Emma's Quest

by Starr Ayers

When Caroline Myers and her sister Kate find a wilted red rose on their mother’s headstone, the door to Emma Rose Walsh’s past swings open.

AS THE DARK CLOUDS OF WAR escalate in Europe, Emma leaves her North Carolina home and the soldier whose heart has never stopped longing for hers. However, when Andrew Brown, the charming Scotsman who’d won her affection, fails to meet her train in Chicago, Emma questions her hasty decision. Hundreds of miles now separate her from all that’s familiar and the people she loves.
Has she misread Drew? Did her rush to heal her past prompt her to dismiss warning bells and ignore common sense?

Perhaps her sister is right—happy endings are only found in fairy tales.

328 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2022

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a compelling story, especially since it's based on a family mystery. Tucker's rock-solid friendship was absolutely endearing.

I was taken the Recording Scotland Collection and The Pilgrim Trust. In all of the research and reading I've done about WWII, this was new and delightful information for me.

The losses of the Brown family touched me as well, as my Grandma Leora lost three sons during WWII and was widowed within a three-year period.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story. Friendships formed from experiences, love, trust, and faith are found in this touching story. While reading details about the war, I reflected on what the soldiers and their families endured then and now. Love can be found in any circumstance. How we handle that love is important. Bring the tissues when reading this one. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this time-slip novel as two sisters, Caroline and Kate, are seeking to learn about their parents who had met in 1939 before the beginning of World War II. Their mother was Emma, the leading lady of the previous story. She met Drew, who was a struggling young artist who came from Scotland by way of Canada to Chicago. The other leading character of the story is Tucker, who had been a friend of Emma’s before Drew ever came into her life. Tucker holds the key to this story as he relates his memories of Emma and Drew from their early years. His personal story is interwoven with theirs because of his own feelings for Emma. The author weaves in snippets of history pertaining to the war in Europe, since that was affecting the lives of every person in the United States in 1939-1945. When Emma met Tucker, she was living in Fayetteville, North Carolina, very close to Fort Bragg where Tucker was stationed prior to the war. You need to read the story to learn how Caroline and Kate met Tucker. Some would say they met by chance, while others would call it a divine appointment. Imagine their surprise to learn that he had known their mother when she was a young woman. Apparently, their mother had never talked much about her past. I can relate because my father served in World War II and never talked about his service. What a tremendous blessing it would be if I could meet someone like Tucker who had served with him and could tell me about those years. The story takes several unexpected twists and contains several surprises. I recommend this story of true, undying love and commitment. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Barbara Latta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book finishes the story started in "For Love of Emma," fills in the gaps, and answers questions. Historical accuracy helped bring me into the timeline of the story and feel the emotions of the characters. The love and devotion of the protagonists was a refreshing and fitting bit of romance that makes the story sweeter. The fact that these two books were inspired by events from the author's family made it especially interesting.

[Ben Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfectly suited companion book to continue on with Emma's journey and the decisions she had to make. I normally don't read books very quickly, but this one was completed in less than a week. Starr Ayers does a great job of mingling truth in with fiction in such a compelling way that draws the reader into the life of Emma and those associated with her. I'm sliding this book right along side of the first one in a special spot on my bookshelf. Thanks for a well-written two book series!

[Cherie Orrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Emma’s Quest” is a beautifully written sequel to “For The Love Of Emma” by Starr Ayers. I loved that Tucker’s life was woven throughout the novel. It was a treat to read about the unconditional love between friends. It is an amazing friendship that happened through the trying times of war. Drew and Emma’s love story is so sweet. I felt like I knew them personally by the end. The author truly left me wanting more novels from her! She hit Emma’s Quest”out of the ballpark. Treat yourself to a beautiful read!

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great conclusion!

My rating is 4.5 stars

I enjoyed For the Love of Emma very much and was delighted for the opportunity to read the rest of Emma's story in Emma's Quest. This lovely story picks up with Emma moving to another state to meet a man she barely knew and yet for whom she was willing to uproot her entire life.

Being narrated from several characters' perspectives, including Tucker's, the soldier who had loved her and yet lost her, added details that greatly enhanced the story. I loved getting to know Tucker as a young man and as an old man.

Though this story spans the course of several years and many relevant days and events from Emma's life were chronicled, it never felt like a brain dump. Even the historical elements that gave the sense of time and place during World War II were incorporated very naturally.

I appreciated how the author kept me second-guessing things, especially whether one of the characters was a scoundrel or not! The mystery surrounding him added an element of excitement for me as I was enticed to turn page after page to discover the truth.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction will want to read Emma's Quest, though be sure to read For the Love of Emma first for greater understanding and enjoyment!

Originally Reviewed on Among The Reads

I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

[Crickett Keeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starr Ayers did it once again with her Book 2 of the Dream Beyond Tomorrow series. I couldn't wait for this book to come out, and it didn't disappoint. She drew me into the story on the first page, and I had trouble putting it down. There are twists and turns, and it kept me turning the pages. I was sad to finish the book. I just want the story to continue. Starr Ayers does a masterful job of drawing us into the lives of the characters and making us feel the emotions as if we were there. I hope there's a Book 3 in this series. Highly recommend!