Desert Willow

by Patricia Beal

After a failed engagement, Captain Andrew Lee James has focused on building a career in the Army he loves. That commitment includes helping a feisty, out-of-work ballerina whose devotion to her grandmother’s dying wish immediately grabs his heart. She’s the one, but will he be able to win the heart of a woman who has vowed to never be involved with a soldier?

College graduate Clara Malone swore to never love anyone in the military again but when her dying grandmother asks her to deliver a love letter to the general who broke her heart decades ago, she agrees and finds herself escorted by a handsome Army captain whose kindness challenges her beliefs. Surrounded by desert willows that shower her path with pretty pink flowers and sing with the buzzing of hummingbirds, Clara enjoys the wild beauty of El Paso—and her time with Andrew—more than expected.

Can she deliver her grandmother’s last love letter without losing her heart to a man who represents everything she fears?

Genres: Contemporary, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Christian Fiction

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2020

About the author

Novelist | Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas & Editora Pandorga. DESERT WILLOW released in February of 2020 :) #ASeasonToDance #Ballerina #Artist.

Connect:
www.patriciabeal.com
www.facebook.com/patricia.beal.author
www.twitter.com/bealpat

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, all I can say is, this story blew me away! Keep the tissues close by as you are reading DESERT WILLOW by Patricia Beal. She will have your emotions all over the place. Once I started reading, it was very hard to stop! The twists and turns made it impossible to put down, as I had to know what was going to happen to Clara after so much heartache! What an awesome story. All of Patricia’s characters feel genuine and relatable and put your emotions on one heck of a roller coaster ride. As you are reading, you will find yourself cheering for all of them, praying they can work out their problems and be happy once again. You will also wonder how much heartache a person can stand before they completely break down and shatter.

DESERT WILLOW is all about family and the past and the secrets that come out are heart tugging. It had me flipping through the pages like a woman on a mission. I had to know what was going to happen to Clara and Andrew and all the secondary characters. Clara is On a mission to deliver a letter for her grandmother. The letter is to be given to a man who broke her grandmother’s heart many many years ago. As she learns the story between these two, she is torn about what to do. She meets Andrew, a soldier, and even though she has sworn not to get involved with military men, she is taken with him. He helps her get reintroduced to the Lord even though she doesn’t feel worthy. Maybe she can find the meaning of her life once again. DESERT WILLOW is a heart tugging story that will hold you hostage until the very last page. Once you start reading, it will be very hard to put down!

DESERT WILLOW is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read this year so far. I was instantly emotionally invested in all of the characters. My heart broke for Clara and Andrew and for all they we’re dealing with. Patricia Beal really knows how to write about family drama, heartbreak, and forgiveness. I can not wait to read more by this wonderful and heart tugging author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book JustRead Publicity Tours . Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clara Malone has come to El Paso to deliver a letter to a man (from her grandmother's Renata past) that she has never met but knows her grandmother in Brazil.
When Andrew James first sees Clara he is taken in by Clara's beauty and dare I say seems to fall in love with her at first sight? Andrew is a graduate of West Point and is a career army man, something that at first, puts Clara on edge as she wants to avoid anything to do with the army due to a past involvement that left her hurt and angry. I found the first part of the story to be hard to get past as Clara was on guard with Andrew and Colonel Howard and his family, but as Clara opened her heart to the possibilities she seems much more accepting of her situation. It was nice to see her bloom under the new situations opening up for her in El Paso. Her desires sprang up in a place that she had no intention of staying, but of course, God had other plans.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to Desert Willow. The narrator had a pleasant voice that worked well for the story and made me want to keep listening.

The story itself was very heartfelt and touching. Clara and Andrew were very likable characters. They both had heartache from their childhoods and from their adult years. Different stories and different pain, yet all of these experiences impacted them and made them into the people they were.

I loved listening as their relationship developed into a romance and hoped that they would be able to work through the issues that arose from Clara’s past. I thought that Clara’s faith walk was very realistic, as was the way she had lived her life prior to understanding more about God’s love.

