Must Love Flowers

Grief: deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement

There is no way around it.  We all at one time or another will experience grief.  How we handle grief is the difference.
Joan lost her husband unexpectedly 4 years ago.  This loss was more than she could handle.  Covid hit and she was even more isolated.  
What happened to Joan to make a change in her life after 4 years?  Joan made one step towards healing (or at least movement in a different direction) that started to change her life in a more positive way.
Debbie Macomber touches on a very sensitive subject.  I know of friends and family who wallowed in their grief.  I also know of others who used their grief, their experiences, to help others. 
Joan found she wasn't alone.  And with this knowledge she made the changes to continue on.
I enjoyed the book.  The characters could be any one of us.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Macomber, the author of It’s Better This Way, A Walk Along the Beach, Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is, as well, the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous

 What were Rose and her sisters thinking?  I can't imagine going out in the wilderness so very far from home.  But they promised their father that they would grant his last request. He wanted them to find a certain Piegan Blackfoot woman and give her back blue beads that she gave him so many years ago.  

The sisters were focused on completing their task.  They never expected their lives to change as they explored the picturesque Rocky Mountains.  Thank goodness, Riley Turner was there to help them and give them his protection. But what will protect his heart?

I was introduced to Misty M. Beller's books a few years ago.  She does an amazing job describing the sights and sounds of the wilderness. I always want to read her books.  She never disappoints. 

I received this book to review from Celebrate Lit. 

 

About the Book

Book: Rocky Mountain Rendezvous

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 6, 2023

In 1837, Juniper Collins and her sisters are shocked by their father’s final request in his will for a special set of beads to be returned to a Piegan Blackfoot woman he credits with saving his life during his travels west. Together, the sisters set out for the trapper rendezvous to find the woman, but their mission turns more daunting when they come upon the mass of men and lodges spread out in the Green River Valley.

Riley Turner came west to find peace and quiet and live off the land, but when four unprotected women arrive at the rendezvous, he feels compelled to help them and is more fascinated by Juniper than any other woman he’s known.

As their search brings only empty leads and dead ends, the sisters must decide whether to return east or stay in the mountains to continue looking–and that’s if the mystery woman is even still alive. Is the risk to honor their father’s last request worth the danger they find at every turn?

Discover the majesty–and treachery–of the Rocky Mountains in this unique combination of exhilarating adventure, inspiring faith, and sweet romance from USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller.

More from Misty

What IS a trapper rendezvous?

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous is the story of four sisters who head west to accomplish their father’s deathbed request—return a special set of beads to a Blackfoot woman who saved his life during his travels west two decades earlier. The sisters head west with the supply wagons bound for the 1837 trapper rendezvous to find the native woman. But the sight that greeted them in the Green River Valley (in modern-day Wyoming) was nothing like they expected!

Men EVERYWHERE!

Supply wagons would come from the east every summer, and mountain men and natives would come from all throughout the Rockies to trade furs for the supplies they’d need in the coming year. This was usually the only opportunity for trading each year, so EVERYONE came and the camp stretched for miles. This was a great time for friends to catch up, and the festivities always included a great deal of drinking and horse racing. The rendezvous was a sight to behold!

In Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, Riley Turner is one of the trappers at the meet-up, and he realizes immediately what kind of danger the ladies are in from unscrupulous men in the crowd. He helps them with their search, and they find so much more than they expected along the way!

Each book in this series will take place during a different year, featuring a different rendezvous. Definitely fodder for fun stories. I pray you love this first book as the Collins sisters embark on the search of a lifetime.

Blessings!

Misty

 About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

 Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, May 3

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 4

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

By the Book, May 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 6

Connie’s History Classroom, May 7

The Book Club Network, May 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 8 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 8

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Karen Baney Reviews, May 10

Daysong Reflections, May 11

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11

Betti Mace, May 12

For the Love of Literature, May 12

Blossoms and Blessings, May 13

Life, Love, Writing, May 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews , May 14

Mary Hake, May 14

For Him and My Family, May 15

Holly’s Book Corner, May 15

Pause for Tales, May 16

To Everything There Is A Season , May 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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/25ca2/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Swindler's Daughter

A father she never knew left her his house and interest in his business.  She had no idea why. Who was he?  What secrets would she discover?

