Sloane Kelley always wondered about her past, abandoned and adopted as a baby, she has devoted herself to preserving other people's stories. But when a man comes to the museum with a suitcase of antiques, Sloane finds herself drawn to the story of Annabelle Collins, a woman 150 years ago, who worked to carved out a life for herself and her family in Sedgwick County.

A beautiful split time novel, with two engaging storylines that drew me into the struggles Sloane, Garrett, and Annabelle. I loved the powerful message of hope and providence by God's grace. I think that my favorite character was Garrett, I related to being a planner and not liking to take risks. I liked the relationship between him and his sister, Lauren, and how they are both devoted to their grandmother.

I loved the "snapshots" of Annabelle's life, following her through the decades and through life's seasons. Though, as an adoptee myself I struggled the most to relate to Sloane, though I completely understand and respect that many people do feel similarly.

This is a powerful read, compelling, quietly building and laying a strong foundation, with great payoff when it all comes together. I'm excited to read more in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen is a stunning debut! I loved every word of this time slip novel! The main characters of each time period were amazing and well drawn, the secondary characters added depth to each story, and the time lines wove together perfectly.

While I loved both stories, I’d have to give a slight edge to the historical story because of Annabelle and Jack and their beautiful life together. I absolutely loved them both. My favorite part of the contemporary story was the banter between Sloane and Garrett. I loved how their relationship developed as they figured out who Annabelle was and how she fit into their story.

I also loved how faith was perfectly woven into this story with the reminders that no matter what our plans are, it is God’s plans that will prevail in our lives and if we are children of God, only He can can fill our empty places.

Can an author be on my auto buy list after only one book?! I cannot wait to see what Amanda Wen brings us next! Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Oh y’all. This book. I smiled. i laughed. I swooned. I cried (even sweet-reason ugly-cried at one point). I actually gasped out loud a time or two. It gently embraced some sore places in my heart and healed them a little too. And I drank in every word from beginning to end in one sitting, unable to put it down until the end – and then immediately regretted that my time with these characters & this story was finished for now.

Sloane and Garrett – and their respective journeys – are relatable and easily loved. Readers will adore them as individual characters but even more so together, as their friendship develops and begins to shift into something more romantic. I also found so poignant the juxtaposition of Sloane longing to discover where she came from even as Garrett struggles to preserve what he can of his own family history while also trying to do what’s best for his grandmother (more on that in a moment). As far as the historical thread, Annabelle’s story is so captivating and Jack is quite yummy. He’s the cause of most of my swoons in Roots of Wood and Stone – and some of my tears too. Sloane & Garrett both become so invested in unearthing Annabelle’s story that it’s difficult for me to separate the story threads for review purposes. Instead, the author seamlessly weaves the past & present together in such tender and beautiful ways that you really can’t have one storyline without the other.

As much as I loved solving the mystery of Annabelle along with Sloane and Garrett and watching them fall in love, I wanted to touch on the two elements to Roots of Wood and Stone that really set this novel apart for me. Garrett’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s, and typically I steer away from stories with this as a plot because of how deeply my family’s life has been touched by this horrible disease. Both of my own grandmothers (whom I was very close to) suffered from it. Watching Garrett and his sister interact with their grandmother touched a part of my heart that I’ve basically avoided since my grandmothers’ deaths. One scene in particular between Garrett and his grandmother and hymns had me sobbing with sweet memories of similar scenes with my own grandmothers, and I know this sounds odd but it was just such a soothing release, a release I didn’t know I needed. The mix of absolute tenderness and realism with which the author depicted Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the most accurate & honoring portrayals I’ve read in a novel. I’m so glad I decided to read it anyway!

The other element that I connected so strongly to is the theme of researching family history, of knowing where you came from and who helped shape you into who you are. My grandfather was a family history buff and nurtured that same bug in me, and I have had such fun over the years digging into my family tree and unearthing the stories that go with the names. This quote from the book is one I’ll include in my research materials, as a reminder of why I’m so passionate about genealogy work:

“A few names get all the attention, but the ones who don’t show up in the textbooks are just as important. We owe it to them to learn their stories. Sometimes it helps fill in our own blanks.”

