Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and
speaks full time, has won seven Christy Awards for her historical
fiction. Lynn is the successful author of 18 novels. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made
into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three
children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois. Visit Lynn's Web
site at www.lynnaustin.org.
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I was perfectly content with my life--that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.
Alice lives with her nose stuck in a book. But when her own happily-ever-after doesn't go as planned, will real life prove to be more exciting than anything she's ever read? Visit Lynn Austin's Web site to read the first THREE chapters. http://www.scribd.com/doc/63098741/Wonderland-CreekOne Sentence Review: Wonderland Creek is an entertaining historical fiction story set in 1936 with interesting economic recovery strategies that bring the people together.
In-Depth Review
I could easily identify with Alice as the story begins because I always keep a book handy. You never know when you will have an occasion to read.
The mention of Alice being a librarian caught my attention as I volunteer at our community library all day on Friday's. Because of the continuing economic downturn in 1936, the library board meets and agree they must cut operating costs. As the last hire, Alice is dismissed and library hours are reduced. Alice has been collecting books to send to a library in Kentucky. When she hears her aunt and uncle are going in that direction, she suggests she could go along and deliver the books in person.I didn’t plan on reading—you make me sound like such a horrible person. But I started the chapter during my lunch break at work, and then I had to stop right in the middle of it when my hour was up. All afternoon I’ve been dying—pardon the expression—to find out what happened. So when the eulogies went on and on and I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters, I decided to take just a tiny peek and . . . and how was I supposed to know that I would get pulled back into the story again?
I liked this book. It was fast moving with details of Alice's adventures and how she relates to the other characters when her travels keep her longer than expected. I enjoy historical fiction and appreciate the research of the time period and regional activities placed within the story. Alice is lively and upbeat and it is fun to go with her on her journey each day, never knowing what is going to turn up with the new things she is learning!
History seems to repeat itself. I liked the character building with the trust and confidence built during uncertain times. In comparison to our day with high gasoline prices, layoffs and business closings, helping each other in our daily lives beyond our families is needed. This is a wholesome story with struggles and decisions to be made. There is suspense as Alice and others must decide what is important and where they can help to expose truth and break down long-standing barriers.
The story ended as I hoped it would, but it was not for certain. Wonderland Creek was well-written with turns and twists leaving you unsure how it was going to end. Real life is that way.
Also available from Amazon, Christianbook, Barnes and Noble, and local bookstores.
I was fortunate to receive Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin from the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for an honest review in my own words.
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