The Story Keeper

Carolina Heirlooms #2

by Lisa Wingate

Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary, Book Club, Christian

449 pages, ebook

First published August 22, 2014

About the author

Lisa Wingate is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Before We Were Yours, which remained on the bestseller list for over two years. Her award-winning works have been selected for state and community One Book reads, have been published in over forty languages, and have appeared on bestseller lists worldwide. The group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa and six others as recipients of the National Civics Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. She lives in Texas and Colorado with her family and her deceptively cute little teddy bear of a dog, Huckleberry. Find her at www.lisawingate.com, on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @author_lisa_wingate

Reviews

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't read this book unless you love a story that resonates long after you're finished. Unless you love a book to keep calling to you when you aren't reading. Unless you love characters who are broken but fighting for their place. Unless you love a setting so rich you could see every word. Unless you love a story that resonates.

Lisa Wingate is a masterful author and this book is probably my favorite yet. Jen is an editor trying to make it in NYC when a manuscript shows up on her desk. She is entranced by the words and story and must acquire it. The only problem is she has no idea who the author is and going after the book could cost her career. Even more it forces her to return home and confront how broken her family is. This is a rich story within a story, one that flows seemlessly back and forth. It is perfect for readers who love a contemporary with a mystery and almost hidden romance. This is a rich story of family and coming home.

[Melissa (Vacation Mode) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wingate’s latest tale is beautifully crafted and has so many layers to appeal to readers — history, a contemporary love story, a bit of mystery and details about the book publishing industry. Jen’s character is endearing and the plot moves at a quick pace to keep readers enthralled and turning pages to discover what happens next.
Jen Gibbs is the new kid on the block at a New York publishing company, trying to prove her worth. When she finds an anonymously authored old manuscript on her desk she is immediately captivated by the story. The chapters chronicle a young, mixed-race woman in Appalachia — a place Jen hails from as well and would like to leave behind. Yet the land calls — both to Jen’s roots and to her quest to find the author and the rest of the book. What she finds is surprising to her and the others she is close with.

[Magdalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen Gibbs has recently got a job at Vida House Publishing and everyone knows that the slush-pile in the conference room is strictly forbidden to touch. So Jen is quite surprised when she finds a manuscript on her desk from it one morning. She has no idea who put it there and, at first, all she can think of is putting it back. That is until she starts to read it and get engrossed in the story about Sarra, a young woman in the Appalachia at the turn of the twentieth century, and Rand a young man that tries to save her from some brutal men. Now she just has to find the rest of the manuscript, but that means traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase a reclusive author. And, that also means that she is going home for the first time in ten years...

The story keeper is book two in the Carolina series and as I already have read book three gave this book some insights to events and mentions in The Sea keeper's Daughters. Part of me wish that I had read the books in order because that would have made me appreciate part of The Sea keeper's Daughters much more, but I can always reread The Sea keeper's Daughters anytime in the future.

Do you need to read the books in order? No, but there are some threads that go through the books that make the reading experience perhaps more enjoyable if you read the books in order. But, I started with book 3, The Sea keeper's Daughters, and despite the fact that I hadn't read the previous books in the series did I enjoy that books very much. Actually, I came to love the book very much.

This book is good but in my opinion not quite as good as the previous book The Prayer Box or the book that comes after; The Sea keeper's Daughters. For instance, I had a much harder time really warming up the past story that is told in this book parallel to the present story. I for some reason just couldn't bond with Sarra and Rand. I much preferred to read about the present story with Jen trying to meet the author and at the same time confronting her own past when she goes home to meet her sisters and father. There were times I had to put the book down because I got so frustrated with her over religious family where the man's rule is the law. If there is something that makes me angry is men using religion to subdue women.

But despite that, I didn't find the past story as enchanting as Jen did has Lisa Wingate manages once again to write a truly wonderful book and the ending almost made me cry.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Quickie Review

An exciting story that plunges back into a part of history with which I was previously unfamiliar. Part historical fiction, part modern drama, this is good stuff.

