Mrs. Flannery's Flowers

by Bethanne Kim

Big things are happening in Grantville since it was sent through time and space to war-torn seventeenth-century Germany, and up-timer nursing student Krystal Reed isn't handling it very well. She never wanted to live in Grantville and being sent back to the seventeenth century just makes it worse. Working with doctors who think bleeding is a legitimate medical practice and that women have no business in medicine is exasperating, to say the least—but their prejudices are no match for the new medical programs in Grantville and Jena. Now if only she can recover from losing her parents, her friends, her home, her college, and her future.

Nils Jorgensen and family are just a few of the thousands of down-timers looking for a new future in Grantville. They arrive with little more than their skills. Through hard work, the Jorgensens start a fashion empire.

For the elderly Irene Flannery, life is more about smaller, personal issues. With no family left up-time, her biggest worry now that’s she’s in the seventeenth century is having a married curate at the Catholic church (The scandal!) But she has kept a secret since FDR was President and she'll defend her rose bushes to the death because of it.

At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

Genres: Science Fiction

283 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 19, 2021

Reviews

[Marsha Valance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teenagers Krystal & Simon Reed are visiting cousins in Grantville when the tiny West Virginia town is translocated by alien "artists" to 1632 Germany. Widowed Irene Flannery has lived in Grantville for over 80 years, but still is outraged by the town's change in circumstances. As Grantville's residents move at their own pace through the 5 stages of grief, Nursing student Krystal remains in denial, convinced the town will snap back to the 21st century. The story follows the 3 protagonists as they impact 17th century Germany.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 bk 76. Mrs. Flannery was a termagant. Her quarrelsome, picky behavior was known throughout the community, but there was also a point to her nit-picking. When the teen who took care of her garden was left behind, she impressed Sam Reed into service. Sam grew to love working with the flowers and specifically the roses in her garden, but never quite understood Mrs. Flannery. This is ultimately, one of the most uplifting Ring of Fire Stories - even though it is told through the misery of grief.

[Rick Siegert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a very strong impact on me that was totally unexpected. This gave the backstory to an enigmatic, unlikeable character who was killed off by the Croats, early in the series, 1633? It told us some of her history, and what happened after her death. I've been reading the series since the first book, 1632, was discounted when the third book was released, and this one had a very strong impact on me that seems to be lasting. I highly recommend it! Just an fyi: Another one that still has this sort of lasting impact on me was '1636: The Devil's Opera'.

[Allen McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent addition

Here we get a fresh new authors take on Grantville and what life was like for people caught there completely unawares. The characters are richly developed and the complexity of how different world views stifles effective communication is well demonstrated. Recommended for all fans of the 1632 universe of novels.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ring of Fire storyline about how an older teen girl who is in Grantville when the Ring of Fire happened. She suffers depression and this book tells her story over the next few years. Interesting book and well done, giving another facet on the Ring of Fire realityverse.

[G H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene Flannery as no one could have imagined

A well written set of stories. One that concentrated on some characters who wouldn’t let go of getting “back” to the people left Uptime.

[Michael Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another set of stories around several people in Grantville who overcome the trauma of the Ring of Fire and make their new lives worthy. Filler tales of simple life changes and great steps from the old world ways to the new.

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tyvärr läste jag just att Flint är död, så detta är förmodligen den sista 163x-bok jag läser. De har varit ett nöje. Denna lika bra som de andra.

[Bonny Fuller-Fells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Flannery becomes a household name

From being the most unpopular woman in Grantville, her legacy is amazing. Her flowers are used to promote services for women and children.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good fun

Good story, interesting characters, well written & fun to read. I liked it very much & would be interested in reading other books by this author.