Tending Roses: Volume 1

I recently listened to an audio copy of “Tending Roses” and wasn’t sure if I would enjoy listening to it without traveling. Audio books use to keep me company as a traveled for work. Now retired, I knew listening at home would be a different experience. To my surprise, I found that listening to a good audio book isn’t any different than reading a good book. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. I have spent the weekend wanting to know more of Grandma Rose’s story and her wisdoms of life. I love her storytelling and writing her experiences in life in story format. In fact, I found myself relating as I started doing the same for my five grandchildren just this year. I am journaling my life in a special book for each of them. Grandmas Rose inspires me to tell them more. As I listened, I felt this family’s sadness in the misunderstandings that caused them to grow apart. But then felt their joy as Grandmas Rose help them mend their relationships.. Of course, Lisa Wingate’s storytelling always leaves me wanting more.

I originally read this book in paperback format back in 2014 and have just completed it again via audiobook. In 2014 it became my most favorite Lisa Wingate book since at that time we were making decisions for our Mother's last year of life. The fractured family gathers for one last Christmas at Grandma's house before making a decision as to where she will live since they've noticed the beginning stages of dementia overtaking her life. It spoke to me deeply and accurately represented the feelings of family facing tough decisions when not everyone agrees with decisions made. All the advice from Grandma Rose contained in her journal stories and the feelings expressed by the main character Kate Bowman as she read them endeared the book to me. Lisa has a gift for writing. I think I've read everything she's written and can highly recommend every one of her books. Tending Roses is a gem of a book full of relatable characters. They each have to decide for themselves what's important in life. Grandma Rose teaches them all what really matters when life is nearing its end. It's a beautiful story well written. The Audio version has been a wonderful addition to my library. It's brilliantly read by Allyson Ryan who manages to change her voice for each character and makes the book come to life. I've enjoyed listening to it in my car as I made the long trips into town from my rural home in TN. I still rate this as my all-time favorite book four years later. I highly recommend it both in written and audio format.

I absolutely love Lisa Wingate’s novels! Tending Roses is the first novel I read by this fabulous author ten years ago and remains one of my favorites. This beautiful storyline caught my attention and my heart from the very beginning. Lisa is a master at character development. Lisa’s unique story lines, settings and the very believable characters who struggle overcome hardship, experience personal growth, reconciliation, forgiveness and redemption really speak to me. Through her stories, I have been inspired by Lisa’s wisdom, laughed, cried and fallen in love with the cast of characters in each book. As with all of Lisa’s novels, I was saddened to see Tending Roses come to an end. Lisa truly has the uncanny ability to make you feel as if these are real people that you grow to know and care about. Gratefully, Tending Roses is the first book of a series so we can revisit the characters and follow their lives. It is always fun to check in and see how they are doing! The wisdom Grandma Rose shares with her granddaughter touched me deeply. Every family has struggles with relationships, but Lisa addresses many difficult issues with such insight and grace. As she drew me into the story, I gained new perspectives and even felt a little chastened from time to time about my own attitudes and narrow-mindedness. Lisa opened my eyes and heart in many new ways. Her stories have helped me to become a better mother, daughter, wife, and grandmother. This tender and heartwarming story is a novel to read again and again over the years. I am grateful it has been re-released for a new reading audience who may not be familiar with this wonderful author. Tending Roses will pull at your heartstrings and make you more appreciative of your family and loved ones-even the more difficult ones! The audio version is perfect for if you prefer to listen to a story rather than read it-or read it AND then listen to it! The narrator lends the characters an authentic southern charm! Tending Roses is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a beautifully well-written story with believable characters with a satisfying resolution.