💐🦋 “The Monarch Fields” (The Midwestern Series #2) (2022) 🦋💐– Book Review
MY REVIEW
Publisher: Catawba Vale Publishing (April 6, 2022)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8428705508
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“When Taryn McPherson returns home with a broken heart, she has two objectives—focus on her teaching career and heal from her past. Her intentions are challenged when Rhett Huxley, the Nebraskan farmhand, returns for summer employment at her family's farm. Rhett aspires to repay his student debt and answer God's call to serve as an international missionary, and the last thing he needs is a beautiful distraction.
Will past regrets, diverging life paths, and the return of one sinister man
impede their chance at love?”
Thank you in advance to the author, Donnah M. Cole, for providing an advanced review copy through her launch team. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
After seeing the gorgeous cover, and I’m definitely drawn to purple covers, I really wanted to read this one. The blurb also stood out to me.
This is the second book of The Midwestern Series, and definitely the first book I’ve read by the author. The first book of the series, The Popcorn Fields, features Taryn’s sister, Norah. Some of what happens in Norah’s life is continued in this book. Anyone not wanting spoilers should definitely read the first book before this one.
I didn’t get a chance to read the first one, but this had enough in it to know the relationship between the two women. This focused more on Taryn, Nash, and Rhett than Norah and Trey.
In addition to Norah and Taryn, other characters are:
💐🦋 Nash (Taryn’s ex-boyfriend)
💐🦋 Rhett (adopted son of the Huxleys; working Taryn’s family’s property)
💐🦋 Wyatt (Rhett’s twin brother)
💐🦋 Evie (Waitress at café, has a “fling” with Nash)
💐🦋 Mr. Huxley (Rhett’s father)
💐🦋 Mrs. Huxley (Rhett’s mother)
💐🦋 Cordell (Rhett’s younger adopted brother)
💐🦋 Capri (Rhett’s younger adopted sister)
💐🦋 Colonel Duncan (WWII vet living on/near the Huxley’s property)
The beautiful cover depicts the lavender that Mrs. Huxley grows to keep the monarchs fed on their journey. It is also a symbolism for what the Huxley farm provided to their adoptive children as well as Taryn.
The characters are well written with Evie and Nash as the most realistic of the group.
This is a deeply Christian novel. The Christian elements exercised within are essential to the plot. There are messages that intimacy before and outside of marriage is thought of as bad, even referring to it as lust of the flesh and adultery of the heart. Those who are sensitive to the topic or the notion will want to exercise caution with this.
This also has mentions or depictions of domestic violence and potential cancer diagnosis.
This is told from Taryn, Rhett, and Nash’s points of view.
As it opens, Taryn has been away from her ex-boyfriend (Nash) for 10 months. But, she’s still overcome with the shame of the “physical” relationship as well as the thought of her part in a robbery.
While shopping for flowers for her sister Norah’s wedding, Taryn sees someone and passes out. Obviously it is someone from her past.
It is clear right off to the reader that Nash is there looking for Taryn – and of course it is the usual “he can’t give her up” deal. He even goes to the school where she is teaching to look for her, eventually tracking her down to her home.
At that point, her parents feel she would be safer at Rhett’s family’s place in Nebraska. Taryn has also “taken” to Rhett, but after learning of “Capri” – she isn’t so sure. That is until she meets his adopted younger sister.
Rhett also has to solve an issue with some cattle. But, he is even more conflicted about his impending missionary assignment and his feelings for Taryn.
It is in Nebraska, at the Huxleys’ farm, that Taryn begins “healing” from her past, especially under the guidance of Mrs. Huxley.
Nash follows and throws Taryn’s world into an upheaval with some devastating news. Even worse when Rhett gets word about his missionary assignment. Taryn is torn between helping Nash and staying on her path to walk away from him.
One ally helps her – Colonel Duncan. But, the man has his own doubts about Nash and his true motives. Taryn also has to deal with her growing feelings for Rhett and his for hers.
Cole uses beautiful imagery and emotional dialogue to weave an emotional story that takes readers through a journey of healing and forgiveness.
This isn’t a light read as the author takes us through Nash’s manipulation and lies, a tornado, and a disaster where Rhett is; thus, keeping the reader turning pages until the very end – an end that is expected, but a bit shocking; even including a death. I definitely shed a few tears while reading this.
The short chapters and easy flow made this a VERY quick read. There were a few issues with transitions and times, but it didn’t impact the story too much. The fast pace kept it going without rushing the story along.
It was definitely easy to start, hard to put down. It wasn’t a page turner, but it wasn’t boring either. It was complex yet simple. I loved the lessons that Mrs. Huxley taught Taryn as well as the readers.
Not to give away a spoiler, but there was mention of Nash and a theft from the church. While he got away with it, I would’ve liked to have known more about it and where the money went. Also, what is interesting is Nash never suspected Evie’s involvement in something. I’d definitely be interested in seeing how their story goes if there is another book in the series.
That’s not to say this was entirely serious. There was a funny moment when Rhett recalls an incident with an unruly “pet” cow and a fair – “she ran through a cheese curd booth, knocked over a funnel cake table, and mowed down a corn dog rack. Then, she knocked over the bottle stand carnival game and plowed over a clown who was twisting balloons into animal shapes”.
I don’t know why, but that part had me laughing so hard it literally hurt! I could even see it as I was reading it. It definitely felt natural and definitely set off the serious tone of the story.
I would highly suggest reading the first book in the series. And, I would be interested in reading future books in the series. Those who read The Popcorn Fields, or enjoy clean Christian fiction will definitely want to check this out.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
Bookbub – NOT LISTED
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Previous book in the series:
Publisher: Catawba Vale Publishing (September 27, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8470871480
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“When love dives deeper than a multitude of scars.
Norah McPherson has never been in love. Living on an isolated Iowan farm and hiding a facial scar limits her chances of finding someone to love. Her parents brag about her beautiful sister, the belle of the small town, and do little to help Norah with her insecurities. Things change though when her grandfather hires two handsome farmhands for the summer, and both show her the attention she craves.
Trey Collins has no desire to leave his California coastal town for a desolate Iowan farmland, but his past choices have landed him in trouble, leaving him with no choice. Upon his arrival, he meets Norah and is smitten by her simple charm and beauty. If only he can keep his past hidden so she can find a way to love him too.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Donnah M Cole has always been passionate about writing. She describes herself as a curious author who loves exploring different themes and motifs. As part of her writing process, she loves immersing herself in a project—diving headfirst into the research, production, and fine-tuning of the stories felt most worthy of sharing.
Donnah has a Master of Arts degree in Health Education from East Carolina University. More information can be found at: https://www.donnahmcole.net/.
She can also be found on the following social media networks:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tdmacole
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnahmcole/
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