Jeanette’s Gift by Blossom Turner

Posted on October 16, 2022October 15, 2022 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Jeanette’s Gift by author Blossom Turner is Book 5 in the Christian historical Shenandoah Brides series. Even though it is Book 5, it may easily be read as a stand alone. It was by far my favorite book in the series, and I have loved them all.

This is the story of Jeanette. She is a schoolteacher with a heart meant to help and love children. She is the youngest of five sisters and has always felt less pretty and desirable than her four sisters. It is also the story of Theo. He is a widower with six children. He has moved back to the small community and does not want help from anyone.

Author Turner has written a stunning novel that had me captivated in the lives of her characters. I love books written in the late 1800s and this one is no exception. The dialog sounded authentic. Descriptions swept me away to that time in the Shenandoah Valley, and I was mesmerized by the brilliant writing. Immediately after starting the book, I became invested in the story and characters.

This page-turning novel was filled with heartfelt moments and inspirational messages. It would make a lovely movie. Jeanette was the children’s teacher and only wanted to help them, but Theo had been through some rough things and had trouble trusting.

I love the life and spiritual messages sprinkled throughout the book. The romance was lovely, and the children delightful. I highly recommend this book. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Jeanette’s Gift

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: October 11, 2022

This life wasn’t the one she dreamed of, but happily ever afters don’t always come when and how we expect.

At twenty-nine, Jeanette Williams has watched each one of her four sisters marry and start families of their own. It’s hard not to believe God has forgotten the desires of her heart, especially when most people refer to her as Spinster Williams. Without the beautiful children she teaches, life would be unbearably lonely.

When the handsome widower, Theo Wallace, and his six children move into the Shenandoah Valley, every available woman is atwitter—except for Jeanette. She has no such aspirations that someone as plain as her could draw even a smattering of interest.

As life throws this unlikely couple together, Jeanette can’t help but fall in love with Theo’s children and their soul-wrenching plight. Before she knows it, her heart is far more invested than she could’ve ever imagined. And not just with the children, but with their handsome father as well. Is she headed for another heartbreak, or is it possible God had a beautiful plan in the works all along?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Blossom Turner is a freelance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger and published novelist of the Word Guild semi-finalist Anna’s Secret. However, she has found her home in the writing of historical fiction. The power of love and romance is authentically woven into the Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their love stories. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Read more at blossomturner.com.

More from Blossom

Do You Enjoy Romance That Keeps You Thinking Days Later?

Long before I knew I could write, I loved to read. Being a hopeless romantic I gravitated to all romance stories either contemporary or historical. I soon realized that finding clean fiction but still written with the passion God created us to experience, was hard to find. (Song of Solomon is a good example of the expression of passion and love between a man and woman without being explicit.)

Given the gift of a writing career later in life one thing was for sure…I wanted to write what I like to read. Clean romance does not need to be boring. As each story pours out, I realize that writing historical fiction is my passion. I finally know what I was born to do. The Shenandoah Brides is a series of five sisters and their five love stories. Oct. 11, 2022 is launch day for the final book in the series called Jeanette’s Gift.

Each book has a redeeming theme. Katherine’s Arrangement, set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, post-civil war, speaks on how to love the way 1 Corinthians encourages, even when marriage (Katherine’s is an arranged marriage) has proven to be very disappointing. The second book Amelia’s Heartsong, situated in Richmond, Virginia illustrates how love transcends the pomp and circumstance of class and money and encourages us to view others the way God does. The third book, Lucinda’s Defender unfolds back in the valley, and speaks of how our greatest mistake does not have to define our future. A message on second chances encourages the soul. The fourth book, Gracie’s Surrender once again set in Richmond, speaks of a life dedicated to the ministry of God helping the underprivileged orphans. Gracie learns that God can upset even our best intentions with a better plan.

However, the message for this fifth book, Jeanette’s Gift, is a subject so near and dear to my heart. Growing up in an environment that tore me down instead of build me up, proved to be invaluable in writing on this subject. The theme of this book—healing from low self-worth—is a topic that many will relate to.

Jeanette suffers from low self-worth and believes God has forgotten her. A very valuable process unfolds with truth and techniques that work today. Jeanette learns to accept that how life unfolds is up to the sovereignty of God, and He can be trusted. She also breathes in the truth of how she is, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made.

My prayer is that as Jeanette grows toward healing in the story, that any reader suffering in this same way will embrace the steps on how to break this vicious cycle. I know from first-hand experience healing is possible, and I long to get that message out there.

