Tuesday, January 21, 2025

About the Book

Book: Rebel Light

Author: Marilyn Turk

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: 2018

She ran away from the war only to find herself in the middle of it. Who will protect her now?

It’s 1861, Florida has seceded from the Union, and residents of Pensacola evacuate inland to escape the impending war. But Kate McFarlane’s impulsive act of rebellion changes her life and that of many others in ways she never expected.
As a result, Kate finds herself with an eccentric aunt in an unfamiliar place. Lieutenant Clay Harris, a handsome Confederate officer, offers a chance for romance, but his actions make Kate question his character. When a hurricane brings an injured shipwrecked sailor from the Union blockade to her aunt’s house, Kate fights attraction to the man while hiding him from Clay. She’s determined to warn her sea captain father about the blockade, but needs someone to help her. Who can she trust – her ally or her enemy?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning author Marilyn Turk writes historical and contemporary novels laced with suspense and romance. She especially likes finding little-known historical tidbits to include in her books. In addition to fiction, Marilyn is a contributor to Guideposts’ Walking in Grace and other anthologies. She and her husband are lighthouse enthusiasts, have visited over 100 lighthouses, and served as volunteer lighthouse caretakers at Little River Light off the coast of Maine.

When not writing or visiting lighthouses, Marilyn enjoys reading, walking, kayaking, fishing, gardening and playing tennis. She also sings in the choir at her church and leads a women’s Bible study group.

She is a member of ACFW, Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers, AWSA, Word Weavers International and the United States Lighthouse Society.

More from Marilyn

When I moved to Florida, I “met” my first lighthouse in person, the Pensacola Lighthouse. I was hooked on lighthouses from then on. I’ve always been interested in Civil War history as well, since so much of it took place in the south where I live, and I’ve been curious about what it was like to live in Florida during the war. Research on the subject got my creative wheels turning, and the story of Rebel Light was born. The book takes place in the beginning of the Civil War in Florida and shows the effects it had on the people living in the area. I loved the story of Katherine, the only child of a seafaring father, as she matures after leaving her familiar home in Pensacola and finds herself in an unfamiliar place where she has to abandon the rigid societal confines of her former life and become an asset to her hardy great aunt in Apalachicola.

These characters are like my good friends, and I love them and their personalities. In fact, I love them so much, I wrote a sequel to Katherine’s story, Revealing Light, and thus the whole series of the Coastal Lights Legacy was born.

MY review

The story is set in 1861 when war was imminent. Katherine stows away on her father’s ship so she won’t be away from him. Needless to say it doesn’t go well for Katherine. Her father detours and takes her to her eccentric aunt in a home that needs work. It will be a big surprise for Katherine when she has to get up early every morning to work alongside her aunt in the fields for longs days. I liked that it is set in Florida and features lighthouses.

Katherine feels her days with work but is interested in finding a church to attend. When she goes there she finds that certain pews are reserved. She can’t understand why the negroes are being sit up in the balcony. Jt she does like the preacher and how he believes that everyone should be treated equally.

Clay is a rebel soldier who meets Katherine at her grandmother’s place. I’m not sure he was someone to be trusted. He does catch Katherine’s attention so we will see. What a surprise when Clay invites Katherine to the Cotton Ball. An unsavory man has taken interest in Katherine and corners her on her way home. I wonder what Clay will think when he finds out who the man is?

I didn’t like how Clay talked about John and Bessie. He warns Katherine to “be careful about being too friendly with those people.” What an unsettling thing to say. Is Clay as upstanding as he portrays himself to be? Can he be trusted?

With news of the war starting to break out near the town, Katherine and her aunt get concerned. Will all the men leave to fight and leave the town with no protection? Clay does something that causes Katherine not to trust him. She tells others she will never be able to forgive him. God will have to deal with her bitterness.

After a storm Katherine finds a man washed ashore. He is the enemy but Katherine feels she must take care of him. Her issue of trust does make her question if she can truly let him stay and recover. The adventure continues when Katherine plans a way to warn her father to not come ashore. Will she be able to keep her father from running into a trap? Get ready for an adventure in learning to trust, friendship, helping others and having faith even in the midst of danger.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate.The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 17

Rlakesidelivingsite, January 17

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 19

Pens Pages and Pulses, January 20

Life on Chickadee Lane, January 21

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 23

Betti Mace, January 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25

For Him and My Family, January 26

Holly’s Book Corner, January 27

Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, January 28

Pause for Tales, January 29

Stories By Gina, January 30 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, January 30 (Guest Review from Melissa)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marilyn is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54133

About the Book

Book: Trekking Toward Tenacity: Your Family’s Roadmap to Stronger Mental Health

Author: Chris Morris

Genre: Parenting / Christian Living / Mental Health

Release date: September 24, 2024

Empower your children with the gift of tenacity through these practical, meaningful tools for their mental and spiritual health.