Lillian had no idea what she was in for.  All she knew it was a chance to escape from her mother and her plans for Lillian to marry a man she did not love.

Lillian arrived somewhat frightened and unsure of her self.  But the longer she stayed she discovered her true destiny.  

One thing I love about being a reviewer is the ability to be introduced to new authors.  This book by Stephenia H. McGee is the first one I have read by her.  

I received this ebook to review from Revell.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook.

Windswept Way - A Hope Harbor Novel

Scars.  Everyone has them.  Some can be seen.  Others can't.  Ashley, Rose, and Jon have them.  I have had them.  I am sure you have, too.

This story shows how these scars impact the choices we make and how we live our lives. 

Ashley just broke up with a boyfriend. Her job was gone. What will she do now? She took a leap of faith and bought an alleged haunted house.  She discovered that taking this one step changed not only her life but also those around her.  

I loved seeing the changes everyone went through after Ashley moved to Hope Harbor.

Irene Hannon provides me with so much enjoyment every time a new book of hers comes out.  

I received this book from Revell Reads to review.

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 60 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA's elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.

Bound by a Sicilian Secret

Pretty hot book!  I haven't read anything like this in years. Some of the scenes were a little much for me. I felt myself blushing. I wonder if my husband noticed.  Lol!

Flora was confused.  She couldn't understand how her parents could lie to her.  A betrayal that she felt she could never forgive. She never could trust another.

Rafaelle must keep his feelings intact.  He could not love.  A real relationship would be impossible.  He must keep himself in control. But then he met Flora.

I received this book to review from Rachel Random Books.

#RARARESOURCES

#BoldwoodBooks

#RachelRandomReads

Bound by a Sicilian Secret

The proof of their passion: she’s carrying the Sicilian’s child! Read this thrilling secret baby romance from Lela May Wight.

When their worlds collided…

They became tied forever!

Flora Bick once strayed from her carefully scripted life and lost herself in the uninhibited kisses of a stranger. Overwhelmed, she fled his bed and returned to her risk-free existence. Now, he’s found her and together they discover the unimaginable—she’s pregnant!

Demanding Flora accompany him to Sicily, Raffaele Russo finally reveals his vast wealth—and his determination to give their child the stable upbringing he never had. But for the time being, their secret remains theirs alone, and it will bind them even closer than their ever-present desire…

From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds. 

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bound-Sicilian-Secret-Mills-Modern-ebook/dp/B0BCW714KP 

US - https://www.amazon.com/Bound-Sicilian-Secret-Lela-Wight-ebook/dp/B0B7S659CD 

Author Bio –  Lela May Wight grew up with seven brothers and sisters. Yes, it was noisy, and she often found escape in romance books. She still does, but now she gets to write them too! She hopes to offer readers the same escapism when the world is a little too loud.

Lela May lives in the UK with her sons and her very own hero, who never complains about her book addiction - he buys her more books! Check out what she’s up to at lelamaywight.com.

Social Media Links – 

Website: www.lelamaywight.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/LelaMayWight (@lelamaywight)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/166383018829400 (@lelamaywight)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lelamaywight (@lelamaywight)

AUTHOR:

Lela May Wight grew up with seven brothers and sisters. Yes, it was noisy, and she often found escape in romance books. She now hopes she can offer readers the same escapism when the world is a little too loud.

CELEBRATE LIT-Fields of Bounty

One of the first books that I ever read in the Inspirational Romance category was by Lauraine Snelling. This was the only introduction that I needed to open the door to all the books that followed thereafter.   

This book is Book 3 of the Leah's Garden series.  The Nielsen family are very closeknit. Their love for each other is clearly evident.   Each member will do what they can for each other. 

The sisters all have such beautiful names.  Larkspur, Lilac and Delphinium. Leah was their mother whom the series was named after.  Her love of flowers inspired her daughters to grow a flower garden with hopes of better future for the Nielsens. 