Although this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, enjoying the whole series as the family saga unfolds will deepen the experience.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the write. I love to hear from my readers. Contact me at http://blossomturner.com

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 11

Vicky Sluiter, October 11

Texas Book-aholic, October 12

Inklings and notions, October 13

deb’s Book Review, October 14

Blogging With Carol, October 14

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 15

lakesidelivingsite, October 16

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 16

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, October 17

Simple Harvest Reads, October 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Connie’s History Classroom, October 18

For Him and My Family, October 18

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 19

Mary Hake, October 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 20

Splashes of Joy, October 21

Pause for Tales, October 22

Holly’s Book Corner, October 22

Christina’s Corner, October 23

“To Every” BOOK “There is a Season”, October 23

Bizwings Blog, October 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/21e09/jeanette-s-gift-celebration-tour-giveaway

Gracie’s Surrender Book Tour

Posted on March 14, 2022March 10, 2022 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

Author Blossom Turner has penned a heartwarming Christian historical romance with her book Gracie’s Surrender. It is Book 4 in her Shenandoah Brides series. I have not read the first three books in the series, but I had not trouble following the story. As wonderful as this book was, I am looking forward to reading those now.

Set in 1879, this is the story of Gracie Williams. She is a young woman that is beautiful on the inside and out. Gracie has a heart to serve God and help orphans. In her mind, she can never marry if she wants to totally devote herself to God and serving the children of an orphanage.

Matthew Weston is the Superintendent of the Orphanage the other main character. He was left at this very orphanage when he was just four-years-old. He, too, has a heart for God and to help orphaned children. Unlike Gracie, Matthew wants to get married and has been praying for a wife. His desire is to find one who was his friend first. These are two fabulous characters. It was interesting to watch their faith grow and mature throughout the story. I loved how God worked in their lives and orchestrated each step.

This is extremely well organized, researched, and written. The story flowed at an even, easy to read pace. The Orphan Train was hard to read about and take in. My heart went out to those children and the rejection they faced. I was invested in this interesting story from the first chapter until the end. It has stayed on my mind even though I finished it days ago. Good books will stay with readers.

I highly recommend this inspiring book. The faith message is woven throughout the entire book. The story is a clean one that has timeless lessons of hope, grace, unconditional love, trusting God, and love. There are no discussion questions at the end, but it would make a nice Book Club choice. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Gracie’s Surrender

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: March 8, 2022

Helping the orphan children in Richmond just might overturn everything Gracie thought she knew, including the value of love.

Gracie Williams has always had an adventurous streak, which led her from her home in the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond, Virginia, where she can devote her life to the orphan children. Though her beauty has brought on the advances of many men, she has no plans to marry, and finds suitors an unfortunate irritation she doesn’t have time for—much to her parents’ chagrin.

When she befriends Matthew Weston, the mature and serious orphanage superintendent, she confides in him and believes he shares her goals. Neither are prepared for the sparks that fly. Tension grows as Matthew falls in love with her, yet realizes he is just another man in the long line of would-be suitors.

A family crisis, an orphan train, and the plight of a sweet orphan named Emma throw the couple together in deep and meaningful ways. But will this be enough for Gracie to embrace a new way of thinking, and the gift of love that only true soul mates can share?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

More from Blossom

Do You Enjoy Romance That Keeps You Thinking Days Later?

Long before I knew I could write, I loved to read. Being a hopeless romantic, I gravitated to all romance stories either contemporary or historical. I soon realized that finding clean fiction, but still written with the passion God created us to experience, was hard to find. (Song of Solomon is a good example of the expression of passion and love between a man and woman without being explicit.)

Given the gift of a writing career later in life, one thing was for sure…I wanted to write what I like to read. Clean romance does not need to be boring. As each story pours out, I realize that writing historical fiction is my passion. I finally know what I was born to do. My favorite theme was an arranged marriage…so birthed the first book of the Shenandoah Brides that has now morphed into a series of five sisters and their five love stories. March 8, 2022 is launch day for book four called Gracie’s Surrender.

Where-as book one was set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, post-civil war, the second book Amelia’s Heartsong took place in the big city of Richmond, Virginia where balls, debutants, pomp and circumstance matter. The third book, Lucinda’s Defenderunfolded back in the valley, and this fourth one takes place once again in Richmond. However, you will find a very different Richmond than in book two, for Gracie has a life mission to help the underprivileged orphans.

The backdrop for this fourth book includes the historical orphan train, street urchins, and the love for children in the orphanage to which Gracie and Matthew devote their life. Gracie, who feels men are just a distraction, is in for a grand surprise. Much to Gracie’s vexation, awareness, attraction, and alas, even love grow for her serious but well-meaning superintendent, Matthew. I promise this read will be a romantic page turner with grit and impact that will keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning.

Although this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, enjoying the whole series as the family saga unfolds will deepen the experience.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the write. I love to hear from my readers.

