Vinegar Bend Series by Kay Chandler

Castle Marlowe is an artist who travels to small South Alabama towns in 1914, preaching in rural schools, where he illustrates his sermons with chalkboard sketches. After his wife drowns, he finds it difficult to balance his responsibilities. How can he continue his ministry and take care of five children? An old-maid parishioner suggests her niece in North Alabama could be a great help to him. He assumes she’s suggesting marriage... moreCastle Marlowe is an artist who travels to small South Alabama towns in 1914, preaching in rural schools, where he illustrates his sermons with chalkboard sketches. After his wife drowns, he finds it difficult to balance his responsibilities. How can he continue his ministry and take care of five children? An old-maid parishioner suggests her niece in North Alabama could be a great help to him. He assumes she’s suggesting marriage. Why not? The children need a mother and plenty of men marry mail-order brides they’ve never met. It would solve his problem. He sends money for the woman’s niece to come but when she arrives, he’s shocked to learn she’s only sixteen. However, marrying a sixteen-year-old is the least of his problems. Dark secrets abound that would shock the small town and destroy his ministry, if revealed. When his eldest son discovers what he’s hiding, the already fractured family is about to become unraveled. Could this be the end of the Chalkboard Preacher? less

After reading a passage in II Corinthians, the Reverend Castle Marlowe laid his Bible down and wept. He knew firsthand about afflictions, distresses, and chastening. The past three years had been the most difficult of his life. His woes began the day his wife left him and their five children. Needing a mother for his children, he married a 16-year-old and was blissfully happy—for a season. With beautiful, sweet Rebekah by his side, Cass felt he could withstand anything Satan threw his way... moreAfter reading a passage in II Corinthians, the Reverend Castle Marlowe laid his Bible down and wept. He knew firsthand about afflictions, distresses, and chastening. The past three years had been the most difficult of his life. His woes began the day his wife left him and their five children. Needing a mother for his children, he married a 16-year-old and was blissfully happy—for a season. With beautiful, sweet Rebekah by his side, Cass felt he could withstand anything Satan threw his way. But could he? Learning to deal with a teen-age daughter’s defiance, Rebekah’s hidden secret, his little boy’s dreadful prognosis, an old flame’s delusions, his home invaded by a cranky old soul, malicious rumors threatening his marriage, and the terrifying thought he could be responsible for his good friend, Elsie’s disturbing illness caused him to question how much more he could withstand. less

When the Chalkboard Preacher accompanies his friend to the Psychiatric Hospital to secure his wife’s release, the husband is horrified to learn she’s even more disturbed than when she was admitted. She fails to recognize him and clings to a doll she believes to be the baby they never had. Things go awry when an angry, domineering nurse sabotages the husband’s intent to take his wife home... moreWhen the Chalkboard Preacher accompanies his friend to the Psychiatric Hospital to secure his wife’s release, the husband is horrified to learn she’s even more disturbed than when she was admitted. She fails to recognize him and clings to a doll she believes to be the baby they never had. Things go awry when an angry, domineering nurse sabotages the husband’s intent to take his wife home. Determined to free her and convinced the end will outweigh the means, the husband devises a plan that will ultimately involve his faithful friend, the Chalkboard Preacher. Would the Reverend Castle Marlowe have been so eager to assist, if he’d been aware it would lead to a scheme with such dire consequences? less

Castle Marlow tosses and turns in his bed at night, pondering how to tell his wife he no longer wants to Pastor Community Faith Church. He longs to go back to doing what he feels the Lord has equipped him to do, which is Chalkboard Lecturing... moreCastle Marlow tosses and turns in his bed at night, pondering how to tell his wife he no longer wants to Pastor Community Faith Church. He longs to go back to doing what he feels the Lord has equipped him to do, which is Chalkboard Lecturing. Will Rebekah be willing for him to be gone from home for extended periods of time with so much drama going on in the family? Goat is intent on marrying a strange woman, Gazelle has come back home, Grandpa is acting most peculiar and then there’s the dilemma with Badger. Is it fair for him to run around the country doing what he loves best when she has so much to deal with? Or does he stay home and continue pastoring a flock of people when he has a difficult time shepherding his own lambs? less

There was a time when everyone in Vinegar Bend assumed Ian Ludlow and Goose Marlowe would eventually marry. Apparently, everyone, that is, except Ian. Seven years ago, he packed his bags and left, with no plans to return until he could prove to the snobs in town that the Ludlow name was one to be reckoned with. Yet here he was again. Back too soon. But he never counted on a funeral.The Reverend Castle Marlowe has always faced adversity head on, and he’s certainly had his share... moreThere was a time when everyone in Vinegar Bend assumed Ian Ludlow and Goose Marlowe would eventually marry. Apparently, everyone, that is, except Ian. Seven years ago, he packed his bags and left, with no plans to return until he could prove to the snobs in town that the Ludlow name was one to be reckoned with. Yet here he was again. Back too soon. But he never counted on a funeral.The Reverend Castle Marlowe has always faced adversity head on, and he’s certainly had his share. Folks have used words such as strong, committed, and trustworthy when describing him. But that was before a beautiful young woman drove into Vinegar Bend and set her sights on him , turning his head. Dealing with guilt and shame, he goes to his son-in-law for advice. If he confesses his sin to Rebekah, will she leave him? Adversity has taken on a whole new meaning. Can this marriage be saved? less