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Michelli Family #3
Echoes
Even in the midst of her affectionate and chaotic Italian family all living in the Bronx neighborhood where she grew up, Sofie Michelli feels alone. For too long, she has been caught in a net of loss and despair. When an old woman murmurs, "finchè c'è vita c'è speranza" (where there's life, there's hope), Sofie feels the familiar words penetrate and awaken something. She is alive. It is time to let go, to start again.
Rese is not sure what to make of Lance Michelli's healing gift, but she feels protective of this humbled version of the swaggering man who turned her life inside out. As they find new footing, the Sonoma villa they once intended as an inn becomes a refuge for the downtrodden--including Lance's sister Sofie.
Driven to protect the weak and innocent, Child Protective Services worker Matt Hammond responds to a call and finds an infant abandoned to the care of an odd assortment of misfits. He reserves judgment on the unconventional caregivers--who both concern and fascinate him--but he is especially drawn to Sofie, the mesmerizing woman with a dancer's poise, eyes like dark copper pennies--and scars on her wrists.
Rese is not sure what to make of Lance Michelli's healing gift, but she feels protective of this humbled version of the swaggering man who turned her life inside out. As they find new footing, the Sonoma villa they once intended as an inn becomes a refuge for the downtrodden--including Lance's sister Sofie.
Driven to protect the weak and innocent, Child Protective Services worker Matt Hammond responds to a call and finds an infant abandoned to the care of an odd assortment of misfits. He reserves judgment on the unconventional caregivers--who both concern and fascinate him--but he is especially drawn to Sofie, the mesmerizing woman with a dancer's poise, eyes like dark copper pennies--and scars on her wrists.
414 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2007
105 people are currently reading
715 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Heitzmann
46 books922 followersKristen Heitzmann is the award winning author of contemporary romantic suspense, psychological suspense, and historical series. An artist and musician, she'll also be found hiking the Rocky Mountain trails.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
May 30, 2022
Sofie besucht ihren Bruder Lance auf dessen Weingut. Dort trifft sie auf Maria, ein junges Mädchen, das gerade Mutter geworden ist. Doch Maria ist verzweifelt. Sie verlässt das Weingut und lässt ihren kleinen Sohn bei Lance zurück. Das Jugendamt schaltet sich ein, und so lernt Sofie den Sozialarbeiter Matt kennen. Sie fühlen sich zueinander hingezogen, doch sowohl Sofie als auch Matt haben noch mit ihrer Vergangenheit zu kämpfen.
Mein Leseeindruck:
"Das Echo der Vergangenheit" ist bereits der dritte Teil einer Trilogie. Man muss sicherlich nicht zwangsläufig die Vorgänger gelesen haben, um diese Geschichte zu verstehen, aber ich würde es doch dringend empfehlen. Ich selbst kenne leider die beiden ersten Bücher nicht, und ich habe beim Lesen oft gemerkt, dass mir irgendetwas fehlte.
Es scheint zuvor so unglaublich viel passiert zu sein, und in diesem Buch wird immer wieder Bezug darauf genommen.
Vielleicht hätte mir dieses Buch besser gefallen, wenn ich zuvor Band 1 und Band 2 gelesen hätte, aber so kann ich leider nur drei Sterne vergeben.
Am Schreibstil und der Sprache liegt es nicht, auch nicht am Inhalt. Doch konnte mich die Geschichte einfach nicht so sehr packen. Ich glaube, mir fehlte einfach der Bezug zu den Figuren. Ich konnte keine richtige Verbindung zu ihnen aufbauen. Schade.
Mein Leseeindruck:
"Das Echo der Vergangenheit" ist bereits der dritte Teil einer Trilogie. Man muss sicherlich nicht zwangsläufig die Vorgänger gelesen haben, um diese Geschichte zu verstehen, aber ich würde es doch dringend empfehlen. Ich selbst kenne leider die beiden ersten Bücher nicht, und ich habe beim Lesen oft gemerkt, dass mir irgendetwas fehlte.
Es scheint zuvor so unglaublich viel passiert zu sein, und in diesem Buch wird immer wieder Bezug darauf genommen.
Vielleicht hätte mir dieses Buch besser gefallen, wenn ich zuvor Band 1 und Band 2 gelesen hätte, aber so kann ich leider nur drei Sterne vergeben.
Am Schreibstil und der Sprache liegt es nicht, auch nicht am Inhalt. Doch konnte mich die Geschichte einfach nicht so sehr packen. Ich glaube, mir fehlte einfach der Bezug zu den Figuren. Ich konnte keine richtige Verbindung zu ihnen aufbauen. Schade.