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, March 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 9

Texas Book-aholic, March 10

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 11

For Him and My Family, March 12

Connie’s History Classroom, March 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

deb’s Book Review, March 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 18

Splashes of Joy, March 19

Miriam Jacob, March 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

CarpeDiem, March 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1b4c4/gracie-s-surrender-celebration-tour-giveaway

Katherine’s Arrangement Celebrate Lit Book Tour & Giveaway

Posted on August 9, 2020August 8, 2020 by abbasprayerwarriorprincess

My Thoughts

Katherine’s Arrangement by author Blossom Turner is a Christian historical romance. This is the first book that I have read by author Blossom Turner. I enjoyed it and found myself immediately invested in the story.

This is the story of Katherine. A young woman who has a mystery about her past that is not even shared with her until we are halfway into the story. It is also the story of Josiah, the man who has fallen hopelessly in love with her. Katherine’s Arrangement is their story.

I love books on mail order brides, arranged marriages, and marriages of convenience. This is an arranged marriage fiction that will tug on your heart strings. The characters are well rounded and easy to engage. I loved reading their stories.

Author Turner’s writing style in this book is a bit uneven for me. It jumped one entire year in the middle of the book. Usually this is only done in the epilogue. I felt like a big chunk of the story had just been deleted. The last half of the book seemed a bit rushed in parts. All of this could be the result of editors, too.

The Christian element was strong and refreshing. It was a delight to watch several characters turn to Jesus and become Christians. At one point a comparison is made with the biblical story of Ruth. That was beautifully written!

The characters are relatable and realistic. Even secondary characters are easy to love. I found myself immersed in the story. The vivid descriptions and authentic conversations whisked me away to another time and place.

Author Turner tackles some timeless life issues with Christian responses. She even discretely shows the desire of a married couple for each other. There is humor, mystery, romance, and inspiration in this lovely book. I recommend it. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Katherine’s Arrangement

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: August 4, 2020

Marrying him is her only choice to save her family, but Josiah Richardson isn’t at all the man she expected.

Katherine William’s family was left destitute when their home was burned to the ground by Yankee soldiers, so the ready solution presented by the prominent Mr. Josiah Richardson seems almost too good to believe. He’ll provide a home, work for her pa, and a new beginning for her family…if only Katherine will accept his proposal. A marriage of convenience is the last thing she wants, but there doesn’t seem to be a better option for her family or herself. Setting aside her dreams of love, Katherine agrees to the arrangement.

The gentleman in Josiah Richardson can no more force his frightened bride into his bed, than he can force her into loving him, so he sets out to gently woo her. He works hard to befriend her, to earn her trust and win her love.

Katherine is pleasantly surprised to find herself drawn to the man she thought she would never love, until an unexpected friendship tears apart all they’ve worked for. Where once the promise of love had budded between Josiah and Katherine, now they wonder what to do with their so-called marriage. Is love strong enough to weave its healing power through two broken hearts?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Blossom Turner is a freelance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger, and author. Her authentic understanding of the power of love is woven through the pages of Book One in the Shenandoah Bride series—Katherine’s Arrangement. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Read more at blossomturner.com.

More from Blossom

From the time I was a little girl I had a love for reading, a wild imagination, and the desire to write. At twelve, I received my first Bible and read all the way through a King James Version. My love for Jesus was cemented. I day-dreamed of a Cinderella happily-ever-after story. The traumatic childhood I was living in was gentled by the dream of being whisked away by a handsome prince and truly loved. Put that all together, and the building blocks for writing romantic fiction are all in place.

But how did I get to writing historical romance? Well that was for one reason only…I loved reading stories of arranged marriages and wanted to write one. The drama, the tension, the love that can flourish out of nothing, I just loved the concept but…the scenario had to be believable to me. Thus, the wheels of imagination started turning. What better than right after the Civil War, in the Shenandoah Valley where houses were burned and people left destitute? I’m Canadian and had a smattering of knowledge of that time period, so had to do extensive research to pull it off. To be historically accurate was much more difficult than writing my first novel, Anna’s Secret, set in today’s era. Now I am hooked on writing historical romance. I’m both a sensitive and an old soul and it fits my personality perfectly. Who knew? God did.

I think when you read Katherine’s Arrangement, you will agree that the drama that brings this couple together is both believable and engaging. I am so excited to write this five-book series on five sisters and their love stories, as I come from a large family with six sisters and one brother. I write from family dynamics I know all about.

The reason I write is two-fold. I believe when writing fiction that one must deliver a love story that touches the heart, that draws people in, that makes them both laugh and cry. The entertainment value must be there. Then, I weave in my love for Jesus in a non-preachy, realistic way, with the hopes and failures of everyday people. The resounding theme in Katherine’s Arrangement is that God can work all things for good when we choose to place our life in His trustworthy hands. It is uncanny how love can grow in the fertile soil of good choices. But don’t be fooled, as with most of us, Katherine had to go through her gamut of bad choices before she surrendered.

I pray you will find a little bit of your story in Katherine’s story, and that, above all, you will enjoy the read.