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Grace & Lavender
In Grace & Lavender, recently retired Colleen Hill is always busy, constantly on a quest to make life more interesting. When the ladies' group at her church partners with the local children's home, Colleen jumps in as usual, volunteering to share her passion for cooking with a troubled teenager named Grace. But Colleen must balance the new project with her pursuit of becoming a contestant on a television game show, along with all the other ideas her brain continually spins out.
Colleen's daughter Melody is quite different. She lives a calm, simple life and is content with who she is. That is, until an unexpected opportunity to work with Grace, too, pushes her to reevaluate life and dare to take on bigger dreams. The path starts with a newly-found interest in soap-making and leads her to responsibilities she didn't even know she wanted.
Grace & Lavender is a book for all audiences a heart-warming story that reminds us to seek God's purpose for our lives.
Colleen's daughter Melody is quite different. She lives a calm, simple life and is content with who she is. That is, until an unexpected opportunity to work with Grace, too, pushes her to reevaluate life and dare to take on bigger dreams. The path starts with a newly-found interest in soap-making and leads her to responsibilities she didn't even know she wanted.
Grace & Lavender is a book for all audiences a heart-warming story that reminds us to seek God's purpose for our lives.
176 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
6 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Heather Norman Smith
7 books104 followersHeather Norman Smith is an author of inspirational Southern Fiction set in her home state of North Carolina. Her goal is to entertain and encourage readers, and illuminate the redemptive love of God, through stories with charming settings and memorable characters that make you feel right at home. She lives just outside Winston-Salem, NC with her husband, their four children, and several pets. Along with writing novels and spending time with her family, Heather also enjoys writing devotions and singing about Jesus.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
March 8, 2019
Grace & Lavender
Heather Norman Smith
GRACE & LAVENDER is the first book I've ever read by Heather Norman Smith. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because It is set in my new home of North Carolina, but the cover really pulled me in. I loved everything about this beautiful story and I'm excited to read more by Heather. She has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go. She made Springville seem like a real North Carolina town. Grace has been abandoned and is living at a children's home. Colleen is recently retired and tries to stay busy. Melody is Colleen's daughter and lives a very simple life.
GRACE & LAVENDER is filled with twists and turns as well as faith, family, love, hope, and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Heather Norman Smith was taking us and what would happen to Colleen, Melody, and Grace. Poor Grace will pull at your heart strings and never let them go. There is so much heart in Heather's writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see GRACE & LAVENDER becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I've known them for a long time.
Make yourself a yummy hot drink, get your favorite blanket and get on the couch. GRACE & LAVENDER is an awesome way to spend the afternoon or evening. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down and will find yourself cheering for these three ladies as they try to navigate their way through a very different and unique situation. I really wanted to reach in to this story and give Grace a hug over and over again. Heather Norman Smith will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go! Now I'm praying that she is working on a sequel next because I really want more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Heather Norman Smith
GRACE & LAVENDER is the first book I've ever read by Heather Norman Smith. To be honest, I fell in love with the cover the minute I saw it. I knew I would read it anyway, because It is set in my new home of North Carolina, but the cover really pulled me in. I loved everything about this beautiful story and I'm excited to read more by Heather. She has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go. She made Springville seem like a real North Carolina town. Grace has been abandoned and is living at a children's home. Colleen is recently retired and tries to stay busy. Melody is Colleen's daughter and lives a very simple life.
GRACE & LAVENDER is filled with twists and turns as well as faith, family, love, hope, and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Heather Norman Smith was taking us and what would happen to Colleen, Melody, and Grace. Poor Grace will pull at your heart strings and never let them go. There is so much heart in Heather's writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. I could totally see GRACE & LAVENDER becoming a Hallmark movie and I would love to see it. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I've known them for a long time.
Make yourself a yummy hot drink, get your favorite blanket and get on the couch. GRACE & LAVENDER is an awesome way to spend the afternoon or evening. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down and will find yourself cheering for these three ladies as they try to navigate their way through a very different and unique situation. I really wanted to reach in to this story and give Grace a hug over and over again. Heather Norman Smith will pull you in from the very first page and never let you go! Now I'm praying that she is working on a sequel next because I really want more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 20, 2019
But not a romantic love story - the love of God, the love of family... Grace & Lavender is a beautiful, quick read about a woman who takes on a project to help a girl in foster care. Through God's handiwork three women find their purpose and discover what love and life is really all about.
