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25 March 2014

Diana Flowers' Review Of 'Wildwood Creek' By Lisa Wingate


Bethany House Publishers, 2014

Reviewed by Diana Flowers
5 stars*****


A Totally Intriguing Read!

Award winning author, Lisa Wingate, takes the reader on a haunting, mesmerizing journey that vacillates between historical Wildwood Creek to present day, and of two women who bear a striking resemblance to one another and whose lives intertwine although centuries apart.

Allie Kirkland has landed the dream job of a lifetime…to portray Bonnie Rose, a young school teacher in 1861 Wildwood, in a reenactment of the legendary frontier settlement which is shrouded in secrets and mystery. When Allie sees a tintype of Bonnie Rose she is shocked to discover they could pass as twins and becomes obsessed in finding out all she can about this lovely, young woman and the inhabitants of Wildwood Creek, all of whom seemed to meet up with a tragic ending. On the film set in Wildwood, everyone seems to be hiding secrets—even the handsome Blake Fulton who has more than just a passing interest in Allie. But can she even be able to trust him as unsettling events begin to take place that could possibly cause history to repeat itself in Wildwood? And what was the fate of the mystifying Bonnie Rose…

I can certainly see why Lisa Wingate wins so many awards! This fascinating storyline written with such brilliance, expertise, and realistic characterization, has left me duly impressed! Being the historical fiction lover that I am, traveling to and fro from Bonnie Rose's point of view to Allie's, was especially enjoyable to me! Wildwood Creek is a totally suspenseful, unpredictable read with lots of twists, turns, and a surprise ending; guaranteed to mesmerize the reader! Nicely done, Lisa Wingate!

This book may be purchased through Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble, and your local bookstore.

Giveaway: This week we'll be giving away winner's choice of any of Lisa's books, including her new releases (choice of format, international winners--ebook only.) Lisa has graciously added a signed copy of her paperback Firefly Island (USA only) to our giveaway this week!! 


*Please remember to leave email addy for contact purposes should your name be drawn!*



62 comments:

  1. Fabulous review Diana! This sounds really intriguing, another one for that never ending TBR pile. :-)

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    1. Thanks, TERESA! It was very intriguing to be sure and I loved reading about two different heroines!

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  2. I would like to win this new novel by Lisa Wingate ~ Wildwood Creek ~ I like these two generational stories! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. You'll love this one then, KATHLEEN. Very intriguing!

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  3. This sounds really neat! I'm going to go see if they have it on Audible.com! Great review, Teresa!

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    1. It really is an amazing book, CARRIE! I know TERESA and I are alike in many ways (she is my Bobbsey Twin after all), but I wrote the review! lol

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    2. LOL, Diana! I need to get off these meds for my foot surgery, don't I? Great review DIANA!!! Wondered why Teresa's review sounded like your voice!!!

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    3. Thanks, CARRIE! You make me laugh! Maybe Teresa and I are so much alike we are starting to sound alike? Just trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here. haha

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  4. Wow!! What an ingenious idea for a story LISA! Thank you DIANA for this amazing review... I know I will HAVE to read this one now after reading that intriguing introduction to Lisa's book!!

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    1. Thank you, NOELA! I was rather awestruck reading this book to be quite honest. Lisa is so smart and just such a brilliant author!

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  5. Would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win a copy ! Thank you so very much for the offer !!!! Blessings ,DanaGirl

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    1. Hi, DANA! I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for you to have a chance to read this wonderful book! lol Lotsa luck to you!

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  6. So sorry email is jashbk@earthlink.net.Blessings

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  7. This is another one that I'm really eager to read. Thanks for the giveaway! What a beautiful cover, by the way! :)

    pickles_and_co(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. So glad to see you here, ANNETTE! I just love that cover, too...simple but beautiful at the same time.

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  8. Great review Sounds like a great book
    God bless all of you
    ChrisG
    granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

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    1. Thanks so much, CHRIS, and may God bless you, too!

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  9. I have wildwood creek on order but would love to read the Prayer Box, I have read great reviews of it
    thanks and Blessings
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Teresa Mathews will be reviewing The Prayer Box this Thurs, JACKIE, so be sure and comment there as well to up your odds of winning. ;) I know you will enjoy Wildwood Creek--Happy Reading!

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  10. What a wonderful review, Diana! Thank you for this. I'm so glad you enjoyed slipping into Bonnie and Allie's world. These journeys wouldn't be much fun without wonderful people to share them with ;)

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    1. Thank YOU, Lisa! I can honestly say this was one of the most enjoyable reviews I have ever written. I wanted to write a review as mysterious and wonderful as the book, and although I'm sure I didn't achieve that, it was sure fun trying!

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  11. Great review Diana!I would love to win and read this.Thanks for the chance.

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    1. Thanks so much, JACKIE! Lotsa luck in the drawing!

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  12. I just looked up Lisa's website and book list and I don't think I've ever read any of her books... I think I have one or two of them on my Kindle waiting to be read. Thanks for the chance to win!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. This one is my favorite of all of them, PATTY, but all of her books are good! I have some of her paperbacks that are calling to me as well.

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  13. This sounds like a fascinating story! I would love to win this book! Thanks so much for the opportunity!

    kcrouse1950 at verizon dot net

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    1. KATHI, indeed it is! All throughout the book, I couldn't wait to hear the fate of the mysterious Bonnie Rose...

