Grace Livingston Hill Books 1 Through 26

• 1.The Honor Girl-When she can dance like a woodland nymph before the admiring eyes of the whole school; when she can walk away with first honors in Latin and Literature and all her other studies; when it's her night of triumph, a girl ought to be perfectly happy. But though she held her red gold head high to show her perfect indifference, there was a flaw in Elsie Hathaway's joy. For right under the balcony hadn't she heard the strange young man say to her principal, "I'd like to see this paragon of yours tried by fire-- the fire in the range for instance." Horrid thing! As if honors didn't mean anything. And then strangely enough, the very next day Elsie finds herself thrust into a situation that is bound to try her mettle to the utmost, and show what stuff the honor girl is made of. Here is a bright vivacious story, full of young people and their interests, and life and action. Elsie is a thoroughly human and likeable girl--the kind other girls like to read about.
• 2. Job's Niece-Doris Dunbar's young life was a series of trials. One after another they came just as they had to Job in ancient times. Even Milton Page failed her when she needed him most. Almost worse was Zephyr, the pretty unscrupulous doll who had married Doris' wild young brother and who harried the girl with special malice. But Job had a comforter, and so had Doris--two of them, in fact, for Angus Macdonald did not forget the wistful, troubled eyes of the girl he had left behind as a companion to his lonely mother. For one terrible moment it looked as if even these were going to be swept away. Then, just as Job found that all his troubles were only to try him for blessings to come, so Doris found happiness so sudden and unexpected, it quite took her breath away. A tender and touching love story, intensely human in its sorrows and joys.
• 3. Coming Through the Rye-The much-loved daughter of a good family, Romayne Ransom led a sheltered life. Then, one tragic day, her world came crashing down around her. And it was all handsome Evan Sherwood’s fault, for he was the one who had come out of nowhere and accused her brother and father of committing horrible crimes! And now-now that Romayne’s brother has run away and her father has suffered a serious stroke- Evan Sherwood wants to be her friend and help her! Why can’t he just leave her alone? That’s what Romayne wants...or is it?
• 4. A New Name-As Murray Van Rensselaer whizzed down the street in his new car, he reflected on his careless life of easy sophistication. Then he saw Bessy Chapparelle - and realized that his childhood playmate had grown into a lovely young woman. So different she seemed from the girls in his fast, smart set. He offered her a ride, she accepted, and they sped off to a horrifying destiny that only love and true faith could hope to resolve.
• 5. Ariel Custer-Ariel looked curiously like the portrait of her illustrious warrior ancestor when she lifted a firm little chin and left the beloved but empty home in the South to seek her fortune in an unknown northern city. But fortune was kind and with the aid of a refractory motor cycle precipitated her literally into the arms of Judson Graniss. No more chivalrous protector than strong, quiet, girl-hating Jud Graniss could Ariel have found. But Mrs. Graniss had other plans for her only son. The course of true love runs even more turbulent than usual, though Ariel and Jud find and unexpected ally in little Miss Emily Dillon. Then into the story enters a mystery, for Miss Emily disappears and the waters of Copple creek suggest a fearful clue and an even more dreadful accusation. A love story with an unusual plot. The facts are taken from real life, a mysterious happening that Mrs. Hill actually knew.
• 6. The Best Man-Cyril Gordon, a handsome government agent, possesses vital government information that, in the wrong hands, would threaten national security. And he is being pursued by desperate men who will stop at nothing to get that information from him. Cyril seeks refuge in a church, where he stumbles in upon a wedding party. Amazingly, everyone seems delighted to see Cyril, mistaking him for the best man. Frantically, he decides to go along with the charade. When the beautiful young bride walks down the aisle, Cyril finds himself irresistably drawn to her. Then, at the end of the marriage ceremony, Cyril receives the greatest shock of all--he was not the best man, but the groom! Now Cyril must not only elude his enemies and deliver his information safely, but he must do so without endangering the life of the beautiful young woman who is now his wife!
