ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Word from the Author:
I’m mama to two boys, ages two and four, and married to a farm-boy-turned-math-teacher. We live in a small Dutch hamlet with three churches, one Co-Op and no stop lights. There are a lot of fields out here, there’s a lot of space and sky for breathing and running and writing.
We foster two boys in addition to our own two, and before I had kids, I took care of my Mum who had brain cancer. She fought back and has recovered, all glory to God, and my pastor-father still holds her hand while they go for daily walks.
I battled anorexia nervosa as a child, and then again as a newly married woman, and I write a lot about body image now and have a passion for women to learn to love themselves.
My husband and I have battled infertility and are currently trying to adopt our third child through the local Alberta government.
I hurt for the church, and believe in it, and pray for it, as I’ve grown up inside its walls and have heard its groanings.
I have a heart for Africa, particularly Uganda, and went there in January on a bloggers’ trip with World Help.
My favorite things to do are read literary novels, play guitar, snowboard, paint with oil and acrylics and hug my babies.
I am the author of two books on eating disorders, a novel releasing this spring, and a memoir coming out this summer.
I hope you’ll connect with me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/emilytwierenga, or if you prefer, Twitter: @emily_wierenga. I’d love to have a virtual glass of wine, or cup of coffee, with you.
Peace to you friends,
e.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Struggling with her own post-war trauma, Clara thinks she’s not prepared to handle the grief of this broken family. Yet upon meeting Mattie, and receiving a baby quilt that will never cuddle the soldier’s baby, Clara vows to honor the sacrifices that family made.
Now a labor and delivery nurse in her rural hometown, Clara wraps each new babe in the gifted quilt and later stitches the child’s name into the cloth. As each new child is welcomed by the quilt, Clara begins to wonder whatever happened to Mattie—and if her own life would ever experience the love of a newborn. Little does she know that she will have the opportunity to re-gift the special quilt—years later and carrying even greater significance than when it was first bestowed.
If you would like to read the first chapter of A Promise in Pieces, go HERE.
MY REVIEW
A Promise in Pieces is a beautiful book about promises (of course), healing, battling depression, adoption, healing (worth mentioning twice), love and life, in general.
This is really two stories (or more) in one. A now-elderly Clara and her family are on a journey. As they travel, she passes the time away with the fascinating story of her life. Wierenga is the story-teller and she does a wonderful job spinning the story and weaving the threads of present-day Clara with the vibrant young Clara. But she also does more than that.
The first half of the book is an engaging story, but as you reach the second half of the book it becomes something more. It's more of a memoirs of a woman struggling with depression, becoming like her mother, learning what it's like to love and to be loved. Before I read her bio, I could tell Wierenga struggled with depression or knew someone who did. It is so spot-on. Her insights into the disease and how it affects those around them are very enlightening. She looks for the positive things to focus on and that's where she takes her reader. By the end of the book, we're on that trip with Clara, pulling for her, rejoicing and despairing with her.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It's a wonderful story. But if you happen to be a creative spirit or someone who battles depression, read it with a hankie and a highlighter.
