All That Was

by Tanya E. Williams

Separated by a century. Bonded by loss. Will examining all that was invoke comfort or calamity?

Seattle, 2015. Emily Reed refuses to dwell on her emotions. When the first-year attorney is assigned a church archival project, she dives into the records to hide from her own heartache. But when she discovers her parents were married in this very chapel, she is forced to confront the grief she buried a decade ago.

After she died in 1935, Elizabet Thomas was devastated when her beloved husband wasn’t waiting for her on the other side. A lost soul, she’s wandered their church for the past eighty years, desperate to find him. And now she must persuade a young, living lawyer that the historic building needs to be preserved rather than sold and torn down.

Discovering a diary among the disarray in the building’s basement, Emily is first engrossed and then moved by the dead woman’s words. And as the fate of her home unravels, Elizabet realizes she and the grieving archivist have more in common than she ever would have guessed.

Can Emily and Elizabet save themselves and their cherished sanctuary?

All That Was is an uplifting standalone women’s literary fiction novel deeply woven with historical elements. If you enjoy dual-perspective storylines, complex female characters, and the rekindling of lost hope, then you’ll love Tanya E Williams’s soul-stirring tale.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Paranormal, Chick Lit

322 pages, Paperback

Published October 20, 2020

About the author

A writer from a young age, Tanya E Williams loves to help a reader get lost in another time, another place through the magic of books. History continues to inspire her stories and her insightful view into the human condition deepens her character's experiences and propels them on their journey. Ms. Williams' favorite tales, speak to the reader's heart, making them smile, laugh, cry, and think.

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Reviews

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

All That Was is such a beautifully written story.

The story is told in alternating chapters between two povs. Emily Reed - a young woman in her 20's who lost her parents at a young age and hasn't taken the time to grieve. And Elizabet Thomas - a lost soul wandering the church for the past eighty years in hopes of reconnecting with her deceased husband.

Emily, a first-year attorney has been assigned a project at the church archiving old records. During the process she discovers Elizabets diary and becomes completely absorbed in her words. I LOVED reading the diary entries. They were one of my favorite things about this story. Seeing into the past through Elizabets words and learning the backstory was really special.

I adored these strong female characters. The development throughout the story was fantastic. I really got a feel for who they were and felt their emotions. Such an exceptional job bringing each character to life and truly connecting with the reader.

Highly recommend to those who enjoy women's literary fiction and ghost stories. The supernatural element was such a fascinating touch!

Huge thank you to Tanya for sending me a copy of her book!

[Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance · Rating 4 out of 5]

All That Was is the perfect title for this novel, and it means so many things: All that was of a person's life; all that was at a point in time; all that was and is no more. It's a story written most keenly with the gift of intuition in the matter of the heart, negotiating the processes of loss, growth, and perseverance.

Emily Reed is the main character in this story and is spending her first job archiving records in the basements of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Seattle which is the center of a Supreme Court case going on for removal or preservation. What Emily does not know is, that this is the very church her parents were married in 1983 and who died when she was only 16 years old.

There is an interesting story that comes to light about the church's founding that began with a group of strong-minded women in Seattle who had 10cents leftover after the fundraising and erection of the building. The framed dime begins the conversations Emily has with Pastor Michael who has been with the church for a long time.

Emily does not realize, that there are spirits and ghosts roaming the church, though a faint whisp of perfume seems to alert her every now and then. She does not know, that Elizabet who is still grieving the loss of her husband Rupert, and Dorothea her unlikely friend and brothel owner until 1905, are watching and guiding her through diaries and nudges in the right directions in the archive.

So, why are the unlikely ghost and spirit friends have an interest in Emily? Well, for one, they are really impressed with her tenacity and work ethic, but also, because Emily seems to struggle with the loss of her parents, and working in the archives becomes the forefront of her battle in grief.

While the story alternates pov's it tells about the stories of each of these three ladies who find themselves at a threshold they cannot pass unless they can be brave enough to make peace and overcome what is holding them back.

While Emily has a boyfriend who is interested in their future, she is too closed off from him and about to lose him while she buries herself in her archiving project. When his own work sends him in different directions it is a sure sign that their relationship is on the cusp of ending.

Through generations and matters of the heart, both ugly and beautiful, these women are faced with stepping beyond their comfort to escape what has haunted them for years. Will the decision of the court battle derail their futures?