Heather Norman Smith weaves a heartwarming story with believable characters and a welcoming setting.
Heather Norman Smith weaves a heartwarming story with believable characters and a welcoming setting.
March 7, 2019
Reviewed at The Power of Words: https://bit.ly/2EVfVvo
Grace & Lavender is a lovely, heartwarming story about the impact of loving and caring relationships on a young teen with a crusty exterior. The narrative moves a little slowly in the beginning as a solid foundation is laid, then picks up speed as three generations of women capture the heart.
Colleen is a grandmother, strong in her faith, but with what I think of as a mental restlessness… “For a long time, she had harbored a constant, overwhelming sense that there was something she wanted or needed to do that she hadn’t yet discovered.” I got tickled at her obsession over names in particular – for instance, the naming of her granddaughter “Prairie.” Then there’s Colleen’s daughter, Melody, seemingly a complete opposite of Colleen because of her ability to be content. However, that drive for contentment just might have been an overreaction to her mother’s drive for purpose and meaning.
Grace found Colleen’s exuberance about life annoying, like a fly that keeps landing on your picnic plate.
Into this mix comes Grace, a young teen in foster care who has written off all adults as untrustworthy. These three lives are skillfully interwoven by the author into a tale that tugs at the heartstrings. Grace’s journey gradually unfolds like a flower opening up to the sun. I especially loved some of the secondary characters that Colleen involves Grace in helping.
Grace & Lavender is a romance, but not the kind you would typically expect. Rather, it is an expression of God’s love and grace, reflected through a caring family relationship. The gospel message of beautifully expressed. I’ve read a few books published by Ambassador International previously, and if you enjoy a story with a genuine Christian theme, this is an excellent publisher.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Grace & Lavender is a lovely, heartwarming story about the impact of loving and caring relationships on a young teen with a crusty exterior. The narrative moves a little slowly in the beginning as a solid foundation is laid, then picks up speed as three generations of women capture the heart.
Colleen is a grandmother, strong in her faith, but with what I think of as a mental restlessness… “For a long time, she had harbored a constant, overwhelming sense that there was something she wanted or needed to do that she hadn’t yet discovered.” I got tickled at her obsession over names in particular – for instance, the naming of her granddaughter “Prairie.” Then there’s Colleen’s daughter, Melody, seemingly a complete opposite of Colleen because of her ability to be content. However, that drive for contentment just might have been an overreaction to her mother’s drive for purpose and meaning.
Grace found Colleen’s exuberance about life annoying, like a fly that keeps landing on your picnic plate.
Into this mix comes Grace, a young teen in foster care who has written off all adults as untrustworthy. These three lives are skillfully interwoven by the author into a tale that tugs at the heartstrings. Grace’s journey gradually unfolds like a flower opening up to the sun. I especially loved some of the secondary characters that Colleen involves Grace in helping.
Grace & Lavender is a romance, but not the kind you would typically expect. Rather, it is an expression of God’s love and grace, reflected through a caring family relationship. The gospel message of beautifully expressed. I’ve read a few books published by Ambassador International previously, and if you enjoy a story with a genuine Christian theme, this is an excellent publisher.
Recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
March 1, 2019
Set in a fictional North Carolina town, Grace & Lavender draws readers in through three very different women. Colleen Hill is an early retiree who likes to stay busy. Her daughter Melody seems to be her opposite, content with living a simple life. And Grace is a young lady who struggles with her identity after being abandoned and living at a children’s home.
Heather Norman Smith takes these three women and delivers a story with staying power as she examines family, faith, and dreams (both the long held ones and the newly realized ones).
I was absorbed in this sweet, uplifting, sometimes humorous story from the first pages. Colleen, Melody, and Grace drew me in with each of their pieces to the larger picture. From soap making to game shows to relationships and much, much more, Smith gives readers a book filled with love, hope, and grace.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Heather Norman Smith takes these three women and delivers a story with staying power as she examines family, faith, and dreams (both the long held ones and the newly realized ones).
