Lavender And Lace By Tara Grace Ericson

Lavender and Lace
by Tara Grace Ericson
Publisher: Silver Fountain Press
Series: The Bloom Sisters
ISBN: 978-1949896152

I have absolutely LOVED being on Tara's launch team. I'm always so surprised that I get the opportunity to promote her series! She is by far one of my favorite indie authors! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to read Lavender's story.

Summary:

In their online writer chatroom, they are getting serious.
In the real world; He thinks she’s shallow, and she thinks he’s out of touch.
When their worlds collide, will their hearts survive?

Lavender Bloom is a social marketing expert and influential fashion blogger. Always focused on the perfect image, she shows the world a flawless version of herself, except to her family and her nameless online best friend. Her broody new client certainly doesn’t understand her or why she prefers to hide behind her computer.

Reclusive author Emmett Drake spends his days writing his award-winning fantasy saga and his nights chatting online with the woman of his dreams. When he is forced to hire an image consultant to please his publisher, he despises everything the woman stands for, even if he sees hidden depths beneath her polished façade.

Lavender is determined to help Emmett embrace the power of social media, convinced he has the platform to make a difference. Meanwhile, he is determined to uncover the woman hiding behind the carefully scripted marketing lingo. Their struggle to find authenticity in a world centered on likes, comments, and shares will challenge them both to embrace God’s purpose for their lives – together.

Return to Bloom’s Farm in Lavender and Lace and embrace the joy of family, faith, and true love in this nostalgic modern nod to the romantic classic, You’ve Got Mail.

My Review:

Reading Lavender and Lace was like coming home to the farm. Reading the prologue with Laura Bloom, mom to all of the Bloom kids, always settles me into the story. Not that we don't know who the story is about because of the cover, but I enjoy reading Laura's insights and concerns for the daughter of the story. Also, the publisher name in the story didn't go unnoticed by me. Put a smile on my face every time I read it!

I'm going to jump ahead here in regards to an overall theme throughout this story. Faith. It's so palpable that it should be an example to other writers on how to incorporate a very strong line of it! The faith element is a very natural part of the characters lives so it feels completely natural for it to be discussed throughout.

Ok, I won't wax poetic about the faith anymore so let's talk about the characters and writing.

Since I work in social media with influencers, this was right up my alley. I think because of the social world we live in so many young people can relate to Lavender's story. BUT also because of the world we live in, I know a lot of younger people (under 35) can also relate to not wanting to be so connected which fits Emmett. Lavender's story is a great example of how we present ourselves to others. Are we being real or fake?

When I first started reading I was shocked at Emmett's reaction to Lavender and what she did for a living. It was rather off putting when I was starting to like him. That's when the "You've Got Mail" vibe set in for me. Kind of funny how some things change yet stay the same.

I liked how he was forced to allow Lavender into his life because her job was exactly what he needed. It was a fantastic twist to the story. You could tell that God kept putting things in their lives to draw them together like youth group and the wedding.

The story felt genuine to me and very relatable. It was an easy read (I read it in a day) and I was so happy to be back on Bloom farm! Trust me, you aren't going to get enough of this family!

About the Author:

Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. Her first book, Falling on Main Street, was written mostly from airport waiting areas and bleak hotel rooms as she traveled in her position as a sales engineer. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. Tara unashamedly watches Hallmark movies all winter long, even though they are predictable and cheesy. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.