Score: 4/5

[Kari Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. First of all, it took a long time for me to get into it. I came very close to just giving up but the reviews were SO good that I was sure it would be worth it to persevere. And, eventually I did get into it but.... I'm not sure my perseverance really did pay off.

Here's what I did like-- The main character, Jen Gibbs was interesting. I really enjoyed the fascinating story of her past and her interactions with her family and her experience of growing up in a strict cult-like church. I liked the hints at romance and the conflicts she encounters with the author she is trying to track down.

I did not like that within Jen's story there was a second story. The "story within the story" was more of a distraction than an intriguing addition. I found myself skimming large parts just to get back to Jen and her present day dilemmas.

I also felt like the whole premise of the main plot was that the second story was so fabulous and captivating. Unfortunately, I didn't find it to be that great. In fact, it was, at times, confusing and tedious.

So, for me, this book maybe reaches 2.5 stars....

[Andrea Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

by Andrea Renee Cox

Sometimes a story woos you, dropping a few teasing hints at just the right moments to ensure it captures your heart before wrapping you in a whirlwind or emotion and hope. Novels like these tend to hold on to you long after you’ve placed them back on the shelf.

The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate is one such novel. But it’s also so much more. It squirrels away secrets you desperately want to learn, and as the story unfolds, you find that each piece of the treasure you were searching for might come in different vessels than you originally imagined, which might be the best discovery of all.

When a partial manuscript lands mysteriously on Jen Gibbs’s desk, she faces a tough decision: read it and risk her new boss’s wrath or sneak it back onto the legendary Slush Mountain. Either choice could get her fired, but the pull of the story might just be a journey worth the possible loss of employment … if she can handle the murky shadows of her past. That could prove even more daunting than ’fessing up to her boss.

The line that stood out the most to me came early on. “It’s strange how one person and a handful of stories can alter a life.” It’s true of The Story Keeper, but it resonated deeper with me because of another Storyteller.

Jesus Christ told “a handful of stories” called parables. Each one shared a piece of His heart and a large dose of the Truth. They aren’t always easily understood, but they impact the lives of those who try to discern the hidden meanings. With these incredible stories, Jesus paved the way for His sacrifice to settle into our hearts. With these stories, He illuminated the way to cross the bridge and be reunited with the Author of our lives. Isn’t it amazing how one Man and a handful of stories could provide such a beautiful gift as eternal life with God the Father?

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Jen Gibbs is a successful non-fiction editor in New York just beginning what could be her dream job at a new publishing house. When a mysterious manuscript shows up on her desk from the infamous, off-limits “slush-pile,” she is weary, but inexplicable drawn to the story therein. A child of Appalachia herself, Jen is compelled by the story of mixed race Sarra, a young Appalachian woman in the early 1900s and travels back to her home to search for the rest of the manuscript. With suspicions of the manuscripts author’s propelling her forward and the past pushing her away, Jen must confront not only the manuscript’s mystery, but her own family troubles that she once thought were behind her forever.

It’s not often with a dual storyline that I don’t find myself wishing for the historical aspect to last longer and rush through the contemporary storyline, but that wasn’t the case with The Story Keeper. I loved both sets of characters and both stories. I found Rand’s spiritual questions to be enlightening, and his interactions with Sarra to be both entertaining and poignant. I wanted more of their story, and think that the end of the book could have brought some resolution there. Though there is little left of the manuscript by the time its origin is revealed, I think an epilogue featuring Sarra and Rand would have been a lovely way to end the book. That I was looking for me speaks to how much I enjoyed the historical elements.

