Roots of Wood and Stone Book Review
Whenever I get an opportunity to review a book, I get excited – especially if it is a new novel like Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen! She has balanced today and yesteryear in an easy-to-read, heart-warming story about love and family. Keep reading to see my thoughts and enter a giveaway for a free copy!
This historic home holds the keys to their destiny . . . and their hearts.
About the book:
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.
Book Review:
I love time travel and historical fiction stories, and Amanda Wen delivers in her debut novel. Roots of Wood and Stone is a well-written, beautiful story about family and love. The story of Annabelle Collins weaves through the current day story while Sloane finds answers to questions about her past. At the same time, Sloane finds her heart’s desire – a family and love.
Sloane and Garrett are well-developed and relatable characters. I found myself quickly invested in both while reading. I loved following along with their story and reading about Annabelle’s history. Wen has the knack of creating characters that seem real and like someone you could be friends with. I actually read this in one weekend – it was hard to put it down. Wen reminds us that the present generation has things to learn from past generations, as our history defines our future.
As Wen’s debut novel, it is an fascinating story and easy-to-read. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
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.
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).
Enter to Win a Copy:
A complimentary e-copy of Roots of Wood and Stone was provided to facilitate this post. No other compensation was received in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own. No affiliate links are present in this post. Please see my disclosure for more information.