Through Water and Stone JustRead Tour {book review and giveaway}
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Through Water and Stone
Series: National Parks
Author: Karen Barnett
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Release Date: September 23, 2025
Genre: Christian Fiction, Dual Timeline
In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God.
Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers.
Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop
More in this Series:
My Thoughts
Karen Barnett is one of my most favorite authors. I don't even have to read the description of the book before I add it to my wish list. I like that most of her books are set in various National Parks. To be honest, though, dual timelines aren't a favorite, but Barnett does write them well.
Through Water and Stone is set in Zion National Park, a park I haven't been to, but her descriptions certainly make me want to visit the Park.
The story contains a mystery: Where did the abandoned baby come from? Will the parents be found? Why was the baby abandoned? What is the connection of that baby with the present day thread?
I like to see how faith is tested and grows, for both Henry and Alma, and Talia and Blake.
One of my favorite paragraphs:
"Kids have to find their own paths," Alder shrugged. "My dad says parenting is a long series of goodbyes. At first, they're a hundred percent dependent on you. But once they take those first steps, they're walking farter and farther away. By the teen years, they're learning to be independent. Good parents need to stand back and let them."
This resonates with me, as my middle son prepares for his wedding next month.
If you enjoy a story full of faith, Spiritual growth, and a mystery to solve, be sure to add Through Water and Stone to your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy. These opinions are my own.
About the Author
Excerpt:
She held the key.
He’d searched the hatbox and had even gone so far as to shake out the
blanket Billy had been wrapped up in, hoping for a letter—a clue—
anything that might identify the child’s mother and why she made the
choice she did.
His first son had ended up in the water by accident. Billy had been placed
there with intention, like Moses in the bulrushes. He’d never shaken that
image from his mind. Moses was saved by the pharaoh’s daughter and
raised in the palace, only to come back as a mighty messenger for God’s
people.
Had he placed too much stock in the biblical allusion? Had Billy instead
been stolen from his mother’s arms and hidden here for some nefarious
reason? Henry pressed his hand against his pocket, his strides slowing as he
approached headquarters.
He lifted his gaze, staring across the river toward the cliffs beyond.
Sometimes their little world here at Zion seemed so self- contained it was
easy to forget that there was an entire country outside of their canyon.
Cities and people, states and nations. Personal tragedies and world wars.
He closed his eyes, willing his pulse to slow. This place was a refuge of
peace. It was little wonder the first settlers named it Zion. The park’s
beauty rivaled any temple or cathedral. “Thou art my rock and my fortress.”
Unlocking the door, he headed for his office, turning the lights on as he
made his way down the hall. The day ahead looked to be slow, nothing his
staff couldn’t handle. He’d leave a note on Fred’s desk asking him to check
in on the film crew. So far Legend seemed to be true to his word. Henry
hadn’t received any negative reports about the man. Hopefully either the
gossip was meaningless or married life had set the fellow on a better path.
A light rapping on the doorframe caught his attention. Mattie stood in the
doorway, her face pale. “Good morning, Henry. I thought you should
know Irene Dawson had her baby last night. She had a rough go of it, and
she and Elmer are at the hospital in St. George.”
He sank down into his chair, the pen still clamped in his fingers. “Will she
be all right?”
“Elmer—Mr. Dawson—telephoned this morning. It was touch and go,
but she pulled through.”
“And the baby?”
“A little girl. I could hear her squalling clear through the telephone line.
They’ve named her Myrtle.”
“We should send flowers. How long will they be away, do you think?”
Mattie smiled. “I already ordered the bouquet. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You’re a gem.” He chuckled. “When are you going to give up pillow
plumping and come to work for me? I’d hire you in a heartbeat.”
She crossed the floor and stood in front of his desk. “If you’re serious, I’d
love that.”
“Oh, I’m certain.” He should have done it earlier. “Let me put the
paperwork in and get approval from the superintendent.” He dug into his
pocket. “Hey, have you ever seen this? Alma just gave it to me. Apparently
it was in the lining of the hatbox where we found Billy.”
Mattie’s posture stiffened. “No. Why would I have seen it?”
He studied her. “I thought maybe Alma had shown you. For some reason
she hid it from me.” He pointed to the imprint on the lock face. “She’s
concerned H- C- H might stand for Holy Cross Hospital.”
“The hospital where the baby was stolen?” Her eyes widened. “That’s
preposterous.”
“Normally, I’d agree with you. But we met with the Johnsons last night
and—”
She backed a few steps. “Why would you do that?”
He stood, uncertain of Mattie’s reaction. Another case of women acting in
ways that made no sense to him. “They showed up. I couldn’t toss them
out on their ears. Or rather, I could, but Alma wouldn’t hear of it.”
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Through Water and Stone and $20 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 1, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Comments
Post a Comment
I love hearing from you! Please leave a comment. Thanks!