Reviewed by: Steve Capell

This novel opens up with Gerta Rosen, a survivor of the Second World War, looking at a painting hanging in the Art Institute of Chicago. Gerta and becomes very emotionally charged because she remembers that painting belonged to her neighbors, the Berger Family, in Berlin. She reads on the plaque that the painting was donated to the Art Institute by Woodmere Family Foundation. The reason Greta is so emotionally charged is that she is sure the painting was stolen by the Nazis. This revelation tarnishes the name of Woodmere Family Foundation.

The novel then flashes back to Taylor Woodmere and to the year 1937. Taylor goes to Europe for family business leaving his girlfriend, Emily, waiting for his return.  While in Europe he meets Sarah Berger, and falls in love with her. Also while in Europe he sees and buys a painting by Artist Henri Lebasque and buys it for his Emily who is waiting in Chicago for his return. But when Taylor falls in love with Sarah he decides to give the painting to her.  I will not go into the details of how the painting tied the story together, but Deby Eisenberg weaves the two plots together for a fantastic ending.

My thoughts:

I will say up front that I am not huge fan of novels that use flashbacks; however, Deby Eisenberg masterfully handles the flashback between 2004 and 1937 with such ease and eloquence.

I love Pictures of the Past and how it ties family, friends, and romance during that era of time during and after the build up of Nazi Germany. This novel is exquisitely written, fierily emotional and at the same time exhibiting a touch of romance that delicately settles around the reader like a gossamer fog at daylight.  

Deby has created  wonderful rich characters that just seem real to me. Each character had their own human flaws and the dialog between the characters fit perfectly. I felt the character development is one of Deby’s strongest writing characteristics.

You’ll be astonished, grateful, and ready to recommend this book to a friend by the time you’re done.

I have given this book a 5 rating out of 5. I do not rate many novels with this high of rating. I only give a 5 rating to novels that I would consider reading a second time. This novel will be read again.  

(5/5)

Reviewed by: Steve Capell

Zoe and Will are trying to raise their two daughters Leah and Justine the best way they know how. Leah is coming to age and this brings new opportunities and responsibilities for her. Leah finds out that her decisions will not only affect her life, but also her family, and friends. Zoe and Will see that some of the decisions that Leah is making are decisions that will ultimately destroy her so they are fighting to ensure that Leah’s future is not tarnished.  Zoe and Will find themselves on a roller coaster ride trying to balance love and guidance to Leah, but will this be enough to save their daughter from disaster?  

My Thoughts:

This book has wonderful characters that just seem real to me. I was feeling for Leah and was hoping everything would work out for her. Things kept piling on and I just wanted to help her out from under the pieces of her life that were caving down. Leah finally runs out of steam and attempts to get out of the bad relationship that she had with some of her friends, but she just keeps getting sucked back in.  I could also feel for Will and Zoe while they tried to have happy family life, but because of all the problems that Leah has brought into their home they too feel their world is falling apart. What even makes this more poignant, is the fact that Zoe is a life coach, and a counselor, yet she can’t handle her own dysfunctional family

The novel is exquisitely written, detailed, and profoundly emotional. This novel will settle in around you and engulf your inner soul. I quite enjoyed In Leah’s Wake. Terri Giuliano Long has an amazing ability to draw you into the book with her beautiful writing and incredible imagery. She is able to make you feel as if you’re living the story alongside the rest of the characters. You are a fly on the wall as you watch Leah’s story unfold and anticipate what’s going to happen next.

Now for the ending … no I will not add a spoiler. I had no way of knowing how this novel would end and that is so important. This ending was not predictable and that is another reason that Terri Giuliano Long has written a book that will captivate you from page one and keep you reading until the last page! You’ll be astonished, grateful, and ready to recommend this book to a friend by the time you’re done. I do believe I will see more from this author in the future.

Who should read this novel?

At the end of this book there are discussion questions that really allow the reader to delve deeper into their own beliefs. While this book isn’t considered a Christian novel it would be great novel for adults to read and discuss in a Sunday School Class. Parents that are raising adolescents will find this novel as a must read.

I have given this novel rating of 4.5 out of 5.

(4.5/5)