A Writer’s Garden—A Season of Roses by Everley Gregg

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A Writer’s Garden, Diamonds, Everley Gregg, flowers, Forgotten Flowers of Flanders romance series, Garden blog, gardening, Horses, medieval historical romance, perserverance in the garden and in life, roses, The Knight and the Rose

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Everley Gregg. Everley will be talking about the roses in her life. Welcome, Everley!

As far as gardening talents go, mine are a bit weak. Although I absolutely love delicate flowers like the orchid and cyclamen, I struggle to keep them going. Either I water too much or not enough. Too sunny a window or not enough light. My son gifted me a miniature gardenia for Mother’s Day and I keep hoping I don’t kill it! Nearly two months and it hasn’t bloomed yet…

Roses, however, are tough. Thank goodness this flower is such a sturdy specimen.

Scattered about our home are a number of rose bushes, stubborn, tough ladies I stuck in the ground over the years and then forgot about—until, like magic, they shock me with brilliant blooms every spring. And shock me they do, because by the time they bloom, I don’t even remember what color they were supposed to be. Apparently, the two alongside my walkway are supposed to be red. And red they are—gloriously, brilliant red.

On my front steps, since last summer, was a small pot in which a miniature rose once lived. Poor thing spent the entire winter out there, a single, bare branch sticking up through the snow. Every day when I came and went, the bony, thorned finger pointed at me, accusing me of neglect. This spring, a number of times, my husband asked if he should throw it in the trash.

“You know, honey, I think that plant on the porch is dead. Do you want me to—”

“No. I’ll take care of it.”

I’m so glad the rose heard him. A few days later, tiny green leaves appeared on that bony finger.

Just last week we transplanted the struggling plant into a bigger pot, with new soil and a sunnier location—on a roller thingy so I can move it inside when winter comes. Just look at it now! It’s even got a bud on it. I wonder if these blooms will be red, like the others?

There is another red rose that has come into my life. Her name is Rose Diamond.

In 2019, I suffered a debilitating shoulder injury that cost me my career as well as many other activities I’ve enjoyed all my life: fishing, golfing, archery, bowling. My favorite sport by far, though, was riding horses. I started riding at the age of eight, and since adulthood, spent very few years “horseless.” I was informed I would likely never ride again.

So what did I do, at the tender age of 63, with limited use of my dominant right arm, when the doctors delivered this damning decree? I bought a horse.

And yes, her name is Rose Diamond. Brilliant red she is, and a diamond through and through. We snapped this photo the day she came home, my daughter showing her off.

With the help of a skilled and sympathetic occupational therapist who specializes in the equestrian sport, I now have dreams of riding again—on my Rose. Honestly, since she came into my life last fall, there were many times when she was the only thing keeping me going. Animals have almost supernatural healing powers. Horses are no exception.

Writing—my other passion, almost as essential as breathing—has been a challenge with a “stupid” right hand. But much like that stubborn rose on my front porch, I persevere. My latest romance series is medieval historical. Is it any wonder the book I was working on when Rose cantered into my life was entitled “The Knight and the Rose”? Mayhap. It is the second in my series called Forgotten Flowers of Flanders, published by Dragonblade Publishing.

So yes, the theme for my life of late has been the rose, a species known to be tough. Hardy. Difficult to kill. I so needed the inspiration of this tenacious flower over the last few, trying years. And in so many, different ways, the rose has been there for me.

My sister-in-law is a photographer who lives two states away. We finally got a chance to spend some time together last month after lockdown eased. I was telling her about my horse.

“What’s her name?”

“Rose,” I replied. “Rose Diamond. Isn’t that lovely?”

Her eyes widened. “Have I got a photograph for you!”

Terri took this photo way before Rose came into my life, back in 2019. The year I was injured. Probably the very same month…

The diamond in the center of this gorgeous bloom was her grandmother’s engagement ring. She called the photo “Diamond Rose.” I told her she was clairvoyant.

Except she got the name backwards. 🙂

About the Writer/Gardener:

Everley Gregg is in love with medieval history. She’s always been mysteriously drawn to Flanders, the area of the world now encompassing France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. If she ever gets to go back in time, 15^th Century Flanders is where she’d want to be.

