Author: Jenna Victoria
Release date: April 4, 2017
Genre: Sweet romance
by Jenna Victoria
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This is a sweet story about learning to let go of your past and moving forward. Both Mollie and Sean had obstacles to overcome before they could move forward. Along the way they learn valuable lessons about trust and forgiveness. So many times we get hung up with things in our past that we forget to live in the present. This is exactly what Sean and Mollie did. There are also a few twists and turns along the way that throw Sean and Mollie for a loop that neither one of them could have ever imagined. Overall this is a very nice read for a summer day in a garden of lilacs.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Ever since her grandfather co-created Twinkies, Snowballs & Hostess cupcakes for Intercontinental Baking Company, circa 1955, Jenna has yet to taste a cake she hasn’t liked.
Jenna writes books for readers who enjoy sweet & compelling romances, and also for those who look for her “fiction that feeds your faith” titles – happily-ever-after romance & romantic suspense stories with a Christian world view. Her stories emulate those she enjoys reading…with a heroine who is in grave danger & a hero who is smart enough to get out of her way as she kicks butt & takes down names… and those that feature satisfying fairy-tale-endings.
Her clean romances won’t put you into a diabetic coma, and her faith-based romances aren’t preachy or unrealistic. It is her glad purpose to glorify God and His sacrificial love through His Son, Jesus Christ through books that illustrate hope & peace in unbearable situations. Her first triple negative breast cancer diagnosis in 2012 has led to surgeries, radiation, reoccurrences and incurable metastasis. Still, Jenna continues to praise God and trust His oversight in her life; and continues to write more books.
I am thrilled you will be introducing my newest novel, Love Among the Lilacs, to your readers and visitors through CelebrateLit. I am excited to share this sweet love story with quirky characters who hijacked the plot mid-stream, and took me places I did not anticipate!
So – Why Love Among the Lilacs? I chose the title and a subplot regarding lilacs for one reason – I absolutely adore the scent! The fact that a lilac’s bloom is so fleeting, makes their fragrance that much more memorable and anticipated.
Mollie Wright anticipates something too – finally buying her own home, Lilac Cottage, after a childhood of homelessness. Genevieve Carter, one of the two elderly sellers, leaves her a note of welcome next to a small bouquet of lilacs in Mollie’s new bedroom, after the closing. This helps readers experience Genevieve’s spirit of generosity. Isn’t the bedroom phone antique? The sisters lived in the cottage for more than 50 years, and changed little of its amenities.
How did I choose to write about Mollie? What if a character dreamed and saved and finally bought a house after a childhood of homelessness? Then, due to a real estate closing error and interference by the seller’s great-nephew, her sweet cottage ownership is in real peril. Dare she hope for a positive outcome?
Mollie finds support from her neighbors – including long retired Emily Rogers (Genevieve’s BFF) who often visits Lilac Cottage’s back garden through this connecting gate. It’s so beautiful! She reveals her profession which is perfectly suited to Mollie’s needs. We see selfless giving and stalwart friendship in Emily’s character.
When her half-brother unexpectedly surfaces, bringing a mountain of trouble with him, the budding love between Sean and Mollie takes a hard tumble.
The theft of an antique necklace, Sean’s renewed lack of trust and Mollie’s shame at her past – not to mention final outcome of legal decisions – pull them further apart.
I hope you enjoy Love Among the Lilacs as much as I did writing it!
Happy Reading!
p.s. my selected giveaway, an authentic Coach Disney X Mickey Mouse accordian zip wallet in glovetanned leather was chosen to represent the transformation of Mollie’s negative childhood experiences into memories of acceptance and joy among the trials.
May 25: Pause for Tales
May 25: Avid Reader Book Review
May 26: Carpe Diem
May 27: Ashley’s Bookshelf
May 28: Live.Love.Read.
May 29: Lane Hill House
May 29: Christian Bookaholic
May 30: Moments Dipped in Ink
May 30: Karen Sue Hadley
May 31: Josephine-AnneWrites
June 1: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
June 2: Have A Wonderful Day
June 3: Inklings and Notions
June 4: A Baker’s Perspective
June 5: Cafinated Reads
June 6: His Grace is Sufficient
June 7: my site/autism mom
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