Publication Date: September 4, 2023
A recently fired biologist with mommy issues, a successful entrepreneur with a dead wife, and an immigrant hiding from gang violence…These three have only one thing in common.
They’re all screwed up
Biology researcher, Violet Hill, was just let go and is devastated. She found the solitary lab and long hours the ideal respite for her anxiety issues–doing meaningful work while avoiding people and conversation. Now unemployed, with diminishing finances, Violet is forced to face the enemy, her mother.
For years, Turner Cooper was consumed with building his company’s client roster, until the sudden death of his wife throws him totally off kilter. Now, instead of work, Turner’s guilt and alcohol issues consume him.
Living a reclusive life in Dallas, Rosario Guzman is hiding from a Mexican cartel while working in the shadows at three part-time jobs. Finally, the item she covets the most, a Green Card, arrives in her mailbox. But Rosario quickly realizes the paper card doesn’t solve all her problems.
While  navigating social issues, private demons, and nightmare memories, these three lives collide as they find each other at a place none of them ever imagined they’d be working at. As their mutual relationship evolves, Violet, Turner and Rosario lean into each other and unexpectedly find their lives unfurling in remarkable and magical ways.
Three broken characters, seemingly unrelated, find common ground through a garden, allowing them to heal.
Author Bobbie Candas delivers a heart-warming story in Welcome to Wonderland. Told from three different perspectives, the book introduces a cast of memorable characters.
Violet is incredibly anxious about her stammering. Her research job has been eliminated, which forces her back home to an overbearing mother. Her job hunt leads her to Botanicals United of Dallas. She has a great sense of humor that shines throughout the story.
Turner is trying to get his life together after the death of his wife, but alcohol may not be the best tool. A sudden discovery forces him to acknowledge how uninvolved he had been in her life, so he decides to become a sponsor at Botanicals United.
Rosario finally gets a Green Card, allowing her to ditch the multiple lousy-paying jobs and start a career at Botanicals United. While this gives her access to the American Dream, she still worries about being a target of a Mexican cartel responsible for her brother’s murder. She is the epitome of an ideal worker.
Drawn together by a new garden project, the three characters form an unexpected connection. Having never heard of a xeriscape garden before, I was intrigued by this project focusing on drought-resistant plants.
Welcome to Wonderland provides the characters an opportunity to overcome realistic challenges through friendship, romance, and a solid dose of humor.
Bobbie Candas lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Mehmet Candas, a stray gray cat, and a jealous tabby who does not enjoy sharing affection with the interloper. Bobbie attended The University of Texas in Austin, earning her degree in journalism. She took a detour with a career in retail management, and found her happy place when she returned to writing fiction about nine years ago.
September 11:
1. Kenyan Poet
2. FUONLYKNEW
3. Our Town Book Reviews
4. Long and Short Reviews
5. Sapphyria’s Books
6. Moonlight Compass Books
7. Christine Young
September 12:
1. The Avid Reader
2. Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
3. It’s Raining Books
4. Author C.A.Milson
5. Author Deborah A. Bailey Blog
6. Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
7. Coffee and Wander Book Reviews
September 13:
1. Sandra’s Book Club review
2. Welcome to My World of Dreams
3. Let me tell you a story
4. A Wonderful World of Words
5. Celticlady’s Reviews
6.The Faerie Review
7. Page Turners and Sweet Tea
September 14:
1. Fabulous and Brunette
2. Westveil Publishing
3. Literary Gold
4. Dawn’s Reading Nook
5. Iron Canuck Reviews & More
6. Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’
7. Straight From the Library
September 15:
1. Joanne Guidoccio review
2. Travel the Ages
3. Novels Alive review
4.  Sea’s Nod
5. So Many Books
6. Books all things paranormal and romance
7. Girl with Pen
Thanks so much Amy Wilson for your thoughtful review. I appreciate your observations and so glad you enjoyed Welcome to Wonderland. And thank you to Novels Alive for featuring my latest novel on their terrific blog. I’ll check in later in the day for any comments or questions from your readers. Have a great day!
Thank you for reviewing today!