Then Sings My Soul

by Amy K. Sorrells

When Nel Stewart returns home due to the sudden death of her mother, she realizes her beloved father, Jakob, is struggling with dementia.

With the reappearance of a high-school sweetheart, deliveries from Ukraine addressed to her, and the discovery of a mysterious, vintage aquamarine gemstone, Nel senses God is pulling her into the past to restore their faith and their futures. Told partially through Jakob's flashbacks of fleeing genocide-ridden eastern Europe at the turn of the twentieth century, the novel combines elements of mystery, history, faith and romance to reveal how God redeems the broken years ... and our future.

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

360 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

A long time believer in the power of story to change lives, Amy's stories feature strong female heroines who find hope in the midst of the unexpected. Recipient of a starred review from Publisher's Weekly, and reviewed by Library Journal, USA Today, and more, her work has been featured in a wide array of publications including newspapers and medical journals. Her novels have been shortlisted for the 2014 Inspy awards, semi-finalists for the ACFW Genesis awards, and a winner of the 2011 Women of Faith writing contest.

An Indianapolis native and graduate of DePauw University, Amy lives with her husband and beloved dogs in central Indiana. Together they have raised three sons. When she's not writing or working her day job as an RN, she enjoys DIY projects, gardening, birding, and long walks in the woods with her labrador retriever.

Reviews

[Janka H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you keep your heart soft after being hurt so much by the real cruelty of the life? How do you believe that God is still on the lookout for your heart, even in your guilt, shame and/or pain?

Wonderful, touching, raw and real. Not a dull word. 5 stars is not enough.

I am at loss with words and effort of how to describe the truthful, honest and yet tender message of this novel. It will touch your heart, then break it repetitively into a thousand pieces and them make a better one of it. Or, better, it takes a raw material of you and transform it into a gem.

There are two stories in the book - one of Jakob, a 4-year-old Messianic Jewish boy running away from the uninagimable cruelties of pogroms in Ukraine in the beginning of 19th century. And the story of Nel, 43-year-old daughter of Jakob, taking care of his ailing father in his last days. And both are nurturing hidden pain in their hearts. Jakob is hiding his shame and pain of not helping his family in the horrible moments and Nel is hiding her pain of not be able to have a child because of wrong choice.

But this is mostly the story of Jakob. And it is a painful story which is hurting even me (another proof of how good this novel is!). The bloodsheds of pogroms in Ukraine are a new information for me (even if Ukraine is the country neighboring with mine), maybe because of the communism and mismatched history, but one I welcome - we can´t forget things like this. But oh, what the dark times. The land had to cried the blood tears, as they say.

Jakob left his land with his brother, but the scars stayed with him all of his life. Even the beautiful years in the loving marriage with Catherine had not healed them. But the hope is not lost and maybe in his last days he will be able to realize that there is love in the world. And hope. And the unthinkable power of God.
The same goes for Nel, demonstrated maybe in the more physical form - in the loving arms of a man who himself know what pain is - but the message is not less whole and complete.

I am at loss with words. But touched the more. Read this and let yourself heal (at least a bit), if you are amongst the ones hurt by life.

[Bekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about resilience, repentance and forgiveness. I felt so thoroughly invested in all of the characters, especially Jakob. What a life he led! There were definitely moments of sadness and absolute devastation that made me tearful and even let me weeping, but all the good and kind moments shined out. I just finished, but I want to go back and read it all over again. I will definitely be recommending this book to a lot of friends and family members.

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best reasons for loving books is that often times as you read them you get insight into a part of history you never knew before as the author uses a particular setting or real life story as the inspiration of their novel. Amy K. Sorrells does just that in Then Sings My Soul, her latest Christian Historical novel.

The story intersects throughout the novel between life in 1904 to present day as Eleanor "Nel" Stewart returns home after learning her mother has passed away. She has wanted to come home before this but simply never had the time and now as she prepares for her mother's funeral, she also comes full term to the realization that her father, Jakob is dealing with dementia. Their families past is rich in historical detail as Jakob remembers fleeing the Ukraine as a Jewish boy to come to America for a better life. It's those long pain ridden memories that Jakob shares in subsequent chapters that shows the horror he and his older brother Peter shared as the genocide took place eliminating anyone of Jewish origin and Jakob's survival was based on his ability to hide when his family was killed.

