All Manner of Things
by Susie Finkbeiner
Review & GIVEAWAY!
Review & GIVEAWAY!
Description
When Annie Jacobson's brother Mike enlists as a medic in the Army in 1967, he hands her a piece of paper with the address of their long-estranged father. If anything should happen to him in Vietnam, Mike says, Annie must let their father know.
In Mike's absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time. As they work toward healing and pray fervently for Mike's safety overseas, letter by letter the Jacobsons must find a way to pull together as a family, regardless of past hurts. In the tumult of this time, Annie and her family grapple with the tension of holding both hope and grief in the same hand, even as they learn to turn to the One who binds the wounds of the brokenhearted.
Author Susie Finkbeiner invites you into the Jacobson family's home and hearts during a time in which the chaos of the outside world touched their small community in ways they never imagined.
In Mike's absence, their father returns to face tragedy at home, adding an extra measure of complication to an already tense time. As they work toward healing and pray fervently for Mike's safety overseas, letter by letter the Jacobsons must find a way to pull together as a family, regardless of past hurts. In the tumult of this time, Annie and her family grapple with the tension of holding both hope and grief in the same hand, even as they learn to turn to the One who binds the wounds of the brokenhearted.
Author Susie Finkbeiner invites you into the Jacobson family's home and hearts during a time in which the chaos of the outside world touched their small community in ways they never imagined.
Biography
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home. She serves on the Breathe Christian Writers Conference planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women's events across the state. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.
My Perspective ~
This novel brought me back to my 18th year in 1967. Annie could have been the girl next door, someone I once knew. It was a fear filled time with our young men being drafted and enlisting in order to fight the war in Vietnam. Families were closely knit, but not without their problems and heartache.
Annie's story takes place in West Michigan, a place I call home. Her Dutch heritage mimics my own, and the setting is familiar and filled with the conservatism of the Dutch that emigrated in great numbers to the area. Memories from the time period and the locale produced considerable nostalgia as I read the details of the Jacobson family and the obstacles they faced. A detailed and poignant depiction of the life and time brought me to tears on several occasions, but the love of family wrapped me in a warm blanket.
This author has a gift for developing a setting and characters that reflect life in its fundamental form, without sugarcoating our basic humanity. Social issues are broached with candor and sensitivity. There is a depth of reality in her books that touches the heart, and the author's faith is woven throughout her characters' lives. I have read all of Finkbeiner's novels twice, and will reread All Manner of Things again as well. I highly recommend this heartrending tale of life as I remember it from my own experiences!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All expressed opinions are my own.
CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!
Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Wednesday, May 22, 2019.
This sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteMarionMPC[at]aol[dot]com
This book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteJoanEC128[at]aol[dot]com
Sounds like my kind of book.
ReplyDeleteMarilynDKC[at]aol[dot]com
The Vietnam era was frought with tension. I think this would be a very interesting read.
ReplyDeleteperrianne(DOT)askew(AT))me(DOT)com
How did I miss that Susie has a new book out?!?! I can honestly say that I haven't read anything regarding Vietnam. I have no doubt that Susie did a great bit of research in preparation of writing this story.
ReplyDeletePlease add my name to the hat for the drawing for this book.
Thanks!
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
I already follow your blog, Nancee. :)
DeleteCONGRATULATIONS, Cindi! Your name was randomly selected, and you are the winner of a copy of All Manner of Things! I hope you love it!
DeleteThank you for introducing me to Susie Finkbeiner, a new to me author, and telling me about her book “All Manner of Things” through your review and description.
ReplyDeleteOh how I remember that time frame! My Dad proudly served in the Army during WWII, Korea and Vietnam and retired in 1967.
“All Manner of Things” sounds like a wonderful book and definitely one that I would enjoy having the opportunity to read. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
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I really enjoy Susie Finkbeiner's books. Thanks for the chance to win All Manner of Things.
ReplyDeletepmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
My first husband served in Vietnam and so did one of his brothers. Would enjoy reading this book. Vivian Furbay jtand viv (at) q (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds interesting and one I would enjoy reading.
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marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Merry
This book sounds so good! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
ReplyDeletealison.louise(at) gmail (dot) com
This era in American history was just before my time, and I haven’t read many books set then. I did grow up in Michigan and would love to read a book set there!
ReplyDeleteI follow the blog via email
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds like a must read!
ReplyDeleteI follow the blog via email. I shared the giveaway on Facebook.
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
This book sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteI also follow this blog via email.
Thank you!
Raechel
godspeculiartreasurerae(at)gmail(dot)com
Growin' up in those years. Lots of great memories. Would love to read this book! sonja dot nishimoto at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book but would be thrilled to win a copy. The Vietnam War hit close to home when the older brother of a friend was killed. A group of us bought and wore a POW/MIA bracelet, and met several times each week to pray. heyjudybat (at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI also follow your blog.
DeleteWas looking for something like this today, thanks for putting this up!
ReplyDeleteSounds very good. Thank you for the chance. I shared on Facebook. I follow your blog.
ReplyDeleteleliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
This book is so touching, I wish that we could give each of you a copy! I hope that you encourage your library to purchase a copy or that you'll pick up a copy for yourself. You'll be touched by the past through Susie's words.
ReplyDeleteThanks for another quality guide, appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteSo much good stuff in here!
ReplyDeleteBAM! Love this! Great job putting this together!
ReplyDeleteHope more cool stuff on the way! I appreciate your blog!
ReplyDeleteI only recently found your site via google search and I love it!
ReplyDeleteSome books are meant to be read. All Manner of Things is meant to be lived in. Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI’ve bookmarked this – love it!
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