***

First off, I like anything that Williams writes. She can tell me that oat bran is the most amazing delicacy not to be missed and I will gladly eat it. Her books are written with exquisite care and emotional insight. Losing a parent or any loved one for that matter is something I had to deal with at a young adult age and I can relate to some of the turmoil Emily is going through. The bonds of loss strap you down and until you can make peace and free yourself from them it is hard to move on. A process that takes a lot of time.

Emily is a character who is falling further while working in the archive but begins to process some of those emotions she has held back for so long. In a sense, it is a coming of age story for her, as all of those years she succeeded in school were more autonomous and going through the motions without ever facing her turmoil. With the help of Elizabet and Dorothea, she now has to face the music and has no more else to run. What emerges, is a beautiful and freeing beginning in her life. A different success, a becoming of her own.

The ghost and spirit ladies were some of my favorite parts. I enjoy two timeline stories and their friendship added some banter and mystery to the entirety of the novel.

As I was reading the afterword of the author and the elements that drew this story together with real persons and events in Seattle, I wished I had known some of these facts first. It made that novel even more special.

If there is one flaw to the story, then it is the one that it was almost too emotional for me, though not necessarily unrelatable. I think a younger person would find some truths in this book that they can grasp on to and find wisdom in. I might identify myself mostly with Dorothea minus the brothel since she seems to be the one reasoning most with her situation.

If you enjoy a bit of history, mystery, and stories for and from the heart, you would really enjoy ALL THAT WAS.

Happy reading!

I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

More of my reviews here:
Through Novel Time & Distance

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All That Was is a fantastic story I enjoyed reading about - two women and their connection to a chapel in Seattle. Emily in 2015 is a budding attorney assigned to work on historical archival project and Elizabet is a lost soul from 1935 still waiting on a promise of a loved one.

Williams wrote a beautiful story about families, loss and trauma, in a hopeful story with strong female characters that was a delight to read that warms the soul.

The writing was easy to read and well written. Great writing of characters and the connection Williams build with her readers and grab you from he first pages was fascinating. Great world building too! I enjoyed this book a lot!

A fun read over a relaxing weekend!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite reads of 2020. It had history and current day and even some ghosts thrown in too. But, both women in both eras discovered you have to grieve for your losses so you can move on in life. You can’t continue to avoid your losses or you will always be stuck in the past. You must grieve then start to live your life again.
Emily and Elizabet, in 2 separate eras, were able to help each other move forward and find love again. Loss is the same no matter what time we are living in.
I received a free copy in advance for my review.

[Brinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was definitely a pleasant surprise. When I got it, I wasn’t totally sure that it was my type of book. I’m so happy I gave it a chance though, because i absolutely loved it.

One of the things that really stood out to me about this book was the historical aspects. I felt totally immersed in the church’s history, and just like Emily, I was praying it wouldn’t be demolished. Seattle is already an eccentric city, and getting a glimpse into a more forgotten hint of its history was super interesting. If I do end up traveling to Seattle, I’ll probably try and stop by the church, just to see the outside of the building that inspired this masterpiece.

The characters in All That Was were another thing I loved. Although their stories didn’t weave together in the way it’s expecting, I loved the way it was done. I was rooting for their romances the entire time, and I loved how they were sprinkled lightly throughout.

I felt like this book did a great job of dealing with grief and loss without making this a sad book. I felt like I was there, cheering Emily and Elizabet on while they found themselves again. Overall, I loved this book, even though it isn’t what I normally read.

Thanks to BookishFirst for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Stacy40pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

All That Was by Tanya E. Williams. Thanks to the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review ⭐️⭐️⭐️

As her first legal job, Emily begins to work through the archives of a local historical church. As she does, she finds diaries from the 1920’s of a woman named Elisabet. As Emily reads through the text, while grieving her parents’ deaths, she may realize the diaries are of help not only to save the church but also herself.

This was a historical fiction true and true, but it was also a story about grief and the dangers of not working through ones grief. Both characters are stuck, but they show differing responses to their grief. From each other they are able to grow and learn to process their grief. While a beautiful, lovely and well-told story, I unfortunately did not enjoy this one as the previous book I read by the author (A Man Called Smith). I felt there was a bit too much descriptive text that didn’t add to the story. It was less action and more emotion, which while not for me, I believe many will enjoy. If you enjoy heartfelt stories, dual timelines with a common tie, and emotional growth through bonds, you’ll want to pick this one up.

“All things are possible if you are willing to alter your perception of a situation.”

“I should have lived each day instead of fearing it.”

All That Was comes out 10/20.

