As Love Blooms Book Review

The Gregory Sisters Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Young romance opens like a rose . . . but even a rose has its thorns.

     Tessa Gregory is nothing if not tenacious.  Denied a position as a horticulturist at prestigious Como Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she is not above a little benevolent deception in order to get the park superintendent to change his mind and hire her.  She plans to infiltrate the world of wealthy and influential people in hopes of drumming up financial support for a world-class conservatory.  Before she can put those plans into action, she meets Reese King, a handsome gardener at Como Park - and a major distraction.  Still, Reese might be the key to achieving her dream.  But is his goal to help her . . . or to capture her heart?

     Against the lush backdrop of manicured gardens and greenhouses full of the exotic, Lorna Seilstad weaves a sweet and sassy story that is sure to delight.

REVIEW:  Lorna Seilstad tells a light-hearted story about Tessa, who fights against the society norms for young ladies to live the life she wants.  Even when she is turned down for a gardener job by the parks superintendent because she is a woman, she is determined to show him she is not just another pretty face.  Tessa is not afraid to step outside her comfort zone to try something new but also knows her limits and stays within those bounds. Her energy and zest for life is fun and refreshing, though at times, she can be exhausting.  

     Throughout the story, the author shows that keeping secrets, even though it may be with good intentions and to keep from hurting someone, only succeeds at causing trouble and heartache.  Once the secrets are out, the hurt only lasts a short time.

     This story is a great wrap-up for the Gregory Sisters series.  It is also a great summertime or vacation read.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Lorna Seilstad is a history buff, antique collector, and former high school English teacher.  A fan favorite, she is the author of When Love Calls, While Love Stirs, and the Lake Manawa Summers series.  A member of American Christian Writers, Lorna lives in Iowa with her husband.  Learn more at www.lornaseilstad.com. 

While Love Stirs Book Review

The Gregory Sisters Series

Book Two

 

SUMMARY:  

• Take one lovely young woman.
• Add two ambitious young men.
• Stir . . . and stand back.

     As a graduate of Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery, Charlotte Gregory is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution - the gas stove.  And she certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the kindhearted Lewis Mathis to entertain at her lectures.

     Lewis encourages Charlotte's work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals.  But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made - especially by this outspoken young woman.

     When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

     Follow the second Gregory sister as she looks for true love and makes her way in a rapidly changing world in this breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep you guessing.

REVIEW:  This book is the second in The Gregory Sisters series.  Not having read the first, I had no problem understanding any part of this book.  It does a great job standing on its own. 

     Charlotte knows what she wants to do - help others by teaching them healthier ways to eat and how food can make them feel better and heal faster.  I like how she takes any opportunity to spread her knowledge, even if it causes some conflict with the superintendent to the local hospital.  The story also reminds the modern reader of the latest inventions during the early years of the 20th century, such as the gas stove, the telephone and automobiles.  I like how Charlotte is able to travel, teaching women how to use this newest technology while also spreading her knowledge of healthy eating.  Her desire to help those around her is one to be admired and emulated.

     There are twists and turns in the story that kept me guessing when money that has been earmarked for Joel's department and projects disappears.  This is a good book that is a easy read, great for summertime and vacations.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

 Lorna Seilstad is the author of When Love Calls and the Lake Manawa Summers series.  A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing contests and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.  Lorna lives in Iowa with her husband.  Learn more at www.lornaseilstad.com.

The Ride of Her Life Book Review

Lake Manawa Summers

SUMMARY:  She's planted firmly on solid ground.  He's ready to sweep her off her feet.  

     The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six-year-old.  Widowed for three years, Lilly has decided to leave the home of her intrusive in-laws to stand on her own.  However, her in-laws find her new life as a cook at Lake Manawa utterly unsuitable for their grandson.  When an argument ensues, a handsome stranger - who designs roller coasters, of all things - intercedes on her behalf.  But Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky gentleman.  Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.  

     Filled with the sweet romance of summer, The Ride of Her Life will have you laughing out loud and sighing contentedly as you spend the summer of 1906 at Lake Manawa.

REVIEW:  The year is 1906 in Lake Manawa, Iowa.  Lilly has her hands full cooking for the roller coaster construction workers at the Lake Manawa Park diner, training Eugenia to cook and how to work in a restaurant plus taking care of her precocious son, Levi.  Her in-laws, who are very wealthy, want Levi to go to a boarding school in the East and are trying to fight Lilly to do so.  Nick, the boss of the construction crew and the roller coaster designer, tries to help Lilly but she is determined to do it all on her own. 
     This was a pretty interesting book. I like how the characters develop and how the story flows.  Lilly's character is strong and resilient after growing up a servant for a rich family, marrying her wealthy husband, and trying to raise her son on her own after his death.  Nick is strong but compassionate.  He can relate to some of Lilly's struggles and wants to ease her burdens as much as he can.
     After reading this book, I realized it is the third book in the Lake Manawa Summers series.  It reads very well on its own but I would love to go back and read the other two to get all of the juicy details of Lilly's friends Marguerite and Emily and their husbands.  I can even see a potential story for book four with Eugenia and Mark as the headliners.
     This is a great book that I highly recommend for some fun summer reading.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A history buff, antique collector, and freelance graphic designer, Lorna Seilstad is the author of Making Waves and A Great Catch.  She draws her setting from her home state of Iowa.  A former high school English and journalism teacher, she has won several online writing awards and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. For more information, check out her website at www.lornaseilstad.com.