The story line involving Clara’s grandmother’s romance from the past was definitely intriguing! I loved learning more and more as the book progressed. This story made me feel like I was right there in El Paso, Texas, experiencing the desert and the military base, as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this audio book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...

[Hallie (Hallie Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I reviewed Desert Willow by Patricia Beal back in April, but I love audiobooks too much not to want to revisit her lovely story of family, forgiveness, and love.

Now, the narration of this story between a ballerina and an officer is solid. (Full disclosure: I do not tend to be too picky about narrators.) At times, I did notice that certain lines sounded cheesier when voiced rather than when read, and repeatedly, characters said, “I will…” which looks fine, but did not sound quite natural. Still, the overall audiobook brings life to the words of Desert Willow and proves enjoyable to hear.

If you enjoy inspirational romance and need a new audiobook, check this one out.

This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.

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At the wishes of her grandmother, Clara Malone heads to El Paso to deliver a love letter. This mission brings her Captain Andrew Lee James, and it is no surprise that attraction sparks between the two—but they both have serious reasons for not wanting to pursue a relationship. Still, their time together inspires growth, change, and maybe, exactly what they need to move forward.

Patricia Beal’s Desert Willow is an emotionally engaging read. From beginning to end, I felt invested in this story of family, forgiveness, and love and loved seeing the development of the characters throughout the pages. It is definitely a solid pick for any reader in need of some inspirational romance.

This review is also posted on Hallie Reads.

I received complimentary copies of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book to the fullest! And it's been a long time since I've read anything by this author. I wasn't disappointed. She's a great writer that has done her research well.
This is a story about forgiveness, truth and love. Oh and I can't leave out 2nd chances. I love those stories best! Especially when the author includes God! For He's left out of so many things, places, and people's lives! So sad.
But, there are still some of us who love Him including me. I was saved at 14 years old. Yes, I've made mistakes just like Clara and Andrew. But, the best thing of all is God's love. He wants our hearts not the past things that we have done because that's where Grace and forgiveness comes in. We only need to come to Him and ask for forgiveness and plus we need to forgive ourselves. To me, that's the hard part. Forgiving yourself.
I loved this story on so many levels! I finished it in a couple of days. I wanted to savor this story. I don't like to say goodbye to my friends!
Sometimes it takes just the right people to lead us back to the Lord's arms. I wish that were the case for my son. Heaven wouldn't be the same without him. Yes, I'm starting to cry as I write this review. Because he needs just the right person to help him.
I'm glad that Clara and Andrew prayes to the Lord. For us, prayers are our lifeline to our Lord Jesus. I'm delighted to have Clara and Andrew as friends!
There are some excellent supporting characters in this book too. One of them is Alice. She's so delightful and so energetic. I love her enthusiasm for life.
The plot is wonderful too. This book will show you that God will put you where you need to be and I loved that He has a plan for Clara. She just didn't know it yet. I call that life's adventures.
This story will keep you riveted to your seat and eagerly turning the pages as we see how Clara and Andrew manage to get through their day to day lives. And you'll not be disappointed!
There wasn't one thing that I didn't love about this book! I love every minute of it!
I just wanted to add the setting was wonderful! Beal had described I so well that I can see it in my mind perfectly.
I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book! It's so very good!
My thanks to Just Reads Tours for a complimentary copy of this book.
I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Willow is an engaging romantic contemporary. It is a quite emotional story and touches on some deep issues including family secrets, forgiveness of others, and forgiving oneself. I also have to say that it's a very unique story. I found several aspects engaging. There is a bit of family history, a mysterious letter, and a handsome military man. Although at first I was not sure how to feel about the romance, Andrew's tender chivalry won me over easily, though I understood Clara's reluctance due to life circumstances beyond her control, as well as some mistakes that she made in her past. However, even his limits are tested when he finds out some things about Clara, and I loved that Beal brings to life the battle between true forgiveness versus lip service to the idea of it. Clara makes some bold choices in her newly formed faith, and I loved seeing those precious seeds take root and begin to grow. I appreciated how both characters have very realistic reactions - Clara to the idea of God and her family secrets, and Andrew to the idea that maybe his standards as a Christian are more exacting than he realizes.