[Susan Backus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanya E Williams has authored a lovely historical fiction novel that deftly intertwines the lives of two women from different time periods. As the story progresses, they both realize that they must confront their past grief in order to embrace the future. Despite a century between them, they share experiences and have more in common than either would have imagined. You'll enjoy reading how Emily and Elizabet save themselves and each other.

[Lovemybooks2020 Cindy Ward]

I’m featuring 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙨 by @tanyaewilliams_author today as part of @suzyapprovedbooktours .
⁣
𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙒𝙖𝙨 is an uplifting standalone women’s literary fiction novel deeply woven with historical elements. If you enjoy dual-perspective storylines, complex female characters, and the rekindling of lost hope, then you’ll love Tanya E Williams’s soul-stirring tale. This book is a character-driven story of self-discovery with a mix of paranormal and historical fiction, given the timeframes that span over one hundred years. I also love how the cover illustrator captures both past and present in the design.⁣
⁣
𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆:⁣
⁣
Separated by a century. Bonded by loss. Will examining all that was invoke comfort or calamity?⁣
⁣
Seattle, 2015. Emily Reed refuses to dwell on her emotions. When the first-year attorney is assigned a church archival project, she dives into the records to hide from her own heartache. But when she discovers her parents were married in this very chapel, she is forced to confront the grief she buried a decade ago.⁣
⁣
After she died in 1935, Elizabet Thomas was devastated when her beloved husband wasn’t waiting for her on the other side. A lost soul, she’s wandered their church for the past eighty years, desperate to find him. And now she must persuade a young, living lawyer that the historic building needs to be preserved rather than sold and torn down.⁣
⁣
Discovering a diary among the disarray in the building’s basement, Emily is first engrossed and then moved by the dead woman’s words. And as the fate of her home unravels, Elizabet realizes she and the grieving archivist have more in common than she ever would have guessed.⁣
⁣
Can Emily and Elizabet save themselves and their cherished sanctuary?⁣

Big thanks to @tanyaewilliams_author, @ripplingeffects and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy of this book.
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[Sophia Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

All That Was by Tanya E. Williams is a sentimental tale of a young woman named Emily who can’t get over her parents’ death over a decade ago. She’s tried to go on, finishing law school and joining a firm, but when she lands a gig dealing with archival records at the First United Methodist Church of Seattle, supernatural forces align to help her deal with her grief once and for all.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of this story was the character of the ghost of Elizabet Thomas from the early 20th century. Emily had found Elizabet’s journals, spanning many years, and found them hard to put down—and meantime Elizabet was reading them over her shoulder, adding commentary. I very much enjoyed Elizabet’s crisp dialogue and typical Victorian sharpness. I’d imagine that most people driving down the road would be delighted if they were to turn the radio station to hear this ghost’s perspective. Curiously, the author chose this ghost, a secondary character, for her first-person POV (saying ‘I’ instead of ‘she’). I’m not sure I’ve seen that done before (as Emily was a 3rd-person ‘she’), but it certainly helped draw me in to Elizabet’s perspective. I occasionally became impatient with Emily’s nostalgia, but it suited Elizabet’s ghostly character splendidly.
For an emotional, nostalgic tale of loss and love and happily-ever-afters, with a twist or two thrown in, consider reading All That Was. Ms. Williams’ intrinsic kindness and thoughtfulness come through clearly, and I especially recommend it for sentimental souls who wish a respite from the brutal intensity so widespread in the world of literature today.

[Bookoholiccafe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily is a young lawyer and is given the job of archiving church’s history before the building is being torn down.
She finds out that her parents were married in this church and came across some diaries that led her to know about Elizabeth Thomas who died in 1973. Despite the fact that they lived almost a century apart, they both share so many life experiences in common.

Getting to know the story’s main characters, Emily and Elisabeth, from different time periods, they both learn that in order to move on in life, they need to grieve for their losses. If not, they will always be stuck in the past.
I liked the dual perspective storyline and complex female characters. All That Was is a story of two strong women dealing with their losses. I think it’s a real ghost story, ghosts are alive in this book and I really liked it. (considering the fact that I don’t believe in ghosts ).
The author did a great job intermingling time periods and describing the details. I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction and ghost stories.
Many Thanks to Tanya E. Williams and Suzanne Leopold for the gifted copy.

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[Rebecca Duty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours for my copy of All That Was in exchange for honest review. What would spooky season be without a fantastic twist on a ghost story? If you are not into horror or supense but want something to fit the bill of the season be sure to check out this lovely tale that fits firmly into the fiction or historical fiction category.

