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13 February 2021

Giveaway: Debut Author Amanda Wen's New Release



Roots of Wood and Stone, Sedgwick County Chronicles, by Amanda Wen (Kregel, 2021), ISBN: 9780825446689.

From Amanda's publicist:

Roots of Wood and Stone  is a warm, delightfully written split-time novel that will resonate with readers looking for stories that reveal the beauty of God’s plan for our lives, and how our actions ripple for generations.

 

Sloane Kelley was abandoned at birth, and while she wants more than anything to learn where she came from, her family roots remain a mystery. As curator of the Sedgwick County Museum of History, Sloane has dedicated her life to making sure others can connect with their history. When a donor drops off a dusty old satchel, she doesn’t expect much from the common artifact; after all, the museum has a few on display and more in storage. However, she finds real treasure inside: a nineteenth-century diary. Now, she’s on the hunt to see if there’s more where it came from. 

 

Garrett Anderson just wanted to clean out his grandmother’s historic but tumbledown farmhouse before selling it to fund her medical care. He’s always been the responsible one, and 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 after he takes a few things to the local museum: Sloane, who’s fallen in love with both the diaries and the old house, and his own heart, which is drawn to Sloane. Selling the house that holds so much history will disappoint both Sloane and his sister, Lauren, who is doing her best to care for their grandmother, but Garrett finds himself in an impossible situation.

 

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 carried 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.

 

And Sloane may just find her roots in a place she never would have expected.

 

Roots of Wood and Stone is set in the area of Kansas Wen has lived in most of her life. In fact, the story is inspired by aspects of her own family history. “One of my favorite things about split time is watching the contemporary characters dig into the past,” Wen explains. “My mother is a genealogist who’s been tracing our family history since before I was born, and her passion for uncovering our family’s stories has been an important backdrop my entire life. Her research has given me an appreciation for those who came before and a desire to pass along this appreciation to my own kids.” As an homage to her mother and all the rest of her ancestors, Wen named many of the people and places in the book after family. Parts of their stories are even woven into the historical portion of the book.

 

Wen not only offers readers two plotlines filled with plenty of history and romance wrapped into one story, she mixes in a healthy dose of humor and strong faith elements as well. “All my characters have deep needs that they try to fill through other means (achievement, research, hard work, planning, etc.), but throughout the story they learn that only God can fill those needs,” Wen shares. “He has a beautiful plan, one that goes far beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine, and he takes all our broken pieces and loose ends and weaves those trials into a tapestry more beautiful than we could possibly imagine. He is always there, faithfully guiding our steps, even—or perhaps especially—when we’re not aware of it. I hope my readers will trust him, his individual love and care for each of us, and his perfect plan just a little bit more after they close this book.”

 


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)



Giveaway: OWG blog is giving away a copy of Amanda's debut release in Christian Fiction. Leave a comment to enter!


38 comments:

  1. This is a lovely book and it sounds like a book that all AVID readers would enjoy! Thanks for sharing.
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Oh this is the book I have been wanting! I hope to win!
    Pals member & Avid Readers member. Didn’t know if that helps like sometimes lol but I guess it doesn’t hurt.
    grandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Brenda!! Your enthusiasm is a blessing!

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  3. I have a big heart for debut novels and this one sounds incredible. A time split novel is also a favorite of mine, so I am excited to see where this goes with Sloane's abandonment at birth. I also love the idea of an old farmhouse, there should be lots of secrets there! I'm an Avid Reader also.
    Perrianne Askew
    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Perrianne! LOVE your heart for debut authors!

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  4. This sounds like an interesting story, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  5. I would love to read a new author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've read several reviews of this book and it's one I am anxious to read. TY for the giveaway opportunity, Carrie!

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  7. Ever since I first saw this book and learned it was a dual time book, I have wanted it!
    Thanks for the chance to win it.
    paulamarys49@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Paula! I'm glad you're excited about the book!

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  8. I enjoy reading new authors. I have this on my want to read list. Blessings

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  9. This story sounds so interesting! I love to learn about new authors - thanks Carrie :)
    bettimace AT gmail DOT com

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  10. Sounds like a good one!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  11. This sounds wonderful and I love the cover.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Mary! The design team at Kregel knocked that cover out of the park!

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  12. This sounds like a wonderful book and one I would love to read! Thanks for the chance to win!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Kathi! I appreciate the encouragement!

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  13. Split-time is such a fun genre! I'm excited to read this one.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Caryl! Split time IS fun! It's a lot of work to write, but totally worth it!

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  14. This book sounds so awesome. Crossing my fingers I win cause I surely want to read it.

    Avid and pals member

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Sherry!! I'm thrilled you're excited about the book!

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    2. Congrats to you, Sherry Moe! per random.org you are the winner of the giveaway!

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  15. I love this books cover & excerpt! Thanks for sharing the chance to win a copy.

    rw620 AT aol DOT com

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  16. I just love the sound of this story. Can't wait to read it.
    I must say I love the cover and I love your dress in the picture
    as well!
    Blessings and Congratulations
    Linda Marie Finn
    Faithful Acres Books & Author Services
    www.bodysoulspirit.blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, thank you! I usually don't participate in viral challenges, but with a pioneer book and a pioneer dress challenge, how could I not?

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  17. I LOVE reading historical fiction and dual timelines. ROOTS OF WOOD AND STONE sounds so good!! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I appreciate the enthusiasm and I hope you enjoy the book!

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  18. I have read so many awesome reviews of Roots of Wood and Stone that I am very excited about reading it.

    ReplyDelete

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