Synopsis

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.

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Praise

“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

Review

The first line in the author’s notes sums up this book beautifully:

“Family is at the heart of this book.” 

I honestly loved this book. It was the perfect book at the right time and I enjoyed every written word. I think one of the aspects that I enjoyed the most was the genealogical hunt for Annabelle Collin’s descendants and also Sloane’s history since she had no idea who her blood relatives were since she was adopted. I really enjoyed the diary aspect that shared Anna’s life in the 1800s and how she came to live in Kansas and what it was like for her. We saw her fall in love, have children, lose family, and so much more.

Jumping to the present, we have Sloane and Garrett. Neither necessarily looking for their soulmate but ultimately finding it within each other. Not that the road was easy, there were quite a few bumps. But the journey was enticing and they definitely bonded over Annabelle’s journals. It was like a treasure each time they found one and I enjoyed how both really enjoyed finding out more about this woman.

But don’t go into reading this book thinking it is all sunshine and roses. There are bumps, heavier topics, and a few major twists that pulled me even further into the story. The supporting cast of characters includes Garrett’s sister, Leah, and their grandmother. Grandma is a hoot despite her Alzheimers. There are a few “evil” types of characters that add even more dimension to the story.

While this book jumps between the past and the present, it is done seamlessly. I couldn’t ask for a better transition between the time periods.

If you are looking for a book about family, history, faith, and love, then look no further. A wonderful debut novel and we give it 5 paws up.

About the Author

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.

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