The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Classically trained pianist and singer Natalie Curtis isolated herself for five years after a breakdown just before she was to debut with the New York Philharmonic. Guilt-ridden and songless, Natalie can't seem to recapture the joy music once brought her. In 1902, her brother invites her to join him in the West to search for healing. What she finds are songs she'd never before encountered--the haunting melodies, rhythms, and stories of Native Americans.

But their music is under attack. The US government's Code of Offenses prohibits American's indigenous people from singing, dancing, or speaking their own languages as the powers that be insist on assimilation. Natalie makes it her mission not only to document these songs before they disappear but to appeal to President Teddy Roosevelt himself, who is the only man with the power to repeal the unjust law. Will she succeed and step into a new song . . . and a new future?

Award-winning author Jane Kirkpatrick weaves yet another lyrical tale based on a true story that will keep readers captivated to the very end.

MY REVIEW 

I absolutely love the historical aspects of this book but it did drag somewhat.

I especially loved learning more about the Indians and their culture.  I felt like I could hear their music.  It was so cool!

Kirkpatrick does some real good research for her novels but my favorite book was One More River to Cross.  It reminded me of the Donner party.

I can relate to Natalie through our love of music.  In my opinion,  I think it's the love of music that soothes the soul. Natalie is a remarkable woman ahead of her time which was why I liked her. You don't necessarily have to have anything in common with a character at all to like them.

Her brother George was another person that I liked greatly.  Namely because of how he looked after his sister and I really enjoyed his adventures in the West

I felt like I was on an adventure with George and Natalie even though some parts of the story was slow.

I loved learning more about the Indians and their art. They do make beautiful artifacts. 

I recommend.  5 stars!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

If you'd like more information about me, please come visit my website at www.jkbooks.com and click on my blog. My dog also has a blog and you can find out what it's like to be Bodacious Bo, too. A monthly newsletter called Story Sparks is my way of sharing books about authors I enjoy as well as commenting on life and love. You'll find out more about me than you probably ever wanted to know!

One item not listed on my lists of books is my selection included in an anthology called "Crazy Woman Creek: Women Rewrite the American West" published by Houghton Mifflin I also have a piece in Storytellers II, a book published a few years ago by Multnomah Press and a few short selections in Daily Guideposts of a few years back. My first novella, "The Courting Quilt" is part of a collection that made the New York Times bestsellers September 2011 in a collection called Log Cabin Christmas. The rest of my writing, as they say, is history. Or it was until my first contemporary came out this fall. Called Barcelona Calling, it's the story of a writer who loses her way as she seeks fulfillment thinking she'll find it with fame. It's a laugh out loud book according to reviewers. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Secret Keeper at The old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Present Day. After tragedy plunges her into grief and unresolved anger, Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home determined to finally follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that the store is closing. Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a pact to save the store, but Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve the family reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-timeline story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of a mother-daughter dynamic, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

MY REVIEW 

Oh my gosh! I'm beyond pleased with this sweet Southern tale! I loved every bit of it!

I finished this book in one whole day because I wanted to see how this story played out and let me tell you I wasn't one bit disappointed. 

.This author sure knows how to spin a wonderful tale and one that still has my head spinning in more ways than one. What a fine story! Reminds me of Fried Green Tomatoes ( My favorite movie) of all time. There wasn't one thing that I  didn't like.  All of it was just awesome. 

There was a character that I didn't like  but that's ok. She's the one who made the story in my opinion.  At times my heart went out to her. 

Glory Ann was my favorite. I loved how the author shows us that even our favorite characters aren't perfect and that's what I loved.  It made Glory Ann strong and able to handle whatever life threw at her.

There's so many wonderful inspirational messages that are woven throughout the book. Ones that we can use in our everyday lives to remind us that God is willing to help guide us on our journey through life.

My thanks for a copy of this awesome book.  I was NOT required to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.

A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 15 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes

To get a free short story featuring characters from The Edge of Belonging visit: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/fuj7mlfd83