Emily Wierenga's A Promise in Pieces--A Review

So, a while back, I told one of my "agent-mates" and a fellow Quilts of Love author that I'd love to read a copy of her debut novel.  A couple of weeks ago the book came, and I sat down to read it.

By page three, I realized something.  

Emily Wierenga is the kind of writer that makes me want to sell my Macbook and never buy another pen again as long as I live because I'm pretty sure I'll never be that good.

Dagnabbit.

Seriously, I wanted to start copying A Promise in Pieces by hand just to capture the way the rhythm of the words ran, like this nearly effortless story told to me by the narrator.  Before the first chapter ended, Clara was alive for me and by the end of the last chapter, I was really hoping here were more pages tucked away somewhere so Clara could just go on and on.  

When I first got the book, I wasn't really sure what it was going to be.  Part of me was expecting a World War II story, but that wasn't it.  World War II was a small portion of Clara's life with a huge effect on who she became.  Another part of me expected a love story.  then again, I always expect a love story. And I got one.  But it wasn't just between Clara and her husband. It was between Clara and a dying soldier…  Clara and her children… Clara and her parents… Clara and her friends…  Clara and her God.  This is definitely a love story, but it's about all of the loves we have in our lives… and all of the loves we lose in our lives.  And the entire story revolves around a quilt, sewn out of new love, given away after lost love, and given life through restorative love.

Clara's story is real.  It resonates.  And I highly recommend it.  It may take you a few pages to get used to the rhythm of Emily Wierenga's writing, but once you do, the words almost breathe.  (And yes, as a writer, I think the voice got me as much as the story itself did.  You'll see what I mean when you read it.  And, again, you should read it.)

I received this book from the publisher.  The review is honest and my own.

Leave a comment on any post this week for a chance to win an autographed copy of my Love Inspried Suspense, Crossfire. In addition, Tina Pinson is giving away a copy of her eBook To Carry Her Cross.

Jodie Bailey is a Carolina girl who once considered giving up writing to feed rabid alligators because the whole alligator thing sounded a whole lot easier.  Then she remembered rabid alligators have teeth and her laptop doesn't.   You can visit her at www.jodiebailey.com.