The Bend in Redwood Road

Missing Pieces #1

by Danielle Stewart

Most days it's manageable. No more than a quiet wondering around the edges of her mind. What has become of the baby she left behind? Smiling through the pain and suffering in silence, Leslie Laudon marches forward. Embracing the life skillfully designed by her husband Paul. Living right could be penance for an impossible choice made with an uneasy heart. Dutiful and anchoring, Leslie poured herself into her other children. Nurturing them through infancy, protecting them as toddlers, guiding them as teens. As her youngest child heads off to college with her suitcases and coordinating dorm room accessories, so goes Leslie’s identity. The chaotic life of a busy working mother threatens to become dangerously quiet. Quiet enough to hear the voices she’s tried to silence for decades. Gwen Fox was adopted by two perfect people. Noel and Millie have always treated her the same as their two biological sons. Her parents love is strong and unwavering, yet a soul-deep ache still lingers. Plagued by an unnamed, hard to explain, longing Gwen could never shake. Riddled with doubt and dragged down by the undertow of unanswered questions, Leslie and Gwen both find their lives suddenly upended. One seeks the truth about the day she was born. The other seeks herself, the woman she was before motherhood. Before she made a choice to leave a piece of her heart lying asleep in the hospital nursery. In this complex journey for answers, blame is abundant. Guilt is thick enough to choke on. Marriages are brought to the brink of disaster. As the ripples of the past vibrate through their lives, Gwen and Leslie realize there is no turning back. What they have put into motion cannot be stopped. The road toward the truth will be littered with casualties.“You will not be disappointed if you take a journey around The Bend in Redwood Road. You will hang on every word wondering if resolution will be possible” Michele, 5 stars"Stewart has a knack for creating rich, complicated characters. One standout is Leslie's daughter, Kerry, who is defiantly vocal about the issues within her family and laudably supportive of her mother. The author treads carefully around the subject of adoption, respectfully noting systematic issues while preserving the emotional complexities of Gwen's experience. Another intriguing feature is the romantic subplot" - Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Mystery, Contemporary, Ebooks, Womens Fiction

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Writing is a way to make a lot of different people do exactly what you want them to do. When I can’t get my toddler to listen to me, I turn to my characters. They always cooperate!

I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina with my husband and seven year old son. I have perfected the ability to write in a noisy house and create story lines while folding laundry.

Ten Things to know about me:

1. I have a fear of whales. All whales. The noise they make. The sight of them (even on tv). I don't think this phobia has a name and I've never met anyone else who feels this way. I blame it on the 3D movie when I was 7 at the Boston Museum of Science. (Thanks Dad.)

2. When I get hungry it brings out the worst in me. My friends and family know to keep me well fed. They pack snacks now.

3. I can cook but not bake. Not even a little. Not even a box of brownies.

4. If there is a song I like it is normal to hear me listening to it a hundred times (give or take) in a row.

5. I do not, under any circumstances, read directions. Who has time for that? Making mac & cheese by the seat of my pants for the last 25 years.

6. Like a black-out drunk, I have lost hours of my life mysteriously to Pinterest. If you haven't tried it yet... don't. Save your self.

7. Before I became a mother, lots of things grossed me out. Now nothing does.

8. My favorite food is food... my least favorite food is no food. I love food. (apply the same rule to wine)

9. I do not have a green thumb. I have the kind of thumb that kills any type of plant ever given to me. Whatever kind of thumb that is... I have it.

10. Writing has changed my life. Not just the career it's created but the way I feel when I write. If you have something you love to do I hope you get the opportunity to do it.



Piper Anderson Series:
Book 1: Chasing Justice (FREE)
Book 2: Cutting Ties
Book 3: Changing Fate
Book 4: Finding Freedom
Book 5: Settling Scores
Book 6: Battling Destiny
Book 7: Chris & Sydney Collection (Choosing Christmas & Saving Love)

Betty's Journal - Bonus Material (suggested to be read after Book 4 to avoid spoilers)

The Edenville Series:
Book 1: Flowers in the Snow (FREE!)
Book 2: Kiss in the Wind
Book 3: Stars in a Bottle
Book 4: Fire in the Heart (pre-order)

The Clover Series:
(Book 1 & 2) Half My Heart & Change My Heart (FREE)
(Book 3) All My Heart
(Book 4) Facing Home

