What Flowers Remember -- Review and Giveaway

Thought for the Day:

“Only put off till tomorrow what you are willing to die left undone.”  ~ Pablo Picasso ~

Gifts for My Writer Friends:

Kathy Temean at Writers and Illustrators has a great post called 15 Things to Consider When Writing Description. Click HERE to see it. It is really worth your time. In fact, just about everything on Kathy’s blog is worth your time.

Click HERE for an article on how to create an anti-hero from Writer’s Digest.  

And another one also on Writer’s Digest, this one written by Angela Ackerman, on avoiding unlikable characters. It can be found HERE and is worth your time.

Last week, I reviewed Saving Lucas Biggs, one of my favorite books this year, and the publisher was kind enough to offer a book for a giveaway since I absolutely refused to give my copy away. Our winner this week (drum roll please!) is Myra! Congratulations, Myra. I will be in touch about getting your copy of Saving Lucas Biggs to you right away. If you didn't win, stay tuned. I have another wonderful giveaway today.

A couple years ago, I read and reviewed an absolutely charming book called The Summer of Hammers and Angels by Shannon Wiersbitzky. If you missed that review, you can find it HERE. Shannon was also kind enough to do an interview which you can find HERE. I loved the characters and setting of that lovely story. It was one of those books that was simply over too soon to suit me. Shannon contacted me recently and shared the news she had a new book coming out. Would I be interested in having a copy to review on my blog? Would I ever! I loved her writing, so I knew I would enjoy her new book. Imagine my absolute delight when I found the same characters and same small town I had loved in the earlier book.

In What Flowers Remember, we find young Delia a couple years later. She spends a lot of time with a neighbor, Old Red, who has a flower garden beyond belief. He is an absolute wizard with his flowers and is sharing his secrets and knowledge with Delia. He shares something else along the way, and that is stories of Tucker's Ferry and Old Red's life. After Delia sees a woman stop in front of the farm one day and try to steal of seed-laden flower, Delia talks to Old Red about starting a business -- the two of them -- saving and selling the seeds from his heirloom flowers. He agrees and they work hard on this business. But now and then, Old Red seems weak and forgetful. Delia, her best friend Mae, and Tommy Parker, former nemesis of Delia, but now something of a sweetheart, all notice the problem is getting worse and worse. In fact, the whole town is aware, and when Old Red

Shannon Wiersbitzky

has a really bad episode, townspeople contact his son, who takes Old Red for an evaluation. It's Alzheimer's. Delia, along with many others, is devastated by the news. But Delia is bound and determined to save Old Red's memories so he can never forget -- not his stories, not his flowers, and certainly not Delia.

What Flowers Remember is every bit as charming as Shannon's earlier book, though more serious and contemplative. I love it and I think most of you will as well. If you haven't yet read The Summer of Hammers and Angels, do get to it. It's a real treat and will make your experience with What Flowers Remember just a bit richer. But whatever you do, don't miss this wonderful book.

  

You can have a chance to win a signed copy of What Flowers Remember. All you need do is be a subscriber or follower and leave a comment. If you are not yet a subscriber or follower, check near the top at the right and sign up. Free and easy. If you want more chances to win this book, post the link to this  blog on your blog or Facebook or Tweet about the giveaway. Tell me what you have done, and I will put extra chances in the drawing for you. 

Shannon Messenger is the founder of Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday and has links to many other reviews and giveaways on her blog. Check it out HERE.