In this life, Everley resides in Massachusetts with her husband of over 40 years (she’s an expert at happily-ever-after). Her other loves (besides writing) are raising Persian cats, riding dressage horses, and reading. Everley earned her MFA in creative writing from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA., and also writes award-winning supernatural suspense and women’s fiction as Claire Gem.

Everley loves to hear from her fans! Sign up for her newsletter at www.everleygregg.com.

Connect with Everley on Facebook: Twitter:  BookBub: Goodreads:

The Knight and the Rose

By Everley Gregg

Will a proud knight fight for the widow’s honor . . . and heart?

Fifteenth Century, Burgundy

Beverielle Buchanan wears a shroud of guilt she didn’t earn. The daughter of a tavern wench in the Flemish port of Antwerp, she is one of many of Duke Philip’s bastard daughters. But the duchess, Lady Isabella, brings the girl home to court to raise as a lady. Beverielle’s Scottish roots rise to the surface when she meets the brawny Highlander knight. But in a cruel twist of fate, she is betrothed to an Italian merchant of the duke’s choosing. Only three months married, and she finds herself a widow. Her hopes for capturing the heart of the Scottish knight renew until she discovers she may already be carrying the Italian’s child.

Honoring the Auld Alliance, Knight Ròidh Keegan left the Highlands to join Duke Philip’s army in defense of Burgundy. His fealty over, he’s planning his trip back to Scotland when Beverielle, the flame-haired girl he met at Coudenburg, arrives at Germolles Castle. The then-gangly child has blossomed into a lush young woman. Now, however, she is a widow, and a pregnant one at that. Can the knight, soon to be laird of his own castle, still consider the Scottish lass for his bride? His heart says aye, though a long journey and many obstacles lie in their path. But Keegan is a knight, trained to fight.

Will he take on the battle for Beverielle’s heart and honor?

Want to read more? You can find The Knight and the Rose at Amazon

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A Writer’s Garden–The Healing Garden by Christa MacDonald

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A Writer’s Garden, Christa MacDonald, flowers, Gardening blog, plants, Redemption Road, romantic suspense, roses, Sweet romance, the healing effect of a garden, tomatoes, vegetables

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Christa MacDonald who will talking about her garden and its healing and calming effect. I’m sure we can all relate. I know I can. Welcome, Christa!

Tomatoes in Grow Bags

It’s June and my garden is already overgrown. I have not been attentive this year. This is more of a problem than usual because I added two additional beds. Also complicating things, I decided to put my tomatoes in grow-bags. It’s my anti-blight experiment. For years I never had blight issues, but the last two summers have been pretty brutal so I’m seeing if the grow bags can solve it. So far, I’ve only seen the impact on my water bill. Yikes these things dry out quickly!

The roses have been outstanding this year. Is anyone else having a rose year to end all years? It’s a balm to my tattered soul.

• 

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After a very rough few months managing a job heavily impacted by the pandemic, I went into this gardening year a bit ragged. This was followed by the sudden loss of my 17-year-old daughter, Eden, to an undiagnosed, asymptomatic intracranial brain hemorrhage. The shock, the struggle to save her and the devastation knowing we couldn’t has nearly finished me off. Grief is an angry ocean, and I am tossed about on its waves, struggling to keep my head above water. Sitting in my garden, especially in the evenings, is a way I’ve found to calm the seas. 

Gardens are healing places. I’m not sure if it’s being connected to God’s creation, the smell and vibrancy of life all around, or just the quiet and peace of it that does it. The garden offers a safe place to be your wounded self. Weeping is entirely acceptable with the plants, and so is staring off into the distance, lost in thought. And if you’re feeling the rage coming, take it out on the weeds. They won’t mind. 

Eden’s Rose

In my family, I’m the only gardener. Eden hated gardening, although she loved plants, specifically bright, vibrant, unusual ones. She even kept a moss terrarium up in her room. But the act of digging in the dirt, dodging bees (she was allergic to wasps), and dealing with the heat – not her thing. Every Saturday, though, we’d watch the BBC program Gardeners’ World together. I even planted a rose because it shared her name. 

As it happens, that rose was in the front yard and took a beating this winter. It looked close to death, so I transplanted it to my herbaceous border in the back. At first, things were looking grim, but it hung tough, and a few days ago, just after Eden died, the rose with her name gave me a bloom. It was as if the garden knew I needed to see that proof of life. I, of course, wept. 