Jen’s personal journey rang true for me. She comes from a very backward-thinking family, who were oppressive in their belief system and hostile toward anyone who seeks life elsewhere. Her frustrations with her father and sisters and hopes for her youngest sister felt genuine; there was no magic button to make everything better. She had to continuously grow and change in spite of her circumstances. Jen has no control over the decisions that her family has made, or how they respond to her decisions, and she ultimately realizes that their actions aren’t her responsibility. She can keep working through the issues within her power, all the while knowing the ultimate control doesn’t lie in her hands

I think one of my favorite themes touched on in the story is how one person can alter another person’s life, and in essence, their story. We are all characters in each other’s stories, whether a passerby or a major player, we all affect each other. Jen’s past and the people there helped mold her into the person she became, even the difficult members of her family and most trying times that she experienced. Wingate’s writing reflects these themes well, and I appreciate that the spiritual aspects were subtly woven throughout the story. I think some points could have been a little more clear-cut, a little more evident, but overall, Jen’s realizations were beautiful

There were several elements to this story – the historical and contemporary storylines, family drama, as well as the mystery of the manuscript. I found myself glad that Wingate didn’t try to sweeten the story by adding an unrealistic romance. While a future relationship was certainly hinted at, in no way did it take over the story. It was nice to read a contemporary story that didn’t fall into that typical pattern. The setting is vivid; Wingate does a great job in using dialogue, tone and word choice as a way of drawing the reader into the Appalachian setting. The descriptions establish a great sense of place, without detracting from the plot. I also loved the details about her job in publishing, I think this behind the scenes look would be fascinating for any bookworm.

The Story Keeper manages to delve into both contemporary and historical without one story line taking away from the other. Its themes are universal, yet unique to the story. I will be recommending this one to friends and can see myself buying a copy for my personal library. It is one of those stories that I can see revealing even more value and insight on a second reading.

This review first appeared on The Christian Manifesto. I received an advanced copy of this novel for review purposes; the opinions expressed here are my own.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pick up this book and savor it. Jen has just started her her job as a book rep for a small publisher in New York. She finds an old manuscript submission in her office and wants to publish the book. She identifies with the rural North Carolina setting and sets out to find the author. She goes back to her home town and finds things haven't changed much from when she left years before. While in the area she visits her sister and family who are dirt poor and "controlled" by her father, the preacher at the church. She has been sending money every month but it's never enough to help feed all the children. She becomes involved with the family of the writer and learns so valuable insight to her past and future life. A great read and a fantastic story. I like the attention to detail and the historic view of the hills of the south.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story Keeper was primarily about current day characters Jennia Beth and Evan. Jennia Beth was born and raised in Appalachia and was thankful to have escaped when she was 18 years old. Evan is a reclusive successful author.

A secondary story is about Rand and Sarra that lived in Appalachia many years ago.

It was an enjoyable story and one I'd recommend to those that enjoy contemporary fiction with a bit of history woven in.

In this same series is The Prayer Box. The two novels are similar in some ways as they share geography (Carolinas) and parallel story lines with both past and present. In other ways, the two novels are very different. The main character in The Prayer Box most definitely doesn't have her life together while Jennia Beth has a successful career. That particular distinguishing factor made the two novels pretty different. Survival (The Prayer Box) vs. Peace of Mind (The Story Keeper). Both were good novels.

[Melina P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook - Oh me. Worst narrator I’ve ever endured. Her breathy, cheesiness is so weird.
The book starts super, duper slowly. My favorite part was the last chapter and the epilogue.

[Dalene W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book by Lisa Wingate. This is a very well written, interesting book that I would recommend for all readers. Lisa's storyline is actually two books in one. Her characters are strong. I was fortunate to be picked to preview the book. As with all her books, faith is a thread that quietly runs throughout the storyline. The first storyline of Jen and her life runs in the present time and the storyline of Sarra and Rand is from the past, around the turn of the century. She amazes me with her research into the past time period and the history of the peoples of the Appalachian Mountains. I feel as if I have just visited the area from reading her book. A great read!!!!

[Christy Vanoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Lisa Wingate for another good book. Besides a good story I learned about the Melungeons. I did have to Google it to find out more about these dark skin, blue eyed people. Very interesting. I was excited to be a part of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Book. We experience the journey through the story together as a Sister Circle in which we share the same book through the mail. We also share our thoughts and photos through email and Facebook. I got to read this book before it hits the shelves in September. I also seem to have the honor of being the first to write a review!

