Book Description:
Can love sprout amid a tsunami of vegetables?
Single mom Evelyn Felton takes on another part-time job managing a greenhouse and garden project for Grace Fellowship. Formerly homeless, she’s thrilled to offer truckloads of fresh produce to the Arcadia Valley food bank.
If only Ben Kujak weren’t running Corinna’s Cupboard singlehandedly, he’d be delighted to be on the receiving end. But Evelyn and her dynamo daughter, Maisie, won’t take no for an answer, even if it means restructuring Ben’s charity.
Soon Ben finds himself wishing they’d transform his personal life, too, but can true love sprout when their pasts collide with the present?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
Have you been reading the Arcadia Valley Romance series? If not, go check out these stories. The prequel novellas for the full length books in the series are available for 99 cents in Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley.
I’m a big fan of series books. I especially love continuity series with interconnected stories and characters who pop up in different stories. It’s like you become reacquainted with old friends when you read a series that’s set in a small community.
Sprouts of Love is Book 1 in Valerie Comer’s Garden Grown Romance series and the fifth release in the Arcadia Valley Romance series.
In the prequel novella, Sow in Love, we meet Evelyn Felton and her adorable ten year old daughter, Maisie. Fast forward to Sprouts of Love, and the living trust we learn about in Joanna and Grady’s romance story is ready for harvest.
Evelyn is a single mother with three jobs. She’s doing her best to earn enough money to pay the rent on her dingy apartment and provide for Maisie. Evelyn has a heart for homeless people because she has been there. Her adult life has been a long financial struggle. She has appreciated the help she received when times were tough, and the life changing assistance from her mentor.
Ben Kujak lost his wife and young daughter in a car wreck. Five years later, he’s investing all his time and energy into running a soup kitchen that’s financed by a trust that is run by his late wife’s family.
Ben initially rejects Evelyn’s offer of free fresh produce for Corinna’s Cupboard. He’s feeding forty people and doesn’t have time to fuss with fresh food preparation. He’s intrigued by Evelyn and attends a Sunday Service at Grace Fellowship where he learns more about Evelyn’s connection to the innovative greenhouse garden project.
A delightful romance develops between Ben and Evelyn, and he can’t help but love Maisie as if she was his own daughter. Evelyn and Ben’s background and family history create a number of obstacles in the story. I empathised with the heartache they had both experienced, and their need to heal and forgive those who had wronged and hurt them.
The issue of homelessness was sensitively addressed in the story. I learned more about the specific issues facing women who find themselves in desperate financial situations.
Ben and Evelyn’s faith was challenged as secrets were revealed. They both had to deal with issues from the past that threatened their future.
I highly recommend Sprouts of Love to readers who are looking for a fun and thought provoking contemporary romance with a garden fresh food theme.
Learn more about Valerie Comer and her books at her website.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
Thanks for the terrific review, Narelle! I’ll be moving SPROUTS OF LOVE up in my Kindle queue. :)
Hi Narelle, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am enjoying this series, it is fun:)
Have to ask, do you have any books coming soon?
Blessings:)
This story sounds great. :) Thanks for sharing, Narelle. I have the prequels on my Kindle–must read!
Thanks for the review Narelle! Enjoyed reading Valerie Comer’s Sprouts of Love. The tenacity of Maisie for her project made me smile. The contemporary issues of sustainable food sources, single parenting, and liveavle wages made be pause and think! Thought provoking series! Anxiously awaiting Annalisa Daughtery On Board for Love.
Loved the blog post and the series is one of my favorited
I’ve been looking forward to Maisie’s story… I mean Evelyn and Ben’s. ;)
Thanks for reminding us the book is out.
Sounds like a good story! I have not begun to read this series and I know I’d enjoy them very much. It seems my books for review leave little time for “fun” books, those I’m not obligated to review. I have a long list of TBR stories I want to delve into :-) *Sigh*
So many books, too little time!
Hi Jill, yes, definitely push Sprouts of Love up your queue. :)
Hi Wemble, I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. My next release will be available in 2018. I’m taking a step back from writing and social media activities for the remainder of 2017 to focus on other life priorities. I’m enjoying having time to read for pleasure, and I’ll continue to blog here each month. Blessings to you. :)
Hi Lindi, you’re very welcome, and the prequel novellas are fun reads, :)
Hi Renate, I agree, and the social issues added depth to the story. I’m looking forward to reading more books in the series. :)
Hi Linda, I’m glad you enjoyed my post and are loving the series. :)
Hi Priscila, yes, Maisie is just gorgeous in her mom’s romance story. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Sprouts of Love. :)
Hi Trixi, I’ll hope you’ll have a chance to dive into the Arcadia Valley Romance series soon. :)
Thank you for the recommendation, Narelle! Sprouts of Love sounds like a great book!
Hi Alexa, you’re very welcome :)
Thanks so much for your review, Narelle! What a pleasant surprise to come home to after vacation!
Hi Valerie, you’re very welcome. I hope you’re feeling relaxed and refreshed after your vacation. :)