A Time to Bloom–a Review by Patsy Ledbetter

A Time to Bloom is the second book in the Leah’s Garden Series. Written by Lauraine Snelling with Kiersti Giron, the novel is published by Bethany House Publishers (2022). The Seeds of Change is the first book in the series.



A Time to Bloom takes place in 1866 in Salton, Nebraska.  It focuses on a school teacher, Delphinium Nielsen. Throughout the story, characters come to accept the love and forgiveness of Jesus, and also come to accept His healing power.



Delphinium and her sisters, Forsythia, Lilac, and Larkspur have accomplished a lot with their move west. Settling in Nebraska, they have built a house out of sod and have started a garden dedicated to their mother who passed away. They are seriously considering building a boardinghouse for new folks coming west. They write to their older brother Anders, who is still in Ohio with his family, the family store, and the younger brother Jonah.



In upstate New York, a good friend of Anders from the Civil War, has just returned home to his sister and family. During the war, RJ Easton spent three years in the Army Corps of Engineers. He had entered the Union Army as a second lieutenant due to his three years at college studying engineering. He made it safely through the war, only to lose his eye on the journey home. A renegade jumped him at his campsite and stabbed him near his eye. As if that wasn’t enough, he also came home to find his sweetheart married. 



RJ is depressed and feeling empty when his friend Anders invites him to take a trip to Nebraska to visit his sister. RJ had believed in God at one time, but now is heartbroken and disillusioned. The trip on the train is long and RJ still experiences pain in his eye socket. Once in Nebraska, he appears grumpy and anti-social to Anders’ sisters. He stays with Forsythia and her doctor husband and children.



The other sisters, Lilac and Larkspur are thrilled to see Anders again after several years. He helps plan the boardinghouse, along with bringing more seeds for the garden. Delphinium is also eager to see a new schoolhouse built, as they are now using the church, due to the schoolhouse being destroyed by a recent tornado.



Time passes and Anders needs to return home. RJ stays to become the foreman of the boarding house. Forsythia’s husband tries to help RJ with the pain he is experiencing, and with his relationship with the Lord. RJ realizes that in his pain and hurt, he has pushed the Lord away. He feels the need to repent and once again experience a close relationship with Him.



After this happens, Delphinium sees RJ in a new light and realizes how much he is helping her family. When he leads a crew to build a new schoolhouse, she is sold. They begin pursuing a more serious relationship, based on God’s plans for them.



In the end, all is well. Characters have grown in their faith, content to follow His lead. I enjoyed this story very much. I know you will as well. This story is best enjoyed by readers eighteen and above.







Patsy Ledbetter has written poetry, short stories, devotionals, and book reviews for many years. She has also been a drama instructor, special needs teacher and substitute teacher. She and Kevin have been married for 41 years. They recently lost their oldest son Craig, age 33. They now have three children, Vanessa, Bethany and David. They also have four grandchildren, Elyse, Aurora, Hayden, and Molly. Kevin has been a music pastor most of his life and together they serve the Lord in a local church. Patsy loves to read, pray, and spend time outdoors and with family and friends. Her main desire is to bring glory to God through all the talents He has given her.