The Memory Tree (Carson Chronicles #2) by John A Heldt-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2018

Days after barely escaping 1889 with their lives, the Carsons, siblings from the present day, resume their search for their missing parents in 1918. While Adam and his pregnant wife, Bridget, settle in Minnesota, unaware of a wildfire that will kill hundreds, Greg seeks clues in his great-grandparents’ Mexico, where he finds love, danger, and enemies. At the same time, Natalie, the ambitious journalist, follows a trail to World War I France, and teen twins Cody and Caitlin rekindle a friendship with an old Pennsylvania friend haunted by her past. In THE MEMORY TREE, the sweeping sequel to RIVER RISING, several time travelers find answers and meaning as they continue the adventure of a lifetime in the age of doughboys, silent movies, and Model T’s.

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REVIEW:      Time traveling books are always a treat to read. The best part about time traveling books is you get pretty much an all-you-can-eat buffet of book genres. You get a little bit of romance, action, suspense, and the best part of all is the historical fiction. And when the book written right, the other elements like the story arc and the character development is even more enhanced.

     Another plus about this book is the numerous likeable characters. There are five children in the Carson family and they have their own personalities. They all have their likeable traits complete with their own remarkable adventures.  I thought it was really cool they all made the decision to split up in hopes of finding their parents. Each of their adventures were all equally enjoyable. Adam and Bridget stay behind in Minnesota as home base for all communication. Greg roughing it in Mexico where he meets bar owner Patricia who he ends up marrying. Natalie takes on going overseas to France to interview and write about the soldiers in the war for her job. As for the twins, Caitlin and Cody go to Gettysburg in Pennsylvania where they spend time with Cody’s first and former love Emma. Even the parents, Tim and Caroline had some adventure too in Mexico. That had to be amazing to go back in time to actually witness the birth of Caroline’s grandmother.

     As for the women Adam and Greg took on as wives, they made great choices and they fit in with the family very well. Bridget is very kind and caring but despite that she is also very courageous and intelligent. Patricia has the loyalty that can rival a pit bull. She will walk through fire to those who have her loyalty.

      One concept I want to get into that I really enjoyed was the memory tree at Emma’s home. Just trying to imagine the beauty of the spruce tree with all the ribbons tied to it is beyond breath-taking. The symbolization of tying a ribbon to a branch in remembrance of loved ones that are lost to them like death, tragedy or war. The ribbons are even replaced often to keep looking new. It really is a beautiful way to honor and remember loved ones.  

     Despite things from Greg’s adventure in Mexico catching up to them, they do get their happy ending to make it to their portal to go home and hopefully find their parents…or will they? Can’t go wrong with time travel books getting a smorgasbord of genres on top of a fun history lesson. You get crazy adventures with every character that totally enhances the story arc and character development. The only drawback with time travel novels is that they are very long books but they are worth it; you won’t regret it.

Reviewed by Xtina

Copy supplied for review