Book Review of 'Finding Juniper' by Cindy Thomson

Hello Bookworms!

I am so excited you're here with me today as I have TWO POSTS for you!  I have been trying to be intentional about being in the moment for 2025 but that also means I am not online as much as I normally am.  I am still struggling to find balance, something I'm sure many of you can identify with, which is another reason I feel so blessed that you've taken the time to visit my little slice of the internet today.

I hope you enjoy my first post and review of this Christian Historical Fiction and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Finding Juniper by Cindy Thomson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Finding Juniper
Author: Cindy Thomson
Publisher: Emerald Path Press
Release Date: January 2, 2025
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction

For Patrick Doyle, the claim that time heals all wounds is a cruel lie. 

In 1920, returning from WWI, Paddy finds Ireland creeping toward civil war. Invisible borders separate people, including Paddy and his pregnant girlfriend. With few prospects, Paddy sails to America. However, America is far from the land of opportunity he’d hoped for. And worse, his girl refuses to follow him because of her political involvement. 

Thirty years later, Patrick has moved on with his life, building a new family. A letter arrives, suggesting the child he’d assumed died may be alive. Patrick’s American daughter Mardell pushes him to find out what happened to her sister, named Juniper. Patrick anxiously sails to Ireland. 

Juniper endured a childhood in institutions, and when she’s released, she moves on without the parents who left her. Operating an apothecary out of an inherited cottage where villagers are slow to trust outsiders, Juniper finally finds a home when her grandmother arrives. Just as she feels comfortable and content, her father shows up at her door, bringing shocking news about her mother. 

Finding Juniper invites readers on a journey of confronting the past, healing from old traumas, and redefining what family truly means.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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My Review

“Now I understand I must remember…there is a purpose in having memories.”

Finding Juniper is the tale of fathers and daughters and the choices, both good and bad, that shape your life.  This is a multi-timeline, multi-narrative historical fiction that allows you to see through the eyes of its characters.  It does tend to jump from one narrator to another in quick succession, which can be dizzying at times, but these characters are so well fleshed out that it would be easy to believe they’re real people.

Juniper was one of the best parts of the story, but Granny was a close second.  I enjoyed every scene with the two of them together, the wise older woman passing down her knowledge to her granddaughter.  With her astuteness and sass, Granny reminded me of my own Granny, whom I miss every day.  

There is a grittiness and a shadow of sadness that shrouds this story.  It felt like the mood I feel when reading historical WWII fiction, which is fitting since the settings are around the world wars.  Though there are adult subjects that are broached, they are handled delicately and do not go into graphic detail, which I am very thankful for.  The meeting of the timelines was worth the wait and made the novel hard to put down until the end.  

While it did take me a bit to get into the story, I am surprised with how much I enjoyed it.  There is something unique yet familiar about Finding Juniper, and I am so grateful that I had a chance to read it.

My Rating: ★★★★

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About the Author

Known for the inspirational Celtic theme employed in most of her books, Cindy Thomson is the author of both fiction and nonfiction. A genealogy enthusiast, she writes from her home in Ohio where she lives with her husband Tom near their three grown sons and their families.

Connect with Cindy by visiting cindyswriting.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a silver leaf necklace and an e-copy of Finding Juniper!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 28, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 4, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Worldwide if Amazon Global Shipping is available. If international winner lives where Amazon Global Shipping is not available, only ebook will be given. Ebook delivered via Bookfunnel. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. 

All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.