About the Book

Book: Labor of Love

Author: Marguerite Martin Gray

Narrated: Christa DelSorbo

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 21, 2023

Something sinister lurks in Pitti Palace.

Despite having spent eight years as companion to her cousins, Ana Geovani still questions her role and place in the Medici household. This uncertainty compounds and alarms as her cousin’s marriage approaches and a marriage is arranged for Ana.

With no say in her own future, fear and despair dulls even the splendor of the gardens she holds so dear.

As the newest under-gardener at the palace, Marco Rossi should have everything he’s dreamed of—beautiful gardens to tend and master architects and gardeners to learn from. Yet a secret mission threatens his peace of mind, his position, and even the love of Ana. Although God is always with him, reminding him of a bigger plan, Marco feels the weight of the consequences he will face if he challenges a Medici member.

The desires of men and women, both royal and common, create costly dilemmas and potential disasters of hearts and souls. What will it take for Marco and Ana to prevail against everything driving them apart?

My Labor of Love Audiobook Review: I believe this may be a first for me from this author. I’ve been on a contemporary story kick for a while, but I absolutely loved this cover. It drew me in and enticed me to return to historical fiction. It’s a gorgeous cover for a beautifully written book.

I loved the different characters in the story. The author did a really good job of making you feel the predicaments they each faced. The couple that takes both Ana and Marco under their wings is probably my favorite. And the author’s descriptions of the buildings and gardens and everything else are wonderfully done. They’re detailed enough that I could see what she was describing without dragging me down with too much detail.

There were a few times I felt the characters’ thoughts or emotions changed without much warning or that a decision was made that didn’t feel as mature as the people making the decisions, but I’m hesitant to attribute that to the writing. I am not usually an audiobook listener. (But, like I said, the cover made this one too tempting to pass up.) I wonder if my feelings might be different if I were reading the book instead of listening, if I would have caught little things that maybe my ear missed. I do believe, as much as I enjoyed this story, I would have enjoyed it more as a paperback or even eBook. With so many foreign names and words, seeing them would have been easier for me than hearing them. But again, this is not the book’s problem. It’s mine. But if you have issues with the same thing, consider getting the eBook or paperback instead.

I enjoyed this book very much, and I give it four stars.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of the Revolutionary Faith series, Gardens in Time series, and Room for Love in the Suamalie Islands series. She enjoys researching and studying history. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her two adult children and two grandsons keep her up to date and young.

More from Marguerite

My audio book experience.

Do you enjoy audio books? They have become special companions since I now work at home. My first experience with audio books involved cassettes on long road trips which morphed into CDs. I would purchase the ones I knew I could listen to again or pass on to someone else. The library became a source to fulfill my burgeoning habit.

It took me a while to consider audible books as a “reading” endeavor. But when I really thought about it, I changed my mind. As I listen, I am challenged with new and old vocabulary words where I must deduce the meaning from the context. My concentration is zeroed in on the story unless I miss some strategic details similar to straying on a page and not knowing what is going on. I have the same euphoric reaction as the plot unfolds.

Now, I’m never without an audio book. When I was offered the opportunity to have Labor of Love presented in audio format, my heart quivered knowing what joy it could bring to readers while doing housework, caring for loved ones, or relaxing in a comfy chair. I hope you enjoy this format as much as I do.

Happy reading!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 7

Texas Book-aholic, February 8

By the Book, February 9

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, February 10 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, February 10

Exploring the Written Word, February 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 12

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 13

For the Love of Literature, February 14 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, February 15

Holly’s Book Corner, February 16

By The Book, February 17 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 18

Back Porch Reads, February 19

Artistic Nobody, February 20 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, February 20

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marguerite is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and an audiobook or eBook copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/29c50/labor-of-love-audiobook-celebration-tour-giveaway