The Rough Waters Series:
Book 1: The Goodbye Storm(FREE)
Book 2: The Runaway Storm
Book 3: The Rising Storm

The Barrington Billionaire Series
Book 1: Fierce Love (Free)
Book 2: Wild Eyes
Book 3: Crazy nights
Book 4: Loyal Hearts

The Piper Anderson Legacy Mystery
Book 1: Three Seconds to Rush (Free)
Book 2: Just for a Heartbeat
Book 3: Not just an Echo

Stand Alones:
Yours for the Taking
Sweet Rendezvous
Running from Shadows

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought me back to the familiar writing style of her first novel but with the depth of someone who's been writing for years. I could see the growth in this story from the Prologue to the very last page. The first meeting of the main character Gwen had me feeling all the emotions she was going through. It was like I was sitting next to her. It was tough to put down. I won't give any spoilers but if you love Danielle's ability to give you a twist you didn't expect, then you won't be disappointed with this book. She found a way to also bring a level of emotion to the book that I could feel through the pages. The tears were building so many times as I read but she also didn't leave out her sense of humor.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story!

This book really took me on an emotional journey. Gwen has questions and she needs some answers. But she also really doesn’t want to open a box that can’t be unseen. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone.

This part of the story we don’t really understand until a little later. And that is ok because we really get to know Gwen and we also see her and Griff her childhood friend (friend of the family) become reacquainted. Will they won’t they kind of thing but it was sweet.

Then we get another perspective Leslie and her family her journey. It is an intensely personal story that had me on the edge of my seat needing to know if they were ever going to meet.

Leslie’s family and marriage really got through a lot in this book and I felt so much for this mother. She wants more for her life. She doesn’t see what is really happening with her children and they protect her. Like I said intense.

Great story seriously I recommend. I will be seeking out more by this author, and this narrator she does an incredible job giving voice to each character without being over the top. I very much enjoyed the listening experience.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great start to a new series for Danielle Stewart!

[Nancy Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was told between alternating voices -- that of Gwen and Leslie.

Enter Gwen: Gwen is 25, has experienced a major anxiety attack while at college and has come home to her parent's home on Redwood Road for the Christmas holidays to recuperate. Gwen has loving parents who adore her and two older brothers. She had an amazing childhood filled with wonderful memories and was bathed in love. Gwen was adopted as an infant. There has never been any secrecy about how she arrived and she has never wondered about who gave her up and why -- until now. Gwen is holding secrets.

Enter Leslie: Leslie is married to a man who loves his family in his own way but is very manipulative and likes things his way. Leslie is the mother of two boys and a daughter, Kerry. Kerry is entering the end of her senior year and looking forward to leaving for college. Leslie is looking at the prospect of an empty nest, sharing a home with just her husband who has become somewhat of a stranger to her and reassessing the direction she wants her career to take. But Leslie is holding secrets.

Throw in the mix a random DNA test and you begin to see a dilemma creeping up over the horizon.
There is no need to divulge more - any reader can get the picture. This was an entertaining read that leaves its audience feeling for both sides of the coin and could open up a Pandora's box full of endless discussion topics.

I was born and raised by my natural parents so I can't speak from experience what it must feel like to be adopted. I've been married for over 40 years to the same man and we have raised two children together (who have given us six grandchildren to date) so I can't speak to what it must feel like to give a child up at birth. But this story did get me to thinking of the complex situations in which a child is surrendered for adoption. While some decisions may be made for selfish reasons, I sincerely feel that most are made after much consideration, honest contemplation of consequences and a heart that is willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of another. And even after the decision is made, I would imagine there is always glances back through the years.

Who are we to judge the decisions or actions of others? None of us are without guilt for decisions made in our lives. The most important thing is not to let our decisions (whether good or bad) define us but rather let them be yet another chapter is a life well lived.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon & on iBooks today (6/28/2020)! 🎁

[Sandra Morello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I'm throughly surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was a free one on the Apple book app and man oh man did I breeze right through it! It is a beautiful story about mental health, postpartum, miscarriage, finding family, love, and more. The novel is intriguing, heart tugging, exciting, romantic, and humorous ( in a good way). I felt like I easily related to the characters - I found almost all the characters to be interesting and endearing. They are forced to examine their current life situations by exploring some difficult past choices that are at the root cause. A must read! I already bought the next one 🤣

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a frequent reader of Danielle Stewart, I was excited to begin this first book in her new series, and I was not disappointed!
Leslie, Gwen, and their families and friends are all well developed characters, and I was hooked with the prologue. The people and situations are believable, engaging, and both heartbreaking and humorous at the same time. I found myself slowing down towards the end of the book because I didn’t want it to end. Can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next.
Well done Danielle!!!