I was absorbed in this sweet, uplifting, sometimes humorous story from the first pages. Colleen, Melody, and Grace drew me in with each of their pieces to the larger picture. From soap making to game shows to relationships and much, much more, Smith gives readers a book filled with love, hope, and grace.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
February 27, 2019
Grace & Lavender is an easy-read story. Colleen, a recently retired, energetic woman, feels compelled to take on a young teenager, when the local children's home asks her church's ladies group for help. The ensuing story is a delicate tale about three generations of women coming together in an adventure of finding love and purpose. I especially enjoyed the author's insight into the teenager's fragile emotions. The first few chapters are a bit slow, but keep reading as the remainder of the story is well worth the effort.
March 5, 2019
This book is an excellent small town story with a beautiful message of hope and how God has a plan for your life, no matter your age or where you are at in life. I enjoyed each of the characters and how they brought this story to life. Colleen is outgoing and an all around fun character, with her passion for life. Melody is her very opposite daughter who is very relatable. I love how they reach out to and work with Grace, the young woman who ties this story together. This is an excellent story for all ages!
I received this book from Just Read tours. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.
I received this book from Just Read tours. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.
March 1, 2019
“There’s purpose in everything! We may not see it or understand it, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.” Colleen is a retiree with a ton of energy and a drive to use it in a multiplicity of ways. When she listens to the Spirit, God ordained connections are made. As a result, the lives of three women are changed forever. In memoir style and with North Carolina charm, Heather Norman tells a sweet story of love and grace. I found myself longing for more dialogue to reveal the soul of the characters — a perfect opportunity for a sequel!
May 5, 2019
Oh wow! This is such a sweet little story! I must be getting old. I related more with Colleen than Melody but Colleen is the main character so maybe that’s why lol, If you want to read an inspirational novel without romance this one would be perfect. I smiled while reading throughout the whole book.
April 25, 2019
"There's purpose in everything! We may not see it or understand it, but that doesn't mean it's not there."
- Colleen Hill 🌸
_____________________________________
I enjoyed reading this book, it's a very light, fast-paced story about three woman whom are trying to find their purpose in life.
Colleen Hill is an up-front lady, always in searching of the next 'interesting' thing to do, when on a church meeting she gets to help the young Grace, a fourteen girl in a foster house.
Grace is a sweet girl, but she's afraid to get close to people, because all the persons she came to care about, left her before. She finally gets to open up and feel for the first time with Colleen, during their time together, after getting punished for stealing, by cooking and helping people in need.
Melody is Colleen's daughter, a loving woman, who finds her purpose in the most unexpected way, by making hand-made soap, and most importantly, adopting Grace, the girl she came to care about and love when spending time with her and her mother, during her 'punishment' time.
The book is not just about finding our purpose in life, but also to make awareness to all the children that are in foster care, and how important it is to help them in any way we can, volunteering, donating, being a foster parent or by adopting.
This book made me think about it, and how years ago my own mother fought about adopting too, but unfortunately, she was denied that because of our adoption system.
Hope that little girl had found a good, caring and loving home like Grace did with the Hills family!
Have to thanks once again the @thereadingcornerforall for doing the giveaway that brought this book into my life! 💗
*
If you're interested in learning more about this book and the foster system, I'll leave a few links for you down below!
*
www.hearthernormansmith.com
@HNSblog
www.facebook.com/heathernormansmith
www.instagram.com/heathernormansmith
*
www.ambassador-international.com
@AmbassadorIntl
www.facebook.com/AmbassadorIntl
_____________________________________
- Colleen Hill 🌸
_____________________________________
I enjoyed reading this book, it's a very light, fast-paced story about three woman whom are trying to find their purpose in life.
Colleen Hill is an up-front lady, always in searching of the next 'interesting' thing to do, when on a church meeting she gets to help the young Grace, a fourteen girl in a foster house.
Grace is a sweet girl, but she's afraid to get close to people, because all the persons she came to care about, left her before. She finally gets to open up and feel for the first time with Colleen, during their time together, after getting punished for stealing, by cooking and helping people in need.
