Planted with Hope

It is Holy Thursday!  It is also National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day (not a real national holiday)! On March 24, 1958 Elvis Presley was drafted into the United States Army (he had very cushy assignments).  America gets to see images of the moon on their television sets courtesy of NASA spacecraft Ranger 9 in 1965 (and then it crashes).  

Planted with Hope by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore is the second book in the Pinecraft Pie Shop series.  It is the beginning of a new year in Pinecraft, Florida (a Mennonite, Old Order Amish, and New Order Amish community) near Sarasota, Florida.  Matchmaking is going on behind the scenes for Hope Miller and the temporary schoolteacher (filling in for his sister), Jonas Sutter.  Jonas is a widower from Kentucky with an eight-year-old daughter named Emma.  Jonas is instantly attracted to Hope when he meets her after Hope rescues Emma from where she fell into the water.  Hope is a person who does not like crowds or a lot of noise (and quiet is hard to find in her house).  She enjoys the quiet of a garden.  Hope severely misses that in Pinecraft.  The soil is not ideal for a vegetable garden, and Hope does not have the money to bring in the proper type of soil.  Hope is discontented and unhappy.  Hope has decided maybe she needs to go back north and writes to a relative to find a nursemaid position (and where she can have a garden).  Her family has decided to give her a garden behind Me, Myself, and Pie (her sister Lovina’s pie shop).  But what Hope has yet to find out is that Jonas is going to be involved as well (and the schoolchildren).  Will the families matchmaking attempts pay off? Will the victory journal Emma receives change her outlook and her attitude about the garden?   What happens when it is time for Jonas to return to Kentucky?

I enjoyed reading Planted with Hope.  It was a heartwarming story with engaging characters (and a lovely setting).  I like the addition of the victory journal (written during World War II).  The entries add a special element to the book.  Planted with Hope is easy to read (can be finished in a few hours) and well-written.  I liked Planted with Hope better than the first book in the Pinecraft Pine Shop series.  Planted with Hope can be read without having enjoyed the first book in the series.  The book includes some great recipes (there is even one for ice cream).  There is a Christian element in the novel, but it is light and flows with the storyline (just the right touch).  I give Planted with Hope 4 out of 5 stars.  I will definitely be reading the next book in the Pinecraft Pine Shop series.

Made with Love is the first book in Pinecraft Pie Shop series.  I received a complimentary copy of Planted with Hope from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. 

I am currently enjoying the cozy mystery Silenced in the Surf by Kate Dyer-Seeley.  I am almost ready for Easter.  How about you?  Do you have your Easter dinner, candy (for adults and children), and cute bunnies (stuffed)?  You are never too old to get a stuffed toy on Easter. When I was a child, my sister and I also got a new dress and shoes (patent leather Mary Janes from Lazarus).   Those shoes are not made for running on driveways (too slippery)!  I hope all of you have a wonderful day!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader