, finding the truth,railroads,death, sadness, hopeless,lost of family,trust, healing your heart,finding good friends and moving toward the future. The characters are interesting, caring, believable, and will capture your heart.This book will make you think, reflect on the people you have helped and cared for. I would recommend this book especially if you enjoy a get to your heart story that will hold your attention. This book was received for review from the publisher and details can be found at Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group and and My Book Addiction and More. ( )