Love's First Bloom By Delia Parr

Love's First Bloom by Delia Parr
Published by Bethany House Publishers

I received this book for free through Bethany House Publishers book review program. I am under no obligation to write a positive review on the book.

That being said, I AM going to write a positive review. I have become a full fledged fan of Delia Parr's now. This is her second book, and I have had the privilege of reviewing both. When I saw that Bethany House was offering her second book to reviewers, I jumped at the opportunity!

Now for the review.

It is March of 1838, and Ruth Livingstone's life is about to change forever.

Ruth is the daughter of Reverend Livingstone, a man who loves God and ministers to the prostiutes who work in New York City's brothels. His ministry is known as The Prodigal Daughters.

Then the unthinkable happens. One of Reverend Livingstone's "daughters in the faith" is found murdered, and he is accused of her murder. After being granted a few days to put his affairs in order, Mr. Livingstone sends Ruth off with a toddler in her arms to live with a family she's never met under the assumed name Widow Malloy.

As Ruth adjusts to her new surroundings and identity, she spends her days praying for her father, and reading the local papers, hoping for word of his acquittal. As another tragedy threatens to consume what's left of her feeble faith, Ruth takes solace in the one place she can find peace - her garden.

There, as she prepares the soil to accept new beauty in the form of flower starters, she meets Jake Spencer, a man who also has secrets. He both annoys and inspires Ruth. As both Jake and Ruth discover their attraction to each other, will the secrets they both keep be too much to overcome? Will Ruth be able to find ANYONE to trust? Will she be able to keep her identity, and the identity of the precious little girl in her care, a secret as she tries to protect her from the newspaper men trying to find them?

A little intrigue, a little romance, and a lot of what we as humans really feel all combine to make this a book - and an author- I would highly recommend.

Thank you, Bethany House Publishers, for allowing me the privilege of reviewing this book for you. And, Ms. Delia Parr, keep on writing. I'll keep on reading!