Feb 242014
 

TheOrchardThe Orchard

Author: Krista Lynne Jensen

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published: April 2013

Paperback/Kindle/ebook: 245 pages

Genre: LDS Contemporary Romance

ISBN# 978-1608611454

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: purchased my own copy with my own money at LDStorymakers 2013

Summary (Goodreads)

On the idyllic shores of Flathead Lake, Montana, Alisen Embry finds purpose and comfort tending her late mother’s cherry orchard adjacent to the family’s beloved lake house. Though pained by the loss of her mother and her father’s estrangement, it is Derick Whitney—the man she fell in love with four years earlier—who truly influences Alisen’s view of her future . . .

Derick and Alisen wanted nothing more than to spend eternity together; however, intolerance and secrets forced Alisen to make a shattering choice between her family and the man she loved.

But destiny always has a way of setting things right . . .

Now the Embry family has found themselves hopelessly in debt, and they realize renting the lake house is the only hope of saving the cherished orchard and family home. When Alisen discovers the new tenants have a connection to her past, her life takes an unexpected turn. Will fate find a way to reconnect what was broken so many years before?

Review

I might as well start out by saying that Persuasion is my favorite Jane Austen novel. It’s not perfect (especially not the movies — that’s for another post), but…that letter. I mean, wow. It sets my heart aflutter, though not as much as The Orchard did. My, oh my.

Honestly, I had forgotten that The Orchard was based on the basic story of Persuasion but recognized it soon after I started reading. That made me doubly excited. Not only was I finally getting to read the long-awaited book that had been staring at me from my bookshelf, but it was based on PERSUASION!

The Orchard starts off with the budding romance of Alisen and Derrick, something we don’t get to witness with Anne and Captain Wentworth. There are some lovely romantic moments between them and everything is moving along exceptionally well. That is until certain events, as well as her widowed father and a family friend, complicate matters and Alisen is forced into a heartbreaking decision.

When her family’s financial situation becomes desperate a few years later, Alisen and Derrick come face to face once more. The tension and chemistry is running high between Derrick and Alisen, easing only a little as circumstances continue to throw them together. They discover they have both changed–grown–since that summer years earlier. The question is whether these changes will bring them close once again or drive them further apart.

Even if Persuasion isn’t your cup of herbal tea, you’ll want to read The Orchard. Great romance, thoughtful writing and a touch of humor have earned The Orchard a place on my Favorite Romances bookshelf. Next up — Falling for You, which is signed and waiting as motivation for me to finish another category of Whitney reading.

Visit Krista:

WEBSITE | BLOG | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

Find The Orchard:

AMAZON | KINDLE | NOOK | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK  ($5.99 as of the day of this posting!)| GOODREADS

Jun 262013
 

CD2S2013_200

 

kristalynnejensenNearly every one of Krista Lynne Jensen’s elementary school teachers made a note on her report card pointing out that she was a “day-dreamer”. It was not a compliment. So, when Krista grew up, she put those day dreams down on paper for others to enjoy. When writing, she fuels her creativity with chocolate-covered cinnamon bears and popcorn. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, her family, and sunshine. But not laundry. She never day-dreams about laundry.

Visit Krista:  WEBSITE | BLOGTWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

* * *

LDSWBR:  What books do you plan/hope to read this summer?

KRISTA:  We are in the process of moving, and are in the depths of all the paperwork involved in an international adoption. Alas, my free reading time is almost non-existent. But I did get to beta read for a few friends: Robison Wells’ sequel to BLACKOUT, which was awesome. And Marion Jensen’s sequel to ALMOST SUPER, which was equally awesome. I can’t wait until the first books in these series come out, then I will read each of those again. I have some Sarah Eden on the pile, and The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen. Heather Moore, Melanie Jacobson, Dan Wells, Brandon Sanderson, and some summer love with Nora Roberts. I really like to mix it up. I’d like to catch up on some Georgette Heyer, too. I hope to have some time to indulge soon, because that list is huge.

LDSWBR: Did you ever go to summer camp, and/or what is your most memorable camping experience?

KRISTA:  I love camping. My parents were big campers. As a matter-of-fact when I was little we had one car. Just one. And because we just had one, and we liked to camp so much, my parents chose a VW camper bus. It was red and awesome. The top popped up and made a bunk bed. Me and my sister got to sleep up there. In the morning we’d peek over the edge and wake up Mom and Dad. It had a little fridge and a table on a hinge. The water from the little pump sink tasted gross, though. Later we tent camped and I liked that, too, but I really loved that camper. I loved that I got to ride around all year, to school, to the store, in our camper bus.