[☕Brenda Loves Books☕ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I wasn't as impressed with this book as others were.
For me the pace was too slow, and it didn't do the going back and forth between characters very well.
So I found myself just not as invested in the characters, which kind of wrecks a book for me.

[Brock Price]

Personal response: I do not really like The Bend In Redwood Road by Danielle Stewart because it is not really my type of book and there are not too many conflicts either. This book does not do a great job of expressing the characters’ feelings or how they look.


Plot: This book is about Gwen a girl who struggles with a lot of issues. She really wants and to find her real family. Griff is a friend who comes to her house to go see these gingerbread houses. The gingerbread houses happen to be in the same town as her real family. She leaves her house without telling her adopted mother whose name is Millie. They soon leave the town that they are from and head out to the gingerbread place to try to find Gwen’s real family. Gwen finds her mom she knows what her mom tells her about her adoption is not the truth. Gwen and Griff leave Gwen’s birth mother and set out to find the truth.

Characterization:

Griffen: Seems like the type of person to help get anyone out of tough times and will help them get up if they fall. Also, it seems like Griffen cares more about the person he is helping than his own well being. Griffen is a static character throughout this book.

Gwen: Gwen Is a very smart woman and is going to college. She is adopted at a young age and Her only real friend really is Griffen because they both share a common problem of having childhood issues. She becomes stronger throughout the story and accepts the fact that her birth mom tells her lies.


Setting: This book takes place around Colombia, Maryland. The setting impacts the plot because Gwen does not like Columbia. After she meets her real mom, she realizes she loves her adopted family and wants to stay in Columbia. The book takes place in modern times because Gwen has a smartphone and they used modern-day technology.


Theme: The theme of this book is the desire to escape. Gwen wants to escape this life and try to find her real mother. She learns that escape is not always the best option. It is important to face and accept reality.



Recommendation: I recommend this book to ages 15 and up because of the content of the book and the adult language that is used at times. I also recommend this book to both males and females because this book has two main characters who are male and female. Either gender will relate to this book.

[Tracey Quintin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart tugging story for me. Definitely a 5 star highly recommended read. Once again this Author hit many things that hit home with me!! I always connect with her words, like they're written directly for me. I immediately connected from the beginning of the story right through the end, absorbed in the story as if it's really happening. Page turning because I needed to know what would happen next.
Danielle Stewart's words flow beautifully and she wrote about a topic that especially resonated with me.
Thank you to this Author for ALWAYS delivering an amazing story to her readers!!

[Robin Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely drawn into this book from the beginning. The premise seemed simple, Leslie secretly having a baby, Gwen searching for her birth mother. It turns out this book is far from simple. The characters have so much depth and each time I thought I had figured things out, the author goes even deeper into the characters. It’s a hard book to put down as you will want to see what happens next.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a great read! I cannot imagine Laura’s plight and making the same decision she did! Very tough women in this story. The book grabs you from the very first chapter and holds tight right through the final chapter! I’m hoping for a sequel! I’m not ready to say goodbye to Laura, Gwen and Griff!!!

[Jacquelyn James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book immensely. I was enticed by storyline. It was interesting to see the progression of both mother and daughter and the developing romance between two young people. I look forward to the next book to see how it all ends

[julie treible · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. The storyline is true to life and pulls you in immediately. It hits on so many emotional levels! Great book and I am looking forward to getting to know the characters better in future books!

[Sunhawk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The test of a series, for me, is: having finished the first book, am I eager to read the second? This book held my interest (even if I was suckered by the "Redwood" part; this is a thoroughly northeastern book) because the story was interesting -- how, in this time of so many people, even people that want to find each other, NEED to find each other, struggle to do so.
I felt that this book was abruptly truncated, as if the author saw the end of the story coming and thought, "Oh dear, I need to save some juicy bits, or the readers won't feel compelled to get the second book."
Do I feel compelled. Nope. Just disappointed.

[Deborah Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book about two families tied together by adoption. It's about family love and trust and what can happen when secrets and lies interfere with the core of the family. Very well written, though I did find myself annoyed with the actions of some of the characters at times. This is one of those books you don't want to give too much info. The preview gives you enough. I'll just say I liked it enough that I have already started book 2 in the series. Give it a try.