Emily lost her parents 10 years ago but has not yet come to grips with the loss. Despite offers of help from her foster parents she rather throws herself into a new work project that requires going through documents at a church. As it turns out it is the church that her parents wed at. Then there Is the story of Elizabet who passed away in the 1940s but is among the air it’s that find solitude in the old church. In part her quest is to be reunited with her lost love. Without Emily knowing it Elizabet guides her through journals and diaries in order to help persuade her to save the church.

@tanyaewilliams_author writes with such emotional depth and intelligence it is truly a pleasure to read. She always manages to breathe life into the pages of her novels with characters who are real. The struggles that are displayed by Emily and Elizabet are so strong and I believe Tanya E Williams portrays them perfectly to bring depth and soul to these characters.

[Bookish Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fascinating! Emily is such a great character and she's so well written that it was easy to feel exactly what she was feeling. Wonderful book!

Emily's first assignment as a new lawyer is to go through some church archives so they can decide whether or not to give it historical status. She learns that her parents were married in this church and that starts the crack in her crumbling wall of repressed emotions. Her parents died in a car accident when she was a teen and she never dealt with the grief. She just kept moving forward with a tight leash on her emotions. This project is opening her eyes and her mind.

She discovers the diaries of a woman who was also struggling with moving forward from the loss of her husband. She forms an unconventional alliance with this ghostly woman who still hangs around the church because it's where she feels closest to her long lost husband.

Kindred spirits unite to move on from their past and it's such a beautifully difficult thing. I loved it!

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed All That Was. It was really interesting  to learn about the two women and the connection they both had to the chapel. The novel is beautifully written with wonderful character development as it explores,  love,  loss,  trauma, discovery and connections that leaves your heart feeling warm.  I really enjoyed All the historical aspects that were woven into the storyline. Williams is able to grab your attention from page one and keep it until the very end.  I can't wait to see what she writes next.

In the novel we follow Emily in 2015, a budding attorney as she is assigned to an archival project at a church when she discovers a box full of diaries that she begins reading.  The diaries date back to 1920's and follow Elizabet.

Elizabet is a lost soul stuck in the church watching over Emily as she reads the diaries and continues her historical archive process. Elizabet arrived at the church after death hoping to find her husband but was not there,  and hopes to move on.

[Brandy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was happy to win this and get the chance to read. It was not what I was expecting but I have to say I ended up really enjoying it. The main character Emily has a lot of grief and personal issues to deal with after losing her parents. She is tasked with archiving a historical church and what she uncovers there not only helps the spirits that remain at the church but herself. There were so many quotes that I absolutely loved in this story. One of my favorite lines from the story has to be "Take your time in here. There is much to discover. Never hurry, Emily. Never worry. All things in life work out how they are supposed to in the end."
I loved the characters and the writing. I loved the ending. Great book!

[Bethany Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me begin by saying how much I love this cover. I love that old and new and the progression from the period dressing to modern day.
Her first task as an attorney is to organize a church’s archives before it is torn down. They may be a ghost haunting the area, could it be the deceased women’s journal that she is reading?
I love Tanya’s writing style as well her character development. She always strong, realistic characters that I can relate to and feel connected with.
I highly recommend this read as well as others by Tanya - including A Man Called Smith and Becoming Mrs. Smith to name a few.

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for historical fiction fans. I loved the dual perspectives as you learn a little more about Elizabet and her past, while participating alongside Emily in the present.

Emily is such a wonderful character. It was easy to stay present with her as she struggled with the grief of her parents' death and tried to find out how move forward without guilt.

I also loved the history of the women of Seattle and reading about how strong and resilient they were. Very well written and engaging book. Definitely one to add to those lists!

I received the ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.

[Lorraine Guild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of my favorites written by Tanya and my 2020 favorite read so far, I love dual-perspective storylines and this one did not disappoint. It is very well written and keeps you turning the page and either loving or hating the characters. The human connection to grief and life challenges are evident centuries apart.
Excellent read highly recommend.

