Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for review. Opinions shared are mine.

It was time to take a shift from the usual thrillers; this week I read one based in the hills of Arkansas around the post-WWII era. I expected it to be more of a romance, but there were some heated moments of suspense and danger.

Alternating between the two main characters got to be a bit confusing. I found my attention drifting because much of the focus was on the characters’ internal tension and struggles in the aftermath of postwar trauma. Additionally, there were many intense scenes that surprised me in the graphic descriptions and violence. Readers who find dark topics to be disturbing should be warned. Initially I felt that this would be a clean read ideal for Christian-fiction fans, but some of the content makes me hesitate to recommend it to that audience.

The storyline was complex and complicated, which sometimes made it off-kilter when paired with the homespun simplicity of a backwoods farm setting. For example, the town seemed very small yet there was a hospital near enough to access by horse-drawn wagon.

The parts I liked best were the moments in the garden and kitchen. There were many descriptions of farm life, including a pea trellis and harvesting beets. The characters spend a lot of time gathered around a table, enjoying old recipes and family favorites.

Ready for the giveaway? One lucky winner will receive this fabulous prize pack:
 
– A copy of Shadows in the Mind’s Eye,
– A custom made silver peach tree necklace inspired by the book,
– A “Light speaks through the broken places” t-shirt also inspired by the book.