Customer Reviews

The Cradle Robbers: Bloom (Cradle Robbers Series)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BLOOM is the second book in the Cradle Robber series. This series embraces love between an older woman and a younger man.

Lily Manchester's husband enlisted in the Army eleven years ago and never returned. From the time of his departure, Lily's life and "love" has been her floral shop, Bloom. One day a very handsome delivery man, Alex James, delivers more than flowers to Lily's shop. There is an immediate attraction between the two, but Lily is determined to keep from being the "talk of the town." 

"We (women) weren't looked upon as savvy when we dipped below thirty. I didn't even want to think about what they would call me if I was ever caught up in a scandal liaison of any sort with Alex." [excerpt]

Despite Lily's fears, Alex boldly pursues her - determined to prove himself worthy and mature for his age. As their love "blooms" Lily struggles with the disapproval of a motherly, but nosy customer and the surprising return of her ex-husband.

This was a sweet love story proving that age is nothing but a number. Lily was at a stage in her life where it was time for a relationship - time to learn how to love again. Her fears were very real and the decision to be open-minded was a lesson for the readers about taking risks. It was a delight to read about a young man who truly pursued love rather than another sexual conquest. The author is to be commended for creating an extraordinary male character like Alex.

While BLOOM is a short read, the characters were well developed and readers will find the storyline to be engaging from the first page to the last.

Bloom
Linda Dominique Grosvenor
Sadorian Publications
2003, 124 pages (pbk)
ISBN # 0-974171417 (pbk)
4.5 Star Rating

Dee Stewart, Reviewer

Eleven years after Lily Manchester's husband ran off with the Army and ran off with her heart, Lily meets a charismatic young man twelve years her junior, who won't take "no" for an answer. Her quiet world in her quaint little flower shop gets turned upside down when her heart and her ex-husband returns home. Will she jeopardize her good standing in the small town of Bliss, North Carolina, to pursue "something that has been missing from her life for far too long" or will she take the safe route by taking her ex-husband back?

Grovesnor's addition to Sadorian's The Cradle Robbers Series is just as fresh and brilliant as the flowers she describes in "Bloom". This novella is an intelligent and sweetly written story about the blossoming relationship between an older woman and a younger man.

I love short works of fiction be it short stories or novellas, because they cut to the chase and tell the story matter-of-factly. In order to do that successfully, characters must be developed and fleshed out immediately. Plain and simple- you get to know the main character in detail by the end of the first paragraph or page.

Grosvenor does an excellent job at fleshing out her characters. She makes them real int an instant. In most of the last books I've read the characters have been either too good, too bad, or too crazy. The characters in "Bloom" are just right. They are human.

Lily's character flaws enhances the conflict. Her inability to trust, her fear of self-freedom, her own inadequacies about her age, lends to the question of this novella. It makes her problem real. Will she allow herself to love Alex James despite her own mess?

Alex is just as real as his love interest. He is young, seductive, jealous, and insecure. Alex is as unsure of himself and his future as Lily is as unsure about her feelings toward him.

Last weekend I had a discussion with some members of my writing group about making a familiar story your own and I used this book as an example. It is not a lackluster version of MacMillan's How Stella Got Her Groove Back or another remake of the "Graduate". This story has its own timeless voice. It is such a clever story that I've read it twice in three days. Thus, I give the novella a 4.5 rating.

This book is cute and sweet enough for the purchase price. It is short enough to take on a weekend trip and it is intelligent enough to stimulate your mind. Kudos.

From the very first paragraph until the last, Bloom, a novella written by talented Author, Linda Dominique Grosvenor was an entertaining and refreshing read. What I enjoyed most about this book was the mere fact that it was centered on a flower shop, which made this book such a treat. Let me just say that this book was a breath of fresh air from some of the drama-filled fiction that is being written today.

As an author, I do know that there seems to be a heavy readership for drama, but every once in while I find it refreshing to read a moving and entertaining fiction book, supported with a wonderful story line, without having to be barraged with intense drama throughout. And, Bloom offered me just that -- an entertaining and refreshing good old-fashioned love story in every sense of the words.

The story begins with the main character, Lily Manchester, reminiscing about her life as she stood in Bloom, her labor of love. Although Lily had been through a very big disappointment in her life at one time, she never gave up and would soon open the doors of Bloom. Lily fondly recalled her deceased mother keeping a garden and telling her that everyone needs his or her zone. And, Bloom would become Lily's zone and her place of refuge since in her mind there was something so therapeutic about horticulture.

Lily's whole life was devoted to Bloom until the day that, Alex, a substitute deliveryman arrived at her flower shop. After this delivery, Lily's life would never be the same. Even a ghost from the past couldn't sway Lily from eventually embracing true love, which is what I believe life is all about.

Pick up a copy of this wonderful novella. You'll find this book entertaining and refreshing as you grow to love this old-fashioned love story as much as I did.

