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16 July 2015

Lorna Seilstad's As Love Blooms - Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels


As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad

FIVE STARS *****

Another sigh-worthy book, As Love Blooms (Revell, 2015), in the Gregory Girls Series by Lorna Seilstad.

LOVED all three of these books. I RECOMMEND them as a SUMMER READS COLLECTION and they are going into my favorites collection, too!

As Love Blooms is the youngest Gregory sister's story. Tessa Gregory is blessed with an abundance of imagination, talent, energy, and tenacity! She has spunk and personality plus! But what she wants, after completing two years of her Horticultural Science program, is to work in her profession and to help redesign the fabulous Como Park where she lives in Minnesota. Unfortunately, Mr. Nussbaum, the supervisor of the park will never hire a woman. Well, Tessa thinks like I do--never say never! So she finds a way to still do her work. That "way" involves a handsome gardner named Reese King who she talks into allowing her to masquerade (in male attire) as her assistant.

Tessa and Reese have a lot in common. They also have secrets that could tear their fledgling relationship apart. Set in the turn of the century in Minneapolis, Lorna Seilstad sets the stage perfectly against the backdrop of tension in political positions and relationships between men and women. The secondary romance between Tessa's "Aunt" and the senator was especially well done and bittersweet. Lovely layers to this story. Also enjoyed "catching up" with her sister's stories in those threads!
Como Park and Zoo, Conservatory, in Minneapolis
Highly recommend!!! As Love Blooms will be on my BEST of 2015 list!!!

Giveaway: We're giving away one paperback copy of this new release this week. Leave a comment to enter and also Follow my Turn of the Century Pinterest Page (click here) for an extra entry!
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38 comments:

  1. Diana FlowersJuly 16, 2015 at 8:56 AM

    Fabulous review, CARRIE! I absolutely love the colors on this cover and also the conservatory pic! Beautiful!

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  2. Caryl KaneJuly 16, 2015 at 9:04 AM

    Lovely review, Carrie! Lorna Seilstad is a new-to-me author. I enjoyed learning more about her and her books.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 16, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      Lorna's Gregory Sisters series is excellent, Caryl! Thanks!

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 16, 2015 at 9:36 AM

    A very enticing review, Carrie, you've got me hooked! :) Gorgeous cover and pic of the conservatory!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 16, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      The entire Gregory Sisters Series by Lorna Seilstad is well worth reading, Noela! Thanks!

      Delete
  4. KavJuly 16, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    Wonderful review of a wonderful book. Don't enter me in the draw because I have As Love Blooms. I just stopped by to say 'hey'. Love the photo of the Como Gardens as well. Such fun when a book is set in an actual place.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 16, 2015 at 6:21 PM

      Hi, Kav! Thanks so much! Those gardens look so pretty. I'd love to visit there sometime! I love stories set in an actual place, too!

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  5. Mrs TinaJuly 16, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Carrie, loved the review. The book cover is lovely and is sounds very interesting.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Mrs TinaJuly 16, 2015 at 11:38 AM

      Trying to find the Turn of the Century Pinterest Page....(the "click here" doesn't work)
      Blessings,Tina

      Delete
    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 16, 2015 at 6:22 PM

      Thanks, Tina! Also, thank for letting me know about the link.

      Delete
  6. Deanna StevensJuly 16, 2015 at 5:11 PM

    What a beautiful park! I'd enjoy reading this book it sounds like it would make my best of 2015 list too :)
    dkstevensne AToutlookDo TCoM

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 16, 2015 at 9:02 PM

      As Love Blooms should be on everyone's Books of the Year List! Thanks, Deanna!

      Delete
  7. Mary PrestonJuly 16, 2015 at 6:41 PM

    This sounds just lovely. Great review thank you.

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  8. UnknownJuly 16, 2015 at 7:33 PM

    What a nice review. I love the sound of the book. It sounds wonderful. Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 18, 2015 at 3:31 PM

      Thanks, Tammy! The Gregory Girls Series is wonderful!

