The First Gardener Paperback – August 1, 2011

There are so many facets of pain and joy in this book. The simple story of a governor and his wife as they begin their lives as parents is irrevocably changed when they suffer the loss that no parent should ever experience. The writing surrounding Gray and Mackenzie is heartfelt and painful, but full of what we all know life to be. There are times that try us and it is the people we have in our lives that help steer us back on course. I cried so hard with this book that my eyes are still puffy! The love that is the story flowing through all of the characters brings them even closer together. This writer hits the nail on the head with how pain can strengthen depression until it consumes us, and how finding the will within ourselves is possible if we surrender. Definitely a must read and a fantastic book!!

I couldn't really get into this book.  It moved slowly and gave way too many details about the daily lives of the governor and his wife, like political discussions at the capitol, long scenes of community service time, drawn-out conversations with their daughter (which were meant to make you feel as though you knew them, I'm sure, but I was bored stiff).  I didn't care for the old ladies in the story and found them obnoxious and not very funny, which is sad since I think they were supposed to be the comic relief.  I found myself skimming through, looking for the next "important" piece of information that might help the story move forward. It was a heavy, sad book but I finished it because I wanted to see how Gray and Mack came through their grief, on a practical level.  I liked the catalyst for Mack's healing - it made sense to me and was the only part of the book I enjoyed.  My favorite chapter was the last one - there is a twist I didn't expect (the ONLY one I didn't expect in the book) and liked.  Overall, I thought the book was boring and wouldn't recommend it.