But our family has something better than a bloom as proof of life after death. Eden was a child of God, saved by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Our souls are eternal, and it’s a comfort knowing that hers is with the Father. 

Sitting in my garden tonight, in the gloaming, I can’t help but think that those of us who garden, who hike forests, who farm, who seek out God’s creation, we are the lucky few. God is the original gardener; we are His apprentice. Time spent tending his creation is time spent with Him. What is more healing than that? 

About the Writer/Gardener:

Christa MacDonald is a lifelong gardener and writer living in New England despite its terribly short growing season. She’s the author of the Sweet River Redemption contemporary Christian romance series. All three books are now out on Amazon and the first in the series, The Broken Trail, is on audio at Audible

Connect with Christa on her Website.

Redemption Road

By Christa MacDonald

It’s redemption that he needs, and she’ll pay any price to help him find it.

As the new game warden in Sweet River, Alex Moretti is focused on enforcing Maine’s wildlife laws and little else. Moving from tragedy to a fresh start, all he wants is a way to fix his life in the tranquility of the north woods. Until he meets Annie Caldwell at Coffee by the Book. But his own bitter, dark life is a threat to Annie’s sweetness and light. It’s better for him to stay away.

Annie doesn’t know how to label her relationship with Alex, but she is determined to figure it out. After a few false starts and a kiss under the Christmas lights, their romance goes from fiction to fact. Annie has fallen hard. Then trouble shows up. Someone is stalking Alex, seeking to punish him for a mistake which ended in deadly consequences. When Annie becomes a target, he tries to push her away, but she won’t abandon him. Alex is desperate to keep Annie safe while he attempts to reconcile the past, but what he really needs is redemption. And she will risk her life to help him find it.

A Writer’s Garden–A Rose Garden Tour by Catherine Castle

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A Groom for Mama, A Rose Garden Tour, A Writer's Garden, Catherine Castle, flowers, roses, Sweet romance

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing.

Today’s writer/gardener guest is, me–Catherine Castle.

 

A ROSE GARDEN TOUR

 

I found myself with an empty slot on this week’s garden blog, so I thought I’d fill in.

Readers often want to know if authors insert themselves into their books. I’ve noticed that there are a few things that always seem to slip themselves into my books. Flowers tend to be one of those things. That’s probably happens because I’m a gardener and I love flowers.

My sweet romantic comedy, A Groom for Mama, is no exception. At one point in the story, Allison, Jack, and Mama visit a rose garden. So I thought it would be fun to show you some pictures of the rose gardens I’ve visited. Next to day lilies I think I like roses best. Especially a dozen red roses in a flower vase. I haven’t had much luck growing roses, except the hardy knockout rose n (pictured above). I do have a couple of them in the front yard.

But, enough about me. On with the garden tour!

 Columbus park of Roses, Columbus Ohio

Isn’t this bench inviting? This garden has hundreds of rose bushes. The minute you walk into the park you’re surrounded by the heavenly scent of roses. I imagined the garden Allison, Jack and Mama visited smelled as heavenly as this one.

 

Innswood Metro Gardens

My husband took the shot of the roses through a circle opening in a lattice gazebo. I just love the juxtaposition of the dark and the light.

 

 

 

Kingwood Center garden

This as another artistically composed shot from my husband’s camera. He was an art student, so naturally he looks at the composition of a photograph when he shoots.

 

 

 

 

 

The Roses at Disney World

This picture was taken during Disney’s Flower and Garden Show. Every year in March-May they display hundreds of beautiful flowers. If you’ve never been, and you love gardens, you really should try to get there. It’s fantastic. I think this shot was probably taken in mid to late April.

 

Catherine’s garden

And of course, I couldn’t show you the lovely pictures of gardens I’ve visited without including one of my own award-winning garden. This is the view out of my office window. I planted knockout roses and ribbon grass around the ugly transformer box in the front of my yard. I got tired of looking at the hulking green metal box all the time. The power company came once and cut the roses back to the ground. They sprung back up, shooting new branches from the stump. Gotta love a hardy rose like that!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little trip through the roses.

What about you? Do you love roses?

