On My Nightstand - An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser

Lucy Scarpelli and her family learn they must move from the tenement they've called home for many years. The crisis turns into a blessing when she meets a gentleman, who has an apartment to rent. When he learns Lucy, her Mom, and sister are seamstresses, he hires them to work in Madame Moreau's dress shop.

Rowena Langdon, a rich but handicapped young woman, comes into the shop for a new wardrobe. Lucy's heart goes out to her, and she designs a special outfit to minimize her problems.

A friendship developes between the two women, and Lucy is asked to join the Langdon's at their summer home in Newport, R.I. The weeks in Newport bring opportunity, love, sacrifice, and growth to both of them.

This is the first book I've read by Nancy Moser. I picked it up as a result of reading her blog Footnotes: Novel Inspirations From History, which she co-authors with Stephanie Grace Whitson. (You can find the link on my blogroll.) She described her research on Newport in a post that I highlighted in one of my Friday Round-Ups.

Since I've been to Newport several times, I enjoyed the descriptions of the Cliff Walk and the "summer cottages." Although I figured out all but one of the love interests, I enjoyed the ride.

I'm glad I found this author and her books. I'll be reading more of them.

How do you generally discover new-to-you authors? Blogs? Book reviews?

Friday Round-Up - #155

Carla Olson Gade, at Writing to Distraction, found a clip of the I Love Lucy show. Lucy decides to write a book with hilarious results. Make sure you have some time. It's a full episode.

Have you ever seen this clip? What was your favorite part?

Nancy Moser, at Novel Inspirations from History, shares background information on the setting from her book, "An Unlikely Suitor." She zeroes in on the Cliff Walk in Newport, R.I.

Have a wonderful weekend!