• 7. The City of Fire-Lynn Severn, the beautiful daughter of a small town minister, is deeply troubled by the barrier which has come between her and her former playmate, Mark Carter. Billy Gaston, a former admirer of both, indulges in a thoughtless prank which causes Mark to be kidnapped and taken to a secluded house in the mountains in mistake for the son of a wealthy family. During the night of the kidnapping a lover of a certain girl, named, "Cherry," with whom Mark was known to be friendly is shot. Mark is accused of the murder, and cannot prove an alibi. Billy is afraid to tell the truth. He alone can save Mark and affairs look black, but through it all one feels sure that Lynn Severn's faith will triumph, shining always like a beacon of hope amid the surrounding darkness of uncertainty. A more lovable heroine than this simple and natural girl would be difficult to find.
• 8. Cloudy Jewel-Julia Cloud, whose life has been given to caring for her family, is left alone by the death of her invalid mother. Having always lived a dutiful, useful life, she has been invited by her married sister and brother-in-law to come to their home, virtually to become a drudge. At the moment, however, when her new slavery seems inevitable she is visited by her niece and nephew, whose rich parents have died. They see the dilemma in which Aunt Jane is placed and joyously make plans to thwart the designs of the married sister. In consequence a new and beautiful environment opens before "Cloudy Jewel," as they lovingly nickname her, and Julia finds real joy in life. There is an exquisite romance woven into the pages of this story.
• 9. Dawn of the Morning-Like two others of Mrs. Hill's successful stories, "Marcia Schuyler" and "Phoebe Deane," this novel is set in New York State about 1826--quaint old days of poke bonnets and full skirts. Fresh from school, at the age of sixteen, dreading to return to the unhappy home she has left, and ignorant of all it implies, Dawn consents to marry a friend of her father's whom she has only met. Just before the wedding it develops that this man already has a wife and two children. His younger brother, Charles, who has seen Dawn and fallen in love with her, offers to take the intended bridegroom's place, and it is agreed that he do so. Fearing that Dawn will not accept the substitution, her stepmother, who is anxious to get rid of her, so arranges that Dawn does not know that she had not been married to the right man until she reaches her new home after the ceremony.
• 10. The Enchanted Barn-The Hollisters didn't know what to do. Forced to abandon their home because of the death of Professor Hollister, the problem was too much for even their bright, ingenious minds. But, as usual, it was Shirley who thought of the solution--Shirley who was pretty, sweet, naive, efficient, and altogether adorable all in one bundle. And soon the Hollisters found themselves in "The Enchanted Barn," a ramshackle affair which Shirley had rented at a ridiculously low price, but which under the enthusiastic hands of the family rapidly became a veritable paradise. Unlike the conventional, gruff, overbearing landlord, the Hollisters found young Sidney Graham quite likable, and more than willing to help them in their schemes. In fact, Shirley found him so nice that... ...but we're are getting ahead of our story! :)
• 11. Exit Betty-Betty Stanhope is one of the most appealing characters that Mrs. Hill has created. Faced with the problem of marrying the wrong man, a situation forced on her by a designing step-mother, Betty disappears just before the ceremony is to take place. Fortunately she runs plump into the arms of true-hearted Jane Carson. Many readers will feel that Jane is the real heroine of the story. Her faith and courage carry them successfully through the entanglements which have been woven around Betty. Then there are Jane's mother and brother, whose homely Christian virtues reflect themselves in the gradual transformation of Betty's ideals. Warren Reyburn, a young lawyer, together with James Ryan, play their parts in bringing matters to a satisfactory conclusion all around, and in completing this very beautiful double romance.
• 12. The Finding of Jasper Holt-A midnight train wreck, a beautiful girl rescued by a brave and handsome cavalier; what could make a more interesting beginning to a romance? Add to this a very intense business rivalry and a plot which hinges on the finding some important papers which had been stolen, and in which the girl was unconsciously involved, and you will have some idea of the elements which go to make this such an absorbing tale. It is written in Mrs. Hill's best manner and her heart and humor are on every page.
