Book Review and Giveaway- Blueberry Bungalow By: Konnie K. Viner On Tour with Celebrate Lit

 

About the Book

Book: Blueberry Bungalow

Author: Konnie K. Viner

Genre: Fiction (Christian mystery/romance)

Release date: November 10, 2021

It’s been a year since Maci Driscoll’s husband passed unexpectedly, and she is stuck in lonely despair. As an established painter, she finds her inspiration and artistic spark is gone. In a desperate attempt to step out of her funk, Maci sells her seaside home and moves inland to a sleepy little town in Maine.

But peace and inspiration aren’t the only things she finds in Laurel Hill. The century home she buys has secrets to divulge, a long-lost couple to reunite, a murder to solve, and maybe even new love.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Konnie Viner is also the author of Amaryllis Journey, a 2020 Golden Scroll fiction book of the year award winner. She writes to encourage women with the assurance of God’s love and faithfulness in difficult life experiences. Her first published book is Rested Soul, Resilient Heart, Finding Hope in the Storms of Abuse and Betrayal (2017),. She holds a BS in Education from the University of Kansas and an MS in Business Management from the University of Redlands, CA. Konnie cherishes time with her three grandchildren. Her hobbies include photographing God’s beautiful creation, quilting, and reading.

 

More from Konnie

Blueberry Bungalow, a 2022 Selah Award Finalist, is a cozy mystery set in the blueberry fields of Maine, Recently widowed and struggling, Maci Driscoll moves from the seaside of Maine to quiet little Laurel Hill to escape the past and figure out who she is without her beloved husband. Never did she expect to find a long-lost letter, solve a decades-old murder, or fall in love, but she does.

 

 

Maci’s Blueberry Pie Recipe

 

Crust

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

1 cup unsalted butter, cold

½ cup water

 

Filling

4 cups blueberries

2 tablespoons sugar

¼ cup all-purpose flour

 

Glaze

1 egg, beaten

coarse sugar

 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425º and place a rack in the middle of the oven.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.

Add the butter and mix it into the flour using two knives or pastry blender.

Slowly add the cold water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together.

Remove the dough from the bowl and shape into 2 equal balls, flattened into discs.

Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

When ready, unwrap the dough and allow it to warm up for a minute or two.

Lightly flour your surface, then roll one disc into a circle until its large enough to fit into the pie plate with an inch of overhang.

Fold the dough into fourths, then place carefully in the pie dish.

Unfold and smooth into the dish, dressing the crust however you choose (crimping, fluting, or my favorite, just pressing into it with a fork).

Fill with the blueberry filling, then roll out the remaining disc of dough and cover the blueberries entirely, making sure to cut a few slits in the top crust for steam to escape.

Lightly brush the top crust with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to  350º and bake for an additional 45-55 minutes.

Keep an eye on the pie.

If the crust begins to brown too quickly, tent the pie with foil.

If the filling begins to bubble, you may also wish to place a baking sheet on the rack below the pie to catch any drips.

Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool.

Serve warm.

My Thoughts 

Blueberry Bungalow is written by Konnie K. Viner. I have read this author before and have always enjoyed her work. This book has a little bit of everything in it. It has romance, a murder mystery cold case, a historic letter and the reminder that no matter how far we’ve fallen away from God, he’s always there when we call for him. 

Maci lost her husband suddenly about a year ago. She has been having a hard time adjusting to life without him. She decides a change of scenery is what she needs so she moves from the Maine coast to a small town. Laurel Hill has a lot of rich history in it. Including the home she purchased. She finds out that the first owners of the home ran a general store and post office out of it. Looking into her home she finds the library has Ginny’s journals that they can lend out. So she digs right in. Ginny went through a lot of heartache in her life. Maci is inspired by Ginny’s strength and her faith. Maci knows that she has been angry at God for a long time. 

She also finds a mysterious historical letter while doing some renovations. When she reads the letter she knows she needs to track the recipient down. I loved her dedication in trying to find the recipient. 

There’s also the fact that a young girl was murdered on her property and it was never solved. Her older neighbor loves to come over and tell her what Maci should and shouldn’t be doing. 

I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot going on but in a good way. The author wove everything together seamlessly. I hope to read more from this author. 

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

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 1

An Author’s Take, July 2

Texas Book-aholic, July 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, July 4 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 5

Inklings and notions, July 6

For Him and My Family, July 7

deb’s Book Review, July 8

The Avid Reader, July 9

Blogging With Carol, July 9

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 10

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, July 11

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 12

Pause for Tales, July 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 13

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 14

Book Looks by Lisa, July 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Konnie is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of 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/1f7f1/blueberry-bungalow-celebration-tour-giveaway