Trekking toward Tenacity walks through Psalm 139 verse by verse, discovering how we can help our children develop mentally healthy habits. The goal is to coach our kids to be more tenacious because we live in a tumultuous world. It can be hard to stay focused on God and on mentally healthy habits in that tumult, but this book gives concrete ways to help kids to do just that.

By teaching parents practical application steps to implement with kids of all ages, ranging from preschool to adolescent, this book will give them new tools to support their families in the quest for better mental health. It will provide rock-solid encouragement for parents who are stressed out and wondering if they’re making the right choices for their families. It provides counterintelligence against the onslaught of increased risks of mental health challenges for children and young adults today.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Chris Morris is a certified mental health coach dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health issues within the church. Because of a lifelong struggle with depression and suicidality, Chris became committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging others to seek after holistic health.

As a writer and speaker, Chris has shared his personal story and insights with audiences across the country, inspiring many individuals to take control of their own health, break free from poor theological teaching placed upon them, and seek the support they need. He has published several books on mental health, the most recent being Resilient and Redeemed. His work has been featured in a number of media outlets, including CrossWalk, The Mighty, and Fathom Magazine.

Chris is deeply committed to creating a more compassionate and supportive world and church for individuals living with mental health issues. Through his writing and speaking, he is a powerful voice for change and a beacon of hope for those in need.

More from Chris

I literally wrote the book that I wish I had 20 years ago when I was raising my kids. Being a parent today is tumultuous. Especially in a post-COVID world, mental health is a strong contender for the biggest challenges facing our kids. There are plenty of books out there that give us theories on how to raise our kids, and plenty of books that are full of devotionals to walk through with our kids, but shockingly few books dedicated to coaching our kids to have tenacity.

In my experience, tenacity might be the biggest difference maker between seeing our kids move successfully through life and floundering. It’s a given that challenges will come, whether those struggles look like not making the varsity basketball team or something more serious. We simply have to help our kids know how to walk through the missed opportunities and hard times that will inevitably come into their lives.

Trekking Toward Tenacity does just that. We walk through Psalm 139 verse by verse and pull out practical, meaningful tips, tricks, and conversations to have with our kids to help them develop resilience. News flash: there’s no magic potion we can give our kids that gives them bounce-backability. Instead, this is found through conversation about life and God.

My favorite part of this book was writing the age-appropriate activities in the center of each chapter. Instead of only giving you theology or child psychology data without any practical application, Trekking Toward Tenacity includes specific activities you can try out with your kids. There’s obviously no guarantee that these ideas will work, but I can tell you that they worked for other kids. These are pie-in-the-sky concepts, but activities that have been tried in the real world.

If you’re looking for a book that will arm you with skills to coach your kids on how to develop tenacity in their lives, this is the book for you!

MY REVIEW

The title did pique my interest right away . I appreciate the definition of tenacity given by the author which is “standing strong in the whirlwind of life and holding firmly to our convictions because the root system we’ve established in our lives.”

It is important to stay true to our faith even when we face trails. I really liked when the author said, “nobody chooses to have mental health problems.” I appreciate the author’s openness about his mental health. We see many struggling with mental health and it has definitely affected our children. The Bible is key to helping with mental health. It shows how God is there, never wavering and always protecting us.

The book focuses on Psalm 139 and breaks down every verse. The author shares his insight to each scripture and uses Illustrations to help readers understand the scriptures better. The book is geared toward helping children with mental health but it can also be applied to adults as well. Children need to know that no matter what they tell their parents they will still be loved unconditionally. I have heard of parents turning their back on their child when they confess struggles they are having that the parents don’t believe in. Remind them that, “ God doesn’t think any less of them because of their struggle and neither do I.”

There are questions provided at the end of each chapter that are helpful as you go through this book. The scriptures are good to reread and helps us get more intimate with God. My favorite scripture is Romans 8:31. The author uses this scripture to show that God is for us. He is there always. It is a great promise from God that will help all of us know we are not alone.

