Wild Mint Tea - Paperback

by Valerie Comer (Author)

She's rooted deep. He flies free.

Local-foods chef Claire Halford envisions turning Green Acres Farm into an event destination. Weddings prove trickier than she imagined when the first one comes with a ruggedly handsome brother-of-the-bride, who has everything but a fixed address. Oh, and faith in God.

Noel Kenzie loves the freedom his reforestation company affords him. Why worry about deep stuff like God and commitment when he's in his prime? Except there's a woman who might make it worth giving up his wings...and digging in some roots. If he dares.

Wild Mint Tea is the second novel in the Farm Fresh Romance series which sees a group of young women purchase an old farm in northern Idaho together with the purpose of growing their own food and proving to those around them that they can make a difference. It is a story of living sustainably on the land and focusing on real, local food from a Christian point-of-view. It doesn't pad the issues nor preach about them, but allows the characters the freedom to grapple with environmentalism as believers.

A contemporary Christian romance novel, Wild Mint Tea crosses genres into farm lit. Readers consistently comment on the uniqueness and creativity of the blend.

"I just love novels that give you something to think about while making you laugh, and Wild Mint Tea is one of those. I didn't want to put it down, not even to eat."

* * EXCERPT * *

"Don't be silly." Amber reached for a glass. "You're walking me down the aisle, brother-of-mine."

Noel jerked and the swing twisted sharply, throwing Claire against his shoulder. Too bad she pulled away immediately. "Uh, no. The wedding is in July? I'll be a long way from here by then. I may not even be able to make it back."

Time and activity on the deck stood still.

His sister's face fell.

Noel spread his hands. "What? You know I only have a three-month contract here. I'll be somewhere on Montana's east slopes by the end of July. Depending on the weather, I may not be able to get away."

"But-" She bit her lip.

Man, he hated that. A whole deck full of women, and not a one of them would understand the way he lived.

"Y-you weren't planning to come to my wedding at all?"

The total stillness around him provided everyone's opinions. He'd blown it. This trying to care about his sister thing was a new sensation. Did it matter what all these strangers thought of him?

Maybe Claire.

Now where did that come from?

Noel reached over and took Amber's hands in his. "Look, sis, I'll try. I just don't know where I'll be or what the situation might be. You know what my summers are like. If you need an absolute commitment out of me, set a winter date."

"Then you're in the tropics." She tugged her hands free.

"Well, I could work around it." He studied her face, searching for clues. "Want to reconsider?"

Amber glared at him. "No. Shawn and I have chosen the date, and you-" She leaned forward and stabbed him in the chest with a forefinger. "You better be here, buddy. That's all I can say."

No pushover, his sister. He guessed that was reasonable. They did share genetics, after all. He mustered a grin. "I'll do the best I can."

"With a tux."

"A what?"

"You heard her," Sierra put in. "The bride's the boss."

"But it's outside. On a farm. Who wears tuxes to events like that?"

Claire chuckled. "You do, apparently."

Author Biography

Valerie Comer's life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance with a farm lit flair. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local foods movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.

Her debut novel, Raspberries and Vinegar: A Farm Fresh Romance, won The Word Guild Award for best contemporary romance by a Christian author in 2013. She writes Farm Lit and Farm Fresh Romance with the voice of experience laced with humor. She also writes fantasy as Valerie R Comer.