In this richly emotional novel, Kristina McMorris evokes the depth of a mother's bond with her child, and the power of personal histories to echo through generations . . .
Two years have done little to ease veterinarian Audra Hughes's grief over her husband's untimely death. Eager for a fresh start, Audra plans to leave Portland for a new job in Philadelphia. Her seven-year-old son, Jack, seems apprehensive about flying--but it's just the beginning of an anxiety that grows to consume him.
As Jack's fears continue to surface in recurring and violent nightmares, Audra hardly recognizes the introverted boy he has become. Desperate, she traces snippets of information unearthed in Jack's dreams, leading her to Sean Malloy, a struggling US Army veteran wounded in Afghanistan. Together they unravel a mystery dating back to World War II, and uncover old family secrets that still have the strength to wound--and perhaps, at last, to heal.
Intricate and beautifully written, The Pieces We Keep illuminates those moments when life asks us to reach beyond what we know and embrace what was once unthinkable. Deftly weaving together past and present, herein lies a story that is at once poignant and thought-provoking, and as unpredictable as the human heart.
"Gripped me from the first page and didn't let go."
--Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost Wife
"An expertly woven and richly satisfying work of historical fiction that will touch any reader who has experienced love, loss, tragedy, or the impact of family secrets."
--The Boston Sunday Globe
"McMorris' strong pacing keeps the two stories zipping along and all its many strings connected for a gratifying conclusion."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Guaranteed to captivate and enthrall readers to the very end...a mesmerizing story that will linger with the reader."
--The Times Record News
"McMorris's segues between the two stories become increasingly smooth, transitioning nicely between suspenseful and emotional plot lines...McMorris's attention to historical detail captures the poignancy of old letters or treasured relics that have borne witness to ancestral emotions."
--The Bellingham Herald