January 23, 2016
ECHOES is the conclusion to two previous books by Kristen Heitzmann, SECRETS and UNFORGOTTEN. I was so excited to be able to read about Lance and Rese again, characters that I really enjoyed, but ECHOES is mainly centered around Lance’s sister Sofie, a woman with struggling to make sense of a difficult past.
I liked ECHOES, though at times, I felt frustrated by Sofie. Sofie is a woman suffering from the mental abuse of her previous relationship. A suicide survivor, she decides she needs a change of scenery if she is ever going to put her destructive past behind her. She leaves New York and travels to Sonoma, CA, to be near her brother Lance, and to try to get her life back together. In a twist of events, she ends up caring for an abandoned child, which brings Matt Hammond, a child protective services agent, into her life. Matt is a great guy, wanting nothing more than to help Sofie deal with her past.
My frustration lies in the fact that Sofie’s past, abusive boyfriend, has such a hold on her, she keeps pushing Matt away. Though the end is fulfilling, bringing Lance and Rese full circle, I would’ve like to see Sofie and Matt’s relationship not rushed at the end of the book. You see loose ends tied up, but not maybe as satisfying as I would’ve liked.
I liked ECHOES, though at times, I felt frustrated by Sofie. Sofie is a woman suffering from the mental abuse of her previous relationship. A suicide survivor, she decides she needs a change of scenery if she is ever going to put her destructive past behind her. She leaves New York and travels to Sonoma, CA, to be near her brother Lance, and to try to get her life back together. In a twist of events, she ends up caring for an abandoned child, which brings Matt Hammond, a child protective services agent, into her life. Matt is a great guy, wanting nothing more than to help Sofie deal with her past.
My frustration lies in the fact that Sofie’s past, abusive boyfriend, has such a hold on her, she keeps pushing Matt away. Though the end is fulfilling, bringing Lance and Rese full circle, I would’ve like to see Sofie and Matt’s relationship not rushed at the end of the book. You see loose ends tied up, but not maybe as satisfying as I would’ve liked.
March 11, 2017
I liked this conclusion to the series though there was some difficult/frustrating parts for me.
Matt is a social worker, working mainly with difficult situations where children are taken from abusive homes. These parts were difficult to read. I know it happens but difficult to see how parents can mistreat their children.
Sofie - my emotions went from liking her, feeling sorry for her and being frustrated with her. I know emotional abuse is serious but still being affected 6 years later seems more like her not being able to let go and move on, which frustrated me because in the beginning she seemed like a strong woman.
It was nice to catch up with Reese and Lance and see their relationship grow. Especially Lance's relationship with God.
I also enjoyed seeing Matt's relationship with God develop and how he stepped up to support Sofie.
All in all enjoyed this book and series.
Matt is a social worker, working mainly with difficult situations where children are taken from abusive homes. These parts were difficult to read. I know it happens but difficult to see how parents can mistreat their children.
Sofie - my emotions went from liking her, feeling sorry for her and being frustrated with her. I know emotional abuse is serious but still being affected 6 years later seems more like her not being able to let go and move on, which frustrated me because in the beginning she seemed like a strong woman.
It was nice to catch up with Reese and Lance and see their relationship grow. Especially Lance's relationship with God.
I also enjoyed seeing Matt's relationship with God develop and how he stepped up to support Sofie.
All in all enjoyed this book and series.
June 4, 2016
I wanted to like this book -- I really did. I waffled between a 2 and 3 star rating. In the end I went with the 2 star because when it comes down to it, if anyone asked me, I would say don't read it. After the second book, I was a little wary. I struggled getting into this one, largely because it picked up with some of my issues from the 2nd book. There were religious things in the book that I felt were treated too lightly. Not that Heitzmann was making light of them at all, but the sheer repetition took them from what I would consider sacred to what I would consider commonplace. Lance started to drive me crazy, and I was half in love with him during the first book. I really liked the Sofie/Matt thing at first. However, I reached a point where I wanted to slap Sofie upside the head. If she had really studied psychology in order to understand her past relationship, she didn't do a very good job or she wouldn't have found herself so easily manipulated again. I really hated how Heitzmann kept talking about how Eric just "loved her too much". What she was describing wasn't love. And I got sooooo sick of Sofie's obsession with Carly. I thought if I heard Carly's name one more time, I was going to scream. Instead of feeling uplifted after reading the book, I was disturbed.