This book is about Lilac.  She had such high hopes when the Preacher asked to court her. But with time, she started to question whether they were a match. Could true love bloom for the couple? 

I received this book to review from Celebrate Lit.

About the Book

Book: Fields of Bounty

Author: Lauraine Snelling

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release date: March 21, 2023

They must set aside their own plans and rely on their faith to bring their true destiny to light.

Lilac Nielsen’s dream has come true: handsome young Reverend Ethan Pritchard has finally noticed her. Yet she must balance this new courtship with the pursuit of another dream–the publication of her artwork in a New York paper. She has secretly been submitting a series of drawings under a pen name, and if anyone traces the drawings back to her and finds out where Lilac and her sisters settled, the entire Nielsen family could be in danger.

As their family farm expands and Lilac’s relationship with the reverend grows, it’s a time of new beginnings. But when a family crisis back in Ohio shakes the Nielsen sisters, can they continue to build the new life they’ve begun in Nebraska? And will Lilac be prepared for what God has in store for her future?

More from Lauraine

One of the things I love about writing novels is that the characters often surprise me as I write. I usually jot notes, then have to hunt for them because I have the bad habit of scribbling on whatever paper happens to be handy. But as I play with the characters who’ve already taken up residence in my head, they seem to develop a mind of their own. Once I have the opening line, the adventure flies off in directions I never expected.

 

Lilac’s story, Fields of Bounty, is book three of Leah’s Garden. The series follows the adventures of four sisters, all named after their mother’s favorite flowers. Lilac is the youngest sister. She’s a dreamer, as I’d already learned in two of her sisters’ stories. She loves playing the fiddle with her sisters, who are each proficient on a different instrument. As she lives the frontier life, she sketches everything around her, their farm animals, her growing extended family, and their new life in Nebraska. Her story unwinds in ways you might not expect.

 

It’s interesting how flowers show up in so many of my books. I love to talk about flowers. I  choose and plant them so I can pick flowers, arrange them, and enjoy the fragrances. I take photos and paint watercolors of my flowers as well. Our acreage is hedged in lilac bushes. In the spring when my lilacs are blooming and a breeze is spreading the perfume, I can take my laptop out to the deck, inhale deeply, and write.

 

Since we wish we could keep the scent of lilacs around all year, I found a great recipe for making lilac potpourri from The Experimental Homesteader. Check out her website for instructions. I think our Nebraska Lilac would approve.

About the Author

Lauraine Snelling (www.laurainesnelling.com) is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, fiction and nonfiction, for adults and young adults. Her books have sold more than five million copies. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California.

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Lauraine is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback set of the books in LEAH’S GARDEN series: The Seeds of Change, A Time to Bloom, and Fields of Bounty!!

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/258b1/fields-of-bounty-celebration-tour-giveaway

Blog Stops

Bigreadersite, April 21

lakesidelivingsite, April 21

Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 23

Texas Book-aholic, April 24

Lily’s Book Reviews, April 25

Cover Lover Book Review, April 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 26

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 27 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 27

Connie’s History Classroom, April 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 30

For Him and My Family, May 1

Holly’s Book Corner, May 2

Splashes of Joy, May 3

Mary Hake, May 3

Pause for Tales, May 4

One Last Summer at Seabridge Farm

 

How would you spend your last days if you knew you only had a few months to live?

Jo Bartlett touched upon a topic that can be difficult to read.  Georgia was dying.  She knew it and accepted it.  Georgia had a to do list before she died and her best friend, Gabe, was going to help her

achieve everyone of them.

Georgia and Gabe have been best friends since grade school.  Is their more there than just friendship?

This is a story that touches your heart. 

#blog tour

#BoldwoodBooks

#RachelRandomReads

#RaRaResources

One Last Summer at Seabreeze Farm

A summer to remember...

Georgia Banks knows she’s living on borrowed time. So, when doctors tell her she’s got one last summer to make all her dreams come true, she’s determined to make every day count.