[Jessica Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book of women’s fiction.
My attention was grabbed from the very beginning, surrounding Emily who is great at hiding emotions and a ghost elizabet who can’t let go.
I love Emily’s character, she is fighting so hard to not feel, to not let her emotions and guilt over her parents death show, refusing to talk to anyone even her boyfriend Ryan. When she takes a job archive in a room for a church she finds Elizabet’s journals and realizes that she has so much in common with this lady who died 80 years ago.
The story was well written going back and forth between the two ladies. The church was described in such detail that I can imagine following Emily around. I loved how it told their stories. Stories about love and loss and the path you chose to take when you lost someone so close to you. It has some twist and turns you didn’t see coming and maybe even a few tears.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily is a competent mid-twenties woman recently graduated from law school and putting in her time at a law firm. Then we discover that her parents both died in a car accident when she was 16 and she firmly closed that door behind her to live her life for them, but not for herself.
Elizabet is a ghost waiting around for her husband Rupert, the love of her life, to show up and make her feel whole again. This story brings Emily and Elizabet together to enhance both their lives and makes it possible for both women to move on in love.
The church building where the two meet is another central character in this book with it's themes of community and love. Madame Lou and Pastor Michael are both likable characters who help with the plot and the understanding of past events. This is the first book I've read from Tanya Williams, but it won't be the last. She has a way of making the characters feel alive and three-dimensional.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read! I loved all the characters( and ghostly people)!! To me this story was very real. I experienced a lot of Emily’s emotions and heartache. I lost my mom almost three years ago and I too am having a hard time grieving. I love the way that Elizabet helped Emily finally put her emotions on the table so Emily was able to move on with her life. This story is one of my top favorite of 2020. A BIG thank you goes to Tanya Williams for the advanced EBook in exchange for an honest review. Can’t wait for Tanya next book! 😀

[Kelsey Gietl · Rating 5 out of 5]

All That Was is another five-star read from Tanya E. Williams, although it branches out from her usual historical fiction style. This novel, which I’m dubbing contemporary women’s literature with a historical flair, involves two women, one who can’t confront her ghosts in the present and an actual ghost who can’t let go of the past. Through an old church and a box of diaries, the two women discover all they are through all that was.

What I loved about this book, other than everything, was that it provides a realistic yet hopeful look at the all consuming power of grief. Emily, a lawyer in the present, believes by stifling the pain of her past, she’s moving forward, when in reality she is doing anything but. By comparison, Elizabet, after spending her entire life consumed by grief over her husband’s untimely passing, is now a ghost and refuses to “move on” due to her fear of possibly spending eternity without him. They are both stuck in place and although they do not realize it, have become comfortable in their idleness. Moving forward is frightening, so it is better not to move at all. Through a wonderful cast of supporting characters, All That Was shows the importance of grieving as a community, of having the courage to share our pain with others, and having compassion for those who are still in the midst of their grief journey. Although the two women are unable to physically speak to one another, they must work together to overcome their grief and finally allow themselves to truly live.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of All That Was by Tanya E. Williams:
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

In 2015 Seattle, Emily Reed is tasked with archiving a church's historical records in anticipation of the church being sold to developers and moving.  Her plan is to immerse herself in her work but when she learns that it is the very church that her late-parents were married in, the trajectory of this project starts to shift.  Amidst the church's archives, Emily discovers volumes of diaries written by Elizabet Thomas who died in 1935.  Emily is captivated by her words but the two, living worlds apart, have more in common than they think.  Emily chooses to hide from the pain and grief of losing both of her parents ten years prior while Elizabet lived a life basking in the memory of her late-husband.  Both chose to mourn in vastly different ways but both women learn that they truly haven't been living their lives with purpose or happiness.  All That Was weaves in historical elements to tell the tale of two strong and brave women living in two different times.

I have learned that I have not been reading enough historical fiction books lately.  I find myself captivated by the historical details in books and enjoy how they are intertwined with fictional stories and characters.  I absolutely love the idea of going back in time (hence my love for the Outlander series).  What I would give to find the diaries written by someone who lived a hundred years before me!  The stories those diaries could tell... Williams' wrote with such attention to detail that I found that I was easily able to conjure up an image of the scene I was reading.  She seamlessly linked the lives of two women living through their grief and it was a pleasure reading how they each unwittingly grew from each other.  I did however, find that some of the writing was repetitive and the dialogue between characters felt too perfect and scripted, but I found myself enjoying the storyline more.  I appreciated the Author's Note at the end where she accounted for the historical aspects of the book.  All That Was is a novel told from dual-perspectives, with strong female characters, that will have readers reflecting on how they're living their own lives.  With wise commentary, this is a fantastic soul-searching book that can inspire hope to those who may have lost it.

Thank you to the author, @TanyaEWilliams_Author {#partner} for sending me a complimentary copy of her book in exchange for an independent and honest review!  This book was released on 10/20/2020 and available for purchase now!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!!!!

First, I want to thank Tanya for having a giveaway of her new book and me winning! Hooray me!

I actually went into this story only partially knowing what it was about. And I'm going to be honest, I didn't care for Emily in the beginning. Let me start over....