[Shawn Callon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My spouse read this book and here's her review-

An interesting story of unacknowledged loss and pain from two points of view. A young woman yearns to understand where she came from and a mother silently grieves for the child she gave away. Emotions here are well-expressed and the whole tale is related with a delicate touch. I'm looking forward to Book 2 to complete the journey, I hope!

This review was edited and written by Shawn Callon author of The Diplomatic Spy.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging and relatable. Such a great book about family and love. A girl discovers some secrets from her past. Definitely recommend.

[Elizabeth White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually write a review but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a Nook Free Friday book but I am buying the rest of the series.

*** warning *** this book has adoption, loss, miscarriage, and other triggers.

[Anne Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice story with two good female main characters, but it was very slow and didn't really end properly.

[Amy Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this emotionally mature story of how family comes in many different forms.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The search for beginnings

This is as beautifully by book about people finding family they didn't know existed until they sent in DNA tests. I found almost all the characters to be interesting and endearing.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! The way it’s written spoke to me on a personal level. Not because I was adopted, but because of the feelings, emotions and love... wow!

Gwen has had an amazing upbringing. Her parents and brothers are all supportive and loving and she’s never wanted for anything. She’s also adopted. Never having an urge to find her biological family or roots until now; close to graduating college.

Leslie has it all; wonderful husband and amazing kids, with her youngest getting ready to head off to college. Something is always missing though. A hole her perfect life can’t quite fill. She can’t share it though. No one knows what she did many years ago. No one knows about the baby she left at the hospital.

[Elizabeth T.Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart wrenching

At first the switching between characters lives frustrated me then it became clear that was necessary to the tale. You'll shed some tears, laugh with loveable Griff and hope your daughter will find someone that loyal, funny and open. I think the story will be comforting to some, encouraging to others, and eye opening for those who have never had to make this kind of journey.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bend in Redwood Road

Excellent novel about an adopted woman searching for her birth family and her family history. Good characters and interesting storyline especially for me as I have an adopted brother who connected with his birth mother as a teenager.

[lorael777 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost the story of my life

I chose this book because of the adoption story line since I'm adopted. This book was almost the story of my life. I can't wait to read the next one!

[Rachel C Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

Danielle Stewart's books never disappoint. I'm horrible when it comes to writing reviews, so I usually don't. With that being said, trust me when I day you can't go wrong buying any of her books. Her stories are intriguing, heart tugging, exciting, romantic, but never sappy, humorous... I could go on and on. Read this book! You'll love it, and you'll immediately want to move on to the next one in the series, so you might as well go ahead and purchase both at the same time. ☺

[Linda Fore Wavers]

Have started book 2........

[Jeri Deyo McCue · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bend in Redwood Road is a must-read page-turner and one of my newest Danielle Stewart favorites. I love how these characters are forced to examine their current life situations by exploring some difficult past choices that are at the root cause. Lies and secrets start to unravel for Leslie & Gwen until the truth can be discovered and faced head on.

When her empty nest fast approaches, Leslie suddenly realizes her self-worth and career have always been diminished and held ransom by her husband’s career for his view of a picture perfect life. Young Leslie is left alone, sad, and lonely to care for children while trying to balance her backseat career. She discovers renewed strength and her fighting spirit to stand tall and begin making things right for all her children.

Gwen & Griff are childhood friends who find themselves back home after each having a personal crisis. Their friendship is rekindled instantly and is full of wonderful childhood memories, humor, and familial love growing up at the Redwood Road house. Is it just friendship, first crush, or something more?

Most readers will easily relate to these characters in some way. Even if not adopted like Gwen, at some point we’ve all had feelings of being different and not fitting in. Our childhood best friend or sweet heart will always hold a special place in our hearts like it does for Griff & Gwen. At work or school, we are bound encounter controlling, passive-aggressive bullies like Paul. Also, like these characters, we’ve all had both good and bad relationships with family, friends, mothers, daughters, in-laws, siblings, romantic partners, and career professionals. Luckily, Gwen has support from her best friend and a kind-hearted mentor-counselor and Leslie has help from her daughter and Claudette her fabulous, supportive, best friend to help them through.

Don’t miss this great read!

[Gerald Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written

This book would suit a variety of people from teens to older people. I look forward to the next book.