There is also a strong sense of place. The story is set in El Paso, and the author paints a beautiful picture for the reader. The details of ballet are exquisite as well, and Clara's love for dance is palpable. It's where she feels the most at home and alive, and I enjoyed that about her. I appreciate that Beal handles delicate topics with a deft hand; it is refreshing for Christian fiction to talk about sex before marriage, what it means to truly forgive, as well as struggling to feel like you're living a life of purpose.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the author; I was not required to post a positive review, and this review is my honest opinion.

[Jessica Baker (A Baker's Perspective) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beal has give readers a story of second chances, heartache, love, and forgiveness. With relatable characters and emotions aplenty, readers will find themselves enjoying their time with Clara and Andrew. And who doesn’t love a sweet story about fulfilling a grandmother’s dying wish?

I found myself gravitating towards Clara in the story. There was something that really turned her against dating military men, and when the truth came out, it was not at all what I was expecting. But it made her real, vulnerable, and just someone I could totally relate to. I can’t reveal any spoilers here, but let me just say that I actually liked the fact that Beal took that storyline in this direction. The truth of the matter is that stuff like that happens in real life, probably more often than we think. There’s something about a story that includes real life scenarios – I’m talking about ones that most Christian authors shy away from. What they can ultimately lead to is the Lord. Seeing Clara’s journey was my favorite part of the entire story!

Readers will find themselves reaching for the tissues as they read this emotional story. Beal delivers just the right amount of romance, adventure, and spiritual growth. Contemporary Romance readers will be hooked from start to finish. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dating a soldier always sounded like a good idea, but it was never a good idea.”

Ordinarily, I shy away from contemporary romance. Romance in general is not high on my list of favorite genres, although historical romance often lands on my review list due to the ubiquity of the category in Christian fiction. However, I took a chance with this author’s debut, “A Season to Dance”, and I was impressed, so of course I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to read and review her next book. As it turns out, I enjoyed this one more! This speaks to the author’s skill in writing an engaging story, and particularly to her Christian perspective, because honestly the military aspect, desert setting, and complicated romances that make up this story would all normally be turn-offs for me.

A standalone novel about the power of the past and its influences and reverberations, Patricia Beal’s “Desert Willow” captures readers’ hearts from the very first chapter. What begins with instant attraction goes on to play out with intentionality and the vagaries of romance between people with complicated histories. As Lysander so aptly remarks in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The course of true love never did run smooth.” There is Renata Lambert and Mario Madeiros, whose paths disastrously diverged decades ago, and Army Captain Andrew James and ballerina Clara Malone, who face their own challenges in building a relationship in the present. Andrew and Clara should repel one another as opposites, yet somehow they continue to grow more fond of each another. However, pieces of their past return and threaten to destroy what they have built, a recurring theme in the characters’ lives.

Beal creates credible backstories for her characters in this evocative novel without overwhelming readers with info dumps, and she also balances the emotions in the story so that the more serious scenes have moments of laughter or lightness afterward. Although unequally yoked because Andrew is a Christian, he and Clara enjoy spending time together, and I always appreciate when an author keeps things clean. In an increasingly immoral world, people like Andrew are becoming more difficult to find, and his positive influence and sweet demeanor endear him all the more. He remains confident in the Lord, certain that “One day dream and reality would occupy the same space.” The path may not be smooth, and the journey may not be easy, but when we trust and follow the Lord’s guidance, we will always find ourselves right where we should be.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[Suzie Waltner · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Patricia Beal’s sophomore release, readers are gifted with a story of family, falling in love, finding your place, and forgiveness (for both others and ourselves).

