Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Dogwood Winter

About the Book

Book: Dogwood Winter

Author: Candace West

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: August 24, 2021

FC - Dogwood Winter by Candace West - FINAL (1) A Lukewarm Correspondence. A Tattered Reputation. Two Hearts at Odds.

He is walking away while she is fighting to walk.

After a springtime swim, Ella Steen is stricken with a dire illness, leaving her without the use of her legs. Meanwhile, Dr. George Curtis, the man she secretly loves, faces ruin. For over a year, the crusty New York City bachelor and vivacious spinster have exchanged dozens of letters and formed a wary friendship.

Neither are willing to open their hearts completely. Until they face each other. The past looms between them, however. Does George still love another or is his heart completely free?

A trip to Valley Creek holds the answers. Instead, when George and Ella arrive, they encounter obstacles that force other truths to the surface. Is George brave enough to confront what he fled in New York? Can Ella confess why she hates dogwood winters? Will their hearts survive?

If only their pasts would keep out of the present.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Author pic Candace West was born in the Mississippi delta to a young minister and his wife. She grew up in small-town Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. At twelve years old, she wrote her first story, “Following Prairie River.” In 2018, she published her debut novel Lane Steen, book one of the Valley Creek Redemption Series. By weaving entertaining, hope-filled stories, Candace shares the Gospel and encourages her readers. She currently lives in Arkansas with her husband and their son along with two dogs and three bossy cats.

More from Candace

Biscuits and gravy has been a staple for generations in my family. It’s perfect for any occasion or breakfast, dinner, and supper. Yes, in our neck of the woods, dinner is lunch, and supper is—well, supper.

And then, we have biscuits and gravy with a twist. We’ll shove the traditional aside for a bowl of chocolate gravy. That’s right, chocolate.

Now, don’t get grossed out. Some people believe chocolate gravy is this weird, mysterious concoction made with meat grease. It’s the gravy part that boggles their mind, but it’s actually straightforward and easy—not true gravy at all. Trust me, if you like chocolate, you’ll want to try this. When you butter a biscuit and drizzle the chocolate over it, you’ll get a little taste of heaven on earth.

And you’ll get a little taste of the Appalachians and Ozarks.

My grandparents, both raised deep in the Arkansas Ozarks, were raised on “chocolate an’ biscuits” and passed the recipe down to us. Throughout the mountains and in pockets throughout the country, you’ll find this lesser-known treat on kitchen tables and family gatherings.

Every recipe is a little different. Every family has their own special way of making it. My family likes their chocolate gravy a little thinner while my husband’s family wants theirs to be the consistency of pudding.

In Dogwood Winter, my characters would’ve eaten chocolate an’ biscuits. Their corner of the Ozarks is famous for it. I can see Ella and George, along with the Steen family, gathering around a table, saying the blessing, and passing the fare to each other. The only skeptical one in the bunch would be George, a New Yorker who wasn’t raised on it. One bite would make him a believer.

Have you ever eaten biscuits and chocolate gravy? If not, would you try it?

This is our family recipe.

Chocolate Gravy

1 ½ cups sugar

1 tbs Hershey Cocoa powder

2 ½ tbs flour

Mix dry ingredients in a saucepan

Add 1 ½ to 2 cups of milk (depends on the thickness you want)

Bring to a boil and cook until thickened (3 or 4 minutes) Note: Bring to a slow boil and continually stir. Remove from heat then add 2 tbs butter and 1 tsp of Vanilla extract. Pour over buttered biscuits and enjoy!

MY REVIEW

It is hard to describe how I feel right now after reading this story but here goes. The characters gave me hope, purpose and renewed my faith. From the minute I started reading, I knew this story was just what I needed. I have been struggling with my faith lately. Everything seems to be going wrong and I didn’t feel joy anymore. I needed something to shake me up, to show me that miracles still happen and that God is in control.

George is who I related to the most. He is lost, beaten down and feels like he has no purpose. As a doctor, he does everything he can to help his patients. I kept thinking about how God is in control as I cried over the tragedy that George faced. It is easy to blame yourself when sonething goes wrong, but then you are reminded in some way that God is in control of everything. Watching George so beaten and without hope, I sensed his desire to give up.

Ella is a sweet nurturing woman who is handicapped but still finds joy in everything around her. I loved reading the letters between her and George. In the pages are encouragement and hope for a future. She has no idea that George is facing ridicule among people who use to be his friend. I think when he decides to come see Ella, a glimmer of God’s plan was taking place. I admired Ella for never giving up and supporting George as he slowly confesses his past to her. The author illustrated how pride can separate us from others and draw us away from God.

The story is a journey of letting go of the past, healing and most of all finding your way back to God. George must decide if he will stay or move on and run from the pain that has caused him to doubt himself. The people in the town are not always open to strangers but something happens that will stir up the deep faith they have and join together to believe for a miracle.

I am thankful for this story at this moment to remind me that I’m not alone. There is peace, joy and unconditional love surrounding me just as George found when he let go of his pride. The author has written a story that is emotional with flawed characters that blossom as they each surrender their heart to Him.

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