It is a horror no one with dementia would ever want to revisit as they find themselves locked into a past they only wish to forget. For Nel, she witnesses the man she adored and looked up to become a fragile shell of who he once was as she learns more about the families past while working to resolve her families estate and help her father with his illness. Her experience as a lapidarist is evident as she spent her childhood with her father watching him cut gems into beautiful jewelry, something she treasures as something they both loved to do to help support them. She learns about how much her father refuses to accept that God was in control despite all the horrors he had to witness in his life despite the faith of those around him.

I received Then Sings My Soul by Amy K. Sorrells compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and David C. Cook Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are my own. This is such a beautiful story of hope because you can relate to what Jakob has had to endure his whole life. People telling him about God's faithfulness but despite their faith terrible things still happened to his family. It would definitely cause one to be hardened to those things as his life wore on and that comes across through Amy's novel. It's about getting to the end of your life and taking a hard look back and realizing that God was there all along even though He didn't do the things you would have wanted him to do. I'd rate this one, a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. At the end of the novel you'll find the personal story behind the novel as well as some reader discussion questions just perfect for a book club group.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the war in Ukraine began earlier this year, I was reminded of a book that had been on my TBR list way too long. Then Sings My Soul by Amy K. Sorrells tells the story of Jakob Stewart, a 90-something American man who has ties to Ukraine. Through scenes from his past, and the explorations of of his daughter Nel 90 years later, a story of human suffering and horror unfolds. But more than that it is a story of how events shape a person. Jakob was a small boy of four when he is forced with his elder brother to flee Ukraine. He battles guilt and grief all of his life. Nel, who cherishes the memory of her parents and her growing up years, also lets events shape her. I found it very interesting how some in the story stay grounded in faith, while others seem to drift. Sorrells’ complex storytelling allows the reader to experience Jakob and Nel’s lives. I felt their pain, loss, and ultimately their redemption. I admit I ugly cried at the end. 😉 This was a difficult book to read. The writing is well-done, the narrative seems to flow effortlessly, yet the subject matter hurt my heart. I was immediately drawn into the lives of the main characters — they felt so much like someone I knew — so the connection with them felt so personal. I think this is the strongest aspect of the novel. Historical details, as well as information on lapidary arts, taught me too. The book ends well, but . . . there are unanswered questions that made me ponder how the characters’ journey would progress. Some don’t like unfinished stories, but Then Sings My Soul provided me with a means to finish the story how I wanted it to go. 😉

Another great book by Sorrells! Then Sings My Soul will make you feel and think. It also generated a great discussion with my book club.

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Kerry Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful written book by Amy Sorrells; Then Sings My Soul is a historical based Christian story about self forgiveness and the long journey that it often takes to recognize the need for it and being able to accept it from our Savior.

Amy uses her expert level knowledge about Lapidary arts (the art of engraving or cutting gemstones) to give wonderful descriptive paragraphs that allows the reader to create vivid pictures in their mind of exactly what the characters are looking at and designing.

The two main characters Jakob, a Messianic Jew that escaped the horrors of the early 1900's in what we now call Ukraine and his daughter Nel, an expert jewelry designer and crafter, are expertly developed so as the reader you can identify with the struggles that they each are facing about their past.

Amy also is able to convey to the reader the horrors of the early 1900's as many Jews were forced to flee their homes and try to reach America. She does this without sugar coating the brutality perpetrated but gives you just enough detail to grasp the depravity without being overly gruesome and graphic.

My favorite part of the book is when Jakob shares a childhood memory of the sunflowers in Chudvin, his childhood hometown. It is so descriptive that you can visualize exactly what he is seeing and feeling and it makes you mourn for the innocents lost.

