I will admit I do not read fiction very often. But every once in a while, I find myself wanting to get lost in a story, engrossed in the lives and events of others. I have been enjoying the blog of Emily T. Wierenga for some time. So when I heard she had written a novel, I did not hesitate to pre-order it.
“A Promise in Pieces” was a wonderful and heartwarming story covering a span of fifty years in the life of Clara, a nurse during WWII. It is a story of family dynamics, heartbreak and love, loneliness and friendships, purpose and destiny. I found myself drawn to each of the characters, loving them and wanting them to find the happiness they longed for with each other.
Emily weaves the events so emotionally rich. She brought a deeper understanding and appreciation of a war which occurred before my lifetime. Emily unfolds a picture of the pain and horrors of war through the thoughts of Clara, who cares for the injured viewing them as “someone’s baby who once laughed and gurgled and rolled.” (page 41)
We come to understand there is a godly balance between both love and justice.
We discover that trust truly is “learned and practiced in the moment” (page 61). Perhaps only moment by moment.
Clara’s desire, to bring a home made quilt to the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, takes her on a trip which includes each member of her family. “A Promise in Pierces” is the story of this special quilt. We come to gain a beautiful picture of life through the insights Clara shares about her quilt and her own life …
I could see the pieces of the quilt forming; the patches of my life, all there, and God sewing them together with tender threads. (page 124)
This is a story of hope, the chance to do life again, to do it over. It is a story of love and forgiveness. And of coming full circle.
This is the story about Oliver as much as it is of Clara. Oliver, a quiet sort of a man, who teaches us it is possible to be “quiet and yet love the Lord with a loud kind of love”. In fact, Oliver will challenge us to become just this very sort of person.
This was a book I did not want to come to finish as I did not want to close the cover on each of its characters. It was a book which brought comfort and promise through each page demonstrating that in spite of the messes we seem to create, each of us will leave a mark on this world.
I highly recommend this book to you for your own reading pleasure. I purchased this book for myself and am sharing a review because it is a story which should be shared. I loved reading this book and so will you!
**Emily T. Wierenga is a journalist, a columnist and blogs at emilywierenga.com. I hope you will visit her blog as you will quickly come to love all she which she shares.
Today I am joining … Three Word Wed. and Wed. Prayer Girls and Wedded Wed. and Wordless Wed. and Works For Me and Wholehearted Wed. and Winsome Wed. and Whimsical Wed. and Imperfect Prose and Words of Life Wed. and Booknificent Thurs. .
I love Emily and I”m excited to read her book. A copy arrived this week. If only there weren’t so many new books coming out! I can’t keep up. š Thank you for your beautiful review. Happy Wednesday to you. Much love.
You will surely love this book. Very heartwarming & moving. Yes, I love Emily’s blog as well. Blessings, Beth!
I’ve been looking for some more novels to read. Seems like all I’ve been reading lately is non-fiction books for review! Thanks for passing this recommendation along. Sounds like I need to put this on my ever-expanding reading list!
Holly, you will love this book. I hadn’t read a novel in so long. When I saw that Emily had written one, I pre-ordered it. It felt so good to sit & get lost in the lives of her characters. I have a constant list going of books to read too š
I don’t read fiction very much either, Joanne. There are so many non-fiction books on spiritual and relational issues that I have on my “to read” list that it seems there’s no time for the joy of just reading and imagining these days. I also love Emily, her writing and her heart. God has truly gifted her and in that gifting, we are blessed as well. Thanks for sharing this review and for linking up back at my place. It’s a joy to have you there, my friend!
It felt wonderful to take a short break from non-fiction & get lost in the lives of Emily’s characters. The book truly has such a heartwarming message. This is a book worth the time to read. And it touches on the sweet marriage of Clara & Oliver & the bonds that held them š
I love getting lost in a good book! This sounds great. I hope you can come by and visit:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2014/04/wholehearted-weigh-in-wednesday-42314.html
Colletta
I did come by & visit & have the feeling I will be back š
Great review and recommendation, Joanne! I will have to check out this book this summer when I have a little more free time.
It will make a wonderful & relaxing summer read!
excited to read Emily’s novel – what a blessing she is to many
as are you!
Thank you so much. You will truly enjoy Emily’s novel. It is such a sweet story which will tug deeply at your heart.
Wow it sounds like a very emotional, but powerful read! Thanks for sharing your review!
It is a very heartwarming book. You will surely enjoy it!
This sounds like a lovely book. Nice to hear about it on Booknificent Thursday!
It is a wonderful read & sure to be enjoyed! Thank you for stopping here!
The book is on its’ way to me, Jo!! Thank you for the recommendation!!!!! I’m looking forward to reading it!!! š
It was such a wonderful & sweet book, Angela. You are going to love it!
I’ve stumbled across Emily’s blog a few times and really enjoyed it, so I’m sure I’d enjoy this book, especially after reading this glowing review! Thanks so much for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday! Hope to see you again this week!
Tina
Thanks Tina! I just linked my review of Rhinestone Jesus & a giveaway. Another truly wonderful book. Hope you participate in the giveaway š