Melody is Colleen's daughter, a loving woman, who finds her purpose in the most unexpected way, by making hand-made soap, and most importantly, adopting Grace, the girl she came to care about and love when spending time with her and her mother, during her 'punishment' time.
The book is not just about finding our purpose in life, but also to make awareness to all the children that are in foster care, and how important it is to help them in any way we can, volunteering, donating, being a foster parent or by adopting.
This book made me think about it, and how years ago my own mother fought about adopting too, but unfortunately, she was denied that because of our adoption system.
Hope that little girl had found a good, caring and loving home like Grace did with the Hills family!
Have to thanks once again the @thereadingcornerforall for doing the giveaway that brought this book into my life! 💗
*
If you're interested in learning more about this book and the foster system, I'll leave a few links for you down below!
*
www.hearthernormansmith.com
@HNSblog
www.facebook.com/heathernormansmith
www.instagram.com/heathernormansmith
*
www.ambassador-international.com
@AmbassadorIntl
www.facebook.com/AmbassadorIntl
_____________________________________
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2019
I really enjoy Christian Fiction books and this book seemed interesting just from the description. I was so right. The book is not only interesting but packs a strong inspirational message.
The 3 main characters: Colleen, Melody and Grace are 3 women at different stages of life, yet all seeking the same thing: Big dreams to accomplish. Colleen is retired, but wants to keep busy. Grace and Melody are trying to achieve success in soap making and being a Game Show Contestant.
The overlaying message is that God's purpose for our lives will always overrule our desires and dreams. He may guide us down a path that we have dreamed of, but he may also detour us to a grander path!
I was very intrigued from the beginning and found it hard to put down! EXCELLENT BOOK!!
The 3 main characters: Colleen, Melody and Grace are 3 women at different stages of life, yet all seeking the same thing: Big dreams to accomplish. Colleen is retired, but wants to keep busy. Grace and Melody are trying to achieve success in soap making and being a Game Show Contestant.
The overlaying message is that God's purpose for our lives will always overrule our desires and dreams. He may guide us down a path that we have dreamed of, but he may also detour us to a grander path!
I was very intrigued from the beginning and found it hard to put down! EXCELLENT BOOK!!
March 27, 2019
This novel is about two women, a feisty older woman who loves to get involved with and try out new things all the time, and her daughter, who is the opposite, content with her life and circumstances. A project the older woman takes on, which is teaching a troubled teenager named Grace, changes both of their lives.
This interesting book discusses finding our purpose. It is a good book about women just like us. It will make you think about God’s plan and purpose for our lives. If you want an interesting read, try this book!
(Please Note: Although a complimentary copy of this book was given to me to review by Ambassador International, the opinions expressed are my own.)
This interesting book discusses finding our purpose. It is a good book about women just like us. It will make you think about God’s plan and purpose for our lives. If you want an interesting read, try this book!
(Please Note: Although a complimentary copy of this book was given to me to review by Ambassador International, the opinions expressed are my own.)
May 4, 2019
The title is captivating and once I turned the pages, I was lost in the story of healing and love.
Heather Norman Smith's writing is truly unique. Her voice shines through in this beautiful story.
Friendships are a treasure. And this book highlights how friendship grows and how eventually love can win and heal.
The Christian faith flows well and isn't forced. It shines through the characters and actions. With each description, I felt as though I was living the lives of Colleen, Grace, and Melody.
I highly recommend this book.
Heather Norman Smith's writing is truly unique. Her voice shines through in this beautiful story.
Friendships are a treasure. And this book highlights how friendship grows and how eventually love can win and heal.
The Christian faith flows well and isn't forced. It shines through the characters and actions. With each description, I felt as though I was living the lives of Colleen, Grace, and Melody.
I highly recommend this book.
March 15, 2019
I loved this book! It honestly gave back a lot of the faith I lost. Truthfully, the characters were very relatable. I think it shows that you can have so much and still be a little lost at times. What I love about this book, is that it tells you it’s okay to be that way. No ones perfect and truthfully...it makes you kind of proud to be imperfect.
