Two couples in love. Two sets of impossible circumstances. One powerful God of grace.
After a devastating tailspin in her late teens, Lauren Anderson’s life is finally back on track. Then a chance meeting with Carter Douglas, her first love and the man who broke her heart threaten to throw her well-balanced world out of control.
Now a TV meteorologist, Carter is determined to make amends with Lauren. After all, she still owns his heart. But his old demons are forcing him toward the same decision he faced in the past. Is he courageous enough to make a different choice this time around?
When Lauren’s elderly grandmother, Rosie, begins having nightmares about a man named Ephraim--a name her family has never heard before—a fascinating and forbidden past love comes to light. As Lauren and Carter work to uncover the untold stories of Rosie’s past in 1950s Wichita, they embark on a journey of forgiveness and second chances that will change their lives—and Rosie’s—forever. Along the way they’ll learn that God wastes nothing, his timing is perfect, and nothing is beyond his grace and redemption.
The Songs That Could Have Been is full of the same deftly handled, resonant writing that readers and critics alike enjoyed in Amanda Wen's first book in the series, Roots of Wood and Stone. Fans of Lisa Wingate and Rachel Hauck will add Amanda Wen to their must-read shelves.
Dual Timeline books are fast becoming a favorite with me. The Songs That Could Have Been by Amanda Wen is Book 2 in the Sedgwick County Chronicles series. I had the pleasure of reading Book 1 in the series and I have been anxiously awaiting this book.
Lauren Anderson has had a struggle with life since her teens, she is now at a good place in life. Lauren runs into Carter Douglas, her first love and the one who broke her heart. Carter seems it was fate that they reconnected as he is determined to win her heart back. He feels that he may not be able to win her heart back when the past comes back to haunt him and he begins making bad decisions again. Lauren's grandmother, Rosie, begins mentioning the name Ephraim in her dreams and Lauren is wondering who this person is. Lauren enlists the help of Carter and their investigation takes them back to the 1950's in Wichita, Kansas. Rosie grew up in Wichita, Kansas and Laurent and Carter uncover that Ephraim was a forbidden love of Rosie's. Carter and Lauren are given some valuable lessons that will affect them and the present time. Will Lauren be able to give her heart back to Carter? How has Grandma Rosie's past played a role in Lauren's present and future decisions?
WOW, WOW, the more I read Amand Wen's book, she is fast becoming a favorite author. I really like Lauren and Carter's story. Carter was determined to win Lauren back. Lauren was unsure of giving him a second chance. The pair working together and seeing how Grandma Rosie's forbidden love story was good through the Grace of God, gave Lauren hope. The author successfully goes back and forth between the present time and the 1950's and the historical parts of the is book are wonderful. This book is one of God's Grace, God's perfect timing and his enduring LOVE! I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy the Dual Timeline and Historical Fiction. FANTASTIC BOOK!
Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. She has placed first in multiple writing contests, including the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity, the 2017 Phoenix Rattler, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions contests. She was also a 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest finalist. Her debut novel was a 2021 Christy Award First Novel finalist.
Wen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She also frequently interviews authors for her blog and is a contributor to the God Is Love blog. She is the author of Roots of Wood and Stone and The Songs That Could Have Been.
In addition to her writing, Wen is an accomplished professional cellist and pianist who frequently performs with orchestras, chamber groups, and her church’s worship team. She serves as a choral accompanist as well. A lifelong denizen of the flatlands, Wen lives in Kansas with her patient, loving, and hilarious husband, their three adorable Wenlets, and a snuggly Siamese cat.
To find Amanda Wen’s blog and short stories, visit www.amandawen.com. Readers can also follower her on Facebook (@AuthorAmandaWen), Twitter (@AuthorAmandaWen), and Instagram (@authoramandawen).
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