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't even know this is a part of a series when I picked it up on audio
there were some issues with a pace and I would wish more of an epilogue but overall it is a very satisfying book to read

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The review blurb on the front of the cover of The Story Keeper compares it to To Kill A Mockingbird, and while I thought such a comparison was both unnecessary and untrue (The Story Keeper is neither as historically significant nor as rich in depth as Mockingbird), The Story Keeper does have its moments. While it has its flaws, for the most part The Story Keeper effectively communicates its themes about confronting one’s past, striving to change things for the better, and forging a new path from a previously stagnant life.

The Story Keeper starts out slow, but the moment Jen reaches Looking Glass Gap, it picks up noticeably with the tension created by the manuscript, Jen’s clashes with Evan Hall, and Jen’s family. Indeed, the second half of the book is noticeably better than the first, when Wingate ditches set-up and exposition to focus on moving the plot along.

The second half is also when less of “The Story Keeper” appears, which is also why this half is better than the first. The use of “The Story Keeper” in the novel was mostly unnecessary as a plot device, and was neither as interesting nor as compelling as Jen’s own story. It’s also difficult to believe that a boy younger than nineteen wrote those first eight chapters, even based off someone else’s story as they were. To be frank, The Story Keeper would have been a much better novel if it was entirely about Jen, her past, and her trip back to her childhood home. Including a mediocre story about an unoriginal romance that reads more like a novel for teenagers only brings down the quality of the novel as a whole and detracts from the real meat of the story, which is Jen’s development. But perhaps I am being too harsh.

The Story Keeper also suffers from a lack of a clear theology. Jen spends a good deal of time thinking about how the Lane’s Hill Brethren used Scripture incorrectly, but never about the correct application. Wingate seems to narrow down faith/Christianity to simply hope for the future, and then only focuses on prayer as the outflow of faith as if prayer was the only way to express faith (“I admire her blind faith, even as I realize that all faith is blind. We can never really know, except in hindsight, how prayers will be answered.” Wingate equates prayer and faith as if they were interchangeable, as if faith was only about prayer. In reality, those two sentences read as non sequiters. Either both sentences should be about faith or both should be about prayer, but equating “blind faith” with “prayer” is faulty in both theology and syntax. Her assertion that “all faith is blind” is also problematic, since “blind faith” is hardly an accurate definition of faith). Having a clearer theology in the background of the novel would have made Jen’s development even more powerful. As it stands, they both remain slightly murky and unclear.

Essentially, story-wise I felt Jen’s story was better than Rand and Sarra’s, and as a result the second half of the novel was much better than the first. Indeed, I found Rand and Sarra’s distracting and unoriginal. Jen’s story communicated the themes of the novel more clearly and more powerfully. The Story Keeper also suffers from unclear theology and a sweeping generalization of faith that is discouraging to read in a Christian novel.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding! The kind of novel that hits hard (literary sucker punches to the nth degree!) and engages a reader's heart and mind with emotions on full throttle.

I haven't met a Lisa Wingate book I haven't loved but the emphasis on stories in this one touched me in so many ways. The author celebrates the power of words and the importance of remembering and celebrating everyone's story no matter how broken or unpolished. This book really made an impact on me.

Dual timelines set in the Blue Ridge Mountains -- both depicting the struggles of women born a century a part with some eerie similarities to their stories. The complex layers of both timelines and the way they come together by the end is sheer perfection. Gorgeous character growth and compelling faith threads added to my readerly delight.

The author starts us off in present day with career driven editor, Jen, who is determined to keep her painful childhood buried in the past. Until she stumbles upon a slush pile partial manuscript that sends her back to the place and the people she's tried so hard to forget. Wingate expertly weaves in the historical timeline through the words of the manuscript but when it abruptly stops mid-story, Jen is compelled to go off on a desperate quest to search for the rest.