Clara is a character who is easy to connect with. She’s young, passionate about dance, and her love of Dollar General borders on humorous at times. She’s also made mistakes, struggles to forgive herself, and is foundering with life decisions after college graduation. In other words, she’s human.

Desert Willow tackles some tough issues including infidelity, broken families, and living with regret. But in the end, letting go of harsh judgments, trusting in the grace of God, and honest conversations carry Clara through the dark moments.

A sweet romance with a strong message of grace, this is one to add to the TBR list.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[MJSH · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's daring to dream dreams so big that only God can get you there."

Patricia Beal has such a charming and unique voice that speaks through pain, broken dreams, sin, and suffering to bring forth redemption, forgiveness and restoration. Seen from third person perspectives of Clara and Andrew, the reader gets the opportunity to travel through time and space as the heartbreaks of three generations of women in Clara's family unfold. Both Clara and Andrew are quite likable and their struggles real. Sent on a journey to deliver a letter for her ill grandmother, Clara finds herself in El Paso, Texas with only her love for her grandmother and degree in dance to see her through the mission. There she finds Andrew, a dedicated Army captain who is nothing like any man she's ever known before. Their relationship is riddled with past hurts and uncertainty but God uses even these difficult circumstances to bring them closer to Himself. Clara's redemption is heartfelt and amazing to behold. Though a mature Christian, Andrew does struggle with temptation and forgiveness and he's not painted as a two-dimensional perfect believer, which was refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed the world of ballet that makes up Clara's world and the world of service and everything Army that makes up Andrew's world.

If you enjoy uplifting contemporary romance, you will enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book from LPC Books via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

[Becky Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia Beal brings the desert heat and beauty to those of us trapped at home. I could feel the heat waves and see the desert willow trees with their delicate visitors.
Desert Willow is both a story of beauty and ugliness. We see young, first loves, a beautiful ballet dancer, and military men. We feel the striking allure of the desert and hearts that waltz closer and closer to love.
But before the final chord is played, dissonance rears its ugly head. Jealousy, hatred, unforgiveness, immaturity, selfishness, and judgment all rise to the surface.
Will the baser natures win, or will Christ and His love be allowed to shine forth and dissipate the darkness?
I loved Alice and her family and how they treated both Andrew and Clara. I thought Alice was a hero the way she decided to love her dad through thick and thin. I was a little disappointed with the continual emphasis on the battle of the physical attraction- yes, it’s real, but is that what I want to fill my mind with?
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. This in no way affects my opinions, for which I am solely responsible.

[Becca Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story:
I really enjoyed Patricia Beal's debut novel A Season to Dance, so I was excited to pick this one up. I like that the author is willing to go to places that might make people a little uncomfortable, but she does it to create real characters with real issues, so that the redemption experienced comes across as more genuine and maybe even relatable. For my own personal taste the romance developed too quickly and was too heavily based on physical chemistry, but I know others might not be bothered so much. As the story progressed I entered into a love-hate relationship with both Clara and Andrew. Initially I felt that Andrew was "too good" but without going into too much detail, that changed. Clara was harder to figure out, but I started to appreciate her more as I learned more about her story and she grew as a person.

Narrator:
I was unfortunately not a huge fan of the narrator in this case. The pacing was off and her character voices were too similar so it was difficult to keep track of the dialogue and new paragraphs. The narration sounded more like a read-a-loud instead of someone who was aware of the story and would match their energy and tone to fit the content. If I was to recommend this book to a friend I would be much more likely to recommend the print or e-book version for this reason.

*I received a copy of this audiobook through JustRead Tours. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is an incredibly touching story about second chances, timing, forgiveness, and stepping out of your comfort zone, letting go of fear, and taking a chance. I fell head over heels in love with Andrew and his pursuit of Clara, the ballerina that is stubborn to a fault, refusing him at first, but finally giving in to her heart. Theirs is the main focus but what really intrigued me about this novel was the reason for Clara and Andrew meeting: Clara's grandmother's dying wish for Clara to deliver a letter to her ex-love, a retired Army general, a story that few characters know about.

