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The Remembering Tree

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The Remembering Tree Never Forgets.

Still trying to pick up the pieces after the sudden death of her husband, Gemma Clayborn takes her fifteen-year-old daughter, Opal, and heads for Beacon Shores, a tiny coastal town in the state of Washington. Her daughter is angry at the world, and Gemma is simply trying to survive. She plans to restore Moonstone House, the ancestral estate left to her by her grandmother.

When Gemma arrives in Beacon Shores, Moonstone House immediately captures her heart. She remembers spending summers there as a child, back before her mother decided they could never go there again. Eric Johnson, the contractor restoring the home, piques Gemma’s interest as well. She feels a strange connection to him, almost as if they already know one another.

What intrigues Gemma the most, however, is the strange and beautiful redbud tree in the front yard. The tree seems to know things, whispering to her, urging her to uncover the secrets of the past. The discovery of an old journal leads Gemma down the rabbit hole, into the pages of her great-great-grandmother’s life, one that eerily parallels her own. She begins to unravel the story of the women in her family, a history she could have never imagined.

Will Gemma figure out the secrets of Moonstone House before it’s too late? Or are some things better left buried in the pages of the journal?

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2022

3 people are currently reading
27 people want to read

About the author

H.R. Mason

3 books37 followers
Author Bio

H.R. Mason is an Ohio girl transplanted into the Pacific Northwest. She is a people watching introvert who can be found hiding out in the nearest corner. When not writing, she loves rainy days at the beach, old houses and antiques, researching family history, reading, and getting lost inside her own thoughts. She is a lover of caffeine and a hopeless romantic at heart. A multi-published author in the Romance genre, she moved into new writing territory in 2019 when she crossed genres. Nothing Hidden Ever Stays, her debut Gothic Suspense novel, became an Amazon bestseller, and the winner of the American Fiction Award.
www.facebook.com/hrmasonauthor
Instagram handle @authorhrmason
Twitter handle @heidireneemason
Heidisbooks999@gmail.com

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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Merissa (Archaeolibrarian).
4,131 reviews119 followers
October 3, 2023
THE REMEMBERING TREE tells a story of magical healing and a belief in God, although it is not overly religious. When Gemma's husband dies, she is left alone, with just her fifteen-year-old daughter. Shortly after, her grandma dies and she is left a home, plus money for renovations, so they move there. Once at Moonstone House, things fall into place and Gemma realises things are not always as they seem.

Although this is listed as supernatural suspense, I would also add romance to that. Whilst not the main part, it does help and support the story move along.

I found this to be a quick and easy read, with the story pretty much going in the direction I thought it would. There are a few coincidences that raised my eyebrows as it seemed rather too easy, but that may just be me.

I was also left with a couple of questions - the main one being why wasn't Gemma named after a jewel? She named her daughter one, and it's what her family was known for, but she wasn't and it never explained why. I wanted to know!

I am probably in the minority here but the last part - the final ending, if you like - didn't do anything for me. In fact, for me, it actually took away from the story. I had enjoyed it up to that point but then felt a little letdown.

All in all, this was a great read that I enjoyed and have no hesitation in recommending if you like cosy mysteries with a romantic element.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Sep 30, 2022
Profile Image for Margie Shaw.
534 reviews45 followers
October 28, 2022
This was a book that I pre-ordered and I’m so glad that I did! Once I started reading it, it was all I wanted to do. It’s the story of Gemma Clayborn. After the death of her husband, she moves along with her fifteen year old daughter Opal, to Moonstone House which is located in Beacon Shores, Washington. The house was left to Gemma by her grandmother Emerald and it’s one where her ancestors had all lived. This story is magical, mythical, a little religious but not over the top, and a love story all in one. I loved that all the female characters in Gemmas family were named after jewels. There was Pearl, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Topaz, Gemma and Opal. You’ll learn why from your reading. I also learned about the Braucherei history that originated in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. That was something I had never heard about and it’s what brought the whole story together. The ending was not what I expected and it left me a little puzzled at first but it’s a story I loved and I would recommend it to others. After reading this, I’m excited about reading the other books by this author to see if I enjoy them as much. This was a book I wasn’t sure if I wanted to give a 4 or 5 star rating so I went with 4 after much deliberation.
Profile Image for Kathy Wideman.
2,609 reviews43 followers
October 24, 2022
I love HR Mason her books are always a great read. I am not quite sure how to describe this one. Gemma lost her husband about a year ago. Then she was notified that she inherited her grandmother’s house and estate. Now she finds herself fighting many emotions about it. She is still grieving her husband. She figuring out how to be a single mother to a teenage daughter. She feels guilty about moving her daughter across the country to a place where she no one and nothing. Wishing she had a closer relationship with her grandmother. Then she learns there is a mystery surrounds the woman in her family. Will she be able to figure out what happened before something happens to her and possibly her daughter? The mystery surrounding her family is paranormal in nature. There is a bit of romance in this book as well. The man hired to restore the house she inherited, Eric and Gemma have an almost instant connection. A feeling as if they have always known each other. The book does have a kind a weird twist at the end. Over all I enjoyed the book. It was a slower read for me. The characters and story are engaging and enjoyable to read. Great job HR Mason.
Profile Image for Vikki Sorensen.
56 reviews3 followers
September 26, 2022
Gemma Clayborn and her daughter, Opal, move from their city life and home in Seattle to Moonstone house in Beacon Shores in Washington. Moonstone house is a home inherited by Gemma from her grandmother and it’s a blessing in the wake of her husband’s death a year prior. But Moonstone House comes with its own set of troubles and intrigue. From needing a lot of renovation to having a past marred by tragedy and magic, the house itself gives Gemma the one thing she needs most in her life - a purpose.

