Sometimes the only thing in the way of your happily-ever-after is you.Romance writer Kendyll has been trying to accomplish the impossible her entire life—a fairytale ending. But that has proven easier in her tales of fiction than in her real life.Hoping to refresh a relationship grown stale with her long-term fiancé Vance, Kendyll agrees to move to a small town in North Carolina. While house … in North Carolina. While house hunting, the unexpected happens. Kendyll walks onto a decaying estate, and it speaks to her, whispering of a past riddled with secrets waiting to be exposed.
A contractor, Wes, is hired to breathe life back into the old mansion and inadvertently brings back Kendyll’s smile. Wes strives to keep his distance, but the pull of attraction toward her is more powerful than his will.
Torn between the haunted past and the complicated present, new love and familiar loyalty, black and white, who will Kendyll ultimately choose to live out her happily-ever-after with?
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Where Flowers Bloom is a work of women’s fiction with plenty of interpersonal drama, penned by author Nikki Vale. The work is written for adult audiences due to the inclusion of some steamy romantic scenes and moderate violence. In this emotive and highly engaging read, we meet romance writer Kendyll as she verges on losing her passion and belief in the happily ever after. Her current relationship with long-term fiancé Vance has grown stale, prompting them to move to a new town in the hopes of a fresh start. But Kendyll gets a lot more than she bargained for when she finds an old house filled with secrets and a new contractor who rekindles her hopes for love.
Author Nikki Vale has crafted an excellent and highly engaging drama that encompasses elements of excellent romance fiction, but also of cultural and interpersonal drama that really brings home the realism of the piece. Kendyll is a strong heroine with much to figure out in her life, and we follow her through decisions both good and bad with a fervent hope that her dreams will succeed. The interracial issues present and the elements of past history add a new dimension of diversity to the work which other writers could certainly take note of, relating a modern and realistic romantic tale. Overall, I would highly recommend Where Flowers Bloom for readers who not only enjoy an accomplished and moderate-heat level romantic story but also want realistic and heart-warming characters to root for and fall in love with.
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5 out of 5 stars.
I give Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale 5 stars only because I cannot give it more than that. This haunting story is rich with vivid storytelling and lively characters. It sucks you right in.
When Kendyll searches for a new home for her and her husband Vance, she ends up dismissing his wishes to find a more modern house and decides to purchase a grand plantation home. With the help of her new friends, Kendyll begins fixing up her new home and makes some startling discoveries along the way. This book is full of history, intrigue, and steamy romance. I highly recommend this book and this author.
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale
5 of 5 Stars
It’s not often that you pick up a book which you then literally can not put down but this is definitely one of those. I was hooked from page one and I just kept happily turning the pages. ‘Where Flowers Bloom’ is a mix of history, romance, mystery, paranormal and race issues all mixed up in a wonderful written story. When romance writer Kendyll agrees to move to a small town in North Carolina with her fiancé Vance in the hope of saving their relationship she does not realise how her life is about to change. As soon as Kendyll views a rundown estate she discovers that it is actually whispering to her of its past secrets. Having employed contractor, Wes to do up the old mansion, Kendall finds herself drawn to him and he makes her smile again. Although Wes attempts to keep his distance not wanting to come between Kendyll and Vance he finds the attraction between them too strong to ignore. Kendyll also starts having dreams about events that happened in the past on the estate and learns that it was involved with slavery. As a fiction writer Kendyll likes to write fairytale endings but really she just wants one for herself and finds she has a choice to make to reach her own happy ever after.
The descriptive narrative really brings both the past and the present settings to life which made me feel immersed and engaged in the story. The characters are likeable and relatable and again the author made them come alive and I found myself thinking about them long after I had finished the book. The storyline flows well, and is written in away that tells two stories at once without the reader getting confused. One a love triangle between Kendyll, Vance and Wes in the present and then through Kendyll’s dreams the story of the estate in the past and the effects of slavery. The story has so many different layers to it, from a steamy romance with a touch of the paranormal to a story about slavery, race and interracial dating, that it really is an original and unique read. Nikki Vale is a new author to me but I now look forward to reading other books by her.
Where Flowers Bloom: A Romantic, Modern to Historical, Mystery by Nikki Vale is a great romance story that totally drew me in from the very beginning and didn’t let go. Nikki Vale was an author that I had not read before reading Where Flowers Bloom but I would certainly read more of her work now as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Romance novelist Kendyll moves to North Carolina to try to rekindle the romance with her fiancé Vance. When she buys a very old house it seems as if the house has it’s own story to tell. Kendyll’s very vivid dreams also seem to be telling the story of a time long ago. I have to say that I became more invested in the story of Rose and Everett than I did of the ‘love triangle’ between Kendyll, Vance and construction manager (who is also related to the homes former owner) Wesley.