Emily is a young lawyer who lost her parents in a car accident when she was sixteen. She was raised by her father's best friend and his wife. Emily kept her head down, completed school and went to college for a career in law, like her parents. She apparently never grieved the loss of her parents and her attitude was a product of that.

Emily's firm has given her the job of archiving a church's history before the decision of it being torn down. She thinks that this will be the distraction she needs to hide her emotions. However, she finds out her parents were married in this chapel and her feelings are coming to the forefront.

Elizabet Thomas died in 1937, but can't seem to move on from her beloved church because she believes that her dead husband will be meeting her there at some point. She has been lost in limbo for 80 years waiting for him. She feels she needs to convince Emily that the church needs to be saved. But, how? She is a lost soul. These two find each other through time, and without knowing... help each other find the paths they both need to follow.

This story reads like a Hallmark movie. It was exactly the kind of story to lift me up after reading many deeply opinionated novels (my opinions by the way). It was wonderfully inspiring and encouraging! My favorite character (which if you pick up this sweet gem, you will know who it is right away) showed up at just the right time, to give the perfect words of wisdom (that I was continually updating in my quotes book) when needed!

There are so many lessons throughout this story that could be used in my (or anyone's) daily life! The historical aspect seemed so well researched, that I have now put Washington on my bucket list to visit!

And....I will say, Emily redeemed herself in my eyes as a compassionate and caring character. So, I apologize for being at first judgmental. In my defense, when I lost a loved one who I was very close with, I knew she wanted me to live my life to the fullest...but I was an adult, not a sixteen year old young woman.

This satisfying historical fiction comes out OCTOBER 20, 2020...and is a book to be read and learned from during these difficult times. It will spread a little joy in your heart! I promise.

[Rajiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

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All that was is a beautiful, heartwarming tale about love and loss and will move you.

Firstly, the author describes the characters very nicely. As the story starts, there is a sense of mystery about Emily’s past. Why is she fixated on her parent’s death from 10 years back? Who is Elizabet, and why does she notice Emily at work?

As the story progresses, the author describes the relationship between the characters in an attractive manner. I liked how supporting Ryan, Veronica and Colin are to Emily, even if she doesn’t share everything with them. I also loved the details of the flashback of Emily and her parents. The author also contrasts the lives of Emily and Elizabet interestingly. On one side, Emily is trying to avoid her feelings by focusing on work. At the same time, Elizabet is drowning in grief as she mourns for Rupert. Moreover, I loved the theme of the story about keeping faith and moving forward.

Some of my favorite moments were when Pastor Michael tells her about the history behind the dime and Mrs. Parsons, or how Elizabet talks about the war and how it affected Rupert. Furthermore, I loved the small moments of Emily and Allison’s friendship or Elizabet and Dorothea. Additionally, there is also a pleasant twist in the end with one of the characters, which I did not expect. Indeed, the author paced the story very nicely.

However, at times the story felt a bit slow and repetitive. Also, I missed Veronica and Colin’s presence towards the end and wished they had been prominent. Apart from that, this was a wonderful tale about faith and opening your heart to others, and I liked it a lot!

[Trick Wiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanya Williams she so has done it again!! Another wonderful and exciting story of a young girl who still has not come to grips with losing her parents so long ago as a child! It affects everything in her life especially in the romance department! She takes on a job that she has to go through records of a old Church and it's records dating so far back as in the 1900's. Emily finds out that this Church, married her parents.....There are two stories going on at the same time and it's really,I think to do that and not get mixed up between the two..That really takes talent.. One in the 1900's is of two old ladies who still live in the Church,just won't leave and then you have Emily's story ,who lives in the present,2015. Follow the two old ladies story through her diaries as Emily starts to read them.. So many diaries that span over 30 plus years as Pastor Michael works on trying to save the Church his way as so does the secretary,Mrs. Peters of the Church... she is not really that old, but you would think she came with the Church as when they were building it because nothing gets pass her, she knows anything and everything about the Church,even the ones in the present and the ones who used to go to the Church,but they are dead and buried now, in their grave yard.. Will they be able to save the Church from being destroyed to build a new one or will Emily find something to help save the Church and will this going through old Church records and the diaries help her relationship with her now boyfriend ,Ryan...For Emily, It's not a job anymore, the Church starts to talk to her,it wants to tell her a story! Will Emily be able to solve some deep rooted troubles or her own? You get lost with Emily in her story where you want so much for her to be able to not only find herself,solve what deep rooted troubles she has, but not only then you have two old ladies that are stuck in the Church because they are afraid to go on to where they belong after you die.. Emily, the two old ladies, their names are ,Elizbetha and Dorothea, are trying to help Emily,in their own way,even though Emily can't see them.. Strange things are starting to change in Emily, but never doubt the power of a Church!! Wonderful,witty, warm emotional story you will never want to end and you really think you are right there in this story and the characters begin to become real!!! You want to help save the Church and figure out what to do with the two old ladies!! Tanya Williams,will never,every disappoint you with her writing style, she has such a way with her words and she makes her characters become alive..You will not want the story to end because Miss Williams knows how to write and there isn't a book she has written that I have not found disappointed in..After you read this book,try some others books from her,like I said,you will find all her stories fantastic!!! Just to let you know I did write a review and this is it,I just found a lot of mistakes I needed to correct..Happy Reading!!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Bookishfirst for this book.

