About the Book

Book: Sweet Rivals

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 29, 2022

Fay is about to lose her business…

…to the only guy she’s ever thought might be good for her.

Fay Ravven has spent years building a floral business on Mimosa Island. Too bad a chain florist has moved in right down the street. As her business wanes, she realizes her rival is none other than Corbin Lowel, the very man who swept her heart away at her friend’s wedding.

Corbin knows he’s not good enough for Fay. His friends remind him all the time that, as a florist, he’s not really man enough for anyone. That doesn’t stop him from stepping out of his comfort zone and going to Fay’s store to see if she remembers him. That’s when he discovers that his business is killing hers.

What are rivals to do when they can’t stop thinking about each other? Plan the flowers for someone else’s wedding, of course.

When Corbin and Fay must see each other and work together, will they dive through their pain and reach for the stars? Or will the roses be too prickly for two hurt hearts?

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.

 

More from Kari

Nudge from the Almighty or personal desire?

Sometimes what we should do is as clear as mud. When I first felt the call to write, I worried that it was a “me” thing. I worried that the nudge that I felt was for my own glory. It didn’t matter that I felt the desire to write Christian fiction. We can do all the things we think are right and still be in the wrong place according to God’s will.

When I literally felt captive to the idea of writing—like, I couldn’t move forward without doing something about it—then I finally considered that perhaps this was God’s will and not just me wanting something. But it took years of the Holy Spirit prodding me before I ever acted.

Fay is like that. She starts her flower business certain she is doing the will of God and it helps that she really wants it too. But she works so hard, putting in so many hours, that she forgets about why she started it and it becomes all work for her own glory. Her business.

Enter Corbin, a really sweet guy who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is used by God to nudge Fay away from her idol and into a deeper relationship. He’s a rival flower shop owner, and the only guy she’s ever felt a connection to. Which makes for some pretty interesting dialogue for the two of them.

Fact is, none of us likes to hear that our desire—especially when we think we’re doing the right thing—is wrong. No one ever wants loving correction by a Heavenly Father who cares about us deeply. We’re supposed to get it right.

Fay has to find out if it’s her business that’s getting in the way of her relationship or if it’s really a heart issue. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out along with her.

Kari

MY REVIEW

There is nothing like fresh flowers to bring cheer and happiness to someone. I could smell the aroma of delicate petals as the door opened to Fay’s flower shop. She has gained many loyal customers over the years which has kept her in business. That  all changes when Flowers 2 Be opens up close to her. Poor Fay sees her days becoming longer as slowly customers start to cancel their orders from her. How long can she keep her business going? 

I found an interesting bit about flowers in the story. I’m not big on roses and prefer daisies and sunflowers. But a rose is very special and comes in a variety of colors. I had no idea that a blue rose existed at all. The blue rose symbolizes  “ reaching the impossible.”  Okay now I want to find a blue rose for myself. Blue is my favorite color after all. But back to the story. Where in the world is Fay going to get an enormous amount of blue roses in two weeks for a wedding? Talk about reaching the impossible. 

Corbin is a delightful addition to the story. He is charming, handsome and did I mention the manager of Flowers 2 Be? It is a shame that he is in competition with Fay because they have become friends. I couldn’t wait to see how this story would unravel. The judgmental attitude he receives from some of the local people was upsetting to me. It proves how insensitive we can be when it comes to other people.

I loved reading about Fay and Corbin as they become better acquainted. Corbin needs someone who respects him and enjoys being around him. Fay need encouragement when her business starts to fade and an answer of where God wants her. The faith element is wonderful in the story as we see how God works in mysterious ways.

 I have to mention Bertha before I close my review. She isn’t someone most people want to be around. Bertha is cranky, opinionated and unhappy most of the  time. But beneath that outer layer is a woman who is lonely and wants to be accepted just the  way she is. I loved her character so much because I think we sometimes forget to look around us. How often do we overlook the older person who desperately needs someone to talk to? Do we forget that there is someone hurting but scared to ask for help? What a wonderful reminder Bertha is for all of us to ask God to show us who we can help today. 

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

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 19

lakesidelivingsite, April 20

Texas Book-aholic, April 20

Inklings and notions, April 21

For Him and My Family, April 22

By the Book, April 22

deb’s Book Review, April 23

Blossoms and Blessings, April 23

The Christian Fiction Girl, April 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 26

She Lives To Read, April 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 28 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

Miriam Jacob, April 29

CarpeDiem, April 30

Connect in Fiction, April 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 1

Simple Harvest Reads, May 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, May 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kari is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/1cc84/sweet-rivals-celebration-tour-giveaway