Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen: Book Review: Read with Audra

About the Book

This historic home holds the keys to their destiny . . . and their hearts

Abandoned at birth, her family roots a mystery, historical museum curator Sloane Kelley has dedicated her life to making sure others know theirs. When a donor drops off a dusty old satchel, she doesn’t expect much from the common artifact . . .until she finds real treasure inside: a nineteenth-century diary. Now she’s on the hunt to find out more.

Garrett Anderson just wanted to clean out his grandmother’s historic but tumbledown farmhouse before selling it to fund her medical care. With her advancing Alzheimer’s, he can’t afford to be sentimental about the family home. But his carefully ordered plan runs up against two formidable obstacles: Sloane, who’s fallen in love with both the diaries and the house, and his own heart, which is irresistibly drawn to Sloane.

A century and a half earlier, motherless Annabelle Collins embarks with her aunt and uncle on the adventure of a lifetime: settling the prairies of Sedgwick County, Kansas. The diaries she left behind paint a portrait of life, loss, and love–and a God who faithfully carries her through it all. Paging through the diaries together takes Sloane and Garrett on a journey they never could have planned, which will change them in ways they never imagined.

This warm, beautifully written split-time novel will resonate with readers looking for stories that reveal the beauty of God’s plan for our lives, and how our actions ripple for generations.

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist.   Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. Her debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, releases from Kregel Publications on February 2, 2021.   In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.   To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).

What Others Are Saying

“Winding through past and present and linking them in surprising ways, Wen’s debut novel captures the legacy of a historic farmhouse and all the people who’ve made their lives there. I was rooting for Sloane out of the gate, and my heart went up and down with her. Wen writes with warmth and a delightful voice about heritage, family, and the nature of what’s truly important.” —Joanna Davidson Politano, author of The Love Note “A moving, enchanting story of love and loss. Amanda Wen takes readers on an adventure that weaves past and present together in a beautiful tapestry of skillful storytelling. I was blown away by this book and its timeless message.” —Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol Award–winning author of Freedom’s Ring and The Tea Chest

GIVEAWAY

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Book Review:

Roots of Wood and Stone was such a good read, I couldn’t believe it was a debut novel. Heartbreaking, beautiful, poignant. It deserves all the best adjectives. Written in split time, I found myself worrying equally for all the characters. Each story line had its own goals, yet the characters in each time period quickly grab your heart. Sloane is searching for a place to belong, a home and a family. Because she has no roots of her own, her inner drive creates an admirable spirit. I loved how Annabella and Jack’s story weaved between Sloane and Garrett.

I was blown away with how well the stories came together in the end. One of the few times I can say a book that wasn’t suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I had to know if everything would turn out okay. In the midst of tragedy, God is there. Though He feels far away, He’s near enough to hold us up when we’re in need. That is what I took away from Roots of Wood and Stone. A house can be a home. It can be more than a pile of materials, and worth more than a dollar amount.

Don’t miss out on this amazing novel. The spiritual message is inspiring.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Read with Audra. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.