It was a well written, well researched book with a intriguing cover that definitely fits the book.

Ghosts and spirits are alive in this book that is for sure. Emily is a lawyer who has been tasked her first job in from her law firm in an old church that who’s law firm is in favor to save the church vs. the church who wants to sell it and wants to build and move to a smaller one after 100+ years in it's existence and the same location. Emily is to archive the churches history in a dank, damp basement. Here she finds wonderful memories starting way back in the 1800s with spirits like Dorothea (the city's former madam), Elizabet, who's diaries Emily finds and starts reading them in between doing her work. Elizabet lived a good 80 years but is still in between stages in life (not wanting to go to the other side) thinking she will find her late husbands spirits still there where they got married. Dorothea is the town's late madam who is the spirit and Elizabet's friend from way back and keeps telling her that her beloved Rupert is on the other side and it's time for her to go. Father Michael, another spirit who died in 1983 who Emily thought was really real until it was pointed out that he was already dead and married her parents. All of them play a wonderful part in Emily's life in spirit of course wanting her to forget her past of her parents death and to live life to the fullest. Emily's parents got married there 10 years ago but never knew? That threw me for a loop and I still cannot understand why she never knew.

Then there was Ryan, her boyfriend of two years, who she loved, but really never wanted anyone to know her grief and not letting go, which she finally did. Ryan was the most patient of men and anyone would want him on their side.

All in all, the church was modernized into a event center and the church also got their way by moving. I loved the ending where they "all" showed up at the opening of the event.

[Jennifer Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you believe in ghosts?
You might after reading All That Was. And I must explain, she makes a distinction between ghosts and spirits. This is not a spooky tale. Instead it is an inspiring one where I can see the Biblical “cloud of witnesses” at work.
The story begins with Emily who is fine, thank you very much. She can handle things, no need to discuss the problem or seek help. This girl will power through and survive.
But that’s really all she is doing, surviving. And it nearly costs her everything. Pain hurts. So does healing but if we want to get rid of what causes the pain, we must go through the hurt of healing. That is Emily’s big lesson. How she gets there, well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
And then there is Elizabet. For her it comes down to a question of is it too late?
I loved this book. Since it was a sort of split time/story of two women, both Emily and Elizabet needed to have clear POVs and voices. They do. The interesting thing I found was that Emily was written in third person present and Elizabet in first person present. Both put the reader smack dab in the middle of the moment. I will say that Emily’s POV took a page or two to get used to, but the writing was almost poetic so that I had to keep going. The story was compelling enough to make sure I did. If you are not used to third person present tense, it might feel awkward at first. Don’t let that hold you back. It works well and the writing will carry you away.
From Tanya’s website: A writer from a young age, Tanya E Williams loves to help a reader get lost in another time, another place through the magic of books. History continues to inspire her stories and her insightful view into the human condition deepens her character’s experiences and propels them on their journey. Ms. Williams’ favorite tales, speak to the reader’s heart, making them smile, laugh, cry, and think.
I highly recommend All That Was. It doesn’t offer pat answers or perfect characters. Rather its encouraging and lyrical and a lovely read.

[Angela Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start by saying the book wasn't what I had expected from the "first look." I'm not sure what I expected, but the story was more centered on grief and healing and faith than paranormal.

Our two main characters are Emily, a young woman fresh out of law school starting her first job. She's had unbearable grief in her lifetime. At a young age Emily's parents were killed in a car accident. From the outside she looks like a shining example of perseverance in the face of tragedy. She has excelled at every task she's undertaken, she graduated law school and was sought after by many law firms. She's tried to honor her parents by following in their lawyer footsteps. But if you dig just a slight bit into Emily you'll see she's quite stuck. She's never fully grieved the loss she experienced. She just keeps pushing and running forward tackling obstacles and ignoring the emotions as best as she can. There is a feeling that her happiness lies at the end of the goal, but not in the process of achieving the goal. It's gotten her this far, but it's starting to boil over now. It's affecting her relationship with her boyfriend, Ryan, relationship with her guardians, and her job.