Bottom Line: Roots of Wood and Stone is a phenomenal, touching debut that will linger with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Wen delivers a tender message of hope and restoration, while never overwhelming the story with preachiness or cliches. Tough situations and justified emotions are handled with grace, wisdom, and aptly-placed moments of joy and love. The past and present combine organically in this story that’s full of romance, family, and faith, and it has a firmly-secured spot on my top reads list for 2021! Very much looking forward to more time with these characters in future books.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen is one of my top favorite reads of 2021! Roots of Wood and Stone is a split time novel that revolves around a house and the people who have lived there through the generations. Going through his Grandmother's belongings, Garrett decides to donate some things to the local museum. Sloane, a woman who works at the museum, goes through the belongings and finds a diary that tells the story of family, and through the process more diaries are found that tell the story of how the house that Garrett's grandmother lives in came to be. Garrett and Slone find not only their lives intertwined, but their family histories in a way. Through out the book, the character's find a hope and trust and a life fulfillment that can only be found in Christ. I loved the message of hope, trust and fulfillment in Christ that was throughout the book. I highly recommend this book and will be telling all my friends about Roots of Wood and Stone! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book! (This review is also on GoodReads.)

When the chips are down family means everything...

I picked Roots Of Wood And Stone for two reasons. The first was that it's a split time story, and the second is those three little words that describe the heroine's job, 'historical museum curator'. That's all it took. Amanda Wen had me completely intrigued.

I had a lot of random thoughts while I was reading Roots Of Wood And Stone, all of them good. The first came only a page or two in when the author perfectly describes the problems museum's face with old junk donations and the entire process of needing proper documentation before the item can even be considered for accessioning (acquisitions). Let me just tell you that I have experience with the entire process and it's exactly like it is in the book. Second was just how impressed I was by the author's writing skills, not everyone can manage a split time novel, and you'd never realize that this is Amanda Wen's debut novel. In the same vein, I loved how she handled the historical threads of the story, it's not all tea parties and lace petticoats. I also have to tell you how much I loved the characters! They are flawed, they make mistakes, they get hurt, but with faith and a little love they also persevere through difficult circumstances. You can't help falling for them all, historical and contemporary alike.

I absolutely enjoyed this first Sedgwick County Chronicles novel and I can tell you that I am eagerly anticipating the release of book two. Roots Of Wood And Stone was a great read and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Once you've read Amanda Wen's debut you will be as impatient for more as I am....

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

A beautiful story about....roots. Yes, it may be somewhat about roots of wood and stone, but it goes so much deeper than that. Roots of... love, family, friendship, and most of all, belonging.
Just so beautiful, heartwarming, touching.
Sloane is a heroine worth reading about. I felt like I'd made a new friend. Her issues stemming back to her childhood days really touched my heart. I loved her career as a historian, and how she completely put herself into finding out about Annabelle.

And then, the story goes back to Annabelle's days, because of her diary. (Yes, this is set in two time periods). I enjoyed greatly reading about the olden days, and trying to guess how the two different time periods might be connected.
This story is beautifully written and has some excellent truths for all of us.

There was a particular happening in this story that felt a bit too unbelievable a coincidence as it was portrayed, and just didn't quite feel right.
Overall, though I really enjoyed this story. The setting was superb, the characters a delight.
Very much a worthwhile read.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

If you ever get your hands on someone's personal diary, what would you do? No doubt you won’t read it. (I hope!) Now assume that this diary is more than 150 years old and seems to provide a beautiful glimpse into the life of the past. What a lovely journey of discovery it would be for a history buff!

That is exactly what Sloane Kelley feels like when she is handed over a diary written by someone named Annabel Collins. What initially seems just like a dusty old diary soon turns out to be a fascinating journey into the past. For Sloane, an adopted child with no knowledge of her own roots, this diary seems like a miracle.
Garrett Anderson, in whose house the diary was discovered, finds himself caught at crossroads: he needs funds to ensure the wellbeing of his sick grandmother, he wants to climb up the corporate ladder in his job, he wants to support his sister who has given up a lot to shift into their grandma’s house, and he finds himself inexplicably attracted to Sloane, who in turn is excited about the discovery of the diaries. What should Garrett take care of first? What will Sloane discover about her lineage? Who is Annabel Collins and why was her diary in Garrett’s house?

This book, to put it in one word, is amazing! Though it is more than 300 pages long, the writing is such that you keep moving ahead at full throttle without any hurdles. The book is a Christian fiction -- something I didn’t realise while requesting the ARC -- so it is a nice, clean romance. Absolutely good for readers who are fed up of characters jumping into bed with each other on the first date.