I would highly recommend this book. It is a beautiful story that gives the reader great characters that you grow to really love and feel for as they make the journey to forgiveness of others and most importantly the ability to forgive their selves through the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I received this book as an Ebook from NetGalley at no charge. You can see all of my reviews at Blessings N Bloggings

[Jan Perrigin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then Sings My Soul is a moving story about a family going through dark times and finding hope in the process. Nel returns home after the death of her mother to find her father, Jakob, in the throes of grief and sinking into dementia. As Nel struggles to deal with her own grief and reach out to comfort her father, the story of his early life, one that he has kept secret, begins to unfold. It’s a story of the persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe. The horrors of what Jakob saw and the guilt he felt as a survivor became a barrier in his personal relationships. The author uses flashbacks to reveal the events that molded Jakob into the man he became. Though he struggled with personal relationships, Jakob was successful in business,and pursued the lapidary arts as a hobby. The shaping of the gemstones becomes a metaphor of how God lovingly shapes and molds us into something beautiful. The story is one of great pain and great healing.It reminds us that even in the darkest of times God can and does bring redemption. Amy K. Sorrells has crafted a book that draws you into the pain and triumph of a struggling family who find redemption through God's love. Highly recommended!

[Ellen Spes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This touched me in so many ways. Another Michigan book.

[Amber McGimsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet story of forgiveness even of yourself and remembering the One who is always with you. Even through something as terrible as what the Jewish people endured at the turn of the century in Europe.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving Catherine had shaped him. Broken him, yes, but in ways that helped him live again. She had become a face of the religion that he had lost long ago.

A prose of brokenness and a story that needs to be told of the millions and millions of immigrants that had escaped severe persecution and genocide well before World War II in the country of Russia.

The narration is told by Nel who long ago left her home of Michigan to start her own journey. Her journey has been a running away from the fear of relationships. Running away does catch up with her when she goes back home for her mother Catherine’s funeral. Her father Jakob’s health is fading fast and she is left with some decisions that she was not anticipating. She discovers that her mother was investigating her father’s secret past. What haunts her father that he has such terrifying dreams? What walls has he built up that he is so unwilling to share his past?

Told from present to past, skipping a long time, Jakob tells his story of the horrific time in Russia has his family was brutally murdered and the guilt that he has when he watched from a hiding place his younger sister being taken away. His only surviving brother Peter makes their way to America where they are adopted. Being of Jewish heritage but believing in Christ the Messiah, Peter instills in his brother Jakob to continue to believe in the goodness of the Lord no matter the circumstances.

Nel and her father share the same wall but different circumstances as they learn how only God’s goodness and faithfulness tears down those walls. This compelling read will lead you to tears as we yearn for the Lord to break down our own walls.

A Special Thank you to David C Cook and Netgalley for ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Maci Bogdonovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a powerful novel that follows the story of Jakob. Jakob born in Ukraine had first hand experience of the persecution of those who believed in Yeshua. After what he endured at the young age of 4, he turned his back on God and lived a life of regret, anger, and unforgiveness. Now 90 years later with a daughter who is also living a life of running from God due to regret and unforgiveness, you experience the story of transformation as they recognize the ways God continually pursued them in the midst of the hardest times of their life.

At the beginning of the story I struggled to get into it, but soon was enthralled by the history of Ukraine and the present day situation of Jakob and his daughter, Nel. Such a powerful story of how God is always in continual pursuit of our hearts! And the power of redemption.

[Amanda Rardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Then Sings My Soul, the sophmore release for author Amy K. Sorrells grabbed my attention from the first page. Told in alternating time periods, we learn the story of Nel and her current life and Jokob's (her father) childhood escape from the war tattered Ukraine, Jewish persecution and his arrival and life as an adopted immigrant child. Both Nel and Jakob carry hurt and guilt. When Nel comes home following the unexpected death of her mother, she finds herself with an aging father, who, unbeknownest to her, has stated showing signs of dementia. Nel finds herself in a position she never thought she would be in. Nel soon realizes, sometimes you have to come home to truely find yourself. And as Jakob struggles with the loss of his wife, dementia and injury, the guilt from his past comes storming back.
When Nel uncovers a mysterious cup,her mother's research and an aquamarine, the past is opened for both.

