About the Book
Author: Konnie K. Viner
Genre: Fiction (Christian mystery/romance)
Release date: November 10, 2021
It’s been a year since Maci Driscoll’s husband passed unexpectedly, and she is stuck in lonely despair. As an established painter, she finds her inspiration and artistic spark is gone. In a desperate attempt to step out of her funk, Maci sells her seaside home and moves inland to a sleepy little town in Maine.
But peace and inspiration aren’t the only things she finds in Laurel Hill. The century home she buys has secrets to divulge, a long-lost couple to reunite, a murder to solve, and maybe even new love.
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My Review
This is an enjoyable romance. The main issue for characters is dealing with grief. Maci lost her husband a year ago and decides to move to a new location, seeking a new start in life. She buys a heritage home and reads the journals of the wife of the original owner. She discovers the woman experienced the early death of all her children and then her husband. The trust in God this woman evidenced challenges Maci. She gets to know Wade, the realtor who sold her the house. He has his own struggles with grief, having lost his young love to murder and his wife to divorce.
This short novel would be a typical romance except that Viner has added a couple of side issues. Maci's remodel contractor finds a letter of WW II vintage. The letter's contents sets Maci on a journey to healing a broken relationship. Then the contractor finds something else that answers a mystery from the past. There is also the issue at the end of forgiving another, even when that forgiveness is not deserved.
This is a good novel for readers who would enjoy an inspirational romance and reading about struggling to enjoy the good things of life, leaving grief behind. I liked how the characters were presented as well as the Maine setting.
My rating: 4/5 stars.
About the Author
More from Konnie
Blueberry Bungalow, a 2022 Selah Award Finalist, is a cozy mystery set in the blueberry fields of Maine, Recently widowed and struggling, Maci Driscoll moves from the seaside of Maine to quiet little Laurel Hill to escape the past and figure out who she is without her beloved husband. Never did she expect to find a long-lost letter, solve a decades-old murder, or fall in love, but she does.
Maci’s Blueberry Pie Recipe
Crust
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold
½ cup water
Filling
4 cups blueberries
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Glaze
1 egg, beaten
coarse sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425º and place a rack in the middle of the oven.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
Add the butter and mix it into the flour using two knives or pastry blender.
Slowly add the cold water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together.
Remove the dough from the bowl and shape into 2 equal balls, flattened into discs.
Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
When ready, unwrap the dough and allow it to warm up for a minute or two.
Lightly flour your surface, then roll one disc into a circle until its large enough to fit into the pie plate with an inch of overhang.
Fold the dough into fourths, then place carefully in the pie dish.
Unfold and smooth into the dish, dressing the crust however you choose (crimping, fluting, or my favorite, just pressing into it with a fork).
Fill with the blueberry filling, then roll out the remaining disc of dough and cover the blueberries entirely, making sure to cut a few slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
Lightly brush the top crust with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350º and bake for an additional 45-55 minutes.
Keep an eye on the pie.
If the crust begins to brown too quickly, tent the pie with foil.
If the filling begins to bubble, you may also wish to place a baking sheet on the rack below the pie to catch any drips.
Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool.
Serve warm.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 1
An Author's Take, July 2
Texas Book-aholic, July 3
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, July 4 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, July 4
Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, July 5
Inklings and notions, July 6
For Him and My Family, July 7
deb's Book Review, July 8
The Avid Reader, July 9
Blogging With Carol, July 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 11
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 12
Pause for Tales, July 12
Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting, July 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 14
Book Looks by Lisa, July 14
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.
(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)
7 comments:
Thank you for sharing your review of Blueberry Bungalow, I like the cover and synopsis and I am looking forward to reading this story myself
Sounds like a good book.
This sounds like an interesting read. And that recipes sounds good. Thanks for your review.
Blueberry Bungalow sounds like a thrilling mystery/romance for me to read and enjoy! Good luck with your book and the tour! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks, Avid Reader, for sharing your review! Have an awesome TGIF!
This pie recipe sounds fantastic!! The book looks great
This is a definite read for me.
Marilyn
Thanks for sharing your review and recipe!
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