One thing I think is important to point out is the author says “not everyone will agree with me,” is good to take note of. Some points in the book may not be something you agree with. I did find many helpful tools in the book. This past Sunday in church the pastor used the name ,” God El Roi.” That was very unfamiliar to me . Now as I read this book that same name is used. The meaning is “ the God who sees me.” What a great name to remember. He does see us in everything we do.

The book is written with insight into how we can help our children during difficult times. We should always turn to God for everything and trust in Him. “The core path to being tenacious is being connected to the source of God’s love in our lives.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Its Mama Safe, January 16

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 17

A Reader’s Brain, January 18 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, January 19 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 19

Artistic Nobody, January 20 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 21

Aryn the Libraryan, January 22

Back Porch Reads, January 23 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 24

Simple Harvest Reads, January 25 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 25

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 26

Fiction Book Lover, January 27 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 28

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, January 29 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Chris is giving away the grand prize of a $75 Amazon gift card, a copy of Trekking Toward Tenacity, and a free Audible copy of my previous book Whispers in the Pews: Voices on Mental Illness in the Church!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54132

Monday, January 20, 2025

About the Book

Book: Change Rushes West: A Ginnie West Adventure

Authors: Monique Bucheger & G.L. Rasmussen

Genre: Upper MG

Release date: January 8, 2025

Twelve-year-old Ginnie West has always been haunted by her mom’s tragic accident—and by the fact that her mom’s prized trick-riding horse, Eternal Love, was sold shortly afterward.

When Ginnie and her twin brother, Toran, uncover new clues about where Eternal Love might be, they embark on an exciting journey to find the horse that holds so many memories of their mother. With her horse, Calliope—who, as it turns out, is Eternal Love’s daughter— Ginnie faces a mystery filled with unexpected twists, family secrets, and plenty of challenges along the way.

As she races toward answers, Ginnie learns that sometimes the past isn’t as far away as it seems, and love can be found in the most surprising places. Change Rushes West is a heartwarming adventure about family, friendship, and finding hope in the most unexpected moments.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Authors

Monique is a bestselling author, a certified Farland Fiction Coach, and an empowerment speaker, dedicated to championing the underdog, in both her writing and real-life adventures.

Having a heart for families in crisis, Monique creates stories that capture the essence of real-life challenges and triumphs, with a touch of humor.

Monique’s upper middle-grade series, ‘The Ginnie West Adventures,’ delves into sensitive and weighty themes such as parental loss, abandonment, and overcoming abuse. She delivers stories not only for tween readers, but for those young at heart.

Drawing from her experiences nurturing a dozen of her own children and fostering over a hundred more, Monique’s experiences shape her books, creating novels in a number of genres, including a historical family saga, contemporary family dramas, a fun picture book, and a middle grade series weaving whimsy and heart into her tales.

A country boy by birth and by choice, Gary spent his youth working on the family farm, for local farmers and ranchers, on horseback or playing sports. Offered scholarships in Agriculture and Advertising Design, he opted for the bright lights and big city. Eight years in the advertising field convinced him that wasn’t where he wanted to be.

Gary freelanced in design and illustration, converted his love of writing for advertising to a newspaper column about the country lifestyle. He has also worked as a ranch manager, cowboy, rancher, and horse trainer. An avid painter and author, Gary shares his talents through mentoring others, is a past president of the Western Art Guild and Idaho Writers League and is an active member of Western Writers of America.

Gary and his wife, Margie are the parents of four children and ten grandchildren and have traveled extensively throughout Europe, Great Britain and the United States.

More from Monique

Hello Everyone,

Change Rushes West has been a long-time coming for me. It explores Ginnie’s relationship with her mom’s horse, Eternal Love. Ginnie’s mom’s tragic accident really shaped the entire series. From the beginning, I knew that losing the horse was a sore spot for Ginnie. I always wondered what happened to Eternal Love after she was sold—it felt like an unresolved part of Ginnie’s story.

The idea of bringing them back together has been in the back of my mind for years, but I didn’t seriously explore it until one night G.L. and I brainstormed ways to tie up some loose ends in the series as well as figure out what story arcs to add to this book.

That brainstorming session was pivotal. We started imagining what Ginnie’s journey to find Eternal Love would look like and realized it could be so much more than just a search for a lost horse. It could be a way for Ginnie to reconnect with her mother, heal from that loss, and explore how life moves forward—even when it feels like it’s standing still.