With it’s lovely redbud tree in the yard, Gemma's memory is jogged by summers spent at Moonstone House before her mother suddenly cut them off from her grandmother. A journal helps Gemma understand the house’s history along with Eric, the contractor extraordinaire. An old town feud is revived putting the lives of Gemma and Opal in danger as the past comes to life in order to save lives.

Here’s what worked well for me:
The legend was absolute legend. Completely well researched yet not providing so many details as to distance the reader. Rather, the legends and folklore draw the reader into an incredible story.
Both the past and the present story worked very well. Each complimented the other very well and did an excellent job of story-telling.
The pacing of the story was excellent. I felt ready for the end and yet, it didn’t come too quickly. It never lagged at all but kept you wanting one chapter more.

Here’s what didn’t work well:
The romance was a bit much. It’s too much to meet and suddenly feel a connection. I realize it’s part of the story and the history but even finishing each other’s sentences right after meeting felt a little forced.
While I loved the story, I also knew what was going to happen. So it was the classic “witch hunt” story.
I was looking for a little more suspense and action at the very end and it was wrapped up very neatly. Very tidy. Too tidy.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book. It’s my first read by this author and I would definitely read more by her. Very well done. I’m so glad she took her time writing this story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tangled Tree Publishing for this eARC in exchange for this review.
Profile Image for Kim.
Author 15 books246 followers
October 7, 2022
The story centers around Gemma and her daughter Opal, who have been left reeling after the death of Gemma’s husband, Opal’s father. Life has been hard for both of them, and finally Gemma decides that they need a fresh start. So they leave Seattle to move to Beacon Shore where Gemma’s grandmother once lived in Moonstone House, the family home that Gemma inherited. It’s a place full of memories for Gemma, who visited in the summers when she was young. But it’s been years since she’s seen it, after her own mother suddenly stopped allowing the visits. Being back has revived more memories, including the redbud tree in the yard. There is something about it that inspires to dive into the history of her family’s past, leading her to discover an old journal. That leads her down a path, unraveling the story of the women in her family, secrets and history she never imagined. She draws Eric, the local contractor who’s helping her restore the House, into the story, his knowledge of the town’s history helping her fill in the blanks. But are the secrets and history better left forgotten? They might be, when an old fued is revived, putting both Gemma and Opal in danger.

I love a generational story, the gothic flavor of secrets and history. The weaving of family history with the present generation is so engrossing, especially with the Braucherei part of the story. The way that history affected both Gemma’s and Opal’s present was often emotional, and it kept me turning the pages. And the story is very emotional sometimes, as they both were struggling to find a new normal, and happiness, after losing someone they both loved. There was a lot of push and pull between them, and within themselves, that felt very real.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,871 reviews52 followers
September 30, 2022
Review of eBook

Following the sudden death of her thirty-nine-year-old husband, Clayton, Gemma Clayborn finds she can no longer afford to keep their home in Seattle and moves with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Opal, to the tiny coastal town of Beacon Shores. Moonstone House, the home she’d inherited from her grandmother, Emerald, had been in Gemma’s family since her great-great-grandmother Pearl Mueller-Ackerman and her husband, Robert, built the house when they’d moved from Pennsylvania to Washington.

Although Gemma had spent summers at Moonstone House with her grandmother, she hadn’t been there since she was eight years old; now she is planning to renovate the house. She’s hired Eric Johnson to do the work; when Gemma and Opal arrive at Moonstone House, Gemma’s feeling of a connection to the man surprises her.