This is a very well written story. The author is telling 2 stories at the same time which I can imagine must be very difficult to do. The author also does a fantastic job of tackling the issue of black slavery. I was totally engrossed with this part of the story.
Another thing I must commend the author on is the characters. This book has some absolutely amazing characters who I totally fell in love with.
This is a fantastic read which I would definitely recommend to others.
Where Flowers Bloom
By Nikki Vale
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale. The story will pull you in from the beginning and will not let you go until the final page. It is a romance book that had me lost in the pages. The author does an amazing job of making the storyline and the characters come alive. This is a book that seemed to be over too soon. I enjoyed reading about the dialogue between the characters. The story is well-detailed that I felt like I was right there with the characters. The story had my emotions going up and down the entire time I was reading it. Don’t miss out on a romantic, exciting, and entertaining book. I highly recommend it.
Where Flowers Bloom – Nikki Vale
5-stars
This type of story is not one I would normally reach for but I am so glad I took a chance. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year! The incredible detail throughout made it so easy for me to picture everything playing out in my mind, which was incredibly entertaining.
From the very start I was intrigued and I found myself unable to put this book down as I connected with the characters, I just had to get answers to all of my questions. I honestly loved everything about this book, from each individual character and the relationships between them, everyone and everything added something unique to the story.
This was my first book by this author but it will not be my last! This book has been added to my top favourites and I look forward to reading more from this incredible author asap! I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for their next one of a kind romance read!
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale, was an unexpected, beautiful, and gripping read that I could not put down. I was drawn in by the blurb and cover, Nikki Vale being a new to me author, but I will for sure be reading more of her books as soon as possible. Vale has a knack for writing a detailed and romantic read with so many more layers than you’d normally expect in a romance read. I was totally sucked in to the beautiful scenery, the past and present tidbits, the haunting that added much needed mystery and intrigue. I even was completely taken by surprise with how this book came to an end. I won’t divulge more details than what you get with the blurb and teasers because this is one that would be sad to ruin with spoils. This is one you do not want to miss though and that I can guarantee.
4 Stars
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale was a really thought provoking and emotive read. It is a bit of an historical romantic suspense- with some paranormal elements, where past, present, and future connect- leading the reader on an intriguing mystery that had me up way past my bedtime, as when I began the book I had only intended to read a couple of chapters to get a ‘feel’ for the story before going to bed… but one chapter led to another and soon I was so deep into the story I just had to stick with it and follow along to find out how it all played out in the end.
Nikki Vale is a new-to-me author, and after reading this book- I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work in the future.
Quick and easy reading. Interesting and thought provoking story. Well developed and intriguing characters. A ‘clean’ read. Well worth exploring!
Thank you, Nikki Vale!
Kendyll is not only a hopeless romantic in a relationship lacking any spark. She’s also a romance writer. To reignite the passion with her fiance, she buys an old mansion, moves to North Carolina, and finds a ghost haunting her new home. This book brings stories of the past and present as they intermingle. Usually, I hate reading a novel with 2 separate storylines, this story flowed easily and I couldn’t stop reading.
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale is simply wonderful. It’s got all my favorite things, love story; haunted mansion; fantastic girl friendships, some mystery, and did I mention a love story that spans the ages?
Ms Vale is a gifted author! Her scenery is so descriptive I feel as if I am there. Her characters are so realistic that I could expect them to step off the page. I was drawn in from the first paragraph and could not put the book down, it’s that good.
Kendyll is a highly educated woman with a couple of degrees under her belt. She writes accounting books under her own name, but those “smutty” books (Kendyll’s words) under a pen name. She is engaged to Vance, a somewhat uptight lawyer. They decide to move south so they can get a fresh start and rekindle their flagging relationship. Vance wants a strictly modern, cookie cutter type of place, but Nikki turns down every one she’s looked at. When the realtor takes her to an old mansion she falls in love and signs without hesitation.
The story takes off from there. Filled with wonderful characters, Aunt Aster, Violet, Wes (oh my goodness Wes!) and an intriguing story with paranormal overtones, well I loved every moment.
The book gives you a good idea of what is going on fairly early, but there is still a lot of mystery. The romance, the laughter, the angst, Ms. Vale takes you through the wringer a bit as you delve deeper into the story. This is the first book of Ms. Vales that I have had the pleasure to read, but it will not be the last. And I hope that Violet gets her own book too.
