cover image Castles in the Clouds

Castles in the Clouds

Myra Johnson. Franciscan, $14.99 trade paper (304p) ISBN 978-1-63253-002-8

Johnson's second Flowers of Eden inspirational historical romance (after The Sweetest Rain, 2015) focuses on Larkspur Linwood, the sister of previous protagonist Bryony. Lark dreams of becoming a teacher and jumps at the chance to accompany her handsome professor and several others to teach at a school in Kenya. While there, her heart is broken, and she returns home to her grandfather's Arkansas farm, which has been hit hard by drought and the Great Depression. Anson Schafer, who ran the school in Kenya, turns up in Eden, Ark., after returning to the U.S. He dreams of starting a school to educate needy children and Lark decides to help with the plan. As she and Anson get to know each other and battle doubts and fears, love blossoms between them. The plot can be predictable, but readers who enjoy tales set during the Great Depression and have a heart for education will be pleased by this installment. Agent: Natasha Kern, Natasha Kern Literary. (Aug.)