Harvest of Love by Valerie Comer

my point of view

This is Valerie’s (official) final book in the Arcadia Valley Romance series and I was terribly sad to see it end! That being said, she really pulls all the books of the series together for this one and makes it quite enjoyable to see all the previous characters from Sow In Love, Sprouts Of Love and Rooted In Love! If you have read the entire Arcadia Valley Romance series you will also recognize people and places from the other authors that have participated in creating this wonderful town! There is also a hidden treasure for Farm Fresh and Urban Farm Fresh readers!!

Kenia Akers was first introduced to readers in Sow in Love as Grady’s younger sister. When we met her she was an ally to Joanna and Grady and their relationship. Now Kenia is seeing all her friends and loved ones getting married and growing in their relationships while she still remains single. After a failed attempt to try and fall in love with Jonah Baxter, Kenia breaks up with him the day before the Valentine’s night benefit concert for the Bigby lavender farm so she attends all alone.

It’s here she first encounters Zane Russell. Zane is immediately attracted to the beautiful woman with orange hair and sad eyes…but he has his own issues to deal with…….even so, he asks his roommate about her and finds out she runs the local bookstore, so not in his favor!

I love when Zane gets up the courage to meet Kenia and try to start a relationship with her, even knowing there’s no chance a book lover is going to want anything to do with him!

After she puts the brakes on anything more than friends, they find themselves falling for each other anyway as they plan outing for the residents of Retro Village, including Clarence Akers, Kenia’s granddad. With the youngsters in daycare at the greenhouses, the elderly residents of Retro Village join forces in starting seedlings and nurturing plants, flowers and vegetables throughout the growing season. I just adore this aspect of the novel, as when you bring children and the elderly together amazing things happen for both age groups!

Zane and Kenia’s story explores the struggles we have when we think of ourselves as not being good enough. Everyone has challenges in their lives, some more so than others, but being able to overcome them through our Faith in Jesus is an awesome testament to the love of God.

I truly enjoyed walking through Valerie Comer’s take on a serious affliction which makes everyday life complicated in ways most of us will never comprehend. As always, Mrs. Comer does amazing background research and brings her own personal touch to the characters as only she can.

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 1, copyright by Valerie Comer, 2018 and reprinted with author’s permission:

Kenia Akers shifted from one foot to the other at the back of the huge Bigby barn. She shouldn’t have come to the benefit concert, but it had seemed even more lame to stay home on Valentine’s Day when she’d been planning to attend for weeks. She’d dumped Jonah yesterday, but that was no reason to let her ticket go to waste. Maybe he’d use his for a bookmark… if he even had time to read since he was obviously pursuing Gloria Sinclair again. Jerk.

Wasn’t it just Kenia’s luck? Meet an adorable guy like Jonah Baxter on Christmas Eve, be wooed with whirlwind dates, only to discover he was still in love with someone else on February thirteenth?

She should’ve waited until after the concert to send him packing. At least she would have had one perfect Valentine’s Day to remember. She’d have been here on the arm of one of the cutest, sweetest men she’d ever met instead of solo with half the town wondering about the demise of her short romance.

Kenia choked back a snort and tipped her chin up. Right. A perfect Valentine’s Day, knowing he loved someone else?

On stage, Cole Anderson stood alone in the spotlight with his guitar as the elderly granny who’d sung the last song with him made her way down the steps and into the hushed audience. The spotlight divided, part of it coming to rest on Allie Bigby, the beneficiary of tonight’s concert and silent auction. It sure stunk that Allie’s lavender barn had burned down early Christmas morning. Then there’d been some glitch with her insurance. Arcadia Valley had pulled together to help raise the funds for rebuilding.

The mood shifted in the barn in that one long moment as Cole gazed down at Allie and Allie gazed back, her lips slightly parted and her eyes shining.

No way. There was only one thing that could be coming next, and it wasn’t something Kenia wanted to witness. She pivoted for the door, only to discover she was blocked in by a wall of bodies. “Excuse me, please,” she whispered once, twice, ten times as she edged toward the cold wintry night.

