When Hope Blossoms - Kim Vogel Sawyer

4 Stars!

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Amy Knackstedt hopes a new start in Weaverly, Kansas, will help heal the pain of losing her husband and provide a better future for her three children. But her new neighbor, Tim Roper, is not pleased to have an Old Order Mennonite family living next to his apple orchard. Tim left the Mennonite faith years ago and doesn't want any reminders of his former life.

Yet when circumstances throw Amy and Tim together, they form a friendship that surprises them both. Will past hurts always be a barrier between them, or will this tentative relationship blossom into something more? 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Kim Vogel Sawyer is the bestselling author of more than 20 novels. Her books have won the Carol Award, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Kim is active in her church, where she leads women's fellowship and participates in both voice and bell choirs. She and her husband, Don, live in central Kansas and have three daughters and nine grandchildren. 

Visit her website at www.kimvogelsawyer.com.

 MY REVIEW -

Well, I just love Kim Vogel Sawyer! I have read several books by her and have several others in "the waiting". I always get excited when she has a new book coming out. If you like nice sweet easy to read stories that have a nice Christian background - I highly recommend this author.

This story is nothing earth shaking, it is not "on-the-edge-of-your-seat" writing but it is a very nice, simple, and very entertaining read! 

I always love the characters Kim puts in her books. They are always people you can relate to. Kim has a way of inviting you in and making you feel like a part of the family in her books. I loved Amy in this story! She was a wonderful, sad but strong, mid-aged woman struggling to keep her family together on her own after the death of her husband. Surprisingly - I also loved Bekah, the oldest daughter (a teen). Bekah had a struggling of her own - with her faith. She wasn't sure she wanted to stay with the Mennonites. She had a longing to "be like other teens".

Amy meets her neighbor who has ghosts in his closet as well. I liked his character too! They end up having more in common then they first think.

This is one of my favorite lines -

"Remember what Grandpa always said? God provides food for the robin, but God doesn't throw the worm in the nest - the robin has to dig it up himself."

I love the little modern twists in this book too.  Even though Amy is Mennonite she would like to set up a website to advertise her quilting business so she can make enough money on her own to support her family. It is really cute when her neighbor teaches her to use the computer.

THE ALL-IN-ALL -
All in all this is a very nice Christian read with great family values and a real nice story line. It is a Christian book so no swearing and no sex. Since there is a teen as one of the main characters I do think it has some teen appeal without being a YA. A very nice read for teen girls, especially those who might be struggling with their own faith.

Thank you so much Bethany House for sending me this wonderful book to read and review!