LDSWBR:  If you could have a summer home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

KRISTA:  This is a really hard and tortuous question. I haven’t been to enough places yet to make that call. But from the places I HAVE been, I think I would choose Lake of the Woods, Oregon. Or Loon Lake in Montana, which inspired part of The Orchard trilogy. I love lakes. So a lake house. Also, a beach house on the Oregon coast. So a beach house, too. Can I have two summer homes? See, now I’m being greedy. I should be thankful for one summer home. I think LDSWBR should hold a drawing for a summer home. Is that why you’re asking us this question? *looks around for secret prize curtain*

LDSWBR:  Thanks, Krista! I love how much you loved that VW camper bus. It sounds like a lot of fun! And no on the secret summer home prize. But nice try.

* * *

Find The Orchard

AMAZON (Paperback & Kindle) | DESERET BOOK (Paperback & DB Bookshelf) | SEAGULL BOOK | GOODREADS

TheOrchard

On the idyllic shores of Flathead Lake, Montana, Alisen Embry finds purpose and comfort tending her late mother’s cherry orchard adjacent to the family’s beloved lake house. Though pained by the loss of her mother and her father’s estrangement, it is Derick Whitney—the man she fell in love with four years earlier—who truly influences Alisen’s view of her future . . .

Derick and Alisen wanted nothing more than to spend eternity together; however, intolerance and secrets forced Alisen to make a shattering choice between her family and the man she loved.

But destiny always has a way of setting things right . . .

Now the Embry family has found themselves hopelessly in debt, and they realize renting the lake house is the only hope of saving the cherished orchard and family home. When Alisen discovers the new tenants have a connection to her past, her life takes an unexpected turn. Will fate find a way to reconnect what was broken so many years before?

Don’t you just love that cover? One of my favorite covers ever. Okay, beach house or lake house? -OR – Have you ever ridden or camped in or owned a VW camper bus? (Oh, and by the way, DOUBLE SLUG BUG!)

* * *

To enter the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013, leave a thoughtful comment below.

Comment on each Countdown to Summer 2013 post for more chances to win. Please click through to the website as only comments submitted directly on this post will be accepted.

Prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and the author-donated books listed below. This is raffle-style drawing where all entries throughout the contest period are entered into the same “hat” for all prizes. US only. 18 years and older please. See all contest rules and restrictions HERE.

If you don’t already follow LDSWBR through email, Facebook or Twitter (those cute little book buttons on the sidebar) you may want to consider doing so during the contest so you don’t miss any posts or chances to enter the drawing. Following LDSWBR is not required but it is nice to know that our book reviews are useful to other readers.

If one of our LDSWBR reviews has ever helped you find a book you enjoyed, perhaps you would consider helping us spread the word about the LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2013. A link posted to your friends and family either in email or on your favorite social network would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Book prizes generously donated by the authors as of 6/26/2013 (more added throughout the countdown!):

  • A Blind Eye by Julie Daines (signed), a bookmark AND a Mind the Gap temporary tattoo
  • I, Spy by Jordan McCollum (choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards (choice of paperback or ebook)
  • Glimmer of Hope by Sarah M. Eden
  • A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
  • Fairy Godmothers, Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell (signed paperback)
  • Esther the Queen by H.B. Moore (Kindle or Nook)
  • Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears (or winner’s choice of another book by Gale)
  • Farworld: Air Keep by J. Scott Savage (personalized copy)
  • A Way Back to You by Emily Gray Clawson (personalized paperback)
  • Deep Cover by Traci Hunter Abramson (personalized paperback)
  • Second Chances by Melanie Jacobson (signed copy)
  • Cragbridge Hall: The Inventor’s Secret by Chad Morris (winner’s choice of hardcover or audiobook)
  • When the Butterflies Came by Kimberley Griffiths Little (signed hardcover and bookmarks)
  • The Orchard by Krista Lynne Jensen

By commenting and participating in the Countdown to Summer 2013 you agree to the following:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; entrants must be 18 years or older; open to residents of continental US only; giveaway begins June 10, 2013 and all entries must be received by 12:00 Midnight June 30, 2012 Mountain Time; to enter, complete the required entry on each post and any additional entries of your choice if listed; LDS Women’s Book Review reserves the right to determine what is considered a thoughtful comment as per each post’s required entry; giveaway prizes include a $50 Amazon gift card and a variety of book prizes donated by featured authors; the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning; LDS Women’s Book Review is not liable for technical problems which may affect entry into the giveaway; winner identity will be verified by email address; winner will be selected July 2, 2013 by use of a sequence generator on random.org; winners will have until July 10, 2013 to claim their prize; if any prize winner forfeits or does not claim prize, prize will be re-awarded to next winner in sequence; all prizes will be awarded; limit of two prizes per entrant; this contest/giveaway is not associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other entity unless otherwise specified; by entering the giveaway you give LDS Women’s Book Review the right to publicize your name on the LDS Women’s Book Review blog; winner agrees to release LDS Women’s Book Review from any liability as a result of winning; email comments & questions to LDS Women’s Book Review – ldswbr (at) gmail (dot) com; giveaway subject to Utah regulations; VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.