The Grandest Garden - by Gina L Carroll (Paperback)

About the Book

"In this coming-of-age story about the cycle of life in and out of the garden, Bella Fontaine comes to understand as a young woman trying to make her way in the world, that when it's time to leave home, it's time--whether you feel ready or not."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In this coming-of-age story about the cycle of life in and out of the garden, Bella Fontaine comes to understand as a young woman trying to make her way in the world, that when it's time to leave home, it's time-whether you feel ready or not.

Review Quotes

"Gina L. Carroll pens a beautifully written novel about family and the strong bonds that develop to make us who we are. The storyline is creatively woven with the magical essence of Mother Earth in each chapter. There is a sense of spirituality surrounding the characters and their beliefs that permeates throughout the novel. Dementia is a theme that was sensitively tackled by the author, highlighting that many people will experience this with their aging loved ones. . . . a captivating story that drew me in from the very beginning."
-Readers Favorite

"What a wonderful experience it is to tumble into the glorious gardens, as well as the extraordinary lives, of Bella Fontaine's family. The author's smooth prose brings to vivid life, the smells, sights, and wondrous textures of an astonishing array of flowers and herbs as she weaves Bella's tale of love, devotion to her grandmothers, and her commitment to the fragile task of loving, supporting, and embracing the important people in her life. Gina Carroll deftly weaves a story of beauty, heartbreak, survival, and ultimately, enduring love."
--Anita Bunkley, author of The Twisted Crown

"The Grandest Garden is a beautiful and delicate knitting together of intertwined stories with various colors and patterns from different generations, religions, racial backgrounds, and lifestyles, creating a magnificent quilt that gently wraps itself around you, tenderly holding you in a magical and mystical world from the first sentence to the last."
--Menah Pratt, Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity, Professor of Education, Virginia Tech; author of Blackwildgirl: A Writer's Journey To Take Back Her Superpower

"Gina Carroll's storytelling prowess is nothing short of enchanting. In this literary gem, readers are transported into the intricately woven tapestry of Nan's and Gran's gardens, places so vividly portrayed that you'll swear you can feel the earth beneath your feet and smell the flowers and herbs in the breeze. The author's gift for imagery is nothing short of magical. . . . just when you think you have the story figured out, brace yourself for a plot twist that will leave you gasping in disbelief. The narrative takes unexpected turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very last word."
--Kim Bady, author of Authentically Me and contributor to Stories Are Medicine: Writing to Heal

"Gina Carroll has given us a story in The Grandest Garden about gardens, art and grandmothers and their power to heal. Belle Fontaine flees California and her troubled family to pursue her photography in New York and make a life for herself. An inspirational narrative that awakens all the senses as the reader follows Bella's journey to grow and move forward while she circles back to reconnect to her loving beginnings."
--Linda Moore, award-winning author of Five Days in Bogotáaacute;

About the Author

Gina Carroll is an author, speaker, and editor who believes that everyone has a story that matters. Also the author of 24 Things You Can Do with Social Media to Help Get into College, she helps students use their social media to share their best stories and show their highest selves online; and as a partner at Inspired Wordsmith, a writing services business, Gina helps aspiring writers and business professionals get their life stories in print. A longtime freelancer and blogger, she has written thousands of articles on an exhaustive variety of subject matter, in addition to maintaining her own four blogs. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she currently lives with her husband and children in Houston, Texas.