While witnessing Andrew and Clara's relationship blossom the unknowing characters get tidbits about the reason behind the letter, which fit in swimmingly. Old love co-mingles with new love in a beautiful way!

Wonderfully written amid the beautiful hills of El Paso, Texas, the imagery is vivid and pure, giving the perfect backdrop to this emotional story and I sincerely enjoyed this novel from cover to cover!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Willow

Clara comes to El Paso with a letter. She has to wait
until her grandfather gets better before opening it. I recommend reading the book to see what the surprise is in the letter.

Clara meets Andrew and they start dating. I enjoyed Clara and Andrew relationship. I loved how the book was so inspirational. This is a fast reading book, I read most of it in one evening. I loved Clara’s character and how she was so close to her family.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, if a bit slow, for my taste. I liked Andrew and how he had such a strong faith in God, yet I question why he almost married a woman who doesn't sound like she was a Christian. I also felt like he got involved too quickly with Clara as she had turned away from her faith years ago. I was annoyed that Andrew and Clara both were considering their exes again, especially after what they each had done to them. I also felt like Clara somewhat excuses herself for the situation with her ex before even though she knew it was wrong. I did like the discussions about their faith and that they prayed and attended church. I thought the mystery of the letter was intriguing and also what she ended up finding out. There was some sweet romance. There's a strong theme of not judging and forgiving yourself and others. The narrator was fine as I listened to it on Audible though I did have to listen at 1.5 - 2.5 speed, otherwise way too slow. You might like it if you like stories about second chances, military or ballerinas.

I received a free Audible version of this story from the author. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don't read Contemporary Romance, but the synopsis and cover of this book, really drew me to read it. I am VERY glad that I did, as this book is a Page Turner from beginning to end.

Clara is the main character in the book. She just graduated from college and is starting to pursue her dancing career. She is summoned by her grandmother to deliver a Letter to a Captain in the Military. She has sworn off men of the Military, but honors her grandmother by agreeing to deliver this letter. She meets Andrew, the Captain in the Military. Though she swore off Military men, the 2 form a friendship. After doing some "self digging" into their past and seeking to heal from their past, their friendship becomes more.

I really love the theme in this book. The fact that working through past hurts and allowing God to show you his plan, can lead to roads you thought you could never travel. For Clara, that road was one of being involved with a Military man. She was able to get past that fear and found a beautiful relationship with a wonderful man. Patricia Beal is a new to me author, but I am looking forward to reading many of her books. GREAT book and Fantastic storyline!

[Deon]

Free on Kindle
June 29

https://amzn.to/3dKEycj

[Penny Haavig · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a beautiful love story. I enjoyed it immensely. However, I was looking for more ballet
segments.

[Shonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters were great and I felt drawn to them. This was a book that draws the reader in and keeps the pages turning. The story keeps your mind spinning with questions into all the relationships. I relished in the fact that Andrew doesn’t believe in intimacy before marriage and walks in a relationship with God. His desire for Clara to know God and to show her how it makes a difference in marriage. Forgiveness and secrets revealed have the readers emotions so entwined with the characters. Gods goodness and forgiveness changes lives forever and the author does a fantastic job of showing this. What a most excellent read!
Was given a complimentary audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Ebosereme Nwamu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the chemistry between Andrew and Clara even though to me it happened fast.
I understood Clara's reservations because of past experiences, that was relatable but I loved how Andrew took His time to make her see things the right way.

The most admirable trait of Andrew's was his faith and his eagerness to search it and care for others around him.

I admired Clara for her willingness to deliver a letter on behalf of her grandmother.

