Where Trees Touch the Sky

Some secrets have shadows as long as the redwoods are tall.

In the early 1920s, the accelerating destruction of the California redwoods is more than nature-loving Marion Baker can bear. Throwing herself headlong into the work of the Save the Redwoods League, she is shocked to learn that Frank Duncan, a man she’s grown to love, is the son of one of the area’s worst timber barons. Though devastated by the betrayal, she realizes this could also be an opportunity–if only she can convince him to help preserve her favorite grove from his father’s greedy grasp. Is her love strong enough to persuade him to save these precious trees? Or will Marion choose to sacrifice her beliefs to keep Frank by her side?

Nearly fifty years later, in 1972, polio survivor June Turner is deeply proud of the legacy her great aunt Marion has left as a redwood warrior. And despite her disability, June is determined to prove herself capable as a ranger at the recently established Redwood National Park, even if it means taking to the trails with her crutch in hand. What better way to carry on the family tradition of preserving God’s magnificent creation?

When aspiring film student Adam Garner approaches June to help make a documentary about Marion’s life, she swiftly grabs the opportunity to spread her aunt’s worthy reputation. That is, until they unearth a secret that might shatter the family legacy. In the scramble for answers, June may lose not only her family pride but also her own dreams.

Karen Barnett’s beautifully crafted split-time novel, set against the majestic backdrop of a beloved national park, immerses the reader in history that feels as fresh as if it happened yesterday.

My Review:

A multifaceted faith-infused dual timeline historical novel that has left me a wee bit discombobulated. Some things went exactly as I thought they would while others sent me into a tailspin. Wow. Just. Wow.

Barnett did a wonderful job with her historical research for both timelines (1920s and 1970s) and I loved being in at the beginnings of a National Park. I especially appreciated the inspirational perspective on what it means to honour God’s creation through the way we care for the natural world. A refreshing viewpoint to find in Christian Fiction, especially at this particular time in world history.

Both our heroines face unique challenges and I love the personal connection between the two. Marion is an environmentalist fighting to save the majestic redwood forests from lumber barons in 1923. Decades later, her great-niece becomes one of the first female park rangers. Their stories are unique and yet contain some uncanny parallels. The author expertly weaves the two timelines together until the point where they finally overlap and then — kapow – fireworks! Made for such a captivating read!

16 thoughts on “Where Trees Touch the Sky”

  2. Lovely review, Kav! I’ve read several of Karen’s books, but I’m a bit behind. Seems to be the case on a lot of my favorite authors lately.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  4. Love dual timeline stories! WHERE TREES TOUCH THE SKY sounds like a magnificent one. Having visited the majestic redwoods this past summer sure gives us a greater respect for them and feeling it’s our duty to protect them. Thank you so much for your review and giving me another book to add to my TBR list.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  5. This is a new to me author as well. But I had seen the cover so many times, I am glad to finally see a review for it. Hmmmm, dual timeline. I can sometimes get confused with those, but it sounds like this one was covered well.

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    1. The dual timeline is well done in this book — I didn’t find it confusing at all and sometimes I do, so I know what you mean. I hope you get a chance to try this one out sometime. Happy Reading, Blessed Mommy.

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  6. Karen Barnett books have been on my radar. I own four of them and need to buckle down and read them! I do not have this one … yet!
    paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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