I definitely recommend this book! It’s just so calming and I enjoyed the whole read. While the beginning was a little hard to get into, you appreciate why. It’s showing...a normal life, which was very important. The whole time, I was just taking it all in. This book could actually be for anyone, not just religious people.
I’m very impressed with this writing and I hope to see more from this author in the future.
I definitely recommend this book! It’s just so calming and I enjoyed the whole read. While the beginning was a little hard to get into, you appreciate why. It’s showing...a normal life, which was very important. The whole time, I was just taking it all in. This book could actually be for anyone, not just religious people.
I’m very impressed with this writing and I hope to see more from this author in the future.
March 15, 2019
Grace & Lavender is a heart warming story that touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes several times throughout. This story is filled with so much love and hope that by the end I thought my heart would explode. The characters were relatable and well defined. The world building was well defined. It is a great story for all ages. This story is a great reminder to keep your heart and mind open to Gods plan.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
reviewed
March 14, 2019Grace & Lavender, from Heather Norman Smith and Ambassador International, shares the story of three women, each in different circumstances. Yet, as their lives intertwine throughout the plot, it is heartwarming to see how the relationships encourage growth. Faith, family, love, dreams, hope... it's a great story for readers of contemporary inspirational fiction.
Thanks to JustRead Tours, I received a complimentary copy of Grace & Lavender and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
Thanks to JustRead Tours, I received a complimentary copy of Grace & Lavender and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
March 15, 2019
This inspiring story really touched my heart. Being involved with foster care, and seeing firsthand the trauma and struggles so many kids and teens go through in the system, it really hit home to me. I could relate to Colleen & Melody so much in their quest to find their purpose. This was a quick and easy read; I had it finished within a couple of hours. And being a southerner myself, I’m a sucker for stories set in the south. Overall, I really enjoyed it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
March 13, 2019
A beautiful story about the power of grace, second chances, and finding one’s true worth and purpose in God.
The characters were unique, and I really liked the fact that the author addressed the topic of foster homes and foster children.
It is a part of our society that is not often talked about in Christian Fiction, but I appreciated her taking us on Grace’s journey and talking about this issue so beautifully in this lovely story.
A #greatread —Reccommended!! 💕
The characters were unique, and I really liked the fact that the author addressed the topic of foster homes and foster children.
It is a part of our society that is not often talked about in Christian Fiction, but I appreciated her taking us on Grace’s journey and talking about this issue so beautifully in this lovely story.
A #greatread —Reccommended!! 💕
March 10, 2019
Good book. It was a little hard to follow at first, but once I got into it I did enjoy it. The main character (Colleen) is very much like a lot of people. We all want to be different, always looking for the next adventure, never quite satisfied with life the way it is and God uses that quality in us to put us in the path of being able to minister to other people. Just like Colleen is able to do to Grace ( the secondary character). I liked this story and would reccomennded reading it. It will most definitely not be my last by this author.
I was given this book for free. The opinions expressed within the review are my own.
I was given this book for free. The opinions expressed within the review are my own.
March 21, 2019
Just read! Really good book, great storyline.
March 11, 2019
More than fluff; full of hope and God's love; well done
March 2, 2019
Great book!
Really enjoyed this novel. The characters were lovable and the storyline drew me in. It even brought me to tears-good tears!- a time or two! Well worth the read!
Really enjoyed this novel. The characters were lovable and the storyline drew me in. It even brought me to tears-good tears!- a time or two! Well worth the read!
February 21, 2019
A heartwarming story of hope and home for a teen girl who begins this journey without either one. I will admit that I had to push through the beginning of this story as it was a little slow at the start. The reward was a beautiful story and relatable characters who left me satisfied at the end. The happy ending is well worth the wait.
Grace and Lavender takes us into the world of a young teen who lives in a children’s home. Three generations of women tell us this story. I found myself cheering for all three women along their intertwined journey toward healing for the young protagonist.
While the story has a happy ending, it does not gloss over the emotional difficulties and painful experiences along the way. The theme of Grace is woven throughout by a new author with an exceptional gift of story-telling. I hope this book will be the first of many stories she has to tell.