Thrown together by a story not their's Clara and Andrew create their own unique story.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Dee Wolters · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review: Clara graduated from college with her degree in dance. Now the hard work starts, getting paid to dance. While her mother is in Brazil with her ill grandmother, Clara heads to Texas to deliver a letter. The strange request is the last thing her grandmother asked of her, and to honor her, she is now in Texas.

Andrew is stationed in Texas and was excited to hear that a friend from overseas is heading to the same duty station. When he arrives at the air port to greet the family, he is surprised to someone else meeting them too. Immediately, he thinks Clara is a beautiful woman with a sweet spirit, and wants to get to know her.

This is a sweet story of two young people who are dealing with old hurts and learning to move on and love again. I enjoyed the story. It was a bit predictable at times, but it moved along at a good pace. I read this while traveling and liked it.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Raechel Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well written story about Clara Malone, a ballerina, and Andrew James, a Captain in the Army. Despite their initial background hesitations to start a relationship, they are undeniably drawn to each other upon first meeting, and this story follows their relationship as they each deal with their own struggles, and forgivenes.

There’s, of course, more to their story than that, but I figure you can read the description to get a better understanding ;)

I enjoy the author’s writing style, and it’s easy to stay interested. I didn’t really connect with either character, but I still enjoyed seeing their story play out. There were a couple instances where their actions bugged me (not their past decisions…), but I was glad to see them resolved. The message of faith was accomplished in a delicate but meaningful way and I appreciated that being the end goal of the story.

I also enjoyed the ballet aspect – I’ve never been in or around ballet, but it’s interesting to read about.

I received an electronic copy from the publishers through Celebrate Lit. All thoughts expressed are my own.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review:

Oh how I love a heart-tugging transformation story! The spiritual elements throughout Andrew and Clara's lives are inspiring and yet they don't overshadow the other aspects of the story. Instead, they enhance the richness, depth, and emotional details. Forgiveness, grace, and second chances are central themes, with enough character growth to make your heart overflow.

I connected with Clara and sympathized with her unease, and respected her perseverance through hard times. Clara's ballet dreams and dance references were refreshing and enlightening for a non-dancer like me, and added complexity and visualization.

Andrew is also an interesting character, though it took me a bit more to connect fully with him. His dedication, patience, and faith are what truly won me over. Growing up in a military family, I could relate to him on a personal level.

I love how this story shows that we are put in certain circumstances and places in our lives that are just meant to be--whether we understand them at the time or not. God has a purpose to move us forward and this is shown in Clara and Andrew's story. I enjoyed their journey.

Audio Narration: Maryann Carlson has a clean voice and puts me in mind of the narrator from the television show, Desperate Housewives. Her inflection is expressed with clarity making her easy to understand.

Audio Production Quality: The production quality of this audiobook is clear with no distracting background noises.

Overall Opinion: The story captured my attention, I sympathized with the characters, and their reactions are believable. It fits well into the Christian Fiction genre, and carries a wonderful messages of forgiveness, grace, and new beginnings.

Publisher: Candlelight Romance
Author: Patricia Beal
Narrator: Maryann Carlson
Audio Length: 9hrs 12 min
Pages (printed length): 264

I received a complimentary audio copy of this book from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would happen if a young woman, who has vowed never to become involved with a military man, suddenly finds herself working with a man dedicated to his Army career? Could that soldier, who is also a caring and devoted Christian, convince her to change her mind?

I love it when an author can entertain and inspire at the same time and author Patricia Beal has accomplished this in her story. Desert Willow centers on two people who are brought together in their efforts to help a dying woman and even though their attraction is strong, it appears that there are too many obstacles standing in their way. Clara Malone is determined to avoid any involvement with a military man and she has also drifted away from any personal relationship with God. As she observes Captain Andrew James and his very deep commitment to God, she begins to believe that she can also experience this until... her confession of past mistakes threaten any hopes for a happy future. As she watches Andrew's reaction, Clara tells him "The first night we went out you said that sometimes Christians are the only Bible most people will ever read.....You're not being a very good Bible right now. You are not representing Christ well. And I don't want to be like you."

