ReviewsByErin

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

I'm a huge fan of Amanda Wen's storytelling abilities, and Echoes of a Silent Song not only held up to but exceeded my expectations.

In our contemporary storyline, high school choir accompanist Blair faces a new school year with another new director. Her school hasn't been able to keep a director for more than one year for a long time, making it hard for the students to gain ground or trust those who work with them. This year looks to be the same, as disgruntled composer Callum Knight sees Peterson High as just a rung in his ladder before returning to the life he wants working with professionals in Boston.

On the first day of school, as Blair and Callum are picking out music for their concerts, they come across a faded piece of handwritten score that is so hauntingly beautiful that they must find out more about its composer. Iris Wallingford was a student set to graduate in the spring of 1970 before dying by suicide... or did she?

The historical first person storyline follows Iris through the fall of 1969 and into the fateful events of early 1970. Iris is quiet but in love with music -- and with Victor Nelson. She would do anything for Vic, and believes he feels the same way about her. But events soon unfold that leave Iris grappling with the choices they've made, for better or worse.

I loved this book for many reasons. For one, I know Amanda herself is a high school choir accompanist, so it was a joy knowing Blair's day job reflected hers (though without the mystery solving!). For another, the characters and their emotions come across real and strong, and they deal with things I know are relatable to readers because they were relatable to me. I loved the sparks of romance, the wounds that are able to be healed, and how faith is woven throughout in a natural way.

If you are a fan of dual timeline stories, I highly, highly recommend Amanda's books. The stories will touch your heart and echo across your soul. Make sure to check out Echoes of a Silent Song today!

I received my copy of the book from the author and JustReads Publicity. All thoughts in this review are my own.

About the Book

Title: Echoes of a Silent Song

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Where Trees Touch the Sky by Karen Barnett hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Where Trees Touch the Sky 

This split time features two WWII storylines—one at the beginning of the war and one at the end. I personally found the two similar storylines, which featured all the same characters, to be too hard to follow easily, and detracted from being able to connect with the characters.

One thing I've also discovered about myself in the past six months is that if the setting is a vital part of the story but I'm not personally interested in or connected to the setting, it's very hard for me to read a book. As I've never been to Paris and have never been captivated by the thought of it, that was another personal hurdle which I realize is mine alone and should not affect whether or not you choose to read this story.

If you love Paris and couture and stories about risking it all for your country, and in a split time format!, this is the book for you. The writing and research was top notch, and I can't even imagine how much work it was to weave the two stories together. Though it wasn't my cup of tea, I could recognize the brilliance of the author, and I hope that if this piques your interest you'll give it a shot.

Daniel is a reformed thief, set on making up for his crimes and restoring the relationship with his mother. Along the way, he translates an old Italian story about a baby found floating in a basket in a Venice canal. The translation acts as the second timeline in this split time story, and it's full of Venetian history and lore.

While I have enjoyed Amanda's previous books and was very much looking forward to this one, I just couldn't make a connection with the characters or the plot. Amanda's writing is lyrical and lovely as always, but for some reason I wasn't clicking with it. There was nothing wrong with the story, and I've had friends gush about it, so I know it was an issue with me as a reader. Sometimes it's just like that. 

Even though this story wasn't for me, I would never discourage anyone from reading it. If you love Amanda's stories or the city of Venice, definitely consider checking it out. I hope you'll love it!

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

 


If you've read the first two books in Jody Hedlund's Waters of Time books, you'll know why I was excited to read the third. These time-crossing novels take modern British scientists and sleuths and transport them to medieval times. I enjoyed Marian and Ellen's stories, and now Sybil gets to take center stage.

Sybil is very analytic and efficient, but she feels deeply. She's reaching the end of what she can do to help her injured veteran brother, who is shutting more and more people from his life. When Sybil finds vials of ancient holy water she's sure it can heal her brother. She's heard about what it can do for others. But what about what it might do for her?

After experiencing so much pain and loss, Sybil is not entirely sad to find herself in a medieval world. Especially when there are people who might need her help. Is it crazy to think of giving up her contemporary life to stay where the needs are so great?

I quite enjoyed the first third and last third of this book, as that's where the action and intrigue happen. The middle section focuses entirely on the romance, and it was too heavy for my personal taste. While I liked Sybil as a compelling heroine, I didn't develop the same feelings for the hero, which was too bad because we'd met him previously and I had been looking forward to his story. However, I'm glad I read this book because I wanted to know how things turned out for these two. 

Readers who enjoy time-crossing fiction and lots of romance will find everything they're looking for here. Fish out of water, high stakes, and epic fights. It might be your favorite of the series!

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I loved Amanda Wen's debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, and was eager to read her next book. You never know how a sophomore release will compare to the first—but let me put your mind at ease: The Songs That Could Have Been is every bit as good, and in my opinion better, than Roots of Wood and Stone! It's the best book I've read in a long time.

Lauren's beloved grandma Rosie slips away a little more each day as Alzheimer's takes over her life. When Rosie becomes agitated and keeps repeating the name Ephraim, Lauren goes on a quest to find out why Ephraim is important to her grandmother.

Carter's past keeps haunting him, even though he's done a lot to outpace it. The lack of control he felt over his upbringing caused him to go into meteorology, where at least he can warn people about life's literal unpredictable storms. When his paths cross with Lauren, one of the biggest regrets of his life, he can't help but feel the tug of attraction and the hope of a second chance.

But when the trail for Ephraim goes cold and the past comes back to bite both Carter and Lauren, will they choose to stick together or let their fears drive them apart?

Sprinkled throughout the pages is Rosie's own story of earnest, youthful love and a heart full of brave dreams. I loved how these two timelines wove together, each pulling me in with their poignant emotions.