As Gemma works on the house with Eric, they discover Pearl’s journal; surprised by the parallels between the lives of the two women, Gemma begins to investigate.

What is the secret of Moonstone House? And what will it mean for Gemma?

=========

The incorporation of the Pennsylvania Dutch Braucherei cultural tradition into the telling of this tale serves to weave past and present together in a rich tapestry of history, of family, of legend, of magic. The result is an enchanting story of loss, of hope, of determination, of promise.

Well-drawn characters [including the fascinating redbud tree], a strong sense of place, and a captivating premise all work together to pull the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset; the intrigue in the unfolding narrative keeps the pages turning and readers will have a difficult time setting the story aside before they've turned the last page.

Although occasionally predictable, the narrative is creatively rich; the elements of past and present mesh well to keep the story moving toward a denouement that readers simply won’t see coming.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Susan (The Book Bag).
966 reviews88 followers
October 2, 2022
This book grabbed me from the very first chapter. I knew right away that this was going to be a exciting, intriguing story. What's not to love about that mysterious, magical, somewhat eerie beginning? I was hooked!

Gemma, and her daughter Opal, have their hands full when they move back to the old family home. The place needs renovation and updating. But little did they know that some things can't be changed and what is destined to happen, will happen, whether they like it or not. Gemma's discovery of old journals take her on a journey into the past and brings it colliding with the present.

This book was intriguing and kept me going until the exciting, intense ending. I love the direction that Mason takes her readers in her stories—directions I wasn't expecting—but ones that I love all the same. And Mason's words are so beautifully written that it so easy to get lost in the story as the words flow.

I highly recommend The Remembering Tree, especially if you love an intense, beautifully written paranormal tale that will stick with you for a long time.
Profile Image for Nikole (literarily_occupied).
640 reviews18 followers
September 29, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars

First off, this cover is freaking gorgeous!

This was the perfect read to get in the autumn mood. It's got a gothic vibe with magical realism and a captivating storyline told with perfect pacing.

I really enjoyed learning about the Braucherei. I had never heard of this practice and my husband's family are Pennsylvania Dutch, so this was really fascinating to me.

My only "complaint" is that I was hoping for a little more thrill; maybe a little less perfectly wrapped up just to really keep it in that gritty, gothic vibe.

An excellent read that I highly recommend!

Special thanks to the author and Tangled Tree Publishing for this digital Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Sue Plant.
2,257 reviews31 followers
September 29, 2022
would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this quirky book


newly widowed gemma and her daughter move to beacon shores to re-start their lives after the death of her husband

the house called moonstone house has been left to her by her grandmother and as soon as they arrive it feels like they are home and maybe they can heal

but its not long before strange thing start to happen...

wow i found i was very intrigued with this book and kept reading as i was drawn in by how well the author established each character and how it all unfolded

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors work
Profile Image for Sam.
10 reviews22 followers
October 3, 2022
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced ebook! I really enjoyed this book - an easy, entertaining story that is perfect for spooky season! As soon as I finished the first chapter, I was fully immersed in the story and the characters lives. The author does a great job of combining historical fiction with a modern setting and characters, plus a little bit of horror and romance. This is definitely on the mild side for horror but the story kept me interested and I was sad for it to end!
Profile Image for Erika  E..
83 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2022
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. This was a quick read and I did like the characters. I’d consider this kind of cozy horror. It borders on Lifetime movie-esque, complete with insta-love and benevolent ghosts. Not particularly memorable but a nice, simple read for a rainy day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lorey.
432 reviews28 followers
September 18, 2022
Wow! What a fantastic read! I had never heard of Braucherei before reading this story. Leave it to H.R. Mason to make learning about the subject so fascinating. This book is suspenseful and mysterious. A page-turner. Just when I thought I had it figured out...nope. It's also a heart-warming story about love lost and new love found. An awesome read, worthy of your reading time.
Profile Image for hollyreadit.
505 reviews454 followers
September 24, 2022
Read this. My jaw was on the floor at the end! It’s a quick read that mixes the past with the present, which I absolutely enjoyed. I loved this book, the short chapters were an added bonus too. I think this is the perfect spooky season read! This will be released on October 1st.
Profile Image for Charlotte.
183 reviews12 followers
October 1, 2022
I got a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After the death of her husband, Gemma moves with her daughter, Opal, from Seattle to Beacon Shores. It's supposed to be a chance for them to start over, but moving into her grandmother's house leads Gemma to discover some dark secrets about her family's history.

