"In Firefly Valley" Book Review

It's one of those left-home-for big-city-dreams-only-to-get that-dream-shattered-and-have-to-move-back-home kind of stories...However, for the characters of Marisa St. George and Blake Kendall, this isn't a run of the mill "coming home" novel.

Located in Texas Hill Country, Marisa St. George comes back home to Dupree, Texas after her job in Atlanta has ended. Dismayed, she returns, but soon finds interest in Blake Kendall, friend and guest of her new employers. But, Blake and Marisa have skeletons in their closet...Can Marisa learn to forgive and forget and can Blake learn to share himself with the world?

This is the third novel by Amanda Cabot that I've read. It is the first contemporary Christian fiction book of hers that I've read, and I must say. I was very impressed! Ms. Cabot has developed characters that are like onions: they have many layers, provide some reading flavor and can even make you cry.
The lead characters are not perfect--as none of us are, which in turn makes them believable--even tho Blake has an interesting profession (and that's all I can say...) Even the secondary characters have those onion layers as well.

In Firefly Valley is the second in Ms. Cabot's "Texas Crossroads" series. I have not read the first one, but this one can be read out of sequence and it still make sense to  the reader.

I would not consider this a light read, as there is excellent character development and some plot twists, as well as recognition given to some serious struggles with effects of alcoholism. Much thought was also given to how we can lose track of our journey with God and we witness that restoration in this book. We also witness characters with a strong faith already.

Overall, it was a very good book. My only complaint (and I've observed this in some of Ms. Cabot's other books) is her use of throwing two helping verbs together, like "Blake had had a good time." (that is totally an example and not a line from the book). I know what she is saying, but to read it, I stumble over it. Maybe just eliminate one of the "had"'s? I'm not a grammar aficionado by any means, but one "had" I think would still be correct and give the same past tense thought. Other than that, an excellent book. I would say 4.75 stars (out of 5)!!!

(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

"As Love Blooms" Book Review

We read of the last Gregory sister, Tessa, a young horticulturist trying to enter the man’s world of gardening. Along with Como Park gardener, Reese King, she hopes to see dreams realized in work—and maybe love…

I'm just going to start with the "negative"... Normally I try not to be too rough on the author but, for a faith-based book, the deceptions and secrets that Tessa and Reese and some other family members committed and harbored were disappointing. I understand it added interest to the story and we are all human and make mistakes… But for BOTH lead characters and secondary characters as well to do this? That just didn't sit well with me.

The overall flow of the book seemed long for about the first 200 pages. There seemed to be a lot of words but not really “saying” much. There was a lot of opportunity to describe Como Park and the gardens more. I’ve never been to those parks and I can’t say I got a good description. I think there could have been a lot more detail given and less on the back and forth between Tessa and Reese.

However, moving to the "positive”, the last 100 pages really picked up speed and kept me engaged as things started coming together.

I appreciated the author using pop-culture references and the societal happenings for 1913 America.

Overall, I feel the book would be considered a “light read” and was a shorter, cute, faith-based publication.

(I was given this book for free by the publisher in exchange for an honest review)