About the book …
It’s 1866 in Noble Springs, Missouri, and people are trying to put the Civil War behind them. As a child, Faith Lindberg lost her mother, and the war took her father and brother. The only person she has left is her grandfather who is experiencing problems with his memory.
Faith wants more than anything to sell her grandfather’s mercantile and move out west to Oregon. She’s convinced that putting distance between them and the town will provide a fresh start and help them leave their grief behind. Although her grandfather has put her in charge of the mercantile, he’s not ready to sell, and there’s nothing Faith can do without his signature.
Determined to make the store successful enough that she’ll be able to find a buyer, Faith didn’t anticipate dealing with her grandfather’s strange bookkeeping and other challenges that threaten to destroy that hope.
Curt Saxon is the new employee at the livery stable who befriends her and who seems to always be there when she needs him. She’s attracted to the kind man, but doesn’t understand his attitude towards her, which vacillates between warm and cool temperatures. When Royal Baxter, the handsome young man she’s had a crush on years, returns from the war and begins courting her, Faith is swept off her feet. She believes he’s the answer to all her problems and making her dreams come true.
My review …
Ann Shorey has created characters that readers can love. They’re strong, but vulnerable—good, but not perfect. Faith has a soft heart and wants to do the right thing for everyone, but she still has an independent spirit that influences her to do things her own way. Curt is kind and protective, but he’s still proud and hesitant to disclose his own secrets and challenges. Faith’s grandfather is stubborn, but is loving and wise, despite the issues with his memory. I enjoyed the loyal friendship that developed between Rosemary (Curt’s sister) and Faith, which displayed what it means to respect and truly love a friend.
Readers can relate to the struggles the characters experience. How often have we wanted to run away from uncomfortable memories, pain, or our past? How often have we wanted to jump at the first thing that promises happiness? How often have we been so focused and so determined to go for what we think we want, that we fail to look for or recognize red flags that go up? And how often do we fail to ask direction from God, who knows all and wants the best for us? The story is full of reminders that we are to do good and not withhold blessings from others, but how often do we blow off opportunities to bless other people because we don’t want to take the time or make the effort?
Where the Wildflowers Bloom is a story about love, loyalty, and letting go. I enjoyed this novel, and if you enjoy historical Christian romance, I think you will too!
Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
DISCLOSURE: I was graciously provided a copy of The Search by Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Ann Shorey is the author of The Edge of Light, The Promise of Morning, and The Dawn of a Dream. She has also published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul. Shorey lives with her husband, Richard, in Oregon.
GIVEAWAY – click on the photo above to enter …
To celebrate the story, author Ann Shorey and Revell Books are proud to announce the MERCANTILE MEMORIES giveaway, featuring three incredible prizes.
GRAND PRIZE
Our Grand Prize winner will receive an heirloom chess set, handmade from 1830s chestnut & cherry wood, just like the one Judge Lindberg and Curt use in their chess battles.
SECOND PRIZE
Our Second Prize winner will receive a deluxe, Missouri-shaped box of mercantile goods from the Missouri Mercantile company. The box features an assortment of items just like those stocked by Faith in Lindberg’s Mercantile.
THIRD PRIZE
Our Third Prize winner will receive a Memoirs Gift Set. Write your memoirs just like Judge Lindberg does in the story! The set includes the bestselling Writing the Memoir book, and a $30 gift card to Blurb, to create and print your story.
I read this book…it’s a wonderful story. Besides that, I learned a lot I didn’t know about post-Civil war life in the midwest. Great job, Ann!
Hi Dan! Thanks for visiting and reading my review of Ann’ s novel.
Hi Dawn,
Thank you for reviewing Where Wildflowers Bloom. Great review–I loved the points you made about the story.
(Watch for the next book in the series–Faith’s friend Rosemary is the protagonist.)