Beal successfully portrays Clara's faltering steps toward redemption and Andrew's initial struggle to accept Clara's past. Desert Willow is a powerful reminder that God's Grace is available to each of us. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a strong faith element, you will certainly enjoy Desert Willow.

I received a copy of this book from the author via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

[Deb Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful redemption story

A beautiful story of God’s grace and redemption of poor choices for His glory. Nice, quick read, I enjoyed every minute of it.

[Becca (Reflections From My Bookshelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this story. From the start, I've been intrigued by Clara's family history and letter. I couldn't wait to find out what happened! I don't know a lot about the military so this was neat to get a glimpse of it.  I  It's been fun to watch her relationship with Andrew.  I especially liked "walking" beside her in her journey as she learned and discovered who she was in Christ. I think the reader can take away from this book valuable lessons. I love how Patricia Beal weaves her love of dancing in this story. It made me want to dance. 

I listened to the audiobook for part of this story. The narrator paced the story well and I was interested in the story. She didn't seem rushed with it. The only thing was it was sometimes hard to distinquish between the characters voices and the narrator. They were similar enough that I had to listen carefully in order to determine whether the character was talking or she was talking about them.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook & book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desert Willow is a journey that you will want to come along on. A journey of Faith, forgiveness, redemption, second chances, and self forgiveness. The characters are flawed and real and you will need tissues as you read Clara’s story. I loved the mystery of what her grandmother’s letter contains that Clara has been asked to deliver. I won’t elaborate as I don’t want to contain spoilers but her grandmother’s story is expertly woven into Clara’s story. Andrew is a wonderful character that is strong in his faith and is not afraid to pray and share it. I was caught up in the emotional pain of Clara as she learns how to forgive herself and put past sins in the past and move toward the future that God has planned for her. The redemptive power of Christ is shown as He makes beauty out of the ashes. An enjoyable read that you won’t want to put down. I stayed up way to late reading.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desert Willow by Patricia Beal is an experience. This is the type of novel that begins slowly but builds solidly over time. I found the plot engaging and quite unique. I absolutely love the dance moments and appreciate Clara’s passion, energy, and talent for ballet. Beal’s detailed dancing scenes are exquisite. I felt like I was with Clara and Andrew as they enjoyed a live presentation of Giselle and as they were learning how to do the Waltz. I found the relationship between Clara and Andrew, while seriously quick to ignite, rather relatable and realistic. What I appreciate the most about this story though is Clara’s growth as both a woman and a Christian. I actually found this component of the story to be superbly written. Overall, Desert Willow is a Contemporary Romance I heartily recommend.

To me, Clara is a very relatable character. Instead of appreciating the moment she is in, Clara is often stuck worrying about her next move. She has recently graduated from college and has applied for numerous jobs but has not been successful. Also, her beloved grandmother is very sick and is on Death’s door so to speak. Grandma has tasked Clara with an important and incredibly meaningful job. Instead of seeing the joy in helping her dying grandmother, Clara is only able to see what she doesn’t have — more time with grandma, a job, a life purpose, a home of her own, money, etc. It isn’t until Clara’s mother scolds her that Clara wakes up. Clara’s mom states, Be happy right now. You always have your eyes set on the next thing — the next station. You never seem to enjoy the ride. Open the windows. Enjoy the view. Talk to the other passengers. After her wise mother’s scolding, Clara realizes that she has been letting what could be some of her best moments in life pass her by. Clara understands that she needs to be more tuned in and appreciative of the moments God has placed her in.

This message spoke volumes to me. I’m a lot like Clara. I often look at the BIG picture and see all the many holes in my story. Then I work myself into a frenzy trying to fill those holes with all the stereotypical “meaningful” things that I believe life should be filled with. Along the way, I steamroll over all the little, seemingly insignificant moments in my life. How many of God’s bountiful blessings have I potentially missed along my life’s journey because I couldn’t be content in the moment? This question definitely has me thinking and reevaluating myself, and I realize that I now want to be a bit more like Clara — more intentional in the moments God has me in.

