Sweet Rivals (2022) — A Celebrate Lit Tour: A Guest Post, My Thoughts, and a Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Sweet Rivals

Author: Kari Trumbo

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: March 29, 2022

Fay is about to lose her business to the only guy she’s ever thought might be good for her.

Fay Ravven has spent years building a floral business on Mimosa Island. Too bad a chain florist has moved in right down the street. As her business wanes, she realizes her rival is none other than Corbin Lowel, the very man who swept her heart away at her friend’s wedding.

Corbin knows he’s not good enough for Fay. His friends remind him all the time that, as a florist, he’s not really man enough for anyone. That doesn’t stop him from stepping out of his comfort zone and going to Fay’s store to see if she remembers him. That’s when he discovers that his business is killing hers.

What are rivals to do when they can’t stop thinking about each other? Plan the flowers for someone else’s wedding, of course.

When Corbin and Fay must see each other and work together, will they dive through their pain and reach for the stars? Or will the roses be too prickly for two hurt hearts?

Read the next Sparrow Island novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart. Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.

More from Kari

Nudge from the Almighty or personal desire?

Sometimes what we should do is as clear as mud. When I first felt the call to write, I worried that it was a “me” thing. I worried that the nudge that I felt was for my own glory. It didn’t matter that I felt the desire to write Christian fiction. We can do all the things we think are right and still be in the wrong place according to God’s will.

When I literally felt captive to the idea of writing—like, I couldn’t move forward without doing something about it—then I finally considered that perhaps this was God’s will and not just me wanting something. But it took years of the Holy Spirit prodding me before I ever acted.

Fay is like that. She starts her flower business certain she is doing the will of God and it helps that she really wants it too. But she works so hard, putting in so many hours, that she forgets about why she started it and it becomes all work for her own glory. Her business.

Enter Corbin, a really sweet guy who is in the wrong place at the wrong time and is used by God to nudge Fay away from her idol and into a deeper relationship. He’s a rival flower shop owner, and the only guy she’s ever felt a connection. Which makes for some pretty interesting dialogue for the two of them.

Fact is, none of us likes to hear that our desire—especially when we think we’re doing the right thing—is wrong. No one ever wants loving correction by a Heavenly Father who cares about us deeply. We’re supposed to get it right.

Fay has to find out if it’s her business that’s getting in the way of her relationship or if it’s really a heart issue. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out along with her.

Kari

My Thoughts

Sweet Rivals by Kari Trumbo is the first Trumbo novel I’ve read, and I’ve got to say this is a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed my time on Sparrow and Mimosa Islands with these characters. There is a lot to like about this story. I really appreciate how unique the hero, Corbin, is. He reminds me in some ways of my own sweet husband. Corbin pays attention to details, he’s genuinely good, and he is a super sweet and romantic guy. He isn’t the typical masculine romance hero built like a linebacker. Instead, he’s a slighter-built, sensitive man who knows flowers and appreciates fashion and style. But he’s also a man who knows his way around a car’s engine. I like how diverse his character is. He’s so well-rounded. He’s not perfect though. He deals with his fair share of insecurities — some learned over time, and some created by the cruel, hate-filled words of others. I love how Fay helps Corbin overcome his insecurities through her daily demonstration of loyalty and love and friendship. And I really appreciate how she isn’t afraid to speak truth even when Corbin is unwilling to accept it in the moment. That’s a testament to a real relationship — speaking truth even when it’s difficult to do so. Speaking of truth, my most favorite moment occurs when Fay ruminates to herself that Corbin may not be like other men, he may not fit the “hero” type, but he is just the guy for her. I love this because it is so true. People may not fit a worldly mold and that is 100% OK. No matter what we look like, how we dress, or what personality types we have, we matter just as we are, as God made us. And for most, there is that one someone who is just the guy/gal we need.

Coming in just under 200 pages, Sweet Rivals is a novel that packs a punch. There is a ton of depth to this sweet love story. I enjoyed every minute and I highly recommend it. If you are in the mood for a well-written, fast-paced, highly engaging and totally endearing Contemporary Romance then definitely check out a copy of Sweet Rivals. You won’t be disappointed you did.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Celebrate Lit, via Bookfunnel. I also checked out a KindleUnlimited copy of this novel from Amazon.com on April 17, 2022, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Kari is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of Sweet Rivals!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

Click the link below to enter.

PromoSimple Link

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Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 19

lakesidelivingsite, April 20

Texas Book-aholic, April 20

Inklings and notions, April 21

For Him and My Family, April 22

By the Book, April 22

deb’s Book Review, April 23

Blossoms and Blessings, April 23

The Christian Fiction Girl, April 24

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 25

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, April 26

She Lives To Read, April 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 27

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 28 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

Miriam Jacob, April 29

CarpeDiem, April 30

Connect in Fiction, April 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 1

Simple Harvest Reads, May 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Splashes of Joy, May 2