The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert

Today I spent a wonderful couple of hours reading the novella, The Perfect Arrangement, by Katie Ganshert. This is the eleventh novella in "A Year of Weddings" novella series.

This is the story of a shy, small-town florist Amelia Woods and ghostwriter Nate Gallagher. They meet totally by 'accident' and go on to strike up a friendship via email. 

I found myself totally involved in this story and at times I laughed and other times I cried. I must admit that there is a character by the name of George that I totally fell in love with. I guarantee you will most likely do the same should you pick up this wonderful book.

I have read several books by Ms Ganshert and have truly loved each and everyone. She has a talent of creating true-to-life characters that still your heart leaving you wanting more.

I do enjoy reading novellas as they are always a quick read, however I sometimes feel I need a little more of the story for it to feel totally complete. I must say that is not the case with The Perfect Arrangement. Ms. Ganshert gave it all to us. However, in this case I do hope she creates a sequel letting the reader know what happens next in all her wonderful character's lives.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this wonderful book to anyone who likes to read 'feel-good' stories. On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank BookLook Bloggers for my e-copy of The Perfect Arrangement. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert

The more I read by Katie Ganshert, the more a fan I become. Ms. Ganshert's newest novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful gives the reader a glimpse into the world of modeling and fashion photography. The reader will find themselves caring deeply for the characters residing in Greenbrier, South Carolina.

It is the story of fashion model, Ivy Clark and former Fashion Photographer turned church handyman, Davis Knight. Their story is a journey of their self-discovery out of their brokenness and into a new life of hope, love and forgiveness. There were times I wanted to reach out and shake them to get their attention, but then I had to remind myself it was only a story.

When Ivy's dreams are shattered she must learn to trust in God before she can move forward with her life. Watching her journey throughout the pages of this book were at times difficult and painful but the outcome was well worth the time spent. The character of Davis needs to learn to forgive himself and until he does, he will continue to blame himself for past mistakes.

I found A Broken Kind of Beautiful a story of broken dreams being restored into new dreams all by our wonderful Creator. There is a lesson to be learned in this book and I guarantee you that it is a lesson worth learning.

I would highly recommend A Broken Kind of Beautiful to anyone who enjoys a good clean read that shares a lesson within its pages.

On a 5-Star Scale = 4 1/2 Stars!!!!

I would like to thank Blogging for Books and Waterbrook Press for my copy of A Broken Kind of Beautiful. Blogging for Books provided this book to me for free in exchange for an honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert - a review

I became a fan of Katie Ganshert after reading her debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter (read my review here).  So when I was given the opportunity to read her sophomore novel, Wishing on Willows,  I jumped at the chance. I wasn't disappointed.

Wishing on Willows is a sequel to Wildflowers from Winter but it can also be read as a stand-alone book.  It is a sweet novel of healing, second chances and renewed hope.

Robin Price is a widow and single parent of Caleb, an energetic 3-year-old. She owns and operates Willow Tree, a local cafe in the small Iowa town of Peaks.  Willow Tree was a dream she and her deceased husband, Micah had for their lives.  Unfortunately, Micah dies before Caleb is born and before the cafe comes to life.

Enter Ian McKay, a project manager for his father's firm, McKay Development and Construction.  It is there plan to buy out the owners of the property on the south side of Peaks in order to build condominiums.  A new factory is being erected in Peaks, and the Mayor and Town Council want to gain as much tax revenue as they can by having the condos built before the factory is completed so the new factory workers will choose to live in Peaks and not in a neighboring town.  The problem is, Willow Tree is on the land that Ian McKay chooses to buy.  Fireworks fill the air as these two wonderful characters interact with each other.

Ian and Robin have both suffered great loss and these losses are revealed slowly throughout the book.  Ms. Ganshert has a phenomenal way of creating believable characters that pull you in and won't let go.  I laughed with them and cried with them and I wanted to fight for them as well.

I could go on and tell you all the wonderful gems that were revealed in this book but that would be releasing a spoiler and I will never do that intentionally.

If you like to read good clean romantic fiction this is definitely a book you need to pick up.  I read it in one day, it is just that good.

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 BIG Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books for my Advanced Reader Copy.  I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Wildflowers from Winter - a review of Katie Ganshert's debut novel

I'm sure I've said this before, but I absolutely love reading author's debut novels.  With that said, I must say, Katie Ganshert's debut novel was a sparkling delight.  I was pulled into the story from the first sentence, "The summer I turned twelve, I tried to kill myself.", and I enjoyed every sentence until the end.  Katie is definitely a pro and I can hardly wait for her next novel, Wishing on Willows.

Wildflowers from Winter, is the story of architect Bethany Quinn and farmer Evan Quinn.  Their story is a tumultuous one and at times I just wanted to shake Bethany and tell her to look at what God had set before her.  When the story begins, Bethany has been called back to her hometown of Peaks, Iowa, a place she would rather not visit at all.  Through circumstances she inherits five hundred acres of farmland and finds herself tied to the town she so desperately wants to forget.  But God has other plans for her.

This book is not just a love story between two people but it's a story between two people and the land that they have both come to love.  Ms. Ganshert has created something beautiful with Wildflowers from Winter and I look for many more wonderful novels from her.

On a 5-star scale - 5 wonderful stars *****

I would like to thank WaterBrook Multnomah for my Advanced Readers Copy which they supplied to me to read and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,