Tuesday, September 8, 2020

About the Book

Book: Amaryllis Journey

Author: Konnie Viner

Genre: Christian Fiction/Romance

Release Date: July 23, 2020

You’re worthless, Shannon. This marriage is worthless. I deserve to be happy. We’re done!

Andrew’s cruel words have haunted Shannon for months . . . through the divorce, a move to a new town, a new job, new friends. And then she meets Max, who just might be the antidote she needs to recover completely. Until Andrew shows up again, ready to reconcile. And Shannon feels obligated to give him another chance.

As Andrew’s attention becomes more demanding and more deceptive, Shannon’s new friend, Rose, speaks truth and peace into her broken life. But Rose has her own secrets, and they’re about to catch up with her.

When it all comes crashing down, can either of them trust God enough to let Him showcase the perfect imperfections of their lives?

Click here to get your copy!

MY REVIEW

This has been such a wonderful story that I wished it would have lasted longer. I was very curious about the title and couldn’t wait to see how it tied into the story. Shannon represents what we hear on the news almost daily. Being in an abusive marriage is dangerous and emotional. Shannon wanted to believe her husband would change but when she finds out a secret about him she knows she needs to move on.

I thought it was brave for her to leave and start a new life in a small town. I loved following Shannon as she finds courage to move forward and stop believing the lies her husband would say to her. Andrew uses his words to make Shannon feel worthless and controls her with threats. I definitely felt the tension each time they were together. The author does a good job of showing what an abusive relationship is like.

My favorite character in the book is Rose. I loved how she reached out to others who needed emotional support and ministered to them. Her sweet spirit witnesses to Shannon and slowly makes her more confident. Rose wears a special pin everyday and when it is revealed what it means , I cried. I want to visit Rose’s shop and pick up a special vase for myself. I loved how she uses broken things and restores them to reflect beauty.

I loved the theme of beauty from ashes in the story. The author uses examples of broken lives to illustrate how God sees beauty in everything. We may feel broken but God takes our broken heart and mends it. I did like the mystery involving Rose and oh my is it an emotional journey as the author puts the puzzle pieces together and shares the significance of God’s protection. A simple plant that Rose gives Shannon illustrates hope and a new beginning. I can’t wait for readers to find out the mystery behind the beautiful pin Rose wears everyday. The author had written a beautiful story filled with hope, peace, trust and believing in yourself.

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

About the Author

Konnie Viner writes with the goal of helping others find hope in the midst of brokenness and disappointment. She is also the author of Rested Soul, Resilient Heart (2017). Konnie holds a BS in Education from the University of Kansas and an MS in Business Management from the University of Redlands, CA. She is a former secondary education teacher and is currently self-employed.

More from Konnie

Amaryllis Journey is my second book, but first novel. It was written to bring to life one woman’s struggle to move out of the pain and insecurity of marital betrayal and divorce, into the light of God’s grace. Shannon Enright’s new life is facilitated by a wise friend, Rose Daniels, who has been where she is and knows that what is broken is not useless and what is bare can bloom again.

Reeling from the pain and rejection of a nasty divorce, Shannon decides to start life over—in a new town, with a new job, new home, new friends. It isn’t easy, but things are finally starting to come together for her. Secrets from her marriage are still unfolding, but she grits her teeth and moves on. Looking for diversion, Shannon volunteers at a local florist shop and tearoom. There she finds more than she ever imagined.

Rose owns and operates the Amaryllis, a unique gift shop in Shannon’s new town. She repurposes broken household items, turning them into beautifully useful works of art. But Rose’s real purpose is to help others find beauty in the brokenness of life. She counsels young women like Shannon, showing them the quiet love of a faithful God and teaching them to trust His plan.

When Shannon’s ex returns, at first to sweet-talk and then to demand, it’s Rose’s counsel that keeps Shannon safe and sane. But Rose has been hiding her own dark and dangerous secrets, and her past is about to catch up with her.

When things come crashing down around them, will either woman find the strength to let God showcase the perfect imperfections of their lives?

——

I went through my own divorce ten years ago. I’ve experienced many of the same emotions and insecurities that Shannon does. I wrote her story so others can know that the disappointments and failures of your past don’t have to dictate what’s to come. When I chose to have Rose rescue cracked and broken pots and make them into something beautiful, it was with deliberate intent.

I love Rose’s passion for bringing beauty from the broken. Her repurposed containers carry the beauty of God’s creation (flowers) into the world. Our lives are like her art. We are vehicles for God’s grace. Our chips and cracks do not diminish His glory. They showcase His power and His redeeming love.

Publication of Amaryllis Journey was bittersweet for me because the character Rose was modeled after my mother who was my mentor. I did not tell Mom I was writing this book because “my” plan was to dedicate it to her. But God had other plans, and He called her home to Heaven suddenly before the book was completed. It is now dedicated to her memory.

Konnie