So...why finish reading? I did enjoy the basic story line and I quite liked the first book. I was recommending it to my sister and my mom. I wanted to see how it ended. This was an area where the audio book was a hindrance...even an ebook wouldn't have been great. If I'd had a "book book", then I could have skimmed through the parts that were annoying. I think I may have enjoyed it more then. If anyone were to ask now, I would say to stay away from the series, and I don't know that I will be reading any more books by this author.
So...why finish reading? I did enjoy the basic story line and I quite liked the first book. I was recommending it to my sister and my mom. I wanted to see how it ended. This was an area where the audio book was a hindrance...even an ebook wouldn't have been great. If I'd had a "book book", then I could have skimmed through the parts that were annoying. I think I may have enjoyed it more then. If anyone were to ask now, I would say to stay away from the series, and I don't know that I will be reading any more books by this author.
October 23, 2012
Ah! What can I say about this book? I was sooo sad when it ended! Sofie's story is amazing! And I love how Lance and Rese's story also wrapped itself up without taking away from Sofie's story....even Rico and Star seem to have a happy ending even though they are supporting characters Loved Loved this book and the entire series!! As the author states in her acknowledgements......To God be the glory! Beautiful series from beginning to end!
May 24, 2020
This was supposed to be an ending novel but I feel another one to come. lance and Reese had a sweet conclusion but I was left wanting more for Sofie, Matt, Carly, Star and Rico. The author closes with To God be the glory. amen. I really enjoyed this series.
May 10, 2010
Finished Echoes by K Heitzmann. There is a kind of love that is too much, turned selfish, possessive, obsessive, manipulative&controlling. It is upleft scary, downright frightening & revolvingly terrifying. Then there is another kind of love that is selfless, freeing, empowering, unconditional, the kind that Jesus gave u...s when He died on d'cross for our sins. It is up to U to ask Him 2come n2 ur heart&dwell inside.
The kind of love that is so selfless it sacrifices everything even His own life just so that you will have nothing less than the best.
A love that allows you to be the best that you can be.
A love that is healthy because it gives you room to love others even above and beyond Him should you chose to. ... See More
The kind of love that is empowering you to treat others with respect no matter what your decision maybe.
The kind of love that gives you freedom to choose a life that may not include Him and yet would still love you unconditionally.
I used to experience the former kind of love thinking that it is a love that I wanted, what I needed, what I can not live without but I praise Jesus who has my best interest at heart at all times that He freed me from it. Knowing that I would be stifled, suffocated and eventually it would lead to my own death had I stayed in it.
Instead, He showed me a love that is of the latter. A love that is so freeing that it allowed me to live a healthy and balanced life. A love that allowed me to pick up the million pieces that was my heart and exchanged it for His that is whole. A love that exudes beauty and confidence that I am loved without any conditions. A love that can be mirrored to others correctly because my model is the one who loved me first because He is love.
Thank you Jesus! I love You more than life!
The kind of love that is so selfless it sacrifices everything even His own life just so that you will have nothing less than the best.
A love that allows you to be the best that you can be.
A love that is healthy because it gives you room to love others even above and beyond Him should you chose to. ... See More
The kind of love that is empowering you to treat others with respect no matter what your decision maybe.
The kind of love that gives you freedom to choose a life that may not include Him and yet would still love you unconditionally.
I used to experience the former kind of love thinking that it is a love that I wanted, what I needed, what I can not live without but I praise Jesus who has my best interest at heart at all times that He freed me from it. Knowing that I would be stifled, suffocated and eventually it would lead to my own death had I stayed in it.
Instead, He showed me a love that is of the latter. A love that is so freeing that it allowed me to live a healthy and balanced life. A love that allowed me to pick up the million pieces that was my heart and exchanged it for His that is whole. A love that exudes beauty and confidence that I am loved without any conditions. A love that can be mirrored to others correctly because my model is the one who loved me first because He is love.
Thank you Jesus! I love You more than life!
January 1, 2011
This is my favorite Heitzmann book thus far: the plot is fast, the setting perfect and the conclusion well worth the wait.
The characters’ physical, emotional and spiritual journeys are realistic. How encouraging that most of their journeys lead to personal relationships with Christ! If and when they acknowledge God’s gift of love/grace/mercy/forgiveness/hope, Hetizmann’s characters are born anew and used in unique ways to bring glory to Him.
Yes, I want to pray like Lance, encourage like Nonna, grow like Rese, create like Star, love like Sofie, read like Chaz and protect like Matt and Marco. Really, really, really. Really and truly.