One of my favorite things about this book is that both Nel and Jakob struggle with thier faith. They have doubts. They are hurting. They are REAL. Sometimes I find with Christian fiction, that everyone walks the straight and narrow, when tradgedy strikes, huge miracles happen. And while I 100% believe that miracles happen and nothing is impossible with God, I also know that sometimes, bad things happen. People struggle with their faith, they hurt, they question. They are REAL.

Sorrell's prose and flow are beautiful, and transported me to a different time and place. I thouroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to many more to come.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good Christian historical fiction book!! Read it... you'll love it!! I love how the author, Amy Sorrells, went from past(1900's) to present (1990's) to connect the horrors of the war. In the early 1900's, Jakob was a young child living in what is now Chudniv, Ukraine. This time period was during the pogroms against the Jews to modern day times in the U.S. Jakob and his brother escaped genocide and he carried secrets of his past that he never shared with his wife or daughter.

Both Nel (Jakob's daughter) and Jakob harbor hurt and guilt. Nel never thought she would return home, but she moves back after the death of her mom to care for her dad, Jakob (age 94), who shows signs of dementia.

'Loving Catherine had shaped him. Broken him, yes, but in ways that helped him live again. She had become a face of the religion that he had lost long ago.'

Such a gripping story with an emotional ending! I will never sing 'How Great Thou Art' again without thinking about this story and how God was with Jakob in hard, painful times. I was sucked in from the beginning of this story and the path of a spiritual journey with twists and turns showed faith, healing, forgiveness, and love. I will be reading more from this author!

[Katdish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confucius is credited with the quote, “No matter where you go, there you are”.

Amy Sorrell’s second novel, Then Sings My Soul is the story of Jakob and Nel Stewart, a father and daughter both desperately attempting to escape that inescapable truth—Jakob by refusing to speak of the horrors he experienced escaping mass genocide in early 20th Century Eastern Europe; Nel by moving across the country, away from her childhood home, her mother, father and the memory of a devastating loss she experienced as a young woman.

Amy Sorrells has clearly done her research for this book. Part history and part lapidary lesson, Sorrells weaves these elements into a sometimes heartbreaking but ultimately redemptive story of letting go of past pain we all try to bury but can never truly escape until we bring it into the light.

I hope and pray that Then Sings My Soul reaches the broad audience this talented author so richly deserves. I’m looking forward to Amy’s next story.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Then Sings My Soul captured my attention with the storyline: an elderly man suffering from dementia survived the Russian pograms as a child. This is told in dual perspectives and time periods. The Russian pograms storyline is told by Jakob in the early 1900s. And Jacob's daughter, Nel tells us about her discovery of his past and their struggle as Jakob ages in the 1990s.

The dual storyline is usually hit-or-miss for me. Usually one story outweighs the other. And in this instance, I was far more interested in Jacob's story then I was in Nel's discovery of it.

For the historical aspect and the rareness of the topic- I think this is the only book I've read about the pograms- I recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Heather Mauriello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story tells about everything real life is: tragedy, beauty, how time is too fast and yet so slow, hurt and pain, joy and love. I'm thankful that Amy writes about very dark things, but always writes about hope. Even her ending is full of hope, but there are still questions and life to be lived for Nel- as there are for any of her readers! I loved being able to hear Jakob's thoughts both as a young boy and a very old man- he was definitely my favorite character. The only part that stuck out as definite fiction was Nel's rekindled romance. Most adults (in real life) wouldn't have such a dreamy thing happening while dealing with the aging and death of parents. But what fun would fiction be if it were JUST like real life!?!

[Trish Sundblad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came out at a good time with the
70th Anniversary for the Holocust this year. I was intrigued by the Jewish Heritage and life in Russia in the early 1900’s. I found, that a Job of a Lapidarist was very interesting to learn about throughout the book. I established many commonalities with the character on Nel, as she lost a mother. With my Father living with my husband and I, I can relate to a lot of life changing experiences, both good and bad.
In conclusion, the author Amy Sorrells, kept my focus and attention with all the stories going on in different time periods.