I listened to the audible edition narrated by Abby Craden and Bahni Turpin and they did an amazing job giving all the characters their own distinctive personalities. The Mountain dialects were really well done. A perfect match for the author's rich storytelling style. (Available on Audible Plus right now, for anyone who enjoys audio books.)

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Wingate seems to be a pro at telling a story within a story. “The Story Keeper” is a delightful example of discovering a bit of history within a modern-day story.
I loved the line “I understood the lure of a good story. Sometimes a world that doesn’t exist is the only escape from the one that does.”
As an avid memoir fan, Lisa had me when her lead gal said, “The personal side of history had drawn me toward memoirs long before my first editing job.”
The characters were strong and well developed as the story progressed.
There are a few books that when I finish, I want to start it all over again and catch what I missed on the first read. This is one of those books.
Some of my favorite places I have ever visited have been up in the N.C. Mountains. I could just picture some of these gaps and hollers that enriched the story.
I received an advance reader copy with no requirement of a good review- I am delighted to give one.
Lisa Wingate is indeed a gifted “Story Teller.”

[Eva Marie Everson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a story becomes part of you ... and so it is with The Story Keeper. I don't want to give too much of the story away, or sound like I'm gushing over my friend and associate's masterpiece, but suffice to say, I took the book along when I went to get a pedicure and ... well, let's just say I stayed a LOT longer than it took my nails to dry. "Let me read just one more chapter," I told the owner of the shop. "Then I'll get out of the chair ..."

Get this book ... and take it along for a pedicure. :)

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUMMARY: Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay.

REVIEW: I read the Tending Roses series by Lisa Wingate and absolutely loved it. This series too involves looking back in the past to explain things of the present and I enjoyed this first book in this series very much. The storyline is intricate and involves several parallel threads which are all very interesting: First, Jen's attempts to connect with Evan to determine if he is the author of the mysterious story that appeared unfinished on her publishing desk. Second, the story itself of Sarra and Rand. Finally, the story of Jen's family that is difficult and painful. Wingate did an excellent job of intertwining these three storylines without making it hard for me to follow each one. I found the information about the Melungeons very interesting as this was something I had never heard of previously. The author's research on this subject was obviously done well.

I also enjoyed learning more about the setting of Appalachia knowing that in some areas it is quite different from the rest of the United States with its isolated families, poverty, and sometimes backwardness.

The story is captivating and this is definitely a read I would highly recommend. Although it is part of a series, I did not have any trouble reading it as a stand alone.

FAVORITE QUOTES: "A man who doesn't stand for what is right dies his own death well before it happens."

"Remember that no matter how many wrong choices we've made in the past, we can always decide to make the right ones today."

"..the truth came upon him quite clearly. Indeed, faith was not a matter of routines and external trappings. Faith was a thing in the way of blood, breath, and sinew--an essential part of the man, and as such it traveled with the man."

"Even when we are lost, God has not lost us."

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

When successful New York editor Jen Gibbs discovers a decaying slush-pile manuscript on her desk, she has no idea that the story of Sarra, a young mixed-race woman trapped in Appalachia at the turn of the twentieth century, will both take her on a journey and change her forever. Happy with her life in the city, and at the top of her career with a new job at Vida House Publishing, Jen has left her Appalachian past and twisted family ties far behind. But the search for the rest of the manuscript, and Jen's suspicions about the identity of its unnamed author, will draw her into a mystery that leads back to the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains . . . and quite possibly through the doors she thought she had closed forever.

I love Lisa Wingate's books for the most part and there was no doubt this story kept me engaged. I liked Jen and the mystery that the slush pile manuscript pushed her into was great. I liked the story of Rand and Sarra intermixed with Jen's story. But I thought that the ending was rushed and not fully completed. You only get a vague idea of what happens to Rand and Sarra and you don't get a lot of romance development between Jen and Evan. And I like romance! :D

And then there was Jen's (Jennia Beth) family. Wow! That kind of cult religion is so very, very sad! That is NOT what Christianity is all about. It just hurts your heart to think people are treated and live that way. Definitely a sad note to the book.