      Delete
  9. Melanie BackusJuly 16, 2015 at 11:24 PM

    What a lovely cover and sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you, Carrie for the great review and giveaway!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 17, 2015 at 9:49 PM

      Beautiful cover n I have it in paperback for the giveaway! THANKS

      Delete
  10. AnonymousJuly 17, 2015 at 1:50 AM

    Hi Carrie. Loved your review. The Como Garden's picture is beautiful. Could look at a place like that every day. I never had any trouble with the link to your Pinterest. I do follow you there. I love the sound of this story and the beautiful cover. Love the title too. I would love to win Lorna's book. The model is beautiful. GOD bless.
    Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 18, 2015 at 3:32 PM

      Thanks so much, sweet Maxie! I'd love to go to that garden some day! I did have to fix the link to the page on Pinterest--glad it is working now! I think you'd love this book, Maxie, Best wishes!

      Delete
  11. Bonnie RoofJuly 17, 2015 at 3:34 AM

    An unusual and interesting story line, Carrie - thanks for your wonderful review. I haven't read any of the novels in this series, and would love to read "As Love Blooms". I enjoy books based on actual people/places, and would love to visit this beautiful conservatory. Lorna's novels always have such beautiful covers!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 18, 2015 at 3:33 PM

      Bonnie you have to read this series. You'll love all the books! Yes, Revell has gorgeous covers. Blessings!

      Delete
  12. Robin in NCJuly 17, 2015 at 8:32 AM

    Thanks for sharing a new to me author, Carrie! Lorna's novels sound very good, I would love to win. Thanks!
    I am also following your Turn of the Century pinterest page too!
    rw620 AT aol DOT com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 17, 2015 at 9:45 PM

      Robin you would love this Gregory Girls series! Ty.

      Delete
  13. Britney AdamsJuly 17, 2015 at 10:06 PM

    Love your review, Carrie! I'll be adding this series to my wish list!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJuly 18, 2015 at 3:34 PM

      Thanks, Britney! You've got to read and review this great series!

      Delete
  14. Mrs TinaJuly 19, 2015 at 12:23 AM

    Carrie, from my comment on the 16th: your turn of the century pinterest link works now.....I already follow it.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 2, 2015 at 11:24 PM

      TY, Tina! I am finding that from my phone my comments are not saving, either, for some reason on the iPhone to the blogs.

      Delete
  15. Mary LouJuly 19, 2015 at 12:52 PM

    Carrie, thanks for your wonderful review! This book sounds like a definite "must read". I love the books you recommend that I did read and I'd love to win this one! Mary Lou K
    flowersmarylou85(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 2, 2015 at 11:23 PM

      Sister MaryLou, I think you'd enjoy the entire series. I'm not sure why my previous reply disappeared, but am reposting!

      Delete
  16. UnknownJuly 19, 2015 at 11:49 PM

    Thank You for sharing your review with us, Carrie! I have read the two books that come before As Love Blooms and absolutely loved them!! It's be awesome to win, but really it's just so nice to stop by your lovely blog. - Blessings, Juli. emeraldelena(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 2, 2015 at 11:24 PM

      This is a great book, Julianna! I think you will love it! Blessings!

      Delete
  17. Karen LangeJuly 20, 2015 at 9:31 PM

    Thank you, Carrie, for this review. I've not read any of Ms. Seilstad's books yet. Looking forward to checking them out! :)

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsAugust 2, 2015 at 11:25 PM

      Hey Karen, I know you have to read your comparable books and that keeps all of us authors busy, doesn't it? I'm so glad I get to read Lorna's because they are so beautiful!

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  18. MerryJuly 22, 2015 at 9:34 AM

    I love flowers and gardens, so As Love Blooms caught my eye with it's lovely cover. Please include me in the drawing, it sounds terrific. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

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