Grace and Lavender takes us into the world of a young teen who lives in a children’s home. Three generations of women tell us this story. I found myself cheering for all three women along their intertwined journey toward healing for the young protagonist.
While the story has a happy ending, it does not gloss over the emotional difficulties and painful experiences along the way. The theme of Grace is woven throughout by a new author with an exceptional gift of story-telling. I hope this book will be the first of many stories she has to tell.
July 1, 2019
By now everyone knows how much I love to read. I read as much as I can for my own personal mental health. It calms and relaxes me and gives me a little breather from life.
The latest book I read called Grace and Lavender is a wonderful quick read. It struck a cord in my heart for sure. I have a heart for children so the fact that it involves a young girl named Grace from a children's home pulled me right in. Grace is fourteen and has been through all the foster homes. She's not sure she remembers her "real" family and some days she's not sure what to do. To save herself she's shut off her emotions.
Cooking is her outlet though. So when that is denied her she acts out. This isn't the first time she's acted out though and her punishment is community service.
This brings us to the actual central character that everyone revolves around in Colleen. Colleen is retired with adult twin children. She's done a lot of things in her life and now she's taking on a few more projects. One is getting on a game show. She filled out her application and she's sure she's going to get chosen. The other is taking on Grace as a service project with her church group. She will supervise the girls community service. A part of her just tells her this is a calling and she has to do it.
As she prepares to work with Grace she decides that Grace can help her cook for the women's shelter in town and visit a retired disabled veteran that she goes to visit and clean for. Both should be good for the girl.
A fun fact that gets introduced later in the book is that Colleen herself was adopted. No where in the book does she share this with Grace though and I wonder if maybe that'll come in book two.
Melody is the daughter of Colleen and her husband. She thought she was content with her status quo life. Not overachieving, just average life. Instead she gets laid off and decides to help her mother with Grace. Instead she gets so much more than she bargained for and learns a whole lot about soap.
Hooked yet? You better believe it's a great book so check this one out!!
Also find out why names are so important and why Colleen isn't so sure about having a granddaughter named Prairie.
The latest book I read called Grace and Lavender is a wonderful quick read. It struck a cord in my heart for sure. I have a heart for children so the fact that it involves a young girl named Grace from a children's home pulled me right in. Grace is fourteen and has been through all the foster homes. She's not sure she remembers her "real" family and some days she's not sure what to do. To save herself she's shut off her emotions.
Cooking is her outlet though. So when that is denied her she acts out. This isn't the first time she's acted out though and her punishment is community service.
This brings us to the actual central character that everyone revolves around in Colleen. Colleen is retired with adult twin children. She's done a lot of things in her life and now she's taking on a few more projects. One is getting on a game show. She filled out her application and she's sure she's going to get chosen. The other is taking on Grace as a service project with her church group. She will supervise the girls community service. A part of her just tells her this is a calling and she has to do it.
As she prepares to work with Grace she decides that Grace can help her cook for the women's shelter in town and visit a retired disabled veteran that she goes to visit and clean for. Both should be good for the girl.
A fun fact that gets introduced later in the book is that Colleen herself was adopted. No where in the book does she share this with Grace though and I wonder if maybe that'll come in book two.
Melody is the daughter of Colleen and her husband. She thought she was content with her status quo life. Not overachieving, just average life. Instead she gets laid off and decides to help her mother with Grace. Instead she gets so much more than she bargained for and learns a whole lot about soap.
Hooked yet? You better believe it's a great book so check this one out!!
Also find out why names are so important and why Colleen isn't so sure about having a granddaughter named Prairie.
January 25, 2019
Grace & Lavender will live in my heart forever! The characters were ones I could relate to. Colleen’s bubbly personality drew me in… But then, I met her daughter, Melody, and learned of the ache in her heart and her struggles. As if that wasn’t enough, Grace entered the scene as an abandoned girl needing love, understanding, and an oversized helping of patience. I wanted to hug this fragile but feisty teenager! Other characters, such as Mr. Hartman, baby Prairie, and Becky were masterfully created. All this worked together to bring about God’s plan.