I also loved the idea of Calliope, Ginnie’s horse, being Eternal Love’s daughter. It felt like a beautiful connection between Ginnie’s past and present, between the mother she lost and the person she’s becoming. It added another layer of emotional depth to the story. I wanted Ginnie’s journey to feel like a true adventure, but also an internal one, where she learns that not all endings are sad—sometimes they’re just the beginning of something new.

Writing Change Rushes West was a way to bring Ginnie full circle, and I think readers will enjoy the mystery and the twists along the way. There’s family drama, of course, and the West family is as dynamic as ever.

However, at its heart, this story is not only about Eternal Love, the horse her mother was seldom apart from, but about the emotional love—both the kind you lose… and the kind you find, when you least expect it.

MY REVIEW

I have read every book in this series. It has been fun following the family as they face challenges and share new beginnings. I learned a lot about horses and how they helped heal a young girl grieving. Blended families are featured in the story and I liked how the author shows how patience, forgiveness and unconditional love bring people together. I will say I’m sad to see the series end. This is a perfect series for middle schoolers.

I appreciate how the author handles sensitive topics and Illustrates how people come together to help those who face difficult situations. Overall it has been a nice journey and I look forward to seeing more from these authors.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 14

Vicky Sluiter, January 15 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 15

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 16

Simple Harvest Reads, January 17 (Author Interview)

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 18

For the Love of Literature, January 19 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 20

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 21 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 22

Blossoms and Blessings, January 23 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 24

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 25 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 26

A Reader’s Brain, January 27 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Monique is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54136

Sunday, January 19, 2025

About the Book

Book: Wrapped Up in You (Real American Country Series Book 2)

Author: Jennifer Carr

Genre: Sweet New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release date: October 1, 2024

Nash Montgomery is always up for a good time. But when a senior prank goes too far, his baseball scholarship is put at risk, threatening the future everyone expects him to follow. The consequences earn him community service at a local youth center where he discovers a passion that defies the path he thought had been laid out for him.

Cassidy is a talented musician trapped under the weight of her mother’s ambitious dreams for her. Desperate to carve out her own identity, she struggles to find her voice amidst the noise of others’ expectations.

Their worlds collide in Nashville when both earn a spot on Real American Country, a new reality TV competition for aspiring country stars. As they navigate the pressures of the spotlight, they’ll have to decide if they’re chasing their own dreams—or someone else’s. And along the way, they’ll discover that getting wrapped up in the right person can bring out the best in themselves.

Wrapped Up in You is a heartwarming tale about breaking free from the expectations of others, finding love, and discovering that the best path is the one you create for yourself.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

I’m Jennifer Carr. I’m a wife, homeschooling mom, baker, part-time farmer, social media addict, and an avid reader. I’m a lover of coffee, music, learning, animals, and writing.

have a degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Marriage & Family Counseling, and certifications in Life Coaching, Health and Wellness Coaching, and am a certified Brain Health Professional. I also taught high school AP Psychology for several years.

I’ve always loved writing. Complete transparency alert – I never set out to become an author. I know, that probably sounds unlikely considering, but it’s true. I sat down one day and decided I wanted to write a story because I needed to know how a dream I’d awoken from ended. It snowballed and turned into chapters and eventually into an entire book. When I finished that book, I needed to make sure my characters were OK and thriving so I wrote the second book.

It was at that point I realized that being an author was something I could see myself doing for a really long time. So, I’m still writing and loving every minute of it. When I’m not writing, there’s a good chance I’m reading and drinking coffee!

More from Jennifer

Wrapped Up in You is book two of the Real American Country Series. But don’t worry, it can definitely be read as a standalone! The series follows a reality television country music competition and some of the contestants as they pursue their dreams of becoming country music recording artists. This book follows the story of Nash Montgomery and Cassidy Raye Stanton as they each navigate the pressures of the spotlight. They’ll each have to decide if they’re chasing their own dreams—or someone else’s. And along the way, they’ll discover that getting wrapped up in the right person can bring out the best in themselves.

Wrapped Up in You is a heartwarming tale about breaking free from the expectations of others, finding love, and discovering that the best path is the one you create for yourself.

One of my favorite things about writing this series is coming up with custom playlists for each book. If you love country music or just want to see what all the fuss is about, here’s the playlist that goes along with Wrapped Up in You: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hXjkRFytj9tPFpitHRdEf?si=d0209225ac1f41e0

MY REVIEW

The story features two young people who start getting to know each other through social media. I liked how Nash and Cassidy were able to share with other their struggles. I had to laugh at Nash’s senior prank. That little prank came at a high price. Guess him and his friends didn’t think it through cause the damage was substantial. I couldn’t wait to see what lessons he would learn.