The characters’ physical, emotional and spiritual journeys are realistic. How encouraging that most of their journeys lead to personal relationships with Christ! If and when they acknowledge God’s gift of love/grace/mercy/forgiveness/hope, Hetizmann’s characters are born anew and used in unique ways to bring glory to Him.
Yes, I want to pray like Lance, encourage like Nonna, grow like Rese, create like Star, love like Sofie, read like Chaz and protect like Matt and Marco. Really, really, really. Really and truly.
October 25, 2012
Book 3 of the Micelli saga. Audiobook The last of the 3 books about the Micellis! Loved it. This one focuses more on Sofie, Lance's sister, who comes to Sonoma to visit Lance, Rece & Nonna and get on with her life. We find she had loved a man & his daughter like her own, but it was a destructive relationship. Six years later, she starts receiving strange phone calls--who turn out to be Carli.
When Rese & Lance take in a Mexican girl and her baby, Child Protective Service worker Matt Hammond is called in and falls in love with Sofie.
The whole family has to deal with Lance's gift of healing. The story comes to an end with a wedding and a promise of more love to come.
When Rese & Lance take in a Mexican girl and her baby, Child Protective Service worker Matt Hammond is called in and falls in love with Sofie.
The whole family has to deal with Lance's gift of healing. The story comes to an end with a wedding and a promise of more love to come.
December 10, 2010
i would give this 3 1/2 stars. this was my first venture in christian novels - the story was pretty good and kept my interest, but the praying just seemed to be added and not an intergrel part of the story.
the story involved a large italian family - some living in new york city and some in the bay area. Sophie one of the sisters has survived a very hard breakup in a relationship but the man and his daughter are trying to get back into her life. The family steps in for support and a child welfare worker, Matt, whom she met in town is falling in love with her and wants her for himself.
the story involved a large italian family - some living in new york city and some in the bay area. Sophie one of the sisters has survived a very hard breakup in a relationship but the man and his daughter are trying to get back into her life. The family steps in for support and a child welfare worker, Matt, whom she met in town is falling in love with her and wants her for himself.
January 22, 2020
I was very disappointed in this final book of the series. If you remember in book 1, I lauded the "real" and "grounded" aspects of the characters who were so human yet walked by faith. This is totally shot by book three as the mysticism of Lance being a healer and battling demons and being overtaken by visions. I'm not here to debate whether God still works through those means. That's a far bigger discussion than I'm going to go into in a book blog. I will just say that for me, the story was ruined by the relentless darkness in the story line and the efforts to make us "pierce the veil."
October 21, 2012
I liked this third book in the trilogy best, the second almost as much, and both of them more than the 1st book, although that was good, too. I'm not even sure I can say why, except maybe just getting to know the characters more through each book made them more sympathetic, maybe?
March 10, 2008
Not a bad book--3rd in a series. I had a very difficult time remembering the first two books as it had been so long since I read them.
June 15, 2012
very good last book in a series - read in order
August 22, 2012
Love Sophie and Matt! As we know...All things are possible with God!!
September 22, 2012
love love love this series
October 9, 2012
Better than the second one. The shift to more of a focus on Sofie as opposed to Lance and Rese did not bother me. It's not like their storyline was dropped, it just wasn't the main focus.
January 17, 2013
wonderful series, fully enjoyable
November 12, 2018
Liked but didn't love the conclusion to The Michelli Family series. I thought I'd enjoy Sophie's character more, but the re-rashing of her destructive relationship with Eric--how his love was described as "being too much" when it was really control, obsession, micromanaging and abuse. And after nearly completing her doctorate in psychology, Sophie should've known better than to resort to her old way of thinking. It just seemed like all the progress she made went "poof" soon as Eric came on the scene, and I hated how she shut Matt out, when he was the good guy, no the bad one. And yes, I understand psychological abuse to a degree and how it messed with her mind, but after all the schooling she went through, I expected her to be better armed to understand and fend off his abuse. Which, it still grates on me how it was called simply "too much love". Yuck.
I did enjoy parts of Matt & Sophie's relationship, and the appearances Rese and Lance made. I enjoyed the series and how multifaceted the plot was. Truly amazing and I was taken right in. But the stuff with Eric and Carly...it was quite...rather...unsettling.
I did enjoy parts of Matt & Sophie's relationship, and the appearances Rese and Lance made. I enjoyed the series and how multifaceted the plot was. Truly amazing and I was taken right in. But the stuff with Eric and Carly...it was quite...rather...unsettling.