We get to read the story from the perspectives of three characters: Sloane, Annabel, and Garrett. Each of them is portrayed so well that you feel like you know them in and out. Whether Annabel in 1871 or the modern-day Sloane and Garrett, the thinking of the characters is appropriately adapted to suit the times they live in. Other than these principal characters, I also loved how Garrett’s relationship with his grandmother and his sister Lauren is portrayed. The brother-sister relationship especially is so realistic that I could actually picture the two of them bickering externally while having loads of affection for each other in their hearts. Garrett seems too good to be true. A perfect candidate for having a literary crush on! ;)

If you are looking for a feel-good, relaxing, satisfying, non-chick-lit, romantic read, this will be perfect for you. You will turn over the last page with a smile on your face and a sigh in your heart.

Thank you, NetGalley and Independent Publishers Group/Kregel Publications, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

You know "that kid" in school who everyone hated because they messed up the grading curve with their 99% on the test? If books were students, Amanda Wen's debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, is "that kid". And with books, you want to read the book that is "that kid".

So let's talk about what made this such a great story.

First, I'll mention the characters. Brother and sister, Lauren and Garrett, made me laugh as they interacted with one another. And they touched my heart for the pain and abandonment they felt when their dad moved away and stopped having much to do with them. And the sweet way they cared for their grandma with Alzheimer's caused me to admire them. I cracked up at Lauren's attempts to feed Garrett healthy foods and his reaction to them.

Then there was Sloane. She was such a contradiction! Serious historian by day, sultry jazz singer by night. An adopted child with a sense of being all alone in the world. She always felt like everyone's Plan B.

I'll mention the writing next. Oh, the words blended so beautifully! I found myself marking passage after passage. I reveled in the lovely imagery and richly experienced the thoughts and feelings of the characters. I went through almost the full gamut of emotions, from laughter at the clever manner in which Garrett foisted the old satchel on the unsuspecting Sloane to heartbreak over loss and grief, to anger at Garrett's decisions, to excitement and wonder at the discoveries they made along the way. (And dare I mention the heart melting by the romance in both the present day and the past?)

The plot was very interesting and well-executed. I loved the parallels of the feelings between the present-day characters and those of the past. Annabelle's story captured my mind and my heart as it did those of Sloane, Scott, and Laurel.

A strong faith element runs through the pages. Questions like why God allows pain and suffering and whether we have any value in His eyes were addressed. I was especially touched as Sloane discovered that her worth and belonging had nothing to do with her earthly heritage but everything to do with her relationship with her Heavenly Father.

This lovely story stands well on its own but I am delighted to have discovered that Laurel will have her story told in the next book of the Sedgwick County Chronicles series. If you enjoy Christian fiction, don't wait to read Roots of Wood and Stone yourself. (And be sure to visit Amanda Wen's website and sign up for her newsletter. She has a free short story listed there that sounds super!)

This is a simply stunning time slip story with a wonderful sense of God's grace and love threading through it.

Sloane Kelley was abandoned by her mom three days after she was born. She's now 30 and has no clue who her birth mom is. Sloane has been lovingly raised by her adopted parents, however, continues to struggle with a sense of abandonment which continues to raise its ugly head in many of her relationships.

Annabelle Collins, half a century earlier in the 1860s, lost her parents when she was very young and joined her aunt and uncle on settling in the prairies in Sedgwick County, Kansas. Annabelle marries soon after to a local, Jack Brennan, who builds her a dream home where they raise their seven children. Annabelle is a mad diary writer and she documents all of her life in these diaries.

Sloane is an historian by profession and she inadvertently finds one of Annabelle's diaries. This starts Sloane on her own adventure of discovering the history behind Annabelle's life. To do this she needs to spend time in Garrett and Lauren Anderson's grandma's house and she becomes firm friends with the brother and sister as she heads deeper into the story of Annabelle.

Wen writes a beautiful story of love and loss, abandonment and reclamation, creating a wonderful assemble of characters whom its' easy to fall in love with. It's a really clever time slip story in how Wen brings the two life stories together without it being forced or unnatural.

It staggers me that this is a debut novel. There are so many wonderful descriptions of the county, the grand Brennan household that serves as the backdrop for much of the story, and the little tidbits like Sloane and Garrett's passion for jazz. I frequently found myself with a contented smile on my face as I turned the pages.

If you're looking for a delightful surprise, then Roots of Wood and Stone will certainly do that for you.