This book deals with very sensitive issues, notably eating disorders, alcoholism, and interracial relationships. It's done with realism, yet portrays grace, hope, and the gospel in a clear way. I highly recommend this book for readers who love digging deeper into life's real struggles, knowing that Jesus will meet us even there. One last note—keep the tissues handy!

I received my copy of the book from Read With Audra. All opinions in this review are my own. Click here or on the graphic below for your chance to win this incredible story!

2021 has been a long year filled with really great books. I'm glad to share the ones that stood out as most memorable to me. They're listed below in alphabetical order by the last name of the author.

Click on any title to read my original review, or click on the cover if you're interested in purchasing these books for yourself.

"The Gold In These Hills" by Joanne Bischof
One home joins two people together, though they live a century apart. Discover what true treasure means in these golden California hills.

"The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery" by Amanda Cox
Three generations, each with secrets held close to their hearts. Could it be that sharing their secrets can actually set them free?

  "Roots of Wood and Stone" by Amanda Wen
What would you do if you had the chance to uncover a past shrouded in mystery? What a beautiful, heartwarming adventure!


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The California mountains come alive in this dual timeline story. Our historical heroine is Juniper Cohen, whose husband has disappeared into the hills, leaving her with their young daughter while the mining community drifts on to find another strike. In modern times, Johnny Sutherland seeks to restore the only building left standing—Juniper's home—in the ghost town of Kenworthy even while fighting for his marriage, his kids, and the life which has unexpectedly turned upside down on him.

Juniper doesn't know where her husband is, or if he'll return. Fighting for survival, she befriends the few people left in Kenworthy. She refuses to leave, wanting to be exactly where her husband left her in case he comes home. 

Johnny doesn't want to sign the divorce papers his wife has drawn up. Her infidelity doesn't cancel his love for her or the desire to raise their family together. As he connects with the history of Kenworthy, and especially that of Juniper Cohen, he finds kinship and comfort in the least likely places.

I really enjoyed this story. It is extremely character-driven, so it is not for readers who like a lot of action. Both Juniper and Johnny face deep hardship and have to make difficult decisions over the course of the novel, but there is always gentleness, truth, and God's faithfulness in the mix. I liked how the past and present storylines wove together, and there were some surprises along the way that took the story to places I wasn't expecting.

Like our characters, I could relate to this quote from late in the novel: "This is the story that God has woven for us, and I am learning to trust that He knows the way."

If you are a fan of the character-driven novel, please consider checking this one out.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

 


I've enjoyed Jody Hedlund's historical romance and YA medieval novels, and when I heard she was doing some new time-crossing adventures, I couldn't wait to check them out! I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but I definitely was not disappointed!

Marian Creighton has followed in her father's footsteps and devoted her career to finding a cure for her sister's rare disease. When she hears that her father has fallen into a coma in England, she catches the first flight to see if she can figure out what's going on with him. His coworker, Harrison, tells Marian he thinks her father might have finally found the ultimate cure—something that can heal any ailment. But it might have interesting consequences if ingested by healthy individuals, which is what Harrison believes happened to her father.

Not sure she could begin to believe such an outlandish claim, Marian tries a bit of the ultimate cure and begins experiencing flashes of time from the Middle Ages. Surely she's just having vivid dreams, right?

When Marian and Harrison are followed and attacked by a rival pharmaceutical company who has been spying on her father, Marian realizes she needs to take this even more seriously. She throws herself into deciphering her father's cryptic notes and decides to do whatever she needs to do to save her father and her sister before it's too late.

I thought both sides of this novel were well done. The present day was full of tension and suspense. The time in 1381 involved very, very real dangers and maladies. I appreciated that the author didn't skim over those, and in fact threw in some I didn't see coming. The romance was a little intense so I would only recommend this for older teens and adults. Overall, I was glued to the pages, and I cannot wait until the next book in the series comes out to see what happens next!

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

"If he stopped, the pain would catch up with him."

"She was just a diversion they were forced to deal with. The unexpected wrinkle in their carefully ironed plans."

When Garrett Anderson dropped by Sloane Kelley's office to donate an old satchel he'd found while cleaning out his grandmother's house, neither of them knew their lives were about to change. Sloane, annoyed that he assumed the museum would accept any old items with ties to local settlers, tries to give it back. But then the diary tucked inside catches her attention, and the adventure begins.

Sloane preserves history because she doesn't know her own. Abandoned as an infant, she's always sought answers to her roots. Websites devoted to helping connect adoptees with their birth parents haven't yielded any clues as to why her mother might have left her on a bus that spring morning thirty years ago.

Garrett is a frazzled financial planner trying to get things squared away for the long-term care of his grandmother, who is slipping away more and more with dementia. While his sister has given up much to care for Grandma, it's getting to be more than Lauren can handle. As the numbers guy, Garrett realizes that they are going to need to sell Grandma's house in order to afford her care, but it's hard to get the place ready to sell when it's been in his family for generations.

The discovery of Annabelle Collins's diaries brings delight to the heavy task of cleaning out Grandma's house. Annabelle, a nineteenth century pioneer, started recording her thoughts as a 9-year-old left at her aunt's house while her father went off to fight in the Civil War. The diaries trace Annabelle's life through her journey west, her marriage, motherhood, and beyond. Annabelle's story draws Garrett and Sloane together, and some of the very truths they seek may be found within those yellowed pages.

I loved so much about this story. The themes are sweet and relatable—family, difficult decisions, seeking answers to questions which may never be answered. Amanda Wen brings the Wichita, Kansas, setting vividly to life, both in the contemporary and historical settings. All the characters are well-rounded, the romances will make your toes tingle, and the faith element will stir a desire to connect with God more fully yourself. An extremely well-done debut—I will be watching for more from this author!