Cassidy has a big dream but her confidence is low. When she starts talking to Nash online she begins to feel a little better. I liked how she began to open up to him and start to encourage each other. I wonder if these two will be able to grow their relationship into something more than friends ?

There are some good moments in the story such as Nash helping out someone build confidence. I know Jet had a great time on stage when he overcame his fear. Maybe Nash will find his calling helping in the music department at school. Nash makes a huge mistake when he goes to a party to play beer pong.

Cassidy makes a bold move when she tells her parents she wants to go to college and not pursue her music career. Her mother is not happy because I think she had dreams of her daughter bring a big star in the music industry. Let’s see where Cassidy goes as she starts her new journey.

I did find that there were a few things I was not really comfortable with in the story but overall it was a pretty clean story. Two young people who are trying to decide their future come together in a story that illustrates how bad choices can lead to consequences.

“It’s okay to let go of dreams and discover new ones.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, January 16 (Author Interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, January 17 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 17

For the Love of Literature, January 18 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 19

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 20 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 21

Blossoms and Blessings, January 22 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 23

Artistic Nobody, January 24 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, January 25

Stories By Gina, January 26 (Author Interview)

Pause for Tales, January 26

For Him and My Family, January 27

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 28 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away the grand prize of a 6-Month Kindle Unlimited Subscription and an eBook copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54131

Saturday, January 18, 2025

About the Book

Book: A Year of Flowers

Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: November 18, 2024

In this collection of four heartfelt novellas, three former friends have found success in the floral industry, but happiness–and love–remain elusive.

In An Apology in Bloom, wedding florist Jaime Harper is on a meteoric rise, working for an event company led by a successful and way-too-handsome boss. When a letter arrives from her past mentor with an offer too good to pass up, will she stay or head back to her hometown?

In A Bouquet of Dreams, Claire Murphy has always dreamed of owning a flower shop, and when her employers hint at retirement, she believes her moment has arrived. But first she must confront her past–and the man who caused her to flee her hometown years ago.

In A Field of Beauty, Tessa Anderson has found an acre of farmland to start her flower farm and forget the past. She’s grateful for the help of two men–her boyfriend, Tyler, and a quiet soil specialist named Dawson. But as the farm finally starts to bloom, Tessa will discover something that challenges everything she’s built.

In A Future in Blossom, Jaime, Claire, and Tessa return to their hometown, finally ready to face each other and their beloved mentor, flower shop owner Rose Reid. As they unite to pull off an extraordinary wedding, amid the flurry of preparations they just may find their way to forgiveness.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a Christy finalist, a Carol and Selah winner, a two-time ECPA Book of the Year finalist, and the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of more than forty books. Her genres include contemporary and historical romances, Amish romance, and women’s fiction. She and her husband live in a small town in California, where everyone knows everyone else, knows what they are doing and why. Most friends act a little nervous around Suzanne because they usually wind up in one of her novels. She has four grown children and enough grandchildren to keep her young.

More from Suzanne

A Year of Flowers: Friendships in Full Bloom

If you’ve ever tended to a garden, you know that flowers and friendships have a lot in common—they both need a bit of love, attention, and sometimes, a good pruning. That’s the heart of my novella collection called A Year of Flowers, stories of three teenage girls who bonded over bouquets and blossomed into best friends under the guidance of Rose, the wise and wonderful flower shop owner.

But life, much like a garden, doesn’t always go according to plan. On one sweltering August day, something dreadful happens in the flower shop, and the girls, who once shared everything, suddenly vanish from each other’s lives.

Seven years later, we find out where each girl, now a young woman, has gone. Their love for flowers is still in full bloom. Jaime’s taken her talent to the big city, working as a floral artist for a high-end event agency in NYC. She’s turning heads with her extravagant designs, but something’s missing—maybe it’s the simple joy she once found in that small-town flower shop.

Claire has run off to Savannah, Georgia, where she’s knee-deep in blooms, working in a flower shop with dreams of running the place one day. She’s got her eye on the prize, but she’s also discovering that you can’t outrun the past, no matter how far you go.

Then there’s Tessa, who’s found solace in the soil of Asheville, NC, where she’s started a flower farm. It’s a peaceful life, but even in the quiet of the mountains, memories of that summer day haunt her like the mist that rolls over the hills.