Reviewed by:
Carla J. Curtis, Author of A Single Woman's Parenting Journey: Survival Tidbits and Grip the Rope: Prayers for Single Mothers
www.trccommuniccations.com

Life in Bliss, North Carolina was anything but bliss for Lily Manchester the lovely but lonely owner of Bloom, who had been deserted by her husband years before. Seemingly, her only life passion was her flowers, that was until she met Alex James. Grosvenor handles this story with such delight. Definitely far from the ordinary romance. It was uplifting with its share of surprises. A definite must read for this summer.

Linda Dominique Grosvenor has done it again. With her wonderful prose she captivates readers young and old. I very much enjoyed "Bloom." Don't let the page count fool you, this beautiful story will stay with you for years to come. I can't say enough good things about this book or this author. The words flow like poetry. This is a book to keep in your collection for years to come.

Bloom is an absolutely enjoyable read. Linda Dominique Grosvenor is the kind of craftsman that weaves her story so well you forget the world she takes you to isn't the real one. I loved this book!

BLOOM by Linda Dominique Grosvenor is the second installment in the Cradle Robber series, a series that portrays loving relationships between older women and younger men.
Lily Manchester's husband, Barry Johnson, enlisted in the Army eleven years ago and never returned from his tour of duty. Since that time, Lily's poured herself into her floral shop, Bloom located in Bliss, North Carolina. That is until the day a very handsome delivery man, Alex James delivered more than flowers to Lily's flower shop. Instantly, they are attracted to each other, but Lily convinces herself that it could never work out between the two of them, mainly because of his age. She didn't want to be the talk of the town and risk losing everything that was important to her, mainly her reputation and her business
Despite Lily's objections, Alex boldly pursues her. As their love blossoms, Lily struggles with the disapproval of her mother's best friend, Mrs. Miller. Out of the blue, the ex-husband returns, which further complicates things. Will Lily give into love with Alex, or will she find herself thrust back into the familiarity of the past with her ex?
This was a romantic love story proving that age is nothing but a number. Lily shows us that sometimes it's okay to throw caution at the wind in our pursuit of happiness. Although BLOOM is a short read of only 125 pages, the characters were well developed and the story line was very engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed this installment in the Cradle Robber series and I look forward to reading the next installment, Class Act by T. C. Matthews.
Reviewed by Vanessa A. Johnson, Readincolor Reviewer

Lily is the sole proprietor of a small country flower shop, Bloom. When her husband, Barry leaves her to go to the army he didn't return. With the proceeds of the sale of the home that he purchased for her prior to his departure she opened Bloom. Totally settled into a life of monotony she is totally thrown for a loop when her new flower deliveryman, Alex James, catches her eye. Not wanting to be the subject of town gossip she tries to ignore her `blooming" feelings for him. Unfortunately, love throws a monkey wrench in her plans and she falls for hard. Everything is developing quite nicely until she receives a warning word from the town gossip, and receives a visitor from her past. Her budding relationship may be destroyed before it ever has a chance to take root and grow. Can her relationship with Alex blossom? Or will it be strangled by the weeds of familiarity?

Linda Dominique Grosvenor has crafted a unique love story. She has taken a refreshing break from the typical May/December romance. Truly one of the best romance writers of our time, Linda Dominique is going to be name that draws recognition.

Ever imagined having the pleasure of taking a passionate stroll alone, through an elegant, colorful flower garden and suddenly you feel love and romance permeating your soul and mind? Bloom did that for me! This is a beautiful and intelligently written story about the budding romance between an older woman and a younger man.
Lily Manchester is an abandoned military wife who sells her home to buy a floral shop in order to survive financially. She lovingly names it, BLOOM! Twelve years later, she meets Alex James, an alluring young handsome man twelve years her junior. He is the substitute driver who delivers an order of fresh flowers to Bloom. He invites himself for lunch that same day, and as hard as it was for Lily to believe, it was love at first sight for him.

For an older woman concerned about her good standing in her small rural community of Bliss, North Carolina, will Lily's concerns about the age difference confuse the budding passion she feels for Alex? Surely, the prying eyes and nagging mouth of her mothers' friend, Mrs. Miller will complicate and color her dilemma. And, certainly, you can expect Lily to have anxiety, when out of nowhere; her ex-husband returns and expects her to take him back.

National bestselling author, Linda Dominique Grosvenor has delivered a wonderful tale of love at first sight and a premise that proves that LOVE is LOVE, no matter what the age and no matter others may think or say. The reader is taken on a journey of fancy and wonder with characters so realistically developed. Bloom stimulated the realization in this reader's mind that life and people are metaphorically like the colors and scents in flowers. BRAVO, Linda!

I highly recommend this book!!!

I love a book that practically draws me into the story line, as if I were an actual witness to all that the characters experience. Bloom does just that - I could see Lily struggling with her attraction to Alex, could hear the well-meaning town busybody with her 'tsk, tsk', feel the tension in the room when Lily's ex showed up at the club where she and Alex had gone. Grosvenor is able to develop fully fleshed out characters who move through a story that is well-crafted and captivating.

Linda Dominique Grosvenor manages to never write the same story twice and has proven that she isn't afraid to stretch herself. And for that, this reader is truly thankful.