I received an early ebook copy via NetGalley as part of Audra Jennings PR Blog Tour with no expectation of a favourable review.

Roots of Wood and Stone
by Amanda Wen
Independent Publishers Group
Kregel Publications
Christian | General Fiction (Adult)
Pub Date 26 Jan 2021


I am reviewing a copy of Roots of Wood and Stone through Independent Publishers Group/Kregel Publishers Group:



Sloane Kelley is a historical museum curator who was abandoned at birth, leaving her family and her roots. 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.



All Garrett Anderson wanted to do was to clean out his Grandmothers historic, but tumbledown’s farm house attic so he can sell the house to pay for her medical care. She has advancing Alzheimer’s so he can’t afford to be sentimental about the old family home. But Garett finds that his best laid plans come up with two large obstacles, Sloane has fallen in love with both the diaries and the house, and he has fallen in love with Sloane.



A century and a half earlier, Anabelle Collins who was Motherless embarks on a once in a lifetime journey with her Aunt and Uncle, as they settle in 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. Going through the diaries together Sloane and Garrett go on a journey they never could have planned, which will change them in ways they never imagined.



If you are looking for a beautiful split-time novel that speaks beautifully of family and how God works in our lives then I recommend Roots of Wood and Stone.



I give Roots of Wood and Stone five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Characterization is key in Amanda Wen’s debut novel, and she rises to the challenge of making readers connect with them no matter their personalities. In both the modern day and the historical plot line, the come to life.

As Sloane strives for connection, Garrett implements his plans, and Annabelle searches for purpose, the emotions are authentic and engaging. The two storylines are expertly woven throughout the book in just the right places.

Roots of Wood and Stone deals with some difficult themes—abandonment, Alzheimer’s Disease, relationships, loss, and more—and Wen doesn’t rush through these. No, she brings readers along as her characters slog through the ugly and difficult trials of life until the light of hope pulls them through to the other side.

If this is how Wen begins her career, fans of great fiction have good things in store from this author.


Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

“You would forgo a comfortable, companionable marriage in favor of teaching in a ramshackle schoolhouse? Or setting broken bones and treating burns?”

A beautifully well-written story that weaves the past with the present. From the 1800’s with Annabelle and Jack to current day Garrett and Sloane. A story of love, loss and life set on the beautiful prairie of Sedgwick County, Kansas. Roots of Wood and Stone is Amanda Wen’s debut novel that will have you quickly falling in love with all the characters. I was able to relate to Sloane, sitting on the porch in beautiful Kansas with the wind blowing.

We are to trust God with our life, that we can not do it on our own and that He has the best plans for us. Pull up a rocking chair and carve out time to read “Roots of Wood and Stone,” you will fall in love with all the characters. This is one book that will be a keeper. Highly recommend!!

I received an early copy of the book from Kregel Publications. All opinions are my own.

Family roots are important, especially to Sloane. Abandoned at birth, she longs to know her birth family and their history. Compare that with Garrett, contemplating selling his grandmother's historic family farm house, and you have a potential romance with plenty of fireworks.

Wen has done a good job of weaving two stories into an interesting combination of eras, contemporary and pioneer. And she has included many twists and turns in the two narratives as they become intertwined. The joy and pain of discovering one's family history would make for an interesting reading group discussion.

There are additional issues in the novel, such as caring for aging relatives, especially with Alzheimer's. Another one is planning every aspect of life and not allowing for serendipitous blessings from God. And the big issue of feeling like your always someone's plan B.

This novel is a good debut effort from Wen. It is entertaining with engaging characters. I enjoyed it and will be looking for more from her.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through I Read With Audra. My comments are an independent and honest review.

This was the first book I read by this author and I could not put the book down. I loved this story. I am really getting to like these stories that have a story within a story. This was very emotional and inspirational. I loved that the past and the present intertwined. Sloan and Annabelle learned a lot of things about their life. This made me feel great in the end. I received a copy of this book from Read with Audra for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