• 13. The Girl from Montana-This is the story of a lovable girl upon whom fate has thrust a seemingly unbearable burden of trouble. She is alone in the mountains of Montana and threatened by a man whom she has every cause to hate and fear. Feeling that flight is the only course left, she arms herself, mounts a horse and bravely rides away. Thus begins a trail that finally leads her to the East, and to grandparents of widely divergent social stations. Her experiences with both are novel and sometimes humorous, but through them all she never quite forgets a certain "tenderfoot" who befriended her for a short time in her lonely journey. She meets him again under most unusual circumstances. Complications have arisen that threaten her future happiness, but in the end fate plays fair.
• 14. Lo, Michael-If the reader wants to know how Michael made the desert places of the modern city and the human waste that exists therein, over into something wholesome and sane, if he would gain inspiration for social work and faith in human nature and the power of the ideal, the spiritual, let him read, "Lo, Michael!" And if he or she wants fiction that leaves a sweet taste on the mental palate, without a tang of the abnormal and unwholesome, this is the book to read and enjoy. It is a thrilling romance, full of adventure and spicy with the sweetest of elements of young love and noble ambition, brought to happy fruition.
• 15. The Man of the Desert-Hazel Radcliffe was a daughter of luxury, accustomed all her life to having her slightest whims gratified. John Brownleigh was a plain man, facing his duty and doing his work on the home mission field of the West. Ordinarily they would never have met. But when Hazel was lost on the desert it was Brownleigh who found her and returned her to her father. Their acquaintanceship had been of only two days duration, yet each had difficulty forgetting the other. In this vivid story, etched against backgrounds of life in a gay metropolis, in a sheltered New England town, and amid desert wastes of Arizona, Mrs. Hill has given us one of her most charming romances.
• 16. Marcia Schuyler-When Marcia Schuyler’s beautiful and selfish older sister, Kate, abandons handsome David Spafford at the wedding alter, Marcia offers to take Kate’s place. Her offer is accepted, and Marcia finds herself married to a man she hardly knows. Though David shows Marcia every kindness, she is painfully aware that he still loves her sister. A fact that strikes deep, especially since Marcia has begun to truly love her husband. Then Kate returns, and she is determined to win David back- no matter what it takes or who it hurts. Now Marcia must fight to save her marriage and the man she loves from a desperate web of lies and deceit.
• 17. Miranda-Miranda is happy working in the house of her beloved friends David and Marcia Spafford, even though deep down in her heart there is a longing for Allan Whitney, a young man whom she had rescued from hanging many years before. He had disappeared, but she felt that he would some day return for her. At last she finds him and is able to help him in that great movement, the occupation of Oregon when threatened by English rule. Her Miranda leads her rivals and other plotters a spirited chase, enjoying herself immensely all the while. A charming romance, centering around a girl whose opportunities for education have been limited, but whose character is unique in its combination of strength and beauty.
• 18. The Mystery of Mary-Tryon Dunham, a young lawyer, finding Mary hatless, coatless and very evidently in great terror of something or someone, offers her his help and protection. This involves them both in a dinner party where they have to pass as old friends. Dunham raids his mother's and sister's rooms and manages to procure for her some suitable clothing, then buys her a ticket and sees her started on a train to Chicago. There she succeeds in losing herself both from her pursuers and from Dunham. His search for her and the explanation of the mystery brings the story to a very satisfactory conclusion.
• 19. Phoebe Deane-When the fates endowed Phoebe Deane with a love of beauty and a delicate refinement that craved books, and a pleasant environment, they offset their kindness by leaving her, orphaned in a New York State farm house, a drudge dependent on the bounty of her half-brother and his sharp-tongued wife. But she is rescued from her unhappy situation by her faith in love and life. Many of the characters we met and loved in Marcia Schuyler appears again in this book, as clean and wholesome and refreshing a story as ever been put into print.
• 20. The Red Signal-When David Stevens, engineer on freight No. 5, snatched Hilda Lessing from the path of a fast express, he did not know that there was the making of a heroine in her slender frame, nor that fate was to entangle this simple child with himself in a web of plots and danger, from which she was to rescue them at the risk of her life. But some of the most breath-taking adventures of all fiction lie between the consummation of her happiness and the foiling of a diabolical plot threatening the safety of the nation.