Cole’s voice pushed into Kenia’s consciousness. “Allie told me she loved me today, and I think you all know I love her, too.”

Freedom beckoned from two people away. Kenia ducked between them, but one shifted and she connected with a hard elbow to her shoulder, spinning her sideways.

A warm hand caught her arm, steadying her, as startled eyes swung to meet hers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

Kenia stared into the gorgeous eyes of the man a few inches from her and tried to remember her words. His brown hair in need of a cut and his scruffy chin in need of a shave gave him a bad-boy image, unlike Jonah, Mr. Perfect.

On stage, Cole began singing a love song.

Immeasurably better than a proposal, but no doubt one was coming. This song was only a reprieve but, knowing Cole and Allie’s history, he’d had years — decades — of unrequited love to pen at least twenty-five stanzas.

That didn’t mean she should stand here like she’d been struck by lightning staring at a total stranger until Cole’s final strum.

“Excuse me, please.” Too bad she couldn’t muster anything other than a breathless whisper.

A grin crinkled his face and warmed those eyes just as the heat of his hand left her arm.

Kenia yanked her gaze away and pushed open the barn door. Outside, icy air chilled her heated cheeks as she dashed across the crowded parking area to her car. A motion sensor blinked a light into action, cutting the view of the smattering of stars that bravely attempted illumination of the dark night.

With shaking hands, Kenia stuffed the key in her ignition, started her Ford Fiesta, and drove away from Bigby Farm. Whew. At least she’d missed the proposal. Sure, she was happy for Allie. She’d known the woman since high school. If anyone deserved to find true love and happiness, it was Allie.

Only… why not Kenia? Why had she wasted six weeks dating a man who couldn’t stop dreaming about another woman? There’d been niggles of doubt, but she’d ignored them. She’d known Jonah’d had a thing for Gloria Sinclair for several years, but it had never gone anywhere. Kenia hadn’t thrown herself at him. He’d been the one to invite her to his brother’s wedding. He’d been the one to hold her close while they danced, who’d kissed her, albeit briefly, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s. He’d been the one who’d invited her to his family dinners, cooked her amazing meals, and snuggled her while they watched movies.

She hadn’t dreamed all that. He’d been the one pursuing her. Hadn’t he?

Okay, maybe his kisses had lacked passion, but that had been welcome after Damian who’d groped her on their first and only date. Passion would build as their relationship developed and, one day, he’d ask her to marry him. She’d become Kenia Baxter. There’d be total fireworks by then.

Or not. She should’ve seen it coming. Should have, but hadn’t. Not until yesterday when Gloria entered A Slice of Heaven, the bakery run by the Baxter family, and caught Kenia kissing Jonah. He’d been distracted. He’d made donuts for Gloria — expected her — and Kenia could tell he hoped she hadn’t figured that out. He’d called Gloria when his sister had been rushed to the hospital to save the life of her unborn baby. Not Kenia. No, she found out accidentally, after the fact.

Having those blinders ripped off had been painful, but she had to hold her head up high in the community. Arcadia Valley was small, and everyone knew everyone else’s business. Kenia managed Page Turners, her aunt’s bookstore, so escaping town wasn’t an option. The only salve she’d been able to muster had been breaking up with Jonah before he broke up with her.

She’d brought the basket of books and the Page Turners gift certificate out to the benefit concert as promised, ready to tell anyone who noticed she was alone that she’d called it off with Jonah. She hadn’t expected to be required to witness Cole Anderson proposing to Allie Bigby.

That guy in the back of the barn. Who was he? Not a reader, or she’d have seen him in the book-store… unless he was one of those who preferred e-books or bought his paperbacks online. She shuddered. Maybe he was a friend of Cole’s from out of town, just visiting for the concert. Probably that was it. A better thought than him not being a reader or not supporting the local bookstore.