A solid debut by time slip novelist, Amanda Wen.
I’m an avid dual time/time slip reader. This novel is different from the majority of the books I’ve read in the genre, in that the ever moving target of how the past and present can possibly be related was conspicuously absent. Right up front readers are given a historical story that is completely narrated to the contemporary heroine through diaries left in an old homestead. The property and original farm house is too much for the elderly occupant to maintain, so her grandchildren prepare the house to sell or make liveable for their grandmother. As they clean, they unearth the diaries which hold all the details of the lives lived in the farm house.
What made this story interesting for me was the twist that was added in the contemporary story. Readers are introduced to several secondary characters of whom have varied interest in the property being vacated. It is within these relationships that readers discover, along with our heroine, where her true roots come from.
The narrative flows well and the descriptions are detailed enough for readers to imagine themselves in the run down farm house or in the brand new house that Jack built. Music from the jazz scenes comes alive with the detail given on the page. There are enough characters to not like and ones who endear themselves to the reader.
If you want a light time slip read that will keep you turning the pages for the sweet story, Roots of Wood and Stone will satisfy your desire.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This Christian romance novel is a heartwarming tale about searching for one's roots, family memories, and the importance of belonging. Sloane Kelley meets Garrett Anderson when he drops off an old satchel at the museum where she works. In it, Sloane finds a diary written by Annabelle Collins in the 19th century. Sloane begins to read the diary and is intrigued to learn more about this woman. The diary and several others are found in the farmhouse belonging to Garrett's grandmother. As Sloane and Garrett spend time together trying to piece together who exactly Annabelle is, her life story helps them to understand what is important in their lives.

There is a dual timeline in this book, which I very much enjoy in novels, although the historical part about Annabelle was made up of snippets of scenes of her life from childhood to widowhood, rather than a full-fledged story, which was fine. I enjoyed Sloane and Garrett's story and how they were brought together.

This was a slow burn romance, clean and sweet. It was an enjoyable and satisfying read. I enjoyed reading the author's note about how she based some of her characters on her ancestors and the memoir written by her great great grandfather. What a rich heritage. This theme of looking at or learning of the lives of our past family members came out strong in the novel, one that I love in books.

Roots of Wood and Stone is a feel-good inspirational romance perfect for fans of Christian fiction.

There are several time slip books being published lately. I have come to like them. It amazes me how an author can write about two time periods and bring them together to fit like a puzzle. Sloane has a wonderful and interesting job as historic museum curator. The items she has discovered are well preserved and helps history tell its story through relics, diaries and pictures.

I know it was not by accident that Garrett brought an old satchel to the museum for Sloane to gather information on. God was already working to open a locked memory in Sloane’s life. Can you imagine being left on a bus as a little baby? That’s all Sloane knows about her life. She was adopted but her desire has always been to find her birth mother. Her emotions are deep as she struggles to think she has always been plan B in everyone’s life. My heart broke for her as the little girl in her wanted to be someone’s plan A. She wanted to feel wanted and know what unconditional love means. She wanted to be first choice and not second.

Garrett is hard to read at times. His grandmother has Alzheimer and slowly her mind is slipping away. It is a hard disease to watch and I cried as it reminded me of my mother. Selling her house is top priority for Garrett and he is so focused on it that he sometimes makes wrong choices.

The best part of the story for me was the discovery of the diaries tucked away in his grandmother’s house. In those diaries is the key to a time where it was hard to survive. A young girl of nine years old starts a diary that spans her lifetime. Nestled in the pages are secrets, heartache, and answers that Sloane has been looking for. I loved getting to know
Annabelle and her adventure living with her aunt and uncle. God is there when Annabelle suffers great loses and He wraps His arms around her as she weeps.

This has been a wonderful journey as generations bring history to the present. Their love and trust in God is evident as they raise children and give a future to their children. The author writes with such grace and I felt as if I was given a peek at the past through Annabelle’s eyes. The ending is both emotional and surprising. God has a plan for our lives. We need to wait on Him, listen to Him and follow the path he directs us to.

I received a copy of this book from Audra Reads Blogging program. The review is my own opinion.

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.

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.

THOUGHTS
I quite honestly don’t know where to start or what to say… This debut novelist has shown a skill that leaves me impressed and eager to see where Amanda Wen goes next.

I requested a copy of Roots of Wood and Stone on a whim as soon as I heard about it. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting and I wasn’t sure if I’d like the writing style… Wow, am I glad I did! The rich history, the sweet romance, the turbulent past, and the realness of the heroine along with a hero that is unsure of what to do makes Roots of Wood and Stone an impressive must read debut novel.

The struggles of Garrett and Lauren were ones that I am not unfamiliar with, and that may have given me an instant reason to connect with the story, among other things this is an emotionally grabbing book that won’t let you go even after you read the last page.

I look forward to reading more from and following Amanda Wen’s writing.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.