March 8, 2018
I was really sad to finish this series. Not only did I love the characters & settings but the story that shows generations of a deeply loving family drew me in. This book focused on Sofi & surprised me in that though we’ve seen her as a deeply spiritual woman able to care for others both physically & emotionally, she is captured by the darkest part of her life & reverted to a woman open to abuse. Though frustrating her story portrays the reality of so many women. Her family battled that darkness to rescue her & Matt becomes an important part of her battle. Though I’d like for the story to continue, this was a satisfying ending.
August 23, 2017
A peaceful mind for Carly
I chose to give this book a five because it was near perfect. It touches so many people by the characters in this book. It has answers, poses questions, takes you to God to help find the way you should go. This book can touch a teenager, middle age person or an older person. Please read this book and the two ahead of it in the series. Feel good, fall in love and try to understand these people from all walks of life.
I chose to give this book a five because it was near perfect. It touches so many people by the characters in this book. It has answers, poses questions, takes you to God to help find the way you should go. This book can touch a teenager, middle age person or an older person. Please read this book and the two ahead of it in the series. Feel good, fall in love and try to understand these people from all walks of life.
June 20, 2020
Ten books in 5 weeks says something.
Tight writing, great character development, and truth about being a disciple of Christ have kept me reading one after another. So refreshing to have a Christian author who isn’t afraid to explore struggles, doubts and finally God’s loving imprint through it all. Grateful for a pandemic in which I discovered Kristen. Can’t believe I didn’t know her writing, especially having lived in. Boulder, CO for 25 years. Thank you.
Tight writing, great character development, and truth about being a disciple of Christ have kept me reading one after another. So refreshing to have a Christian author who isn’t afraid to explore struggles, doubts and finally God’s loving imprint through it all. Grateful for a pandemic in which I discovered Kristen. Can’t believe I didn’t know her writing, especially having lived in. Boulder, CO for 25 years. Thank you.
July 26, 2023
It was rewarding, though sometimes exasperating, to follow Sofie's journey from despair to love for a child, love for a man (Matt), and near desperation to rescue her ex-step-daughter. Lance and Rese really just felt like supporting characters in this story as Sofie and Matt were the focus.
It was good to see Lance and Rese finally wrap things up (tie the knot) and (hopefully) move past the extreme hot and cold spells in their relationship.
It was good to see Lance and Rese finally wrap things up (tie the knot) and (hopefully) move past the extreme hot and cold spells in their relationship.
June 8, 2023
Sad it’s over
I find myself drawn in by the characters in these stories and the way they developed from book 1 - 3.
Found myself challenged in the best ways to make sure I stay open to God’s leading always.
As I was getting close to the end of this book, I was wishing there was more.
Thank you.
I find myself drawn in by the characters in these stories and the way they developed from book 1 - 3.
Found myself challenged in the best ways to make sure I stay open to God’s leading always.
As I was getting close to the end of this book, I was wishing there was more.
Thank you.
April 3, 2018
Good read
I wasn't as thrilled with this book three as I was with the fist two of the series, but as always, Heitzmann brings a wonderful story of love, tragedy, and heartache, but always, God and love.
I wasn't as thrilled with this book three as I was with the fist two of the series, but as always, Heitzmann brings a wonderful story of love, tragedy, and heartache, but always, God and love.
October 14, 2018
This story is tense at times, interesting, and satisfying. It explores how love that is excessive and controlling can be harmful to those involved. I enjoyed it even though I haven’t read the rest of the series.
May 7, 2020
Wonderful series
I loved this series of books. The author writes beautifully, creating scenes that draw you in. I love the way she weaves both the flaws and the faith of the characters together. This makes them feel real and relatable.
I loved this series of books. The author writes beautifully, creating scenes that draw you in. I love the way she weaves both the flaws and the faith of the characters together. This makes them feel real and relatable.
December 17, 2021
Great book
Kristen Weitzman is one of my favorite authors. Her books have characters that are complex and real but are still likeable. The plot development is engaging. This book as well as other books by Heitzmann are extremely well written.
Kristen Weitzman is one of my favorite authors. Her books have characters that are complex and real but are still likeable. The plot development is engaging. This book as well as other books by Heitzmann are extremely well written.
January 6, 2023
This book got me happy, sad, surprised and even shock, there are some parts of the book that I don't like. I do agree by the genre of this book, it has a lot of mystery and romance. I felt a lot of love in this book and I wanna buy more of Kristen Heitzmann's books.
March 7, 2018
This is a great series about a family and their friends who are also family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews