Ann Shorey has created a likeable heroine in Faith Lindberg - she's sweet and compassionate, but strong enough to stand up for what's right. Curt Saxon is an intriguing hero as he falls for Faith but keeps his distance while he wrestles with his "soldier's heart" - what we now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ann Shorey's writing draws me right in, with lovely phrasing and plenty of humor. I highly recommend this novel, and I'm looking forward to the next two books in the Sisters of the Heart series.

Ann Shorey shows her usual brilliance in writing! The story in Where Wildflowers Bloom is truly an engaging story, with love, romance, daily strife, intrigue, and the love of God to cover the whole of it. The characters are believable, and well written into the persons presented in the story. This book is one that I found difficult to put down, once I opened the first page. I find it interesting that Ann uses her own ancestors to find stories of life in the past. I enjoy reading her books, and look forward to the next book.

This was my first book by this author, and it definitely won't be my last! I loved this story, it's exactly what I'm looking for in historical fiction. The story was about the characters first and foremost. It dealt with each character's personal struggles and how they leaned on each other to make it through.

I loved all the characters. Even though Faith was sometimes a bit immature, it fit with her character and she grew a lot. Curt was so sweet and the author explored his history with the war in a very interesting way. Curt's supportive relationship with his sister Rosemary was great to read about. It's nice to see families working together. I loved Faith's grandpa, he had such great advice!

sent by publisher in exchange for honest review

Faith Lindberg and her grandfather are trying to move on from the memories of the Civil War and all that the war took from her family--her father and brother. Convinced that going on the Oregon Trail is the only way to start a new life, she prepares for her and her grandfather to go. There's only one thing that stands in her way, which would be selling the mercantile. It has been in the family for so long and somehow she has to figure out a way to convince her grandfather to let it go.

When a new brother and sister move into town, she becomes fast friends with Rosemary. She isn't quite for sure how to read her brother Curt but finds that she turns to him every time that she's in need or finds herself in a problem.

Before the war, Royal Baxter had caught the attention of Faith and Faith was sure that when he returned from the war that they would get married. The war came and went and there were no word of Royal. One day, Royal comes riding into town and he becomes smitten with Faith. However, when he does decide to propose to her, there's something in his proposal that doesn't sit just right.

Will Faith figure out Royal and his true intentions before she uproots her roots and heads to Oregon? What does her grandfather hope for her? Which man will finally say the words to her that she needs to hear?

I haven't ever read any books by Ann Shorey but I was pleasantly surprised that I was interested in this book from the first sentence. I read this book fast and enjoyed every bit of it. It was a little predictable and I had a feeling how the ending would turn out but I didn't predict the events that would lead to the ending. I definitely want to read more of her books since I enjoyed her writing style so much.

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Available January 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Okay friends, this is the first time I have ever read a book penned by Ann Shorey. It will defintely not be the last! Wow! Wow! Wow! For me to say that I LOVED this book isn't describing it enough. From the first page until the last, Ann Shorey, had me hooked.

This is the first book of her new series, "Sisters at Heart", and I must say, I cannot wait for the second book to come out!

The story line is amazing and the characters are vibrant and just so relatable. On some level I felt I could connect with each of them. This story takes place post Civil War, in a small town of Noble Springs, Missouri. Now, coming from Missouri, maybe this is just another reason I could connect with this story. There is such rich history here and I feel that Ann told this story with passion. Each chapter just flowed and I was never stuck or left wondering what happened. She has this gift of telling the story, adding detail, but leaving enough room for your imagination to take hold.

What love is that we learn we can't run from our memories. Even though this life brings us heartache, it too brings blessings. If we aren't careful we can be too focused on those heartaches and we miss out on the blessings right before our eyes.

This is one of those books to treasure and to pass around to those who love Historical Fiction and Romance. I even hate to put it into that category because it is just so much more. Even though it's historically based, it is a book we can relate to in today's world.

I am now a huge fan of Ann Shorey. I cannot wait to read more of her books!

Ann is having a contest right now! Follow this link for details on how to enter! http://www.annshorey.com/contest.html

This book was a gift from Revell for it's review.