• 21. The Search-On the day the drafted men march away Ruth Macdonald catches John Cameron's eye and waves to him. In the excitement of the moment they both forget social barriers that lie between them and only remember they were schoolmates as children. From this a friendship develops that has far-reaching results. To Ruth, spoiled daughter of the rich, comes a new conception of life, of war, of love. To John comes tests of fire before he finds himself. Here is the absorbing romance of two people who searched through the devious paths of a warring world for fulfillment and happiness.
• 22. Tomorrow About this Time-A scientist, after years abroad on research work, returns home to find himself suddenly with two daughters on his hands. The older, child of his first wife is lovely and sweet like her mother; the younger, is also like her mother, Greeve's divorced wife, a vixen and a superflapper. She conceives a great hatred of her half-sister, leads her father and the household a dance, and shocks and scandalizes the town. After many explosive scenes and escapades the shrew is finally subdued and Greeve, in the process, becomes a changed man and is led back to the God of his childhood.
• 23. The Tryst-Driven from home by the sudden and appalling knowledge that she is not wanted, Patty Merrill goes to New York. Almost penniless, she is forced to take a position as companion to a short-tempered maiden lady, and with her goes to a North Carolina resort. Here she sees a young man whose face is strangely familiar, and learns that he is John Dunham Treeves, nephew of the millionaire Calvin Treeves. Young Treeves recognizes her and tries to renew an acquaintance of five years previous, but Patty determines to hide her identity and snubs him. After this the reader will follow with breathless interest the threads of destiny that brings the lives of these two closer together, until in the dramatic climax Patty comes to John Treeves, that she may save the factory of her benefactor from destruction. Once this has happened, affairs move to a swift and satisfactory conclusion, with the clearing of the mystery that surrounds her life and the discovery of a murderer as well.
• 24. The Witness-Paul Cortland never forgot that face in the flames. They had taken Steve Marshall by force to witness a cheap, vulgar performance. Steve was a "goody-good"--but when fire broke out at the performance he took control of the excited crowd and died a heroic death in saving his classmates. The lesson was a terrible one, and although his companions soon recovered from the shock of Steve's tragic death, Paul had seen in the face of the dying boy a vision, and in his danger there seemed a Presence near him. His whole life is changed now, and an opportunity to study conditions in the slums strengthens his resolve. So in the end Paul Cortland, the scoffer, the "good fellow," turning aside from a promising worldly career to take up a work in the slums outside of the churches or creeds, but inspired from the same great Source.
• 25. Not Under the Law-A romance that is lovable and human and helpful; that glows warm with the charm of sweet Joyce Radway-- who can nevertheless be firm enough when occasion warrants. It tells what happened when a small boy fell in love with a princess, for to Darcy Sherwood, uncared for and neglected, exquisite little Joyce in her daintiness and refinement seemed nothing less. But once grown up, Joyce loses her kingdom and her faith in Darcy as well. It means strange scenes, ugly doubts, and perplexities in a totally different world, until, to right a wrong, the princess resumes her sway, only to find that Darcy Sherwood justifies a new trust. As in all of Mrs. Hill's stories the characters are real and recognizable.
• 26. Partners-Dale Hathaway faced a dreary world when her job with Baker and Company, unpleasant though it was, came to an end. With limited money and almost entirely alone in the world, she tried to keep the faith her mother had taught her as she began to her search for a new life. There was little to cheer her at Mrs. Beck's boarding house, but one snowy night after a discouraging day looking for a job, she was startled to awareness when the nice young newspaper man from upstairs knocked frantically on her door. What she saw in his arms was a tiny, half-frozen baby that he had stumbled over on the steps. Partners in the most moving of all enterprises, the saving of a tiny life, Dale Hathaway and George Rand shared many critical and exacting experiences, learning how the great truths of life, too often neglected, could make for both of them a rich and glowing future. Mrs. Hill's new novel, with its inspiring message for today, will delight her many readers and add new ones to her audience.