The Story Keeper Review

31/7/2015

2015 Christy Award Winner

THE STORY KEEPER
by
Lisa Wingate

Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay.

This book is about a young woman who is starting a new dream job at a publishing company. Jen Gibbs finds a partial manuscript one morning from a forbidden old slush pile on her desk. She has two choices. One she could open it, read it and then pursue it. Or two, quietly return it without anyone knowing she ever had it. Well of course, she opens it and is quickly sucked into the story of Sarra, also referred as to a Melungeon girl. Jen learns that this young girl is held prisoner by some very dangerous men. You are then lead on a journey with another character joined with Sarra whose name is Rand. Together they are trying to get away from these bad men in The Blue Ridge Mountains.

Jen finds herself researching and realizes some similarities to this manuscript. She goes to her boss and speaks about her findings and is warned about her actions with the forbidden slush manuscript. She has such a strong feeling this is the right thing to do and follow her lead. Jen then goes to the head man of the Vida House Publishing for his guidance. She is now on her way back to her hometown to speak to a man named Evan who wrote a very popular series and then just disappeared. Now she has to find a way to talk with him about her hunch on this lost manuscript.

This story was a different read for me. I loved being pulled out of my comfort zone. What a book to do it with. Mrs. Wingate pulled me into this story and I was so hooked and I had a hard time putting it down. I stayed up late at night reading it saying. â€œJust one more chapterâ€. Only to find myself up at 5am. I fell in love with all of the characters. This book had so much going on at different levels and twists and turns. But what made it so great is that I was able to keep up with it and maintain an understanding of the storyline. Going back and forth with Sarra and Rand then to Jen and Evan. It was not difficult to tell the different settings. The story was deep and profound and I felt I could connect with Jen and even some of the other characters at times. This book also showed a bit of hardships of everyday life and what brings people together. Seeing what is on the outside is not always what is on the inside. This books was a perfect example. A great reminder to me and made me remember to count my blessings for all the good things in my life.

I also liked how Mrs. Wingate tied the religious aspect into this story. You don't have to be religious to read this. It was nice to see how Jen was brought up one way in a different day and age. As for Sarra and Rand had been raised differently as well with different cultures and upbringings. But the bottom line was that they all basically had the same belief just in different ways. It was well written. I wanted to know more and learn more of this unfinished manuscript. Events happen in this story that pull you in and make you feel a part of the characters life. You even get to know Jen's dog Friday. He has such a personality too. I would definitely recommend this to family and friends. In fact I will probably give this to someone this weekend. I give this book 5 stars.