"If something would 'only' happen—if I could have one day, just one day, different from the others!" Thus mourned Ester Ried, for it seemed to her that her days consisted of nothing but monotony. Every day she made beds, baked endless pies in a hot kitchen, ironed, and raced against the clock to get tea on the table for the boarders. Every evening she fell into bed, too weary even for prayers, much less any Bible reading. As she nursed her suffering soul, she snapped at her sisters and brother until her very crossness added still more to her suffering and made her crosser still!Then a letter arrived from a well-to-do cousin in New York City—and thing "did" begin to happen. Ester was invited for a visit, and when she accepted, she had no idea that the coming days would change her life in ways she had never imagined.Heartwarming stories of faith and love by Grace Livingston Hill's aunt—Isabella Alden. Each book is similar in style and tone to Hill's and is set in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Julia Ried is only sixteen when her mother's poor health forces her to leave the sheltering comfort of her childhood home and go to work as a bookkeeper. And yet, though she must live as a boarder in someone else's home, Julia is determined to make her way in the world, and make her mother proud!But a new acquaintance, the flawless graceful Mrs. Tyndall, overwhelms the impressionable young woman with her wealth and beguiling chatter. Soon Julia is drawn into a whole new life, into a world of fashionable frolics and seductive snobbery. Even tragedy and heartbreak are not enough to cut through the pride and bitterness that seem to take over Julia's young heart.Then she make an amazing discovery: God has not given up on her—and neither had the man he has chosen for her to marry.Heartwarming stories of faith and love by Grace Livingston Hill's aunt—Isabella Alden. Each book is similar in style and tone to Hill's and is set in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Nothing ever changes in the sleepy town of Lewiston, not until the hot August day when Dell Bronson arrives from Boston! Then everyone takes notice. It Isn't just that she is a vision of cool loveliness, nor is it her unflappable manner and the way she instantly takes charge of her father's house, the struggling temperance society, and the Sunday school. No, what catches everyone's attention is Dell's determination to put the tavern out of business, despite the fact that her own father is the tavern keeper! Dell's mission sets her against her father, the elite members of Lewiston society, and the minister! But she knows God has a work for her to do. And so she goes on, trusting His provision. What Dell doesn't know is that God's plan holds a wonderful surprise for her . . . one that will bring her the answers for which her weary heart hungers. Heartwarming stories of faith and love by Grace Livingston Hill's aunt―Isabella Alden. Each book is similar in style and tone to Hill's and is set in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Life in turn-of-the-century Newton seemed sweet and simple, especially for young Abbie Sayles and her dear friend, Dell Bronson. Yet life could be complicated in a social system where privileged ladies were expected to socialize during the week only with other ladies, then worship on Sunday in the same pews as their hired help.Gentle, pure-hearted Abbie and spirited Dell took no stock in class snobbery, but the new minister in town did. And when this self-absorbed man arrived at Regent Street Church with his haughty and childish wife, he had no time for the humbler members of his flock. Soon people were wondering how much of the man's faith was genuine. Dell, who shared a painful past with the minister, had an idea. But Someone else knew the whole truth, and He would leave no stone unturned to reclaim His own. Heartwarming stories of faith and love by Grace Livingston Hill's aunt—Isabella Alden. Each book is similar in style and tone to Hill's and is set in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

“The city is full of boys... Since we cannot reach all of them this week, we must try to reach seven; and failing in that, suppose we say one?” With this simple question, Flossy Roberts turns Alfred Ried's world and that of the South End Mission upside down! After the death of his sister, Ester, Alfred doggedly tries to follow in her footsteps, reaching out to others with the love of Christ. She had had so many grand scheme! Yet each Sunday as he faces the Sabbath school full of poor, rough, undisciplined boys, he knows he has failed not only Ester but also his Lord Jesus. When pretty, delicate Mrs. Roberts steps in to lend a hand, he is horrified. The boys will tear her limb from limb―he is sure of it! Yet her question and her diligence haunt both him and the boys. Heartwarming stories of faith and love by Grace Livingston Hill's aunt―Isabella Alden. Each book is similar in style and tone to Hill's and is set in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Ester Ried's Namesake - Annotated with Author's Biography A Christian Fiction by Grace Livingston Hill's Aunt, Pansy Wonderful Tale of Love, Friendship, God As Esther exchanged her street dress for one that did duty in the kitchen there was a cloud on her face; she could not get away from the contrasts. The girls were at home by this time; they had a suite of rooms in one of the most expensive boarding-houses in the city. When Esther felt especially lugubrious, she dwelt on the fact that these rooms were luxuriously furnished and included even a private bath. It was sometimes difficult not to contrast them with the very straitened quarters and meagre accommodations for which she gave daily service. When she was gay, she seized her broken-nosed pitcher, and as she dashed down two flights of stairs to the kitchen hydrant to fill it, told herself that she was going to her private bath! But when she was not gay, she hated even these trivial evidences of her cramped life, and could not help telling herself that the good things of this world were very unevenly divided.