Kenia pulled into the parking spot in front of her small cottage. She’d never see him again. That was fine. She needed time for her broken heart to mend.

To keep reading, you can get your copy from your favorite vendor here:

Harvest of Love

About Valerie Comer:

Valerie Comer’s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary Christian romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local foods movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She writes engaging characters, strong communities, and deep faith into her green clean romances.

Running From Monday (Refresh Station Church Series, #1)

by Lea Sims

Copyrighted and reprinted with authors permission

Delaney Anderson is a confident, successful digital media executive living the dream in the heart of Manhattan. She has everything a modern woman could want—husband, home, wealth, connections, and a killer corner office overlooking the city. She’s on track to make vice president in another few years. But Delaney is also a woman with a story, one that’s been locked inside her for most of her life. When that story starts banging to get out, life begins to unravel. A perfunctory marriage leads to an affair with a coworker. A painful and expensive divorce leaves her suddenly uncertain and adrift. When the death of a family member forces her to return home after many years, she gears up for a fight with the ghosts of her past. But she runs head first into the grace of God—in the form of an old family friend, an unexpected church, and a disconcertingly kind man. She receives revelation from an unusual source and finds the courage to speak her truth and drop her chains. Through Delaney, we learn that we all have a story and that letting God redeem that narrative is the only path to a life of purpose.

my point of view

This book should come with a warning label – first and foremost – there will be difficult moments to read through – secondly and most importantly – DO NOT STOP READING.

This is Lea’s first fictional novel, and I must say it is a very powerful story, you just have to get through the first two pages! Seriously, though, the painful beginning is worth reading to get through to the end.  The writing is wonderful, and the messages throughout the entire book are heart wrenchingly clear.

I honestly almost put it down after reading the first two pages, but that is not my normal M O and once I discussed my hesitation with Ms. Sims, I decided to keep reading. I thank God I did, as Delaney’s life touched me to the core. I found myself crying emotionally, dredging up some of my own past and issues. There were times I literally had to put the book down and pause reading just to get through my own emotional roller coaster. None of which is a bad thing, in any way!

The way Lea takes us on this journey was so interesting to me, not only does she write from Delaney’s perspective, but you also get the perspective of those around her, from friends, co-workers, and especially the hero of the story, Drew Hemming.

There were a lot of things I found enjoyable in this novel, the church dynamics and ministry of Refresh Station – I would love to find a home church like this one. The church has a very ‘refreshing’ way to reach out to the community and minister to those in need! The pastor is young, the members are a mix of young and more mature leaders that truly have a God First mentality.

The backdrop settings of both New York City (me being a native Jersey Girl) and Savanah, GA, as I have spent a great deal of time in both places. I love the way Lea uses the recognizable areas of both cities to not only make a reader feel the heartbeat of the cities but also the beauty of them even if you have never been there.

All of the secondary characters in the novel have a reason for being a part of the story! Take Lexie – a true NJ Italian girl (um, just like me?) who not only stands by Delaney, but stands up for her friend as well! Then there’s Claire, an old friend of the family who wants to mother Delaney and see her through to the ‘other side’ of her journey. I can’t forget to include Bethany – a young mother going through a difficult divorce. You cannot help but want to cheer for Bethany and see her become all she can be!

These settings and characters all have me looking forward to many more books in this series, so much so, that I returned the free Kindle Unlimited edition of the book and purchased it outright so I will be able to go back to it any time I want and be ready for the next one up in the series!

About the Author:

Lea Sims is an author, teacher and ministry leader living in Jacksonville, FL, who writes Christian fiction books, study guides, and biblical resources designed to help women unlock their personal narratives and find freedom, identity, and purpose in God. A professional writer for 25+ years, she has published books, articles, white papers, and resources in the technology space, and has spent the last 10+ years writing women’s ministry resources for Celebration Church in Jacksonville. A self-declared “ambulance driver for the Kingdom,” Sims has a passion for rescuing women from broken places and seeing them walk out of pain and into their purpose.