Publisher and Publication Date: Thomas Nelson. April 2, 2019.
Genre: Christian fiction.
Pages: 384.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but was not required to leave a positive review.
Rating: Good.
Audience: Readers of Christian fiction. Readers of romance stories.
Additional link to Audra Jennings post
At this link there is a giveaway.
About the book:
When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that, either.
Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.
Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.
About the author:
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times Book Reviews. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award Winner.
Her book, Once Upon A Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie.
Rachel has been awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A member of the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of The Year.
At home, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.
A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.
She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.
For more information: Rachel Hauck’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
My thoughts:
I don’t read Christian fiction often. I actually have a stack of books in this genre to read.
I was drawn to The Memory House because of the title, and secondly the main character, Beck Holiday’s career in law enforcement.
Beck Holiday is 31. She’s been a New York City Police officer several years. She lives at home with her mother, step-dad, and a younger brother.
Early in the story I became surprised at Beck’s emotional immaturity. Her age did not match the maturity level I’d expected. Her knowledge and experience in law enforcement did not match the maturity level. I didn’t understand her dependence on her parents. I didn’t understand her aloof nature in regards to all relationships. As the story progressed, and in learning about her dad’s death, then I understood. When a person at a young age goes through a crisis like the death of a parent it can cause an emotional vacuum. Another words, Beck’s emotional maturity has been hindered or restricted because of the trauma. Rachel Hauck never explains this in the story, but I caught on. Hauck did a great job in the portrayal of Holiday in regards to her background, parents, and the national event that changed everyone’s lives especially Holiday.
Beck has a break down of sorts in the first few pages, this leads to getting a letter about an inheritance-house in included. This changes her life. I love this huge change. Things seemed to be going no where for Beck. Life was a gray winter. The new change is fresh and sunny.
A secondary background story is from the voice of Everleigh Applegate. Her story is from the 1950s. I loved it when I finally understood the tie-in between the two women. Dual time periods with characters are popular in fiction books. I’m bored with this. A story can be told without going back and forth in time. I was able to keep up with the two time periods, but I’m just tired of reading this technique.
The romance element of the story is okay. I feel Beck has things going on in life that need to be dealt with. She needs to know who she is and become settled. And, why did this have to be apart of the story anyway? Why does there need to be a girl meets boy or boy meets girl. There is nothing wrong with just being who they are and enjoying life.
Impressions In Ink 