The one thing that’s never in doubt, is that she wants her best friend, Gabe, to be with her every step of the way. And so, Georgia draws up her not-a-bucket list with all the things she’s determined to tick off before she goes – number one of which is to spend one last summer by the sea.

Seabreeze Farm perched high on the cliffs above the English Channel is the perfect spot, and surrounded by the antics of its menagerie of rescued animals and the warmth of the friendship she’s offered there, Georgia starts to believe she can live out all her dreams before it’s too late.

And just when she thinks there’s nothing left to wish for, Georgia gets another chance at life. But taking it might mean losing the one person she cares about the most.

As she faces her biggest challenge yet, Georgia wonders if her last summer at Seabreeze Farm will mean the end of her biggest dream of all.

This book was previously published as One Last Summer at Channel View Farm

 Purchase Link -https://amzn.to/3Xkgtju

Author Bio –

Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast. Her first title for Boldwood is The Cornish Midwife – part of a twelve-book deal.

 Social Media Links

 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JoBartlettAuthor 

 Twitter:https://twitter.com/J_B_Writer 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo_bartlett123/ 

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JoBartlettNews 

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jo-bartlett 

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Welcome to Weaver Street

 

Life didn't go as she hoped when her husband brought her to Weaver Street.  She didn't want to leave Ireland.  It's her home. What was life going to be like?  Would she be able to fit in and adjust to life there? She was afraid of the unknown.

But Kitty was not one to sit around and watch the world go by!  She was a strong woman and was determined to make the best of the situation.

It was a book about women friendships. Kitty's friends were so different from each other but they developed a true, loving and lasting friendship.

It was a book about love that has gone wrong and how they survived the disappointment.

It was a book about parental/child love and how to keep a healthy balance.

I loved the book.  It was real. It touched my heart.

I never heard of the author until this story.  Now I am a fan.  

#BoldwoodBooks

CHRISSIE WALSH

Chrissie Walsh was born and raised in West Yorkshire and is a retired schoolteacher with a passion for history. She has written several successful sagas documenting feisty women in challenging times for Aria. Welcome to Weaver Street, the first title in her new WW1 saga series for Boldwood.

Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove by Kim Nash

Meredith needed a change.  So she bought a lighthouse unseen in Cornwall.  Yes, unseen.  Pretty daring move for someone in their 50s.

Clem sounds just what she needed.  He was pretty handy in more ways than one. But he's 10 years younger.  How was that going to work?

I loved the idea of living in a lighthouse by the sea.  But I couldn't get over all the steps she had to do to get to each floor.  My knees couldn't take it. 

I enjoyed reading this book and followed along with her updates to her lighthouse and her relationships with her new neighbors. 

I received this book from #RachelRandomReads to review.

#BoldwoodBooks

#RachelReads

@rararesources

Hopeful Hearts at the Cornish Cove

A perfect new start in Cornwall…

Meredith's life is at a standstill. She's stuck in a dead-end job, approaching fifty, and her dating life is a string of disasters. But one evening, while browsing the internet, she sees an ad for a lighthouse, and in a moment of impulsiveness, she makes a ridiculous bid for it.

With the help of local handyman Clem, she sets about renovating. And as they work together, a bond begins to form. But when Meredith finds out that Clem is keeping a secret from her, it changes everything. Will they find a way to build something more meaningful together?

A delightful story about community, friendship and having the courage to start over, perfect for fans of Carole Matthews, Milly Johnson and Lucy Dillon

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3WN6PWM  

Author Bio – 

Kim Nash is the author of uplifting, funny, heartwarming, romantic, feel-good fiction. She lives in Staffordshire with son Ollie and English Setter rescue dog Roni, is Digital Publicity Director for publisher Bookouture (division of Hachette UK), and is a book blogger at www.kimthebookworm.co.uk. When she's not working or writing, Kim can be found walking her dog at Cannock Chase, reading, writing and binge-watching box sets on the TV. 

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimTheBookWorm 

Twitter https://twitter.com/KimTheBookworm 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kim_the_bookworm/ 

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kim-nash