 

ABOUT THE WRITER/GARDENER:

Multi-award winning author Catherine Castle loves writing. Before beginning her career as a romance writer she worked part-time as a freelance writer. She has over 600 articles and photographs to her credit, under her real name, in the Christian and secular market. She also lays claim to over 300 internet articles written on a variety of subjects and several hundred poems. In addition to writing she loves reading, traveling, singing, theatre, quilting and gardening. She’s a passionate gardener whose garden won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club. She writes sweet and inspirational romances. You can find her award-winning Soul Mate books The Nun and the Narc and A Groom for Mama, on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Follow her on Twitter @AuthorCCastle, FB or her blog.

 

A GROOM FOR MAMA

By Catherine Castle

Beverly Walters is dying, and before she goes she has one wish—to find a groom for her daughter. To get the deed done, Mama enlists the dating service of Jack Somerset, Allison’s former boyfriend.

 The last thing corporate-climbing Allison wants is a husband. Furious with Mama’s meddling, and a bit more interested in Jack than she wants to admit, Allison agrees to the scheme as long as Mama promises to search for a cure for her terminal illness.

 A cross-country trip from Nevada to Ohio ensues, with a string of disastrous dates along the way, as the trio hunts for treatment and A Groom For Mama.

 A Groom for Mama is available at Amazon and  Barnes and Noble.

A Writer’s Garden–Me and My Garden, The Dearest of Friends by Tema Banner

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A Writer's Garden, Garden blog, roses, Tema Banner

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing.

Today’s writer/gardener guest is Tema Banner who is talking about embracing her garden spirit Welcome, Tema!

 

Me and My Garden, the Dearest of Friends

by Tema Banner

Herb Garden

You could say gardening is in my genes, but as a child, I tried to weed it out. My parents were organic before organic was cool. They refused to use insecticides, instead they ordered ladybugs from California to put on our fruit trees and their four children, of which I am number two, picked the beetles off the green beans.

I remember the exact moment when I crossed over from trying to weed gardening out of my life to embracing everything it represented: memories of my childhood, the deliciousness of homegrown food, the peace and comfort of being in the garden. I was still young at eighteen and had the opportunity to pick green beans with a friend’s mother. With the sun beating down on my head and the smell of earth wafting up my nose, I did a 180 and knew that garden was as deep in my soul as some of those weeds that seemed to go to China. Since that day I have loved it!

My garden is not on the same grand scale as my parents, we have raised garden beds for veggies, which are great because they are easier on your back and cut down on those pesky weeds. My parents didn’t plant flowers, there simply wasn’t time, they were focused on gardening for the purpose of supplementing our food stock; we canned or froze everything and years after I was out of my parent’s home, there were still cans of homemade applesauce on the shelf. While I love having the fresh veggies and have done some canning, it has been more a novelty than a necessity – with the COVID-19 event I am rethinking this strategy. Everywhere I have moved, I have tried to have some spot to garden whether it is a small herb garden, strawberries along the side of a patio, or pots filled with flowers.

Rose Garden

When my husband and I purchased the house where we now live, we finally had space for larger plots to plant veggies and a palate to design using flowers and shrubs. I knew the raised bed at the head of our driveway was destined to be a rose garden. I am still learning roses, but oh how lovely their scent, and their beauty – nothing like the artistry of our Creator! I hope when I get to heaven, the Master Gardener allows me to tend His garden. How about you? How did you become a gardener and what are some of your favorite garden memories?

 

About the Writer/Gardener:

Outside of writing, gardening is my greatest pleasure. Planting, watching the metamorphosis of the plants from seed to fruit, it is a wonderful picture of how God works in our lives. I write Biblical and historical romance and am currently working on a Biblical fiction series, Daughters of the King. My website is www.temabannerauthor.com and I may be followed at https://www.facebook.com/temabannerauthor/or https://www.instagram.com/temabanner/.

The Writer’s Garden–The Accidental Gardener by Cathy Elliott

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A Stitch in Crime by Cathy Elliott, A Writer's Garden, Author Catherine Castle's gardening blog, Author Cathy Elliott, cozy mystery A Stitch in Crime, garden devotional about roses, roses, The Accidental Gardener

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing gardens—aka their books.

Today’s guest is Cathy Elliott who will be sharing some pictures and stories about her roses and a garden devotional thought. Welcome, Cathy!

 

The Accidental Gardener

By Cathy Elliott

C.Elliott.Red Roses Ground Cover

My mother loved roses more than any other flower. An elegant bouquet received from my dad or the sight of rose bushes along the roadside, laden with blooms, sent her into a state of bliss. Lush roses cut from the garden often decorated our home, casting a sweet aroma to every corner.

