About the Book
Book: Sweet Rivals
Author: Kari Trumbo
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance
Release date: March 29, 2022
…to the only guy she’s ever thought might be good for her.
Fay Ravven has spent years building a floral business on Mimosa Island. Too bad a chain florist has moved in right down the street. As her business wanes, she realizes her rival is none other than Corbin Lowel, the very man who swept her heart away at her friend’s wedding.
Corbin knows he’s not good enough for Fay. His friends remind him all the time that, as a florist, he’s not really man enough for anyone. That doesn’t stop him from stepping out of his comfort zone and going to Fay’s store to see if she remembers him. That’s when he discovers that his business is killing hers.
What are rivals to do when they can’t stop thinking about each other? Plan the flowers for someone else’s wedding, of course.
When Corbin and Fay must see each other and work together, will they dive through their pain and reach for the stars? Or will the roses be too prickly for two hurt hearts?
Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.
The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.
Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.
More from Kari
Nudge from the Almighty or personal desire?
Sometimes what we should do is as clear as mud. When I first felt the call to write, I worried that it was a “me” thing. I worried that the nudge that I felt was for my own glory. It didn’t matter that I felt the desire to write Christian fiction. We can do all the things we think are right and still be in the wrong place according to God’s will.
When I literally felt captive to the idea of writing—like, I couldn’t move forward without doing something about it—then I finally considered that perhaps this was God’s will and not just me wanting something. But it took years of the Holy Spirit prodding me before I ever acted.
Fay is like that. She starts her flower business certain she is doing the will of God and it helps that she really wants it too. But she works so hard, putting in so many hours, that she forgets about why she started it and it becomes all work for her own glory. Her business.
Enter Corbin, a really sweet guy who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is used by God to nudge Fay away from her idol and into a deeper relationship. He’s a rival flower shop owner, and the only guy she’s ever felt a connection to. Which makes for some pretty interesting dialogue for the two of them.
Fact is, none of us likes to hear that our desire—especially when we think we’re doing the right thing—is wrong. No one ever wants loving correction by a Heavenly Father who cares about us deeply. We’re supposed to get it right.
Fay has to find out if it’s her business that’s getting in the way of her relationship or if it’s really a heart issue. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out along with her.
Kari
My Thoughts
Sweet Rivals is written by Kari Trumbo. This is book 21 in the Independence Island Series. The series if you are unfamiliar with it is written by a variety of talented authors, and they are all tied together by the Independence Island theme. Some will contain characters that have been previously introduced, but all can be read as stand alone books.
In this book we meet Fay and Corbin. Fay has been building her floral business for several years. Now a chain florist has moved in right down the street. Corbin works at the chain business. However, Corbin has made Fay swoon at her friend's wedding. How can she deal with him being her competition.
One of the things I appreciated the most about this book is all the roses. Now, I am no florist by means, but I am a girl and I love flowers. I did not know there were so many different types of roses. When Fay has to get a bunch of blue roses for an event, where on earth will she find them. Corbin realizes that his chain florist is hurting Fay's independent florist. Can they put aside their differences and pull off the dream Fay's client has envisioned?
Corbin is not the typical male romance guy - he has some self esteem issues, and does not feel like he could ever be good enough to date a woman like Fay. He is smaller, shorter and not as bulky as most guys. I liked this about him. It was nice to see a different type of male hero. The author always writes such wonderful characters.
It was nice to revisit some previous characters that I had been introduced too. With this being said - it can still be read as a stand alone. Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 19
lakesidelivingsite, April 20
Texas Book-aholic, April 20
Inklings and notions, April 21
For Him and My Family, April 22
By the Book, April 22
deb’s Book Review, April 23
Blossoms and Blessings, April 23
The Christian Fiction Girl, April 24
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 25
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 26
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 26
She Lives To Read, April 27
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 28 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29
Miriam Jacob, April 29
CarpeDiem, April 30
Connect in Fiction, April 30
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 1
Simple Harvest Reads, May 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Splashes of Joy, May 2
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kari is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/1cc84/sweet-rivals-celebration-tour-giveaway
Connie, Thank you for sharing your wonderful review! Sweet Rivals sounds like a must read.
ReplyDeleteSweet Rivals sounds like a great book for me to read and enjoy! Thanks for sharing it with me! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting! Have a fantastic TGIF!
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