Wildflowers from Winter: A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Description:
Like the winter, grief has a season. Life returns with the spring.
 
A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built the life she dreamed of during her teen years in a trailer park.  An unexpected 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 to her past while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of five hundred acres 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.  When Bethany is left the land, Evan 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 that she’s not even sure exists?

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I have to say this novel grabbed my attention and held it throughout. In fact, I probably would have rated it higher, except through the first half of the novel I really didn't care for our heroine. Although, this adds to the story and the character buildup, as well as relations, it just bugged me.

However, let that not deter you from reading this novel! It is well worth the read. I found myself still thinking about it later that night and this morning. And I am so excited that this novel isn't the end, and cannot wait to begin Ganshert's next novel and pick up with these characters again! This is a wonderful debut novel and I look forward to reading more from this author. Her characters are well developed, and the story is about so much more that just romance, there is a greater story at work. One where the Truth is woven in and done so in a way that just flows.

Okay, I honestly can't think to write anymore right now because I am so hyped up to start the followup novel!  That in itself should tell you enough!


PS. I read Ganshert's novella - An October Bride and it was wonderful!!!