Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Like a Flower in Bloom

GIVEAWAY

MITCHELL, SIRI
LIKE A FLOWER IN BLOOM

He Stole the Work She Loved.
Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?


It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar.

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion.

Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?

My Review:

Oh mercy, but I've been wrestling over how to review this book because it's sooooooo good I'm sure I can't convey it in all it's wonderfulness with mere words. You need to see my grinning face and happy dancing feet and feed off my enthusiastic aura in order to get the full effect Like a Flower in Bloom had on me.

Hysterically funny. Honestly, I chortled and chuckled my way through the whole book. Sometimes I even had to stop and let loose with a hearty guffaw before I could continue reading. The dialogue is priceless. So is Charlotte and long-suffering Mr. Trimble who seem to always be talking at cross purposes.

Mitchell takes a satirical look at the oh-so-prim-and-proper Victorian era and the absurdity of their social niceties by dropping poor, hapless Charlotte into their midst. She's an intelligent woman, a scientific thinker, but might as well be in a foreign country without the benefit of knowing the language for all the ease with which she navigates the unchartered waters of high society.

Using first person narrative gives the reader the full effect of every nuance as we only see things happening from Charlotte's perspective. But we're also a bit socially wiser than the heroine so we understand the implications of a phrase or a look long before Charlotte does. Somehow that makes the read even more fun. And sometimes poignant. Because as much as this is a cunning comedic masterpiece, it is also a pointed look at what it means to appreciate yourself -- and others -- for who they are rather than what society expects them to be.

I'm positive that everyone is sure to be as enraptured with Like a Flower in Bloom as I am. It's not only one for the keeper shelf, but a book I will undoubtedly read more than once because it is just that clever.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Like a Flower in Bloom please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 4 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

53 comments:

  1. Like a Flower in Bloom sounds delightful... wonderful review, Kav!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Merry. Honestly -- fantastic book. It's mindboggingly good. LOL. Good luck!

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  2. This is a book I'd enjoy,, great review!
    dkstevensne AT outlook dotCOM

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    1. I don't think there's a person alive who wouldn't like this book, Deanna. Good luck!

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  3. I've enjoyed some of Mitchell's books in the past, so I've been excited to read this one. Even if I wasn't already excited about it, how could I not be after that review?! ;)

    bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

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    1. LOL -- I was kind of enthusiastic, wasn't I? It has her quirky humour from her early contemp writing and the solid historical details and vibe of her more recent work. Awesome combination. Good luck, Bluerose.

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  4. Sounds like a fun read. I have read many of Siri Mitchell's in the past, and this one sounds more like a lighthearted one.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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    1. It's hard to define, Boos Mum. Yes it's funny, but in a satirical way which exposes some deep truths. So yes, it's funny, but I don't know if I'd go so far as to say it's light-hearted....if that makes any sense. Good luck.

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  5. I just added this to my wish list this morning. Thank you, Kav!
    I hope you have a safe and Happy New Year!
    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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    1. Happy New Year to you too, Amy. Good luck!

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  6. I've read quite a few of Siri Mitchell's historical books, which I've enjoyed very much. It's been awhile since I've read one of her books. Like a Flower in Bloom sounds like the next book of hers I should read. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  7. Love Siri Mitchell's novels. Would love to win this one, especially after your great review!

    sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

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  8. thanks for the chance to read siri's latest novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  9. It comes to this: I love botany, and I really like witty, satirical writing (which is not altogether common in Christian fiction). So there is nothing for it - sign me up!
    rachaeldalquist at yahoo dot com

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    1. Oh, Rachel, this book is definitely for you then. I don't know how the author managed the clever dialogue around botany the whole book long. Hysterically funny. Good luck.

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  10. This sounds like a great read....thank you Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  11. Sounds wonderful! Thank you for the giveaway! :)

    Writer_weaverATyahooDOTcom

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  12. Sounds super interesting to read
    oh dot hello dot hiya at gmail dot com

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  13. Ah, sounds great! And the cover is just a work of art.
    ount me in, plese!

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. The cover is gorgeous, isn't it? Good luck, Janka.

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  14. Oh, I love Siri's books! I've been looking forward to her latest, so I'm very glad to hear that it's just as amazing as her others. =) Thanks for the chance to win!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. She's just plain amazing, isn't she, Elyssa? Goodluck.

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  15. Ooh, I love how much you love this book! I've been wanting to get it. Well, I've been wanting to read any of Siri Mitchell's books. She is still a new author to me, but I've heard so many amazing things and now I can add your review to that list of awesomeness! A bunch of her books have been on my wishlist for a long time now :)
    I'm in!
    lieniitte(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. She's an author you need to get acquainted with, Lieniitte. Good luck!

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  16. I love Siri's books and this sounds like a great story and if it brings on chuckles, it is definitely one I want to read.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. I'm still smiling when I think about it. Good luck.

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  17. From your description, this sounds like a must read book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Well, I happen to think so. LOL Good luck, rubynreba.

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  18. Siri has written some great book, sounds like another winner!

    Pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Siri is an author that I've been wanting to read for a long time, Kav. The cover alone draws me to this book, but your review just cinched it! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win a copy.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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    1. Glad I could persuade you! Good luck, Carole.

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  20. Sounds worth trying for, Kav -- include me, please! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  21. Please enter me, Kav! Thanks and Happy New Year!
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Happy New Year to you too, Nicole. Good luck.

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  22. We have Siri's books in the church library. I would love to win this book to add to our Christian Fiction section.
    Happy New Year to You and Yours!
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Wow ... I've been reading through the rssponders to this book ... Is it your review KAV or the author. Not quite sure which I'd say is the pull here cause your review is great and I love this author too. LOL. So I'll join the crowd. rrwalter34 ATgmailDOTcom
    rrw

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    1. LOL -- thanks, Becky. Well, as you may have been able to tell, I am enthused about this book. Siri Mitchell is brilliant. Good luck, Becky.

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  24. Oh Kav, you really did a great job with your review. Sounds like a great read. Please put my name in for a chance to read laugh like you. Thanks for the chance. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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  25. This sounds like a good read. I am putting it on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway! momrain (AT) aol (DOT) com

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    1. It's a definite must on every TBR list in my humble opinion. :-) Good luck, Loraine.

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  26. "Like a Flower in Bloom" was definitely my top read of 2014! Thanks for the chance to win --I have a digital ARC, but the ebook is missing letters (like "f") throughout the text.

    jafuchi7[at]Hawaii[dot]edu

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    1. Oy -- that must be challenging to read. LOL. Good luck, Artist Librarian.

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  27. Kav, don't you just love the covers of Christian fiction books?!! I was drawn to this book when I first saw the cover, and your beautiful review just sealed the deal. I think I'm behind on my reviews for Bethany, so I didn't get a copy of this one. Hopefully soon, though!

    I know the giveaway is over and wasn't trying to enter.

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