The author, Heather Norman Smith, is an excellent writer. She wrote this novel so well I found myself turning page after page. I just couldn’t put the book down!!!
Not only were the characters well defined and relatable, the way Heather wrote about North Carolina hooked me. I live in the area, so I could easily envision the fictitious town of Springville. I could smell the lavender, envision the mountain views, see the quaint shops, and hear the creaky boards of Mr. Hartman’s deck.
I don’t want to spoil the take-away for this book, but there definitely IS one… So be prepared for your heart to be changed.
I’m looking forward to reading Heather’s next novel. I hope it’s a sequel, but whatever she creates, I’m ready to read it!
The author, Heather Norman Smith, is an excellent writer. She wrote this novel so well I found myself turning page after page. I just couldn’t put the book down!!!
Not only were the characters well defined and relatable, the way Heather wrote about North Carolina hooked me. I live in the area, so I could easily envision the fictitious town of Springville. I could smell the lavender, envision the mountain views, see the quaint shops, and hear the creaky boards of Mr. Hartman’s deck.
I don’t want to spoil the take-away for this book, but there definitely IS one… So be prepared for your heart to be changed.
I’m looking forward to reading Heather’s next novel. I hope it’s a sequel, but whatever she creates, I’m ready to read it!
March 17, 2020
Another reviewer stated it very well:
"the love of God, the love of family... Grace & Lavender is a beautiful, quick read about a woman who takes on a project to help a girl in foster care. Through God's handiwork three women find their purpose and discover what love and life is really all about."
"the love of God, the love of family... Grace & Lavender is a beautiful, quick read about a woman who takes on a project to help a girl in foster care. Through God's handiwork three women find their purpose and discover what love and life is really all about."
March 4, 2019
Grace & Lavender is the story of two women and a teenage girl who are all trying to navigate their futures at different points in their lives. Colleen is a retired grandmother who is looking for her next big project. Melody, her daughter, is her opposite, content to live life as it comes. Grace, a young teen living at the local youth home, is distrustful of adults after an abusive childhood. I love the core of this story, how all three women approach change in their lives so differently. Colleen thrives on it, constantly flitting from one big idea to the next. Melody is happy to go with the flow until that’s no longer an option. Grace understandably hates change in her life because very few of them have turned out well for her. As the three women come together to help Grace through mandated community service, their hearts are all opened to God’s plans for them, far beyond what any of them originally plan.
The beginning of this book meanders a bit with Colleen’s mental musings. It was a little bit chaotic but it definitely gave you a sense of how her mind works! There were also other parts of the story where unnecessary things were stated. For example, when Colleen received a phone call this is how it was mentioned: “It was a call that would change the weekly routine she had known for some time.” I also felt like some plot points were left unresolved or not delved into deeply enough. I would’ve liked to see more of Melody’s romantic life, and I would’ve also liked to see Grace make peace with her past. One more strong edit would clear up some of these issues in the story and take it from a 3.5-star book to a 5-star book!
Overall, this story has such tender moments, such beauty even in the hard parts of life. I really enjoyed seeing how Colleen, Melody, and Grace all get their happy ending. I must admit that some of the twists in the plot kept me surprised, which I loved!
I received a copy of this book from JustRead Book Tours and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The beginning of this book meanders a bit with Colleen’s mental musings. It was a little bit chaotic but it definitely gave you a sense of how her mind works! There were also other parts of the story where unnecessary things were stated. For example, when Colleen received a phone call this is how it was mentioned: “It was a call that would change the weekly routine she had known for some time.” I also felt like some plot points were left unresolved or not delved into deeply enough. I would’ve liked to see more of Melody’s romantic life, and I would’ve also liked to see Grace make peace with her past. One more strong edit would clear up some of these issues in the story and take it from a 3.5-star book to a 5-star book!
Overall, this story has such tender moments, such beauty even in the hard parts of life. I really enjoyed seeing how Colleen, Melody, and Grace all get their happy ending. I must admit that some of the twists in the plot kept me surprised, which I loved!
I received a copy of this book from JustRead Book Tours and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.
