About the Book
Book: Blueberry Bungalow
Author: Konnie K. Viner
Genre: Fiction (Christian mystery/romance)
Release date: November 10, 2021
It’s been a year since Maci Driscoll’s husband passed unexpectedly, and she is stuck in lonely despair. As an established painter, she finds her inspiration and artistic spark is gone. In a desperate attempt to step out of her funk, Maci sells her seaside home and moves inland to a sleepy little town in Maine.
But peace and inspiration aren’t the only things she finds in Laurel Hill. The century home she buys has secrets to divulge, a long-lost couple to reunite, a murder to solve, and maybe even new love.
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My Thoughts:
Maci Driscoll thought that moving away from the home she shared with her beloved late husband would help her get a newer focus on life. She wanted to move away from the memories that kept her ensconced in her pain and loneliness so, she decides on a bold action and moves further inland Maine. Finding a historical home and making it truly hers gives her plenty to do along with keeping up on her painting. However, her bungalow has been around for quite a while and seems to hold many secrets within its walls.
This was an interesting story of a woman starting over and the direction her life takes from just moving. It certainly took some twists and turns that I was not expecting, and I also enjoyed finding out with Maci all the history, good and bad, her house had seen. There is romance, a couple of mysteries, (which really surprised me), and a great character example of a woman who stood strong in the midst of many of life's tragic and brutal trials. There is a lot to be uncovered in this well thought out story.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
More from Konnie
Blueberry Bungalow, a 2022 Selah Award Finalist, is a cozy mystery set in the blueberry fields of Maine, Recently widowed and struggling, Maci Driscoll moves from the seaside of Maine to quiet little Laurel Hill to escape the past and figure out who she is without her beloved husband. Never did she expect to find a long-lost letter, solve a decades-old murder, or fall in love, but she does.
Maci’s Blueberry Pie Recipe
Crust
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold
½ cup water
Filling
4 cups blueberries
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Glaze
1 egg, beaten
coarse sugar
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425º and place a rack in the middle of the oven.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
Add the butter and mix it into the flour using two knives or pastry blender.
Slowly add the cold water, a little at a time, and mix until the dough just comes together.
Remove the dough from the bowl and shape into 2 equal balls, flattened into discs.
Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.
When ready, unwrap the dough and allow it to warm up for a minute or two.
Lightly flour your surface, then roll one disc into a circle until its large enough to fit into the pie plate with an inch of overhang.
Fold the dough into fourths, then place carefully in the pie dish.
Unfold and smooth into the dish, dressing the crust however you choose (crimping, fluting, or my favorite, just pressing into it with a fork).
Fill with the blueberry filling, then roll out the remaining disc of dough and cover the blueberries entirely, making sure to cut a few slits in the top crust for steam to escape.
Lightly brush the top crust with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350º and bake for an additional 45-55 minutes.
Keep an eye on the pie.
If the crust begins to brown too quickly, tent the pie with foil.
If the filling begins to bubble, you may also wish to place a baking sheet on the rack below the pie to catch any drips.
Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool.
Serve warm.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews
From an Avid Reader, July 1
An
Author’s Take, July 2
Texas Book-aholic,
July 3
Gina Holder,
Author and Blogger, July 4 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake,
July 4
Debbie’s
Dusty Deliberations, July 5
Inklings
and notions, July 6
For Him and My
Family, July 7
deb’s Book
Review, July 8
The
Avid Reader, July 9
Blogging With
Carol, July 9
Locks, Hooks
and Books, July 10
Ashley’s
Clean Book Reviews, July 11
Truth and Grace
Homeschool Academy, July 12
Pause for
Tales, July 12
Because I
said so — and other adventures in Parenting, July 13
Happily
Managing a Household of Boys, July 14
Book
Looks by Lisa, July 14
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Konnie is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and signed copy of book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/1f7f1/blueberry-bungalow-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thanks for the review and recipe!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really good story with Maci's new start in an old, interesting house.
ReplyDeleteGood book for Summer reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
Thanks for sharing your review, Pause for Tales~ Blueberry Bungalow sounds like an awesome romance for me to read and enjoy! I enjoyed following the tour and learning about it, Konnie! Good luck with your book and I hope the tour was a success! Thanks for sharing it with me! Have a spectacular weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting story. And the recipe sounds really good.
ReplyDelete