Along the way, I caught her love of roses and carried it into my own sphere. While Mother loved deep red, I preferred a softer shade of yellow. Edged with a blush of pink.

Years ago, I was surprised to learn the house I purchased had both Mother’s and my favorite roses in place. A red, climbing rose embraced the Ash tree in my front yard. The bush reached high and bloomed profusely all summer long, its branches covered with lacy blossoms opening wide, displaying pom-pom-yellow centers.

C.Elliott.Red Climbing Roses

Though the red climber exploded with color, I preferred a floribunda rose bush tucked against the house. As if dipped in pink paint, the yellow blossoms turned almost to salmon. With a little research, I came to know it as a Peace rose. The combination of color and calling – peace – made me love it best.

C.Elliott.Pink PEACE Rosebud

Rose-puttering is a great pleasure in the spring. I give both bushes all the attention they deserve: watering, fertilizing, dead-heading flowers past their glory, and spraying the leaves with soapy water I mix myself so aphids will not dare settle in.

But when the punishing summer heat assaults our valley, I no longer want to go outside and pamper my posies. Not in the morning, not in the evening. My watering turns sporadic…until I barely remember. Yet the roses survive and bravely try to flower on, with little help from the gardener to whom they are entrusted.

When the brutal summer ends, I venture out and apologize to my reliable roses. They say nothing. They are too tired to emit their fragrance anymore. Attending to them then is futile. But I do my best. This time I’m sure they won’t come back in the spring. It is my fault. It is what I deserve.

But their roots are deep and they do return, steadfast in spite of my absence when they need me most. Spring after spring, the roses burst forth, anxious to grace my yard with their splendor. When I see this miracle, I’m reminded of the faithfulness of God. Always loving, always providing, always keeping His promises, surrounding me with His beauty, steadfast in all things, though I do not deserve it.

And I give thanks….

Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.    Psalms 119:90 ESV

About the Writer/Gardener:

Cathy Elliott enjoys touring beautiful gardens, created and maintained by others. But her current interest is planning and producing mini-container-gardens. And adding ideas to her Pinterest boards on the subject. She’s also a cozy mystery author with plot-twisting works including: A Vase of Mistaken Identity, Medals in the Attic, and A Stitch in Crime. She’s a contributing author to Guidepost’s recently released devotional, Every Day with Jesus and the upcoming, All God’s Creatures.

Social Media Link – Visit Cathy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathyelliottbooks

A Stitch in Crime

by Cathy Elliott 

Assault, larceny, anonymous threats. Who knew quilt shows could be this dangerous?

Check out A Stitch in Crime on Amazon:

 

In A Writer’s Garden with Tina Susedik

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a new garden in the city, A Writer's Garden, Author Catherine Castle's gardening blog, author/gardener Tina Susedik, Gardening blog, lilacs, roses, tulips

Today gardener/writer Tina Susedik is visiting A Writer’s Garden. Let’s see what she’s been up to since her visit last year.

I believe the last time I posted was last summer shortly before my husband and I were ready to move. We are now settled in our house – in the city. This is new for us as we haven’t lived in a city in thirty years. Even though it was an adjustment, I’ve enjoyed the change. It seems nearly everyone on the block enjoys flowers. I love being able to talk with other gardeners and exchange plants and information without having to drive for miles.

Last year we moved in the middle of summer. Before we left, I dug up plants from our old place and got them in the ground at our new place in between trying to get settled. One thing I didn’t think to do in my rush to get my flowers in the ground, was to mark what I planted and where I planted it. Guess what? I have no idea what should be coming up this spring. A friend also gave me plants last fall and – you guessed it – I didn’t mark anything! So, my gardens will be a surprise. I did plant tulips and daffodils, which came up and were easily recognizable.

One thing we inherited with the house was a beautiful flowering crab in our front yard. Last weekend there was a major marathon that ran past our house. So many runners took the time to comment on the tree – and my tulips. That’s how gorgeous it was. Unfortunately, the blooms have run their course, and as I write this, it’s raining pink blossoms outside.

My husband dug up some evergreen bushes that weren’t doing so well. He then planted some bushes that have some color to them other than green. I look forward to seeing them bloom. I finally have a lilac bush, which is blooming. The city I live in is filled with lilac bushes. At times, that’s all you can smell as you go for walks.

