Sunday, June 9, 2013

Loved this Debut Novel from Katie Ganshert!

Wildflowers from Winter
by Katie Ganshert
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
Available May 2012
WaterBrook Multnomah
320 pages

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About the Book
Like the winter, grief has a season. Life returns with the spring.

A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park.  An unexpected interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa.

Determined to pay her respects to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years.  When Bethany is left the land, Evan must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace that she’s not even sure exists?

My Thoughts
It seems that Bethany and Evan should have a lot in common. After all, they both love Bethany's grandfather and come from the same place. However, Bethany's determined to move on with her life and leave her past behind. When she inherits her grandfather's farmhouse—sans house—she's determined to sell ... even if that means selling Evan's dream out from under him.

Sparks fly between Evan and Bethany nearly from the beginning. I could tell that this was going to be an interesting relationship and couldn't wait to see how and if it developed further ... though I hoped it would! As much as I came to like Bethany, I liked Evan from the very start. He was the perfect hero for this story and may have been the most well-developed character in the story.

The third-person vignettes were a unique touch. I enjoyed the glimpses they gave to the past and they really helped fill out the story. Additionally, Robin was a great character, and I'm excited that her story be featured in Ganshert's next book.

Katie Ganshert's debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, was fantastic! If this first novel is any indication of what readers can expect in the future, I can't wait to read what's next!   [5 stars]

I did not receive this book for review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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About the Author
Katie Ganshert graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her husband and their young son. She is the author of Wildflowers from Winter.

Katie Ganshert Online
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