In Every Flower: A Novel (Garden Gates) [Paperback]

Patti Hill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2006 | Series: Garden Gates (Book 3)

Sometimes you get a second chance... Remarriage isn't the happily-ever-after Mibby McManus hoped for. Between conflicting work schedules, a rebellious teenage son, a mother-in-law who can't get enough of the Food Channel, and a cat-in-law bent on destruction, Mibby and her new husband, Larry, never seem to find enough time for each other. Then there's the part Mibby really didn't expect: the constant intrusion of memories. Just when she thinks she's gotten back on track, a phone call from California unsettles everything. It's time for Mibby to face her past or risk losing everything.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A moving and realistic portrayal of a family in the midst of tumultuous change." -- Romantic Times

"This is a fast-paced and enjoyable read." -- Rendezvous

About the Author

Patti Hill lives in Grand Junction, Colorado, with her husband, Dennis, a garden center owner and manager. For recipes and gardening tips from the GARDEN GATES series, visit her Web site at www.pattihillauthor.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764229397
• ISBN-13: 978-0764229398
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,676 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

It took me a while to develop the moxy to invite folks to read my writing. Actually, the painful and stomach-churning incident was forced on me by my creative writing professor in college, part deux. Being a teacher for four years toughened me up, so I decided to give novel writing a go. My first book, Like a Watered Garden, was published Jan. 2005 and Always Green followed in July. The third book, and the most challenging one to write, In Every Flower, comes out this fall. My editor at Bethany House had a little trouble convincing the publishing committee to look seriously at my first novel. "It's a story about a widow that makes you laugh a lot," she told them. I'm very thankful they gave me a chance.

What's next? I like to give my books a strong sense of place, so I'm starting research on an early 20th century story about southern Orange County, where I lived before moving to Colorado. At least, that's what I think I'm tackling. First, I'll have to wiggle my toes in the sand of San Clemente for some meaningful research.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific realistic look at second marriages, October 4, 2006

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Every Flower: A Novel (Garden Gates) (Paperback)

Several years have passed since her spouse died in a biking accident. Mibby Garrett, owner of Perennially Yours Garden Design and mother to fifteen years old Kyle, feels it is time to move on. She accepts the proposal of Larry, who is kind to her teenage son, after they discuss what marriage means to one another. Both feel ready as they know what to expect. After the ceremony, they go off on their honeymoon leaving Kyle with Larry's mother Connie.

However, when they return home to set up housekeeping, neither had anticipated the impact of their marriage on their extended family. Connie not only redid the kitchen, but she is over every moment offering unsolicited advice and being hurt when that advice is ignored. Kyle struggles with no longer being the man of the house as much as having a new father. Others are almost as intrusive leaving the newlyweds to wonder if it was worth it. Mibby asks God to help her by guiding her through the chaotic loving interference of others.

Book three in the Garden gates tales (see LIKE A WATERED GARDEN and ALWAYS GREEN) is a terrific realistic look at second marriages mostly from the perspective of an intelligent, deeply devout caring person. Indirectly by how they behave to the beleaguered Mibby, the audience also sees how Larry, Ky and Connie react. Still this is Mibby's tale (and trilogy) as she feels so overwhelmed by the actions and reactions of others she wonders whether living in sin would have been a better option before turning to the Lord for guidance. This is a solid character study miniseries that deeply follows a woman from mourning to re-dawning of her life.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blooming Where She's Planted, October 1, 2006

By 

Sharon Hinck "Sharon Hinck, author" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Every Flower: A Novel (Garden Gates) (Paperback)

Remarriage isn't the happily-ever-after Mibby McManus hoped for. She doesn't have enough time with her new husband Larry, her mother-in-law is full of advice, and her teen-age son is self-destructing despite her best efforts. It would have been easy to assign a "good guy" and a "villain" to the story, but Patti Hill resists that convenience. Each character is rich with human flaws and surprising moments of insight and grace. Pain and conflict arise not because any of the characters are malicious or evil, but because goals, memories, and expectations collide--as they do in all families. Patti mines the deep struggles of marriage and parenting with humor and hope, and shines light on the gems that flicker in the darkness. This is a beautiful and fulfilling third novel in the Garden Gate series. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Better Read than Happily Ever After, November 17, 2006

By 

Jane Healy (South Dakota USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In Every Flower: A Novel (Garden Gates) (Paperback)

Mibby and her new husband, Larry, return home from their honeymoon to begin life together, only to encounter Larry's meddlesome mother, Mibby's rebellious teenage son and dysfunctional sister, and more memories of her deceased husband than she expected. Happily-ever-after is not going to be easy. In the third and last of the Garden Gates series, author Hill continues to mature Mibby's faith, outlook, and behavior. Mibby's friend and mentor Louise bakes up a storm and offers good counsel, and Mibby learns to look to God, her husband, and her own heart in making decisions.