Desert Willow is a novel I will not soon forget. With an engaging plot, uniquely relatable characters, and very timely themes, Desert Willow is most definitely a contemporary romance I highly recommend.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review. My infinite thanks to Patricia Beal for this blessing. I do know the author personally; however, this had no influence on my rating.

But she gets a glowing one.

Patricia Beal's sophomore gem is stunning. Intricate. Layered. Lovely. And many other words that still could never do it justice. She has a knack for weaving stories within stories and inserting twists that are so poignant and beautiful that the heart aches in the loveliest of ways. I cried my way through the last few chapters (no small feat to read through a veritable Niagara Falls of joy and heartache), wanting the fullness of the story but never wanting it to end.

Pay attention to this novel - small details wrap through the story like loving arms, so strong and secure you can almost forget they're there until they are thrust into the forefront again. I am touched, convicted by Desert Willow.

Beal's descriptions deserve their own mention. She gives the perfect amount to paint a bright picture in the mind's eye, but leaves enough a mystery that the reader can create his or her own individual experience. In A Season to Dance, I could pull up from memory many of the places mentioned because they were warm and familiar to me.
This time, I got to enjoy a total immersion in a place I've never been, but thanks to Patricia Beal's word art (for that's truly what it is), I feel El Paso is an old friend I've known for many years but never yet met in person. The version of El Paso and story itself I was privileged to enjoy are stunning. I say version because, again, we are given exactly what we need to make it our own, and - more importantly - for God to make it His own in us.

On a very personal note, this book came to me at the perfect time in my life. I've had my copy quite a while and have been perplexed at my hesitancy to pick it up. I could have read it much closer to the release date, certainly. But I needed this book at this moment in time. And I am forever grateful to God for steering me away from it until it was time for me to move towards it.

Words are insufficient to describe Desert Willow in a way that does it true justice. No novel is perfect (and I prefer them imperfect), but this is a glorious treasure and truly showcases Beal's brilliant and unique voice.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this Audio book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was well written. It was easy to imagine the scenes and often beautiful imagery. The performance of the narrator was okay, nothing special but not bad either, though the parts in Portuguese were a bit cringy. The first half of the book was good, a bit cheesy but who doesn't like a little cheese? The sub plot of Clara's grandmother was interesting to me and I was intrigued throughout the book to see how it turned out. Clara is a sweet, if not a bit immature, heroine who actually grows a lot as a character. Andrew seemed like a great guy for the first half of the book but he made some very questionable decisions in the second half, in my opinion. It was when all the angst entered the picture that I began to get very frustrated. The author did a good job of telling the story and writing an interesting plot. It really was a fine book but it just took one plot point to make me dislike it.

SPOILERS:
I just had to rant a little bit about this one plot point that probably ruined the whole book for me, unfortunately. It really would have been a great book if not for this. Clara confesses a past sin to Andrew and (while it was completely understandable that he had some reservation to her character after that) what he did next infuriated me. He made her feel dirty even though she had repented then proceeded to spend the next four days with his ex-fiance. This ex-fiance spent four days trying to get Andrew to have sex with her. She said she wanted to marry him but only if they had sex first(What???).... Andrew actually contemplates this... Literally sits in CHURCH and is thinking about having sex with her. He even premeditates the sin as well, saying that he will just repent afterwards (don't even get me started on what a slap in the face to Jesus that is...) ONLY after he sees Clara getting baptized does he decide that he needs to end it with his ex. Then immediately after his ex leaves (the ex that he had just barely been contemplating having sex with and marrying...) he goes after Clara hard. I just couldn't forgive him after that. Thankfully Clara doesn't immediately take him back which was a saving grace for this book. The whole plot point of having his ex come back in that manner felt very unnecessary to me and made me dislike Andrew abundantly.