Julie Cantrell

Dear Readers,

I have been waiting 2 years for Julie Cantrell’s book.  Finally, The Feathered Bone has arrived and I could hardly wait to get started.  I had to delay it because of other books I had already started, but it was on the top of the TBR pile.  This past weekend I picked it up to take along with me at a book table.  With book tables, they are usually very busy and you really don’t get much time to read, which is great as I am there to work, not read.  (I know, how annoying).  This one had a bit more down time to it and I had a chance to make great headway into the book.  Of course if I had known exactly what I was getting into, I might have waited and taken another book.

The Feathered Bone is the story of a missing pre-teen.  Sarah goes missing on a class trip in New Orleans.  Amanda leaves her daughter and Sarah waiting in line for the restroom.  When they do a head count, they realize Sarah is missing and there is no one who saw anything.  They only have a snap shot of what looks like a teenager leading a younger smaller person in costume out of the restaurant.  Otherwise she vanished into thin air. 

This is the story of Amanda and her family.  What happens when it is your responsibility to take care of someone else’s child and they go missing?  What happens to that family when that missing child is your child’s best friend?  There are so many threads to this book that I can’t even begin to cover them all.  When they talk about an issue-driven book, this one has that in spades.  In fact it almost became too overwhelming to continue.  I don’t dare list them all because it might scare you off from reading this book, but don’t let it.

This is one of those books that you will read and then want to share with those around you.  I am waiting to find someone who has read it so I have someone to talk to about it.  It is an emotionally exhausting book to read and yet it is a book of triumph.  It makes you wonder how anyone can survive what happens in life, and all the way through Julie reminds us that we are not making it through our valleys without the help of God. 

Happy Reading,

Julie Cantrell

Dear Readers,

**If you have not read Into the Free by Julie Cantrell, you will want to read that first.  This review will contain spoilers if you haven't read that one.

I am going to first say when I heard that Julie had continued Millie's story in a second book, I was a bit disappointed as I didn't feel there was a reason to.  I was so very wrong, this was a beautiful continuation of the story.  

When Mountains Move picks up the storyline 6 weeks after the event in the church steeple.  Millie has agreed to marry Bump and that day is what starts this story.  A beautiful day that starts their life together in a wonderful way and with several happy surprises.  

Colorado is waiting and Millie and Bump head to their new ranch with all the hopes and dreams of a new couple ready to take on the world.  Now, Millie has a bit of baggage that is going with her, as we all know, and she has to decide what to do with it, tell Bump or keep it a secret.  She decides he doesn't need to know as she is afraid that he will not love her any more and her dream of a real family will disappear with him. 

Once again you will find yourself cheering for Millie as she deals with what life hands her.  Sometimes it is a wonderful thing, like a new friend, and sometimes it is something not as beautiful. I am not going to share it here as it gives some of the storyline away.  But this is a story of forgiveness, but also one of trust.  Trusting herself, trusting Bump, trusting God.  

Julie's writing style draws you into the story so very quickly.  I can't wait to  read what she comes up with next.  I read this one while on vacation in about 24 hours.  I started late on Saturday night and finished Monday morning.  I didn't want it to end and yet I couldn't lay it down.  If you have read the first one, you will want to read this one and once again disappear into Millie's story.

Happy Reading.

Julie Cantrell

Dear Readers,

I can't tell you how many times fellow readers will say to me, "you have got to read this book."   Sometimes that works out very well, like with The Help.  Other times is doesn't work out so well and no I am not going to mention any names here. 

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell is one I kept hearing about from people.  I had a chance to get it free and thought, "what the heck, let’s try it."   I am so glad I did!  I could hardly lay the thing down.  The writing is rich, the characters are very three dimensional, the setting fits the story line so very well.  It all works together perfectly.

It is 1936 in Mississippi and Millie longs to join the gypsies to run away from her parents.  Her father is only home part time and very abusive to her mother.  Her mother was addicted to drugs and suffers from depression.  Millie just longs for freedom to be who she wants to be.  She just doesn't know how to leave those she loves behind.

I don’t want to say any more as I don’t want to take away from the enjoyment of this story.  There are some twists and turns that I wasn’t sure I expected.  Nothing like a mystery, but things that make life, life.  Things that are not on our radar but happen anyways.  

I found myself cheering Millie on and wanting her to survive everything thrown at her.  I also found myself disgusted  with some of the choices she made.   I dare you not to fall in love with Millie and want to take her home with you. 

Happy Reading,

P.S. this book is available at Baker Book House or by request at bakerbookstore.com