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical, heart-wrenching and a perfectly crafted yarn. Sorrells' exceptional debut set the bar high but her sophomore novel does not disappoint. Rather than bludgeon the reader over the head with religious conviction, Sorrells excels at interweaving grace in a subtly thematic way. Thus, this is the type of novel that is accessible to all readers. To add, her voice is so poignant and fresh, it is a literary achievement. She is not afraid to go dark and deep and I commend her and David C Cook for taking a chance on these well-told tales.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a free copy of this book from Good Reads first reads.** I thoroughly enjoyed "Then Sings my Soul" by Amy K. Sorrells and gave it four-stars. The story of Nel Stewart and her father Jakob was beautifully written. Dealing with an aging parent's dementia and declining health is relevant to many of today's families. The interwoven story lines held my interest and I would like to read more from this author.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book called "My Past is now My Future" when I saw this book. The theme of the book is of an adult caregiver for a parent with dementia, a subject of interest to me. This is a work of fiction but I especially liked the historical references to the genocide of the Jews prior to World War II. The history of the human species is fraught with unspeakable horrors. It surprises me that our species has been able to survive in spite of ourselves.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't give high ratings to many books, unless they truly touch me deep within my soul. This book was one of those.
Filled with a back and forth story between semi modern and historical, the tale of a boy that survived the Russian pograms is unusual. This book, though having some reference to some of the graphic horror the young men viewed, it is given in such a way that will help you realize the hardship was more than just the Holocaust.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Amy K. Sorrells second book Then Sings My Soul. It was an easy read that I enjoyed from page 1 all the way to the end. A lot of research was obviously done in preparation for the writing of this book and all of the detailed information kept my interest. I enjoyed the characters and the format of the book. I will definitely recommend it to family and friends.

[Sherin Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed listening to GBS though dad's cassette and then later his cds. I picked this book to learn more about the man who made "How Great Thou Art" famous. I rate this book 3 stars because it was more a professional summary of his musical career than a detailed autobiography of a person of faith.

[Shawna Bowman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book from start to finish in a matter of hours. It was a piece of history I knew nothing about and by the end of the book had a new understanding of the persecution the Jews suffered. My heart ached for those who lost. I rejoiced when forgiveness and freedom from guilt came for Jakob. Jesus' love and grace having the ability to wipe out slates clean.

[Rhoda Nyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the gripping elements of this story is the richness of the characters. I love learning the back story that led each character to becoming the person they are today. I was lost in the storyline, not able to put the book down until I finally had closure. Well-written and a great read!

[Kariss Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Sorrells writes a gripping novel where past and present collide in a beautiful tapestry of emotion and relatable characters. I read an early copy and couldn't put it down! I teared up, I laughed, and I highly recommend. This book will make you treasure memories, history, and the bond of family.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! You won't regret reading this one. It's absolutely amazing. To read my full review, go to http://agardenofdelight.blogspot.com/

[Judith Werner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I smiled, I cried and I prayed. This is a lovely book that should be on everyone's list.

[Linda Klager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to George Beverly Shea sing at Billy Graham Revivals.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Uplifting and Inspiring read!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.

Then Sings My Soul switches back and forth in time between 1994 and 1995 in South Haven, Michigan to a village in Ukraine (part of Russia at that time) in 1904. Jakob is 94 years old and his wife Catherine has just suddenly died. Catherine's death brings their daughter, Nel, back to Michigan from her home in Santa Fe, NM where she is a highly successful jewelry designer. When Nel finds an envelope on the sidewalk from the Immigration Services at Ellis Island, she discovers her mother had obviously trying to research Jakob's history but she doesn't know why.

In alternating sections, the story of the flight of Jakob and his brother Peter from their village in Ukraine in 1904 and eventual arrival in America is described.

Then Jakob falls breaking his hip which changes everything for both Jakob and Nel and she begins to dig deeper into his past to try to understand his nightmares.

There is a strong Christian message in this book. Even though Jakob and his family were Jewish, his parents had converted to Christianity before Jakob and Peter's flight from Ukraine. Jakob has been been plagued with guilt and bitterness his entire life but his brother Peter had always begged him to forgive.

This is another book in which the reader is exposed to horrendous persecution of Jewish people---in another time period and this time by the Russians. I highly recommend it.