Roots of Wood and Stone

Sedgwick County Chronicles, Book 1

By: Amanda Wen

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

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 19th-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.

©2021 Amanda Wen (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Well done split time

I enjoyed this book which very nicely switches between contemporary and historical in the same part of the country. Sweet romance, nice characters with good lessons learned. I like books that involve old diaries and old houses and farms and things so it was especially good.

Gorgeous story -- loved it!

Old farmhouses, genealogy, old diaries, and romance... is there any better combo? Add in a clean, beautiful story with Christian undertones and you have a winner. Best of all, Ms. Wen is a very talented author who weaves together the family story of the 19th century family to the modern times in such a compelling way that I listened nearly all the way through. The only part that was a little muddy for me was the branch of Garrett's family to Oliver and Annabelle and how his grandmother ended up with the house and all that. Maybe I missed something, or maybe I was so caught up in Sloane's story that I missed the fine details. Still, it was one of the best I'd listened to in a while, and adored the inspirational aspects of the story. I hope we get more from this author! The narrator, too, was perfect. Well done and kudos to each.

buy this book

fantastic story and probably the best performance I have ever heard!! love love this book

Loved this book!

I had an 11 hour drive today and listening to this beautiful story made my drive so much easier. The narrator did an amazing job bringing the characters to life. My favorite book this year!

Surprise, god becomes a main character

The story was cute and I mostly enjoyed it until the end when god suddenly became a main character. It felt preachy. It would have been nice if a hint of this was in the story description/ synopsis.

Enjoyable reading!

I appreciate the way the author weaves the past and present together in ways that for me were most enjoyable because the story is uplifting and exciting at the same time.

Wonderful

A wonderful store that makes you think of your own family history. Being from Wichita with Kansas roots was the cherry on top.

No One is a Mistake: A Story of Restoration

Roots of Wood and Stone is a beautiful story of perseverance, second chances and found family. Sloane, who works at a museum and is drawn to the past, becomes intrigued by a diary that recounts the life of Annabelle, a pioneer who, along with her aunt and uncle, settles in Kansas. Sloane is also drawn to Garrett, the man who is clearing out his grandmother's house and has donated the diary to the museum. Sloane, who was abandoned as an infant and adopted, is inexplicably drawn to the farmhouse that Garrett must sell in order to finance his grandmother's long-term medical care. As events from the past and present unfold, lives become linked in unexpected and beautiful ways, and Sloane might discover that she is worth far more than she realizes. Moreover, she is not a "Plan B" person, (a mistake), but might just fit into an incredible plan woven by an awesome Creator.

I absolutely loved this enthralling story, particularly how the dual timelines fitted so seamlessly together. The author writes with authenticity, and each character has authentic struggles that make them endearing. I loved Garrett's logical mind which collides with Sloane's more spontaneous personality. The relationship that develops between them is sweet and real. I appreciate the values in the story and that, while there are definite sparks throughout, there is no insta-love or childish angstiness.
The exploration of Alzheimer's as a theme and the fraught hardship this disease brings to Garrett and his sister, Lauren, hit a bit too close to home for me, (my grandmother had Alzheimer's), but the theme is handled with grace and authenticity. I loved Lauren, too.
My favorite aspect of the book is the historical story. Annabelle is a wonderful character as is Jack, and their perseverance, hardship and love is so beautifully portrayed. The historical story is so rich and lovely.

Nancy Peterson portrays the characters wonderfully with a rich timbre to her delivery. I especially loved her portrayals of Sloane, Garrett, Grandma Rosie, the oily developer, Kimberly and Jack Brennan. The Irish brogue she employs for Jack is smooth and not over-the-top. A stellar narrator for an amazing story! I look forward to listening to the next book in this series and hope the third book will be given an audio edition. As a blind individual, I always appreciate when publishers make their books available in accessible formats.

Happy listening, and God bless you all.

Great

I loved this book, it kept my interest and I read it in one day. I couldn't put it down. I am anxiously awaiting book two.

Romantic and beautifully narrated

This is a beautifully narrated story about family and love. The personalities come to life and the talented narrator brings the characters to life and puts you right in the middle of the story as if you were there. I had tears well up on numerous occasions. I loved every moment of this audible book. This book is for every romantic person who wants a good, clean, feel good story.