I’ve been slowly adding perennials in the flower bed in the back yard, but since I don’t know what I planted last year, I’ve been rather hesitant to plant too much – if there is such a thing as too many flowers. Not in my opinion, anyway.

My neighbor across the street came over one day as I was planting rose bushes to tell me how excited she was that I was planting them. She said she has a black thumb when it comes to roses and hopes to see mine blooming. So do I.

Moving is always an adventure. Seeing what nature has provided and others before me have planted has been fun. I just hope we live here long enough for me to figure out what I planted.

 

About the Gardener/Writer:

Tina Susedik has loved flowers and gardening for as long as she can remember. Wherever she has lived, and it’s been many, many places, she has tried to make her surroundings filled with flowers. She is a multi-published author in both fiction and non-fiction, covering children, military, history, and romantic mysteries. In June, she will begin hosting her own radio show with Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. She will be interviewing authors in all genres. The title of her show – what else – “Your Book Garden.”

Her newest book is a The Trail to Love, which is part of The Soul Mate Tree Collective. The Trail to Love is a medium heat level romance with open door love scenes.

An ancient legend spanning eras, continents, and worlds. To some, it’s nothing more than a dream. To others, a pretty fairy tale handed down through the generations. 

For those in critical need of their own happy ending, a gift.

 Jack Billabard, mourning the loss of his wife and baby in childbirth, vows to never to love again. After their funeral at Fort Laramie, he rides into the Wyoming hills beyond the ranch he built for his wife. Through his grieving tears, an ancient tree appears, giving him the hope he doesn’t believe is possible. For the next four years, he acts as a guide on the Oregon Trail, taking families to a new life while his looms lonely and stagnant.

The night before her abusive husband’s death, an ancient tree appears in Sarah Nickelson’s yard as she agonizes over how to survive her marriage. The tree gives her hope she can’t help but reject. After all, a tree doesn’t just appear out of nowhere. After her husband ‘s death, and with no options as a widow in Independence, Missouri, Sarah decides to travel to Oregon City as a Mail Order Bride.

During their trek west on the Oregon Trail, Jack and Sarah encounter one another, each afraid of being hurt again. Can they survive dogs and puppies, wind and rainstorms, Indians and unfavorable fellow passengers, while their love blossoms? Will the tree fulfill its promise?

Book available at Amazon

 

Connect with Tina at:

http://tinasusedik.wordpress.com./

Twitter: @tinasusedik

Website: TinaSusedik.com

Facebook: Tina Susedik, Author

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1754353.Tina_Susedik

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinasusedik/

 

 

Through A Writer’s Garden with Erin Bevan–Black Thumbs and Roses

Tags

A Writer's Garden, contemporary sweet romance, Erin Bevan, Gardening blog, roses, Wedding Day

 

Black Thumbs and Roses

by Erin Bevan

I’ll be completely honest. I’m not much of a gardener. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy pretty flowers as much as the next person, but when it comes to making them grow and thrive, that job is best left to someone else.

My husband and I have owned two houses in our life. Both have come with enormous amounts of flowerbeds. Living in our first house should have tipped me off not to buy our second home. Our current house has fence-to-fence flowerbeds, and we live on a corner lot. Pretty much every single side of our home, and all the edges of our land are covered in flowerbeds. The only things I can keep alive are our roses, and we’ve gotten several compliments on them. Maybe there is hope for me yet!

Everything else is left to God. If it survives great, if it doesn’t, well let’s just say I keep some of the local landscaping services in business.

But, despite my black thumb, I turned my spare bedroom upstairs into an office, and I positioned the desk just so I can see out the window and into the garden. Our kids love to play in the small garden path in our back yard, and there is something about sunshine and flowers that is medicine to my soul.

 

About the Author:

Erin Bevan is a wife and mother of three. She enjoys filling her kitchen with fresh flowers, and loves the inviting and sweet aroma they release. An avid reader, one day she decided to try her luck in writing stories of her own, and the idea paid off. She spends her days deep in the heart of Texas, fighting mosquitoes, cleaning dirty faces, and writing contemporary romances when the kids nap. The heat levels of her books range from her super sweet book Text Me to sensual romances. Wedding Day, an edgy, sweet, closed-door romance, with some mild language, is her newest release.