Sensational Debut: Wildflowers From Winter by Katie Ganshert
About the book (from Amazon):
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an 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 while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance 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. So when Bethany is left the land, he 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 she's not even sure exists?
My Thoughts:
Wow! I really can't ever recall reading a Christian fiction book with this much emotion. Seriously people, I think I cried a total of ten times while reading this one. It's listed as romance but it is so much more than that. I don't know about you but when I think romance I think something that you read when you just want an escape but aren't expecting a whole lot of depth so that leads me to declare that this is so much more than a romance! It's far from the standard fare of fluff and puff that I've been reading lately with it's great message (minus the "preachy" factor) and so much raw, gritty emotion from each of the characters, not just Bethany. As such, it lends to the authenticity of the story and a connection to ALL characters that you don't always get when reading a romance. There is so much you will take away from this story. Rediscover life, love, and God along with Bethany in this great fictional debut that reads like a true story. Katie Ganshert just made a new fan in this reader with Wildflowers from Winter. I cannot wait to read Robin's story which will hopefully include more of Evan and Bethany.
My Rating: ~ 5 stars ~ (this is a favorite!)
Visit the author's website HERE to learn more about the book
To enter for a chance to win an ARC of the book go HERE
To enter for a chance to win an ARC of the book go HERE
*ARC provided by publisher at author's request in exchange for posting my honest review.*
So glad you enjoyed this one, Renee - I saw your tweets about it. =) It is more rare that I find a book I so enjoy; I am reading one now but... we shall see what the end result is. ;D
ReplyDeleteOooo I'm curious now, what ARE you reading? :-P
DeleteXOXO~ Renee
wow!! sounds so intense!!! not sure it's for me, but i'm glad to hear it's so good!
ReplyDeleteIntense is definitely the right word but it also has its sweet moments so there's a perfect balance.
DeleteThanks for visiting today!
XOXO~ Renee C.
Your review really captures the story, Renee. There's so much depth to Wildflowers from Winter. I was deeply moved by this tale of heartache and hope.
ReplyDeleteI rarely read women's fiction, preferring romances instead, even "fluff and puff" stories at times (*grin*). Although Bethany's journey takes the forefront in this story, the romance is satisfying.
I realize the book is a work of fiction, but there's a refreshing dose of reality. Tough stuff happens in life. People extend one another grace. Love results. That's the plot in Katie's book, mirroring one in another Good Book I know. Even though there's a strong faith element, the story never feels "preachy," as you said.
Katie's story and her characters will stay with me a long time. I look forward to her next book, when Robin gets her turn to experience healing and new beginnings. Write, Katie, write!
Wow Keli! Thanks for stopping by and leaving the great comment! I really, really enjoyed this one because, like you said grace, was extended and love was found through it. In so many stories I read heroine or the hero struggles with faith and love while the supporting characters seem one dimensional and not all that real but with this one everybody had their own issues jut like "real-life".
DeleteI agree Keli-- "Write, Katie, write!"
XOXO~ Renee
I LOVED this story! And the next one is super-duper too! :)
ReplyDeleteYou read the next one already?! JEALOUS!!!!! Hahaha!
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
XOXO~ Renee
I found this book had quite an impact. The reactions of the characters were so real. Definitely worth the read!
ReplyDeleteYep! Definitely worth the read! Thanks for stopping by today!
DeleteXOXO~ Renee C.
Thanks so much for this very humbling and flattering review, Renee! So glad you resonated with the characters!
ReplyDeleteErica is my critique partner - so she's one of my very first readers. She had to help me figure out who was the main character in Wildflowers....I was having a very hard time deciding between Bethany and Robin. When I chose Bethany, I knew I needed to give Robin her own story.
Hi Katie! Thanks for stopping by! As I was reading Wildflowers I kept thinking to myself that Robin needed her own story and when I read your acknowledgments in the back and that she was indeed getting her own story I was so excited! I can't wait to read it!
DeleteXOXO~ Renee C.