I couldn't put this fascinating book down! From the first page I was mesmerized with the two story lines Lisa Wingate intertwines throughout this read. The world of book publishing comes alive as Jen Gibbs moves into the job of her dreams. A partial book submission is anonymously dropped on her desk and her life will never be the same. These few chapters with no author take her to places she never wants to go. Her search for the real writer encompasses mystery, revelation, and maybe a new life. The characters are full and real. You understand what motivates them and can't wait to discover what they will do next.I highly recommend The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate. I anticipate reading more of her books.I received this book by the author via an online contest. I have given an honest review. I liked this story but thought the ending was a big disappointment. Here we have this entwined story about a young mixed race couple from the 1850's surviving in the wilderness not even a couple yet. Then there is a present day story of Jennia, a new employee of a publishing firm in NY who is a successful no nonsense person. So the story follows Jennia as she tries to determine the author of the manuscript of the young couple. I liked the story within the story. I liked how the typeface was changed between the stories. Each story was believable and draws a person in. I liked the discussion of the Appalachian poverty and how it can be perpetrated and I liked the hope of education and the strength of the women characters. That being said then suddenly the story ends and Jennia is kindof an accessory to the author of the manuscript who is also a love interest. It has one or two lines about the other couple having a successful life in the mining towns. The end. Really? After all of those pages couldn't it have ended more gracefully and successfully? Couldn't the last chapter of the manuscript be put in the book for that ending? And couldn't Jennia be successful on her own?
Fiction, history, mystery, romance, family bonds ... a compelling story.
—katty
Excellent story about complex family and cultural dynamics.
—koredola2
Great Story about the present mixed with the past.
—jayfl
Enjoyed this book very much. Fascinating end.
—lorig
3 3/4 stars to me
—Fiona