I enjoyed this! It's a quick read with gothic autumn vibes. There's clearly been a lot of research done into the Braucher traditions and history, and plenty of worldbuilding when it comes to our characters and the histories of their families.

Still, I think it's a lot more tell than show. Aside from the occasional vision, Gemma uncovers a lot of the secrets by sitting around and reading or having someone else explain it to her. There was probably room to explore more of what Opal was doing and the relationships they both develop in a way that would have improved the pacing a little bit.

But when all's said and done, it was fun and it's a nice book to start off the spooky season!
Profile Image for Jill Elizabeth.
1,947 reviews51 followers
September 22, 2022
I really liked the way this one started. The setup, the premise, the original incorporation of the Pennsylvania Dutch religious element - which I never heard of and found absolutely fascinating - and the glorious old house restoration were excellently presented and felt fresh and intriguing. As things developed the story got a little more predictable, and a little more farfetched, although that may be because it turned out to be more of a romance than I anticipated. (It's not normally a genre I prefer to read.)

Still, there was a lot going on in the cross-generational elements were interesting , as was the history presented. I did find it to be an enjoyable and very fast read and I was entertained from start to finish, even though I did find the burgeoning romance and series of coincidences a little too tidy to be entirely believable...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Profile Image for Jordan.
Author 1 book19 followers
October 21, 2022
This was a super quick read for me as I finished it in one sitting! With that, this is definitely not my normal genre but I wanted to switch it up a bit and was pleasantly surprised with how much I did enjoy this story.

You could tell the author did a lot of research into the world that was being built and described. I felt that i wanted more current interactions from Gemma and Opal and the relationships they were building. Besides Gemma and Eric’s relationship and a tiny bit of Opal’s you got more of the story from Gemma just reading a journal.

It definitely gives off fall gothic vibes. It was a cozy thriller imo, but I felt it wasn’t super memorable and somewhat “basic.” in a sense. It kept me intrigued the entire time but I feel that isn’t much that surprised me or will leave an impression now that the read is done.

Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for for supplying me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Susan Duttry.
103 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2022
Gemma Clayborn and her daughter Opal move to her family’s home in Washington after the death of her husband. Moonstone has been handed down through the ages to the woman in the family whom have all been named after precious jewels. Upon arriving at Moonstone House, Gemma and Opal come upon a beautiful flowering red tree growing in the yard that never sheds it’s leaves. Buried beneath the tree holds a secret that can only be uncovered by “she who holds the key”. What sets into motion once Gemma finds out the women of Moonstone House are gifted after discovering her great great grandmother’s journal? And who is the handyman Eric Johnson and what magically draws them together? This is a book you don’t want to miss
Profile Image for Alyssa V..
143 reviews9 followers
October 5, 2022
I'm not 100% sure how I completely feel about this one. For starters I feel it should've been listed as a religious book and it wasn't. I wouldn't have gotten it if it was. It was listed as thriller/horror, which I don't feel it was at all. The last chapter was confusing and kind of a cop-out. The only good things about this one was the descriptive writing in the rest of the book, it was good writing, and I did like the basic plot of it. I don't think this one was for me, but I hope others enjoy.
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Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Stacy.
37 reviews3 followers
January 2, 2023
Wow! I loved this book! After the death of her husband, Gemma and her daughter Opal move into the home of her grandmother. A beauty built next to the ocean that housed her family for generations. There she experiences many strange occurrences, voices, singing and it is there that she learns of her gift. She is the one who must break the evil that has bound her family for years. I was sucked in! Great read, quick chapters and I loved the generational history of the story line!
2,197 reviews36 followers
September 21, 2022
I’m not big into horror, but I do like a good spooky house and this one seemed to fit the bill from the abstract I read. To be honest, I kept thinking this would be a good Hallmark Movie as it’s about as spooky as they might get. It covers all the basics, like a lost love, coming to terms with your life, and new love. Yep, it’s got it all! A quick and easy read.
87 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2022
The cover of this book is beautiful and is perfect for the story. I love learning new things from books and had never heard of Braucheri. I enjoyed looking more into it. The story moves along at a good pace and the dialogue keeps you involved. There are some inconsistencies and I was hoping for more more suspense. More for the cozy thriller crowd!
Profile Image for Jamie Park.
Author 9 books33 followers
August 31, 2022
This was so unbelievably cheesy. Luckily, I love cheese. I was put off by the names at first but they're part of the story so they work perfectly. I just didn't know that yet.
Profile Image for Jamie Park.
Author 9 books33 followers
February 17, 2023
This was so unbelievably cheesy. Luckily, I love cheese. I was put off by the names at first but they're part of the story so they work perfectly. I just didn't know that yet.
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