Sweet September: Sweet September - eBook

This review gives more insight than just "it was/wasn't a good book" or "this is/isn't a must read". While I try not to give too much away, sometimes it's difficult to write about the story and have it not be revealing.

Life could definitely be a little sweeter for Charlotte Stevenson. She is trying to not let her feelings of her failings as a parent to her own children get in the way of raising her grandchildren Sam, Emily, and Christopher - they came to live with her and her husband Bob after their mother was killed in a car accident. But she's not sure how to do it. Sam has a bad attitude towards school. Emily at least has made a friend but hasn't fully settled into life on the farm and living in Nebraska. Christopher seems to be hiding something but Charlotte's not sure what it is. As harvest gets closer she's hoping the seeds of love she and her husband Bob have planted in their grandchildren's hearts will be as fruitful as their crops.

Charlotte is continually plagued by the fact that she felt she was a failure as a parent. Because of this she is not sure how to handle her grandchildren and their issues. Charlotte does turn to God for help with the kids but she seems to forget she can also turn to others . Many friends reach out to her. And what a great group of people that she has to offer her help. I felt like I know them myself, they have such interesting and caring personalities.

This is a slow moving story that is geared towards an older audience. I enjoyed the descriptions of the farm and the life that the family lived because of being on a farm. There is also not doubt that this is Christian fiction. Charlotte prays several times and uses scripture throughout the story.

The characters in this story are like people you would know. They are everyday Joes trying to find their place in this world. None of them are without flaw. For example, Bob is getting older and refuses to give in to his age and failing health. He doesn't trust his son Pete's judgment on how to run the farm.

The main story is of this family being brought together by a tragedy and learning to become their own new family. One minute it seems that they are getting closer and then something happens and they are falling apart again. The secondary story of the vegetable garden seems to be what finally brings them together. When they discovered the truth behind the missing produce, they didn't know it would change them in a way they never expected. It was touching the way Charlotte and Bob handled the situation. Sam, Emily, and Christopher even got to learn about their family's history because of it. The children and others saw the love and hand of God in their lives through all that happened.

I received a free copy of this book from Guideposts and The Christian Manifesto in exchange for my honest review.

As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can restore the Stevensons' hope for the harvest.

Harvest at Heather Creek Farm is an exciting time, but the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Charlotte is determined not to make the same mistakes she did with her own kids, but how can she get her grandchildren back on track?

Meanwhile, the vegetable garden is uprooted one night. Who could have done such a thing? Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids pull together to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.

About the Home to Heather Creek series: Sweet September is the second book in the Home to Heather Creek series. Charlotte Stevenson is raising her grandchildren on the family farm after a tragic accident changes all of their lives forever. With the help of her husband Bob and a close-knit circle of friends, she will do whatever it takes to keep this fragile family together. See how God, who makes the sun rise and the crops grow, watches over our lives too.

My Review:

It is harvest time at Heather Creek, and the delicate relationship between the Stevenson's and the grandchildren are either going to get stronger or be broken. In the midst of all this, the garden is uprooted and it is looking more and more like it was done by human hands. The family deals with all that is happening all in their own way, and they learn what it means to be a family - even though it may not be the conventional, traditional idea of family we are all used to.

The story is seamless despite the different authors writing under a singular pen name, and I would recommend these stories to anyone of any age. They are wholesome, enriching, and edifying in the best sense of the words. This is a tender story that will stay with you forever.

This book was provided by the publisher through Litfuse Nest for free in exchange for an honest review.

In this sequel to Before the Dawn, the summer is over, school is back in session and the harvest has begun on the farm.

Charlotte and Bob's grandchildren are still having difficulties after being moved from San Diego to the Nebraska farm. The kids miss their mom and Charlotte grieves the loss of their daughter.

But life on the farm goes on. Charlotte is often overwhelmed by her responsibilities and relies on the Lord and her close friends for support. Bob, in his mid sixties, is miffed when their son hires a combining crew to do the soybean harvest. Sam is having a great deal of trouble with his high school classes. Emily still doesn't like being on the farm, especially when it means gathering eggs from the stinky chicken coup. And Christopher is so quiet _ but he has found a treasure.

A little mystery is added to the ongoing story as Charlotte's vegetable garden is found damaged one morning. Produce has been stolen. A few days later Emily finds that all of the eggs have been stolen. The family gets into some hilarious scenes as they try to find out who or what is stealing their food.

This is a gentle novel. There is no exciting action or complex plot lines. There is just a set of godly grandparents trying their best to raise their orphaned grandchildren. Each of the members in the family faces difficulties and it is fun to watch how they ultimately support one another.

I always like to learn about something when I read a novel and this one contains some interesting history about farming in Nebraska.

This is a fine continuation of a touching story about a family trying to survive and thrive when life has not been what they had planned.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

As tenuous family bonds threaten to break apart, a mystery on the farm might be the one thing that can restore the Stevensons' hope for the harvest.

Harvest at Heather Creek Farm is an exciting time, but the children don't seem to be getting into the spirit. Emily is struggling with farm life, Christopher spends most of his time alone, and Sam is failing school. Charlotte is determined not to make the same mistakes she did with her own kids, but how can she get her grandchildren back on track?

Meanwhile, the vegetable garden is uprooted one night. Who could have done such a thing? Charlotte sets out to uncover the truth, and as the kids pull together to find answers, this cobbled-together family learns more about one another and the love that binds them together.

About the Home to Heather Creek series: Sweet September is the second book in the Home to Heather Creek series. Charlotte Stevenson is raising her grandchildren on the family farm after a tragic accident changes all of their lives forever. With the help of her husband Bob and a close-knit circle of friends, she will do whatever it takes to keep this fragile family together. See how God, who makes the sun rise and the crops grow, watches over our lives too.

My Review:

It is harvest time at Heather Creek, and the delicate relationship between the Stevenson's and the grandchildren are either going to get stronger or be broken. In the midst of all this, the garden is uprooted and it is looking more and more like it was done by human hands. The family deals with all that is happening all in their own way, and they learn what it means to be a family - even though it may not be the conventional, traditional idea of family we are all used to.

The story is seamless despite the different authors writing under a singular pen name, and I would recommend these stories to anyone of any age. They are wholesome, enriching, and edifying in the best sense of the words. This is a tender story that will stay with you forever.

This book was provided by the publisher through Litfuse Nest for free in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the second book in this series. Charlotte and Ben Stevenson are adjusting to having their Golden Years now filled with children again. Big change in all of their lives.

School has now begun again and the children, Sam, Emily and Christopher are beginning to fit it, although with some problems. They miss their Mom, and don't want to forget her. Love the faith based life God has placed them in. When they think things are going bad, or they are in trouble, I see Grace being show to these sweet kids.

In this book someone or something is stealing from the family, when they need all the food, they have with the extra mouths. You will be surprised at what is taking eggs and veggie! Also how more Grace is shown.

Enjoy this second book in this series, I really would love some more of this story.

I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.