Then we have Elizabet. She's a ghost. She's been haunting the church Emily is working in for 80 years now. She's not the only spirit hanging around, there is also Dorothea, alias Madame Lou, the infamous Madame of Seattle. They're life-long friends, well, even longer than life actually. She's been here waiting for her husband, Rupert. Rupert passed away too soon into their marriage and Elizabet has been grieving him ever since. Elizabet's grief has mostly consumed her, it was like a full-time job in her living life and she's clinging to the grief and his memory even in death. Dorothea is eager to get going, she's done with living in this limbo but won't leave Elizabet behind.

Their stories collide when Emily begins archiving the basement storage of the church. Elizabet is beside herself with the idea that her beloved church could be destroyed. Emily's work though is interesting to her and the more she uncovers, like Elizabet's own diaries, the more Elizabet takes interest. Emily could be the key to saving the church. And more than that, whether Elizabet realizes it or not, Emily and Elizabet have much in common.

The way Williams weaves together the stories of past and present, she shows how grief and healing is timeless. She plays with faith and I think readers can make of that what they will. It isn't a novel that tries to push a religion or belief system on you, but adds an element of "wisdom" for the characters involved and I enjoyed it.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

All that Was by Tanya. E. Evanson

I picked the perfect day to read this book. It was raining and gloomy with a chill in the air. Perfect for a book set in Seattle.

This book isn’t a quick light read. It’s one where you sink down into your reading chair with a cup of tea and a soft blanket and shut out the world kind of read.

When we meet Emily it doesn’t take long to realize she’s bottled up her grief over losing her parents so tight that it has taken over her life. Despite help offered and then refused she gets through her days thinking she is fine, though nothing will ever be good again.

Take heart reader, Emily embarks upon a life-changing experience when she agrees to archive the records of an historic church in Seattle. Hired by her law company as a first-year lawyer she gets the job to comb through centuries of old documents in a dark windowless room.
Emily doesn’t mind doing the work until memories of her parents begin to invade the space. How will she handle them when they won’t stop coming?

Elizabet, a spirit who has refused to move forward takes the reader on a journey similar to Emily’s. It’s not to be missed. Because of Elizabet the reader gets a view of what this church meant to people throughout the decades. The research on this book must have been time consuming but every detail adds to the ambiance of the setting.

When Emily is forced to look back on her life, she has choices to make moving forward. That’s what this book is about, being afraid for a minute and having the courage to move forward.
There is much to enjoy about this book, so I don’t wish to give away much. It is a good literary women’s fiction book. This is a book about two worlds, but not fantasy, scary type fiction.
All that Was has a happy ending which is important to me.

[Siobhán♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Seattle, 2015. Emily Reed refuses to dwell on her emotions. When the first-year attorney is assigned a church archival project, she dives into the records to hide from her own heartache. But when she discovers her parents were married in this very chapel, she is forced to confront the grief she buried a decade ago.

After she died in 1935, Elizabet Thomas was devastated when her beloved husband wasn’t waiting for her on the other side. A lost soul, she’s wandered their church for the past eighty years, desperate to find him. And now she must persuade a young, living lawyer that the historic building needs to be preserved rather than sold and torn down.

Discovering a diary among the disarray in the building’s basement, Emily is first engrossed and then moved by the dead woman’s words. And as the fate of her home unravels, Elizabet realizes she and the grieving archivist have more in common than she ever would have guessed.

Can Emily and Elizabet save themselves and their cherished sanctuary?

Characters: Emily is a very independent character and likes to face things herself. But, her version of facing an issue is to completely ignore it and avoid it.
She is caring in her own way and I begin to like her a lot more further into the book.
Elizabet's appearance into this book had me questioning myself. I was like, "wait, who is this? What does she want? Why does she still linger at this church?" She's a very reserved character at first but she opens up through her diary.

Plot: I found this to be quite an interesting and beautiful read about two independent yet difficult woman who are in different eras, yet they still connect. I enjoyed learning of Elizabet's past and I was definitely intruiged by her story. The one question I had throughout this book was, will Emily face her grief?
Does she? You'll have to read this to know 😉

Rating: 4.5/5✨