Labor of Love by Marguerite Martin Gray

 

About the Book

Book: Labor of Love

Author: Marguerite Martin Gray

Genre: Christian Historical  Romance

Release date: February 15, 2022

Something sinister lurks in Pitti Palace.

Despite having spent eight years as companion to her cousins, Ana Geovani still questions her role and place in the Medici household. This uncertainty compounds and alarms as her cousin’s marriage approaches and a marriage is arranged for Ana.

With no say in her own future, fear and despair dulls even the splendor of the gardens she holds so dear.

As the newest under gardener at the palace, Marco Rossi should have everything he’s dreamed of–beautiful gardens to tend and master architects and gardeners to learn from. Yet a secret mission threatens his peace of mind, his position, and even the love of Ana. Although God is always with him, reminding him of a bigger plan, Marco feels the weight of the consequences he will face if he challenges a Medici member.

The desires of men and women, both royal and common, create costly dilemmas and potential disasters of hearts and souls. What will it take for Marco and Ana to prevail against everything driving them apart?

 My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this story.  The main characters were well written and the whole thing was really entertaining.  I liked the kind of plots within plots or maybe it is the not knowing the motivations for certain.  I do wonder if this is really how it was for everyone back then.  All the schemes and plans.

I’ve become intrigued with courts of the time period and how they interacted.  This was one of those books that I just really enjoyed  and would be happy to pick up and read again.  There is an overarching theme of God's timing and His plans.  I enjoyed that and it was a well-timed read in my life.

4/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit.  I recorded this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Marguerite enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. She has two grown children and currently lives with her husband in north Louisiana. She writes historical fiction.

 

More from Marguerite

Are you a gardener? My mom calls me the accidental gardener. Is there such a thing? Well, I threw a pumpkin off my deck into a flower bed in December. By March, I had a garden full of beautiful, big pumpkins and luscious vines.

I love the idea of gardening, although I’m not very successful with my planting and grandiose plans. I stick with zinnias, potatoes, and onions. But I admire all kinds of gardens—flower and vegetable. Gardens are full of surprises—zingers in my ordinary life.

From the beauty of organized formal gardens like Versailles and Boboli to quaint, colorful English gardens, I relish the assault to all the senses. I’m refreshed, renewed, and relaxed just by being in a garden.

The birth of my Gardens in Time series arose from my travels. Labor of Love, set in the Boboli Gardens in Florence, springs from memories of wonder and beauty as I roamed the avenues and paths as a child and then an adult. I never had the adventures of Ana as she struggles and grows in the court of the Medici, but I walked in the Medici’s steps and let my imagination journey with Ana. She now has her own story.

I hope that you can experience some of the awe and amazement through Ana’s wanderings. I invite you to roam the Boboli Gardens with Ana.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 19

Texas Book-aholic, March 20

Inklings and notions, March 21

For Him and My Family, March 22

Betti Mace, March 23

deb’s Book Review, March 24

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 26

Connie’s History Classroom, March 27

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 28 (Spotlight)

Mary Hake, March 28

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 29

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 31 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Persuasion, March 31

Blossoms and Blessings, April 1

Inside the Wong Mind, April 2

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marguerite is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the 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/1bc99/labor-of-love-celebration-tour-giveaway