Painted Memories: Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway!

When I saw that one of my more recently favorite authors was running a blog tour for her newest release, Painted Memories, I knew I wanted to join in—I didn’t want to miss out on reading this book!

I read the first book in this series, Dance With Me (which can easily be a standalone title), a couple of years ago. Though I had seen A.M. Heath’s name floating around different places, I never actually had read any of her books…until that one. And although that pushed me out of my reading comfort zone a bit, I quickly realized this was a talented author I was dealing with.

Her second book in the Art of Love series, Painted Memories, is quite possibly my favorites of hers now. I believe I’ve only read three from her—but this one had such depth that it eclipsed my former favorite by Heath!

Note: Links in this post may be affiliate links, which help support this blog at no added expense to you. Thanks! Also, the author gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

About the book:

She moved on when the love of her life died in the war, but what will happen when she finds out he’s alive?

Olivia Jernigan never thought she’d get over Grady. But three years after his death, she’s on the verge of marrying Kenneth Wade when she receives a new painting by her deceased fiancé. Olivia flees home to learn what really happened to the man she thought died in the Korean War. The man she thought loved her enough to come home for her.

Grady Barnes woke up three years ago in a hospital room with no knowledge of his identity. The only memory to resurface is the image of a woman he can’t stop painting. When she suddenly shows up at his painting class, she may help him discover where he really belongs or she may disrupt the life he was building for himself.

Olivia and Grady have a history. But now, they wonder if they still have a future … or perhaps, their love is just a painted memory.

Buy your own copy here.

My thoughts:

I’ve always been intrigued by brain-related injury stories. Perhaps hearing Dr. Ben Carson’s Gifted Hands early on had something to do with it, but that’s always been a point of interest for me. And though I didn’t take the time to read the synopsis of Painted Memories before reading it (going in blind is so much more fun, right?), I was immediately sucked in, and it didn’t take long to finish the story!

I could so relate to both characters. Both were experiencing grief in their own ways, and though I really wanted to shake one of them a couple of times (“Okay, it’s been long enough now—snap out of it!”), it also felt very realistic.

One thing I really enjoyed about this story was the setting. The era around the Korean war is not widely used in fiction yet—perhaps it’s too recent, or at least I haven’t seen it in the Christian fiction I’m familiar with—so I loved seeing that time come to life! It’s not so different from our time, but the 50s were a time of great change in our world, and getting a little piece of that here was quite special.

A great read overall. I didn’t feel like the writing style stood out, but I couldn’t put the book down the entire time I was reading it—despite the fact the characters sort-of annoyed me! This is a bittersweet story—so many lovely, lovely things in here, and yet so much grief, too. And the ending…I found that highly satisfactory, although I wasn’t sure I would when I first read it!

A recommended read if you like historical fiction, the arts, and love stories in general.

I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

Giveaway!

To celebrate her tour, A.M. Heath is giving away the grand prize package of a Grace is Sufficient mug and a copy of the book. Be sure to comment on the blog stops (below) for nine extra entries into the giveaway. Go here to enter, or click the picture above.

About the author:

Besides being an Indie Author, I’m a wife, mother of four, children’s Sunday School teacher, sweet tea drinker, history fanatic, romantic, bubbly, lover of broccoli, and a retired cake decorator who has a soft spot for Christmas trees, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What I’m not is a laundress (or at least not one who keeps up very well), a duster, tall, or patient in a doctor’s office. (Check her out at her website: Christian Author A.M. Heath)

The other blog stops:

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 9
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 10
Purposeful Learning, March 10
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 11
Texas Book-aholic, March 12
Blossoms and Blessings, March 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 13
Inklings and notions, March 14
Batya’s Bits, March 14
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 15
deb’s Book Review, March 16
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 16 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 17
For Him and My Family, March 18
Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 20
Mary Hake, March 20
Adventures Of A Travelers Wife, March 21
Connie’s History Classroom, March 22
Live. Love. Read. , March 22

What fiction have you been reading lately? Have you had any stick with you for quite a while, as this one has for me?