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  14. Great review Diana !!!!! You used the words haunting, mesmerizing journey and it caught me - right then. This sounds like the reader won't be able to put the book down, and this is a perfect way for a book to read. I have heard such good reviews of Lisa Wingate's other book, I want to read this. Thanks for the chance to win such an exciting book. Rosemary rfoley@salemstate.edu

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    1. Isn't haunting a great word, ROSEMARY? lol I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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  15. I think I already told you how much I enjoyed this review. Sounds so much like my kind of book. :)

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    1. Yes you did, MARIAN! Thank you for saying so, and I hope you'll get a chance to read it as soon as you come up for air underneath that toppling over TBR stack. haha

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    2. Is that why I feel so dizzy? I need some air?! ;)

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  16. Such a fascinating idea to visit two time points.


    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  17. Wildwood Creek sounds like an exciting and interesting novel. I'm sure I don't want to miss this one. Thank you for the great review!
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi, KAY! Thanks for your kind words! I hope you get a chance to read it asap!

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  18. Loved this Review ! This is next on my reads of Lisa's I am reading The Prayer Box. Would love to win another Lisa book for sure, love the way she writes Love the cover myself !!!!
    Linda Finn
    Faithful Acres Books
    www.faithfulacres.net

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    1. Hi, LINDA, so nice to see you here! I have read several of Lisa's books but this is my fave I do believe! The cover is so beautiful in it's simplicity....love it!

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    2. Oh, and thank you for the kind words about my review, too! I had so much fun writing this one! :)

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  19. Hello there Diana. You girls are a mess. You always make me laugh when I get on here. I am like you, I like to read from now with someone also in the past. Sure keeps me reading. Lisa's book sounds so good I just hope they keep having enough give-aways of this, for me to win eventually. Loved your review and all of you OWG girls. I have adopted you all as my sweet sisters. But of course I'm the oldest. LOL Please put my name in. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Thank you, MAXIE! You are so sweet and yes, we are quite a mess. lol But we enjoy ourselves! I hope you get the chance to read this intriguing, unique story, big Sis! ;)

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  20. The words "teacher" and "frontier" grabbed my attention right away! Thanks for the review. I'd love a chance to read a book by this author.
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. Isn't it cool to read the word "frontier" in a contemporary, SUSAN? Unless you are talking about a sci-fi such as Star Trek. lol Good luck to you in the giveaway!

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  21. The cover of this book is beautiful.
    Would love to read it.

    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. So nice to see you, DANIE! Bethany House always has such great covers, don't they?

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    2. Yes Bethany house does have beautiful book covers. Have not seen a book cover that was a disappointment.

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    3. They know what sells, DANIE. Many people judge a book by it's cover...I'm one of them! lol

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    4. Oops-its cover rather. I'm on Kindle and the auto correct wants it's. ;)

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    5. Well they sure do a good job 😊

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  22. Very nice review! What a different type of story from what I regularly read. It intrigues me and would like to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a fantastic read.

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    1. It was very different, BARB, and I like different, don't you? I get tired of the same ole same ole....
      Thank you for the kind words!

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  23. This is a different way to write a historical fiction book. I am interested in reading it! I like the way it sounds. Thanks for introducing the book! Nancycooks4u(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Actually, NANCY, I would say it's more of a contemporary, but does go back in history as well. Really an interesting concept...good luck in the drawing!

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  24. Loved your review, Diana!!

    Lisa's books have such interesting story lines, and this one sounds exceptional!! A lot of suspense and mystery, with romance, also!! I love the idea of 2 heroines from different time eras, and love novels with "twists and turns", and surprise endings!!

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of "Wildwood Creek"!!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. This one was exceptional, BONNIE! So very unique and mysterious, but not dark. Throwing your name in my cyber hat here! :)

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  25. Hallo, Hallo OWG & Ms. Wingate,

    I was curious are any of the lovely spirits of OWG on Twitter!?! I have Ms. Pagels linked to me, but I was curious if the other reviewers are on there as well!? I've been tweeting out happy notes today about what I am reading on behalf of Lisa Wingate! Using the OWG blog hashtag: #OvercomingWithGod!! :) What is so wicked is that I used my first-ever INSPYs vote to nominate "The Prayer Box"!! I ended up not nominating another book because I felt this particular one was the very novel which resonated with me the most (in the inspirational fiction market & of inspirational mainstream stories)!! I wanted to give it a fighting chance to make it to the Finals & Judging Rounds!!

    I love how in each novel she writes, like this one "Wildwood Creek" she gives you a hearty story full of intrigue and stirrings of romance intermixed with a walk in faith. She gives you something to chew on rather than merely a story where the characters transition into a happier tomorrow. She's a thought-provoking novelist and I enjoy her stories!

    Thank you for this lovely bookaway!
    (inkand-bookaways(at)usa(dot)net)
    @JLovesAStory

    ps: Can I leave my Twitter handle for entries!?

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    1. JORIE, I have missed you! Thank you for following me on Twitter and for posting about our reviews! And yes, that was wicked! haha She is such a great writer and as you say her books have a lot of substance...I can never breeze right thru them. I visited your blog and it is so wonderful! Just like a bookstore, I think if I had the time I could spend a few hrs there! You are such a gem, and we love having you here!

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  26. I love it when a book is unpredictable. It makes it so much more interesting. I hope that I can read enough books and reviews that maybe someday I can write a worthy review. fishingjan[at]aol[dot]com

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    1. JAN, I tried to figure this one out, but LISA is just way too smart for me! lol

      If you want to do an author a favor, you can simply write a few sentences just like you did here, JAN, and just say why you enjoyed the book. It doesn't have to be long and as Julie Lessman told me one time, "It's the stars that count, sweetie, the stars!" LOL! God bless you, JAN!

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  27. Wildwood Creek sounds mysterious and totally engaging. I love the past and the present flowing together in a story.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. It sure is, MERRY! I enjoyed that so much, too, b/c you get two heroines for the price of one! :P

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