: I was thrilled to receive a review copy of Denise’s compelling new novel. It’s a gripping and accurate look at two imperfect people’s lives in the middle of a horrific battle for their souls. The reader gets an intimate glimpse inside the hearts of a couple in-love with each other and life until one day they are hit with an unexpected blow. Gray and Mackenzie take a hit they my not recover from.Fans will get to see another side of this author’s creative talent as they read The First Gardner. This book is quite different from her others. A good different! It’s a brilliant different that shows a maturity in her writing and character development. Denise’s story is rich and illuminating as she peals back the layers of this couples life to show what’s really inside the human heart, when the rubber meets the road. Not everything comes up roses! Denise Hildreth Jones shows the reader God is with us even in our anger and pain!I adored the gardener, Jeremiah. I liked how he described pain and our wounded heart, “A shut-down heart’s ‘bout the saddest thing ever I see. ‘Cause we all come out the womb with our hearts wide open. All sweet an trustin’ and close to God. It like we got this line runnin’ straight up to heaven.But life can start cuttin’ into the line. Little cut when we little and sump’n sad happens or we find out somebody can do things better ‘an we can. More little cuts…all that just keep sawin’ at that line from heaven to that little alive heart. And finally it don’t want to stay open no more, so it just clench up!That be to what a shut down heart look like-all sad and scared and bitter, all them things. But the real sad they is, it don’t have to shut down! Cause even with all them cuts, that line to heaven still there. If it go and close up, that our doing!”I fell in love with five year old Maddie, Mackenzie and Grays daughter. Denise has the reader laughing out-loud one minute and their throat tightening up, and tears run down their faces the next. A scene that cracked me up was when Maddie approaches her dad about keeping a dog she loves. Gray says, “Puppies are a lot of responsibility, Maddie.”“Tons, Daddy. And I’m so big, I’ll take good care of her. Feed her. Pee her. Poop her. All of it, Daddy.” I could just see her adorable eyes looking at her daddy pleading her case for a puppy.Eugenia’s friends are a riot and made me laugh as well, they go to lunch and say to the waitress, “I’ll have a piece of your chess pie and a piece of your chocolate pie,…And Dimples here wants your mint fudge brownie and a piece of pecan pie. We have both decided that life is better if you lead with dessert.”I loved this novel that reveals Denise’s pure honesty and willingness to be so vulnerable. She says, “I discovered as I began to write about Gray and Mackenzie’s pain over losing Maddie that I was able to use much of my own personal pain about not having children that had been a deep ache in my heart for so long!...I do know what it is to grieve the children I thought I would give birth to… I’ve learned God will give us beautiful companions on the journeys through our pain if we are willing to open our eyes and look for them.”I loved the fact that Jeremiah sent flowers to Mackenzie every day. Each flower had its own meaning and he encouraged her without the use of a single word. I applaud Denise Hildreth Jones for her honest, refreshing way in which she looked at pain and the battle being waged against our souls. How do we fight the good fight on days we can’t even get out of bed? God says He’s the Glory and the lifter of our head!! My Hope and Refuge.Denise gives a peek into how God works in our lives in unexpected ways. I highly recommend this story which gives the reader a visual on the attributes of God and so much more. These characters will stay in your heart and mine long after the last page is read!I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that answers the question, “What does it mean when someone says; God has healed me from the inside out? How can I let God touch the hurts in my heart and be healed?”Denise says, “You can only live with your heart shut down for so long. Eventually you will fight for your healing or you will die… Some even find God when their lives fall apart!....Sometimes a person has to die in order to really live. ..Hungry for something real?.. (tired of just going through the motions of life and feeling numb inside?) Want to feel alive? Seek whatever helps you rediscover that carefree childlike heart I know is in there somewhere – that is what you should be doing to Feel Alive!”This is a walk Denise’s characters have gone on and/or just started down the path. I enjoyed this cast so much, they are fun, bold and each have been knocked around by life. Each has a different result and story to tell.Scarlett Jo is a Pastor’s wife that’s fun and doesn’t care what people think about her. Denise writes, “Scarlett Jo hadn’t simply survived her life. She had learned how to live in spite of it- and not to worry too much about the perceptions of others.”Scarlett Jo is fun loving, free spirited and an inspirational person! I loved her voice and her outlook on life she says, “Oh, child do you not know about couponing?...I’m feeding a pack of wolves at my house. If I didn’t know how to coupon, my children would have had to eat me by now. But if you ever want to learn how to do it, you just let me know. It is crazy girl! I can go to a store and leave and they’ve paid me money.” (I want to learn – teach me! Teach Me! Grin!)The characters in this novel welcome you in as family. They’re situations will tug at your heart. What I love about Denise’s books are this, you’ll be having a good time reading then all of a sudden she cleverly interweaves spiritual truths that pierce your heart, make you stop and think. Denise will help you “See lies you believe.” You’ll laugh out loud and get teary eyed in parts of this story, a winning combination.I really liked Scarlett Jo’s husband too he says, “I watch people. I take in people. And to be honest, I learn a great deal about them by what they don’t say.”I highly recommend this novel and the non-fiction companion book called Reclaiming your Heart! It’s a win win combination. A book you’ll want to put on your summer reading list. Did I mention I just love the cover of this book too! It’s a keeper!Disclosure of Material Connection:I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”Nora St LaurentTBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.orgThe Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.comBook Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

The First Gardener is Jeremiah; and as he tells his story you can see his wise, kindly face and almost hear his voice - which must be the mark of a good storyteller. If you hate books written in the first person as I do, worry not as the family's story is written in the third personAlthough having read the synopsis you know that tragedy happens; but as you read of the family's happiness before the event, you can feel the tension building within yourself. You want to warn them somehow to prevent it. I thought that I was tough, but obviously not because I cried too :-(.So well written, no bad language -a good meaty tale and highly recommended

Absolutely wonderful read, I felt the pain of poor Mackenzie and what she must have been going through, I loved Jeremiah and his wisdom,what a lovely character. Eugenia and her friends feel very familiar and so funny a real highlight to the story.A great read and I would recommend it to anyone.Well worth the five stars that I have awarded it.

I enjoyed this book from beginning to end, had a guess at certain times about the lovable gardener, so wasn't surprised at the ending.

This book was a total revelation to me, i loved every minute of it and not to spoil the ending, it made me cry............

I have always enjoyed this author and this book is no exception. It has all the components of a good story...great characters, believable storyline and some humor.