As each story unfolds, we see that, like flowers, friendships need TLC. They can wilt easily without care and attention. And sometimes, a good pruning is necessary, to help it grow stronger.

In the final novella, the three young women are drawn back to where it all began—the flower shop, and to Rose. It’s time to dig up the past, clear out the weeds, and see if their friendship can bloom again. After all, just because a garden has been neglected doesn’t mean it can’t be revived with a little care and attention.

So, if you’re a fan of flowers, friendships, or happy endings, get a copy of A Year of Flowers. It’s a reminder that with the right care, both flowers and friendships can flourish, no matter how long they’ve been left untended.

MY FLOWERS

A collection of stories where flowers are featured. Each story is filled with faith, friendship and happy endings. The author does a great job of giving us relatable characters we want to cheer for. I loved learning about flowers and how delicate they are. The descriptions were so vivid I could see the beauty of the bouquets that were created. Get ready for a great time with friends who support each other. Healing the heart happens in the most unexpected ways in this faith filled collection of stories.

An Apology in Bloom

Jamie works very hard trying to please customers with her designs. One particular customer is very picky but Jamie pulls off an exceptional bouquet that brings a nice compliment for Jamie. With all her skills Jamie thinks it is time to enter the Blooms to Bouquet competition.

Jamie’s boss Liam is found rocking out to a gospel song when she arrives at the shop. She had no idea that he liked Christian music. It is a perfect opportunity for Jamie to be reminded that she still has not found a church to go to since moving to New York City. I loved when Liam told Jamie, “Faith brings new life.” Hmm. Is Jamie looking at Liam in a different light now?

What a mess Jamie gets into when her bouquet becomes a finalist. The problem is the bouquet is for a very prestigious wedding. The mother of the bride is furious because the picture of the bouquet is all over Instagram. Will Liam forgive Jamie for this huge mistake? Is the wedding ruined? Stay tuned to see where Jamie goes after the fiasco she thinks she made.

A Bouquet of Dreams

Claire finds herself at a boring conference on her twenty-fifth birthday. What a way to celebrate her birthday. Her boss thinks she needs to have better customer service skills. Perhaps being direct and expanding on her knowledge of flowers all the time isn’t quite what customers want to hear.

It was interesting to learn Claire’s background. Being a military brat she traveled a lot as a child. When her mom left, she lived alone with her dad going from place to place. Her dad goes overseas but Claire has had enough of moving. Staying with her grandparents was a great decision. Her life makes another sudden change when she suffers a loss.

Claire has big dreams in the flower business but her dad doesn’t share her enthusiasm. No one seems to understand that flowers ‘is in the business of happiness.” Meeting MaryBeth and her husband is an answer to prayer for Claire. They take her in and let her work in their flower shop. I did see that Claire did begin to complain a bit when she was so sure MaryBeth would retire. Is Claire expecting to be given the flower shop?

This story has a great lesson on forgiveness and giving second chances. Claire faces her past at the conference and sees how much she has judged someone unfairly. Will Claire return to her hometown?

A Field Of Beauty

Tessa is ready to open her own flower farm. What an intriguing idea. Now all she has to do is get started. After buying Mountain Farm she is ready to go. Can she convince Dawson to analyze the soil? It doesn’t sound very promising as Dawson lets her know that it will need a lot of work to get the soil in good condition.

I can’t believe that Tessa was talked into giving Dawson base plus a fifty-fifty cut. This is going to get very interesting . Her boyfriend is not happy that she cancels their date in order to stay and help Dawson out. As they work together, they see tiny little seeds start to grow. It gets them both hopeful that they will be successful in their long term plan.

Oh my . I am shocked at what happens at a dinner that Tessa attends with her boyfriend. He is running for office and I didn’t like him much. He is a bit arrogant and doesn’t really respect Tessa at times. Things did go from bad to disaster as Tessa’s farm is in danger of being taken away from her. Dawson tells Tessa, “you can’t fix what you don’t face.” Such a good story of turning your life back to God. God will forgive your of your mistakes. The hardest part is to forgive ourselves.

A Future in Bloom

This story brings four characters back together. I loved seeing how the women all came back to face their past. Rose is definitely the reason the group has returned to reunite. Past pain and harsh words need to be healed. The wedding planned to be hosted in the greenhouse sounded so exciting. I loved seeing how the friends began to work together again. But lingering in the background was the past that they all needed to talk about. The ending is bittersweet but oh how I loved how the author brings this story full circle.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.