I know you will love Where Flowers Bloom as much as I do.
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale was a beautifully written romance read. I really loved the writing format and the unexpected twists and turns. It was really captivating and I felt super engaged the whole time. Kendyll has been one of my favorite heroines to follow. I loved the mystery surprise at the end! I cannot wait to read more by Nikki Vale.
This book is one I could definitely relate to and I love the layers of Kendyll including her secrets. I also love this book which pulls us into two stories in one with historical and modern similarities. Through it all, though, love seizes the day and gives us something to root for. So, pick up your copy and dive into one of the best reads you’ll give a try.
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale. This is such a good book I read it in one sitting. Its the story of Romance writer Kendyll who moves to North Carolina. She is also trying to come up with her own fairy tale ending but it is much easier to write about than actually live it. Kendyll has a long time fiance but the relationship has become very stale and she thinks this move will help. When Kendyll moves to North Carolina she ends up moving into a very old mansion and finds things from the past there. There is a ghost who still roams all over the mansion but he doesn’t expose himself to many. He is very angry so Kendyll wants to try to help the ghost because he is still very angry from things of the past. He was a plantation owner’s son and he was in love with a black slave girl which was very much forbidden. Is there a connection to this past story with Kendyll’s future. This story ties the past with the present and its a very emotional story.
Where Flowers Bloom is a romance, women’s fiction story. Where the past and the present mingle, the forbidden love between a white plantation owner’s son and a black slave girl is the past. But is there a connection to the present?
Kendyll moves into a mansion and discovers the ghost who still roams the place. He does not expose himself to many but he is very much there and angry. Will stepping into the past, help Kendyll deal with the issues in her present?
I found this story to be quite interesting, it has some wonderful characters and the descriptions allow one to envision everything that is happening on the page.
Wonderful story where the past and present come together which makes for a very intriguing read! The storyline was well written with characters that were so well detailed that I remained totally engaged throughout the entire book!
This book walks the line between romance and women’s fiction and it does it incredibly well. When Kendyll begins having visions, the past comes into focus… until the past and her present begin to blur.
For my readers: This book has a layer of paranormal that reads right into the story. If you’re a fan of my Touch of Magick books, you will LOVE this one. Happy reading!
A beautifully written story about the past and future colliding I absolutely enjoyed.Kendyll ,Wesley and Vance’s love triangle. And the lengths you will go to protect the one you love and protect your love for each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a memorable journey this is! So descriptive you can hear the birds and feel the breeze as an old house and a young woman discover a rebirth. Told from Kendyll’s POV “Where Flowers Bloom” is an original story about complicated relationships, self-discovery, difficult choices and transcendent love. The past and the present intertwine and the end will have you wondering who’s loving who.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Some children are made to feel loved and special. Some women settle for what is acceptable in their world. And sometimes the past fights real hard to be remembered in the present. Where Flowers Bloom is a supernatural love story. The past loves Everett and Rose are master and slave who are in a forbidden love story. Kendyll is a woman in the present engaged to Vance and a little more than friends with Wesley. What is interesting is many of the women in Kendyll life are named after flowers her mother Zinnia, the realtor Violet, the older lady who lives with her Aster and the ghost from the past Rose. The story travels back and forth through time creating a parallel world of two love stories with struggles tied to the plantation house at the center of the story. It is through dreams that Kendyll introduces us to Rose and the ghost of Everett. The story takes its time telling the story of thee two women and feels like a HEA ending. Even with the epilogue you feel something is missing, its’ as if the author wishes you to decide the finale for her. Unlike Everett who decided based on hand over heart who survived I had no such insight of which way to go therefore the epilogue had no meaning for me and I went back read the last pages of the chapter and stopped there. This story is an intriguing read that showed thought went into it and it is through the eyes of Rose and Kendyll that the story is told.
I loved this book. I couldn’t stop reading it. The characters are so well written. This is a real story with a little heat, not just a lot of sex and no story. The flash backs are easy to understand, giving you deep insight into both the past and present. I love that this wasn’t just romantic fluff, but a deep well written novel, and with characters that you become invested in.
I received a free copy of this book from eBooks. This is my honest opinion and review.
This is one of the best romances that I’ve ever read! The story makes me feel like I’m experiencing everything right along with Kendyll, and the descriptions make me able to picture the scenes in vivid detail. However, out of the entire book, I have to say that one of the characters makes the entire thing all the more side-splitting and charming. To find out why Aster is the best, and to experience the book for yourself, hurry and grab a copy!