All in all though, this was a good story with a delightful mystery and some family drama that will bring tears to your eyes.

This is the 2nd book in the Carolina series but it can be read as a stand alone. I don't think there was much character (if any) connection to the first book, The Prayer Box.

[Tammi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an intriguing story and so wonderfully told by Lisa Wingate. I was mesmerized by the setting, the story, and the characters. The characters in the contemporary setting are Jen Gibbs and Evan Hall. Jen has just landed her dream job working for Vida Publishing in New York City. Evan is a successful author. Both Jen and Evan are from Appalachian mountain communities in North Carolina. Jen is captivated by a manuscript that mysteriously shows up on her desk during her first week of work at Vida Publishing. Within the manuscript is the fascinating story of Rand and Sarra near the turn of the 20th century in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rand is spending time away from Charleston studying in the Appalachians and Sarra is an intriguing young girl of mixed ethnicity. She is the victim of an abusive father but has a rich history of being loved and taught by her grandparents at a younger age. She keeps this heritage in her heart through unpleasant and trying times.

Both story lines are captivating and the entire book is such a beautiful pleasure to read. I’m just amazed at the excellence of the storytelling and had difficulty putting the book down. I’m certain this book will remain a lifetime favorite for me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a hard time staying engaged with this one. It was my least favorite in the series so far. I found myself disengaging every time the story shifted to the Time Shifters. I found the part about Rand and Sara to be very interesting and holding my attention, but every time it went to present day, I struggled to stay interested. I really enjoyed the characters. But aside from the interactions with Jen and her family and Jen and Hannah, a lot of the interactions felt flat. Evans character felt flat as did any type of budding romance between the two. I was disappointed with the ending as well. I wont give spoilers but I had really hoped for more than what was given in such a thorough epilogue. However, I've enjoyed this series up to this point so I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really surprised by this book! It was really well written and I was drawn instantly into both of the stories. I loved learning about the culture in the mountains. The characters had so much depth and I loved hearing their stories. I wish I could have learned more about Evan though. I felt like he was the one character I never really got to know. I would recommend this book, especially if you like learning about different cultures and some history.

[Ruth Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story about a good story. :)

Jen Gibbs, a new editor at a prestigious publishing house, finds a partial manuscript on her desk and is immediately drawn into the story of Rand and Sarra. She determines to find the author and the rest of the manuscript. Her journey takes her back to the part of Appalachia where she grew up and had vowed never to return. I found the description of her family’s “Brethren Saints” cult both fascinating and horrifying. The Brethren Saints claim to be the only religious group that will be saved, and they stress the Law to such an extent that a husband beating his wife and children into submission is totally normal. Jen’s father controls their family with an iron fist, and when she returns home, she realizes that while *she* escaped, her sisters did not. Jen grapples with how to handle that fact. The story of Rand and Sarra (narrated by a different voice) intersperses Jen’s own story, and they parallel each other as both discover that God is a God of love rather than harshness and judgment. It was a good enough story, but two things irked me about it:

1. I’ve come to expect a twist of some kind or another in the final chapter of Lisa Wingate’s books, and this was no exception. But this one felt a little too far-fetched for me, and I found myself rolling my eyes rather than getting chills at the “aha” moment.

2. Although Lisa’s books are “Christian fiction,” there is rarely (possibly never, although I can’t make that assertion for certain) mention of Jesus. The deepest theology we get is that “God is love.” After reading a number of her books, this shallow theology has really started to get to me. I desperately want the characters to discover *why* God is love, and what He did to show that love! (He sent Jesus to die for our sins and rise again! That’s so much better than a vague “God loves you” message!)

I do like Lisa’s writing style, and her plots never fail to pull me in, but I’d really like to see more of an emphasis on “CHRISTian” fiction in her novels.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: THE STORY KEEPER
Author: Lisa Wingate
Publisher: Tyndale
August 2014
ISBN: 978-1414386898
Genre: Women’s fiction

“She’d noticed immediately that I understood the lure of a good story. Sometimes a world that doesn’t exist is the only escape from one that does.”

Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay.

THE STORY KEEPER is pure Lisa Wingate. Within pages of starting the book I was fully connected with Jen—and then when she started reading the old slush pile manuscript, I couldn’t help but feel for Sarra.

My daughter, reading over my shoulder while I waited in line somewhere, commented, there’s a lot of bad grammar in this book. I told her that Ms. Wingate writes the way the character talks, thinks. Pure point of view.

Both storylines are written in first person, which doesn’t bother me but may detour some readers. If you like women’s fiction, you will absolutely love THE STORY KEEPER. Highly recommended. 449 pages. Available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, audio, and MP3.

[Abigail Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this quality about Lisa Wingate's books: that they challenge the reader to look for redemptive qualities that may be hidden within bad situations, difficult relationships and painful past experiences. Lisa then takes the story character and the reader on a journey to establish a practical application of that redemptive quality. Towards the end of the story, I was silently telling the sisters, "No! Don't do it!", however, their decisions brought freedom and breakthrough on multiple levels. Most of Lisa Wingate's books point the way for women who have experienced tough life issues. For those who haven't gone through tough times, the story is still a very interesting read. At times I literally found myself sitting on the edge of the chair in anticipation. Family, career, love, mystery, the Appalachian Mountains; a well woven tapestry. On one hand I wanted to speed through the book to find out what would happen next, on the other hand I didn't want it to end, so tried to force myself to slow down. I will definitely re-read this book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to be selected to read a pre-publication of Lisa Windgate's book the Story Keeper with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Book. It is fun to connect with new friends all over the country who enjoy this wonderful author who's insights and ability to tell a story bring me to new understandings of life's issues. Her characters help lead you on a path to a more wholehearted life.
In the Story Keeper you soon learn that the main character has issues with her family and her relationship with them has become almost nonexistent. Jen's discovery of a partial manuscript takes her on a quest that lands her back where she was born and pushes her into reconnecting with her sisters.
The story inside of that story is a wonderful tale about a young mixed race girl who was connected to the land where Jennia Beth grew up.
The stories weave together throughout the book.
This is a great book to read and I recommend it highly.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably my favorite Lisa Wingate book, I love the setting, the characters, the storyline. As I read page after page I could visualize each scene. I would love to dig into that slush-pile and read till my heart's content!

Right after Jen begins a new job with a top publisher in New York City an old manuscript appears on her desk. Knowing this came from the slush-pile that everyone is warned not to touch she isn't sure what to do at first but curiosity overcomes and she reads it which leads her into an exciting but sometimes frustrating search for the author and right back to the place she never wanted to return.

Difficult subjects are handled, we meet Jen's annoying (sometimes maddening) family and of course the author of the manuscript. Amazing story, superbly written.

I read this book through Lisa's Sisterhood Of The Traveling Books.

[Elizabeth Ludwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Wingate never fails to provide an entertaining tale. Her latest offering, The Story Keeper, goes one better by providing a story within a story, both equally compelling. With each chapter, I was drawn further into the past and Sarra’s tragic, tortured flight toward freedom. In the present, it was Jen and her sad, twisted childhood that kept me turning pages. Together, The Story Keeper made for an engaging and bittersweet tale of triumph over past hurts and hope for a brighter future.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about a woman who sets about to bring to life a long buried manuscript that mysteriously shows up on her desk. In so doing, she returns to the very area she escaped when she was young, and the cult her family is still a part of in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Within the mysteries in the book are three stories, well woven, well written.
I learned a number of things and enjoyed the book.
Simultaneously I listened to the audiobook and loved the narration!

[Maxi's Twin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite good. This is my second book by Lisa Wingate, who is making it possible for me to read some Christian fiction. Her plots are strong, and her characters are well developed. I liked the story within the novel, and I also like the way the book ends. No one is perfect in this story. It's not contrived. Life is difficult for every human, and Lisa Wingate seems to know that. Great dialect.