March 13, 2019
This review contains some spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Well. . .I was a bit disappointed. Starting with the visual appearance, this book had different font sizes all over the place. I get that it is cheaper for the publishers to not have to add more pages, but there were long paragraphs of tiny font followed by the normal size. This might not bother everyone, but I found it very distracting.
Next was the inaccurate representation of a fourteen-year-old girl. Now, I am sixteen, but when I was a fourteen-year-old I would NEVER describe thinking of God as "big thoughts for a fourteen-year-old". I understand that she is searching, but there are better ways to say something like that. A lot of adult authors make this mistake when writing about teens so it was not terribly bothersome. But still. The author attempted to portray Grace as a rebellious teenager. To be honest, I could not see that at all. Granted, Grace did have a bad attitude around adults but she volunteered in the kitchens to cook food for little children!
I was curious about how the characters could be mourning the death of a friend one moment and the next, joyfully singing happy birthday. Anyone else confused?
A few positive things:
~The characters (except for Grace) were realistic
~The plot worked
~Soapmaking!!! 😊
-Foster Care and Adoption
I feel like I was a bit harsh with this review, but I am sharing my honest opinions and even if I did not enjoy this book, you may.
Personal Rating: 2 Stars
Content Rating: 4 Stars
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Well. . .I was a bit disappointed. Starting with the visual appearance, this book had different font sizes all over the place. I get that it is cheaper for the publishers to not have to add more pages, but there were long paragraphs of tiny font followed by the normal size. This might not bother everyone, but I found it very distracting.
Next was the inaccurate representation of a fourteen-year-old girl. Now, I am sixteen, but when I was a fourteen-year-old I would NEVER describe thinking of God as "big thoughts for a fourteen-year-old". I understand that she is searching, but there are better ways to say something like that. A lot of adult authors make this mistake when writing about teens so it was not terribly bothersome. But still. The author attempted to portray Grace as a rebellious teenager. To be honest, I could not see that at all. Granted, Grace did have a bad attitude around adults but she volunteered in the kitchens to cook food for little children!
I was curious about how the characters could be mourning the death of a friend one moment and the next, joyfully singing happy birthday. Anyone else confused?
A few positive things:
~The characters (except for Grace) were realistic
~The plot worked
~Soapmaking!!! 😊
-Foster Care and Adoption
I feel like I was a bit harsh with this review, but I am sharing my honest opinions and even if I did not enjoy this book, you may.
Personal Rating: 2 Stars
Content Rating: 4 Stars
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2019
The story is sweet, but I had a very difficult time with this.
The writing is clunky and far too many details are included. Nobody just answers a phone call -- we're told how they feel when the phone rings, they answer, the other person speaks, they hang up, and then there's another sentence about what this all means. Over and over, the author TELLS us what the characters do and how they feel, rather than SHOWING through action or meaningful (and edited!) dialog.
And again, the story is sweet. Foster care is a vital thing in our community that far too many churches overlook or ignore because it's hard and messy. But this book wraps things up far too quickly and neatly -- and honestly, it's a stereotypical "even more!" kind of ending (i.e. the woman doesn't just open a bakery, she is now supplying to every coffee shop in the city)
Well intentioned, but I can't recommend.
The writing is clunky and far too many details are included. Nobody just answers a phone call -- we're told how they feel when the phone rings, they answer, the other person speaks, they hang up, and then there's another sentence about what this all means. Over and over, the author TELLS us what the characters do and how they feel, rather than SHOWING through action or meaningful (and edited!) dialog.
And again, the story is sweet. Foster care is a vital thing in our community that far too many churches overlook or ignore because it's hard and messy. But this book wraps things up far too quickly and neatly -- and honestly, it's a stereotypical "even more!" kind of ending (i.e. the woman doesn't just open a bakery, she is now supplying to every coffee shop in the city)
Well intentioned, but I can't recommend.
August 27, 2019
This is a very sweet book. The author does a good job at making you experience the South. Sometimes throughout the book it can be confusing as to whose point of view it was because it switched frequently. This is a very nice book I would recommend.
November 5, 2019
3.5 stars. A funny, charming, heartwarming look at the power of love and redemption. I appreciated that this wasn’t a romance, although I could have done without the mysticism.
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