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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 A Hard Life in Early Twentieth-Century America May 25, 2008
By Richard C. Leonard
"The Doctor"
This first volume of a family saga exposes us to conditions of American society during the first quarter of the twentieth century. The privations of rural life, an unfriendly urban environment, transportation inconveniences, the diminishing spark of religious revival, clashing family cultures, Depression economics - these form part of the background for a tale that sees the central character overcoming the obstacles of "family secrets" at last disclosed. Disappointment and sorrow in one area of life becomes an opportunity for peace and satisfaction to emerge from another direction, as Ruth Solomon witnesses the redemption of others whose earlier histories gave little promise that they would ever come to faith. Readers following her story can take heart from the truth that life, whatever its unpromising circumstances, always offers reason for hope.
Dr. Richard Leonard (www.rcleonard.com)
Author, Silence of the Drums and Heart of the Highriders
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Family Secrets by Elisabeth H. Bantz Nov 29, 2007
By Bonnie B. Engstrom
One of the most fascinating and memorable books I've read in a long time. Occasionally a heart-stopper, and often bringing me to tears, it was impossible to put down. Yet, the story is so intricately layered, I found myself rereading some portions - not for clarification, but because I had become absorbed in the drama of the narrative and wanted to relive each spell-binding layer. The author has a gift for characterization and scene description that injects the reader into the story making one feel akin to protagonist Ruth, crying, hoping and believing with her.
The story opens with Kinzey White, an enthusiastic young reporter turned biographer, who begins to chronicle Ruth Blanchard Solomon's extraordinary life in Family Secrets. Although the ninety-plus year old Ruth has reservations, she allows many painful memories to resurface believing the unique life she's led is all part of God's plan. She tells Kinzey, "We are all given a kind of script at birth. . . . I'm glad I let Him revise mine."
The compelling events of this story begin in 1904 when Madelaine Melliere meets Even Blanchard and the twists and turns of life propel Ruth's future before she's even born. Horrific recurring nightmares lead Ruth as a young woman to travel across country seeking a family she just learned about. Happiness intertwines with tragedy when the prejudice of others forces her to make decisions that leave her heartbroken. Will her newfound faith be enough to support her resolve and finally give her peace?
I highly recommend this captivating tale that reaches almost epic proportions by the end of the four book Secrets of the Heart series, a "must read."
Bonnie Engstrom, Writer, ACFW Member
Family Secrets Sep 17, 2007
By Elisabeth H. Bantz
"bantzbooks.com"
Trapped on the farm helping her father eke out a living from the crops and animals, and tending her crippled mother, twenty-one-year-old Ruth Blanchard dreams of escaping every time a train passes by. It is 1927, the year of the great flash flood in the depressed Mississippi River valley near St. Louis, the one that takes Ruth's parents and grants her unspoken wish. As Ruth cleans up after the double funeral in a daze, she discovers mysterious unopened letters hidden in the attic that send her packing.
Taking the train north to find family members she never knew existed, Ruth is rescued from a drunken passenger by a handsome fellow traveler, Saul Solomon. She bids her rescuer goodbye at Aurora, and soon finds her grandfather, Phillip Melliere. Although the reunion is sweet, she becomes restless again and decides to travel to Boston to find her "missionary" aunt. On the way she meets Saul on the train, and again when she brings her aunt back to Aurora. And with his help, more family secrets are resurrected.
Ruth's exhilarating saga is told by fictional storyteller Kinzey White who prefaces and ends each book in the 4-book Secrets of the Heart series. The characters are memorable, the story deep. And history buffs will appreciate the flashback details of the 1906 World's Fair in St. Louis, as well as the famous 1906 Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles just before the earthquake.
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