Readers' Comments
I just finished reading Picking Up the Pieces. First of all, I loved it! I loved following Jill's journey (adventure, really!) and all the ups and downs, twists and turns the book takes! It is so creative and different than any other story that I'm aware of. I really enjoyed how you incorporated Jill's communication, reliance and relationship with the Lord; I too learned some things through her journey in developing even the smallest sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and finding confidence in that.
Your book was really hard to put down.. and I found myself thinking about the story and what had just happened even days after I had put it down. I cried, laughed, held my breath and even fell in love as well! Man, I was all over the place! I (wanted to) let you know how entertaining and full of thrills I thought it was! What great work. I enjoyed your book thoroughly!
Jlynn Johnson, Actor
Wendy, I started reading your book, Picking up the Pieces, last night and I can't put it down. I read until almost midnight and have been reading off and on today with all the time I can spare. You're a wonderful writer, great descriptions, beautiful phrases and you really keep the story moving! What a great idea to use scriptures as clues. Well, I have to find out what happens next but just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying it.
Jackie McGirvin, Author, Angels of Humility
I've been reading your book when I'm in the sauna. It's pretty darn good. I can't wait to read more.
Joyce Esau, B.C.
Wendy - just finished reading your delightful novel. Truly appreciated the spiritual content and also the lack of vulgarity. Looking forward to "Jill's" next adventure. Thank-you.
Anita Lall
Just finished reading your book and loved every page of it! Wow, wow, I loved the character Jill Moss and the way you injected faith into the story. It was definitely a page turner!
Doreen Wiebe
I finished reading Picking up the Pieces, and found it to be a page turner. I have seldom read a book that flows so smoothly and is completely seamless. You are an amazing writer, and the amount of research that must have gone into the preparation simply boggles my mind. Being familiar with the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation, I found the storyline fascinating. You weave prophecy and fantasy skillfully. The concept seemed so plausible that, at times, I had to remind myself that the story was really a work of fiction. Well done! I hope there are more books in the works.
Doris Riedweg, Author of Still Waters and Water in the Wilderness.
Wendy Dewar Hughes has written an extremely entertaining and fascinating adventure that kept me up well past my bed-time just so I could read a few more pages. This novel had me hooked from the start and I couldn't put it down! Wendy sent her heroine in search of ancient blocks that would help unlock mysteries hidden since the Great Flood of Noah's time. Not only did Wendy create a convincing and entertaining story, but she did an incredible job telling the story as well. She is a skilled wordsmith. Many times as I was reading the novel I would stop just to admire her prose. I can tell that Wendy is an artist who enjoys painting beautiful scenes for her readers. As a Christian I also thoroughly enjoyed the main character's reliance on the Holy Spirit. I found this aspect of the book so refreshing! And being able to relate to the heroine of the novel in this way made it that much more compelling and exciting to me! I am recommending this book to all of my friends and family who like to read. And I look forward with eager anticipation to Wendy's next novel!
Tiffany Magee, Connecticut, USA
Wendy Dewar Hughes writes inspirational romantic suspense novels set in contemporary times. For a passionate reader like me, finding a great book is like discovering a gold nugget while panning for gold.
When my husband finished reading Picking up the Pieces by Wendy Dewar Hughes, he passed the book to me, saying, “Now this is a great book.” His endorsement sent me to the pages immediately. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages and genres whether they are looking for inspiration or not. The writing craft is stellar. The suspense, mystery and intrigue is gripping. Did it keep me hooked? Oh yes!
I walked in the protagonist’s shoes, felt fear amidst her dilemmas full of danger, and experienced the international settings through her eyes. I felt like I was there. I cared deeply, and rooted for her on every page. The story and the characters stayed with me, like real people I know. This writer has gifted her readers with a fine piece of work. Well done.
Marion Spicher, Washington, USA
Picking up the Pieces opens with a short prologue so well done that we are anchored in its stellar writing and professional style. Immediately, readers pass through a portal, created with written words, transported into the living world of the story. Feeling a part of Jill Moss, we long to discover “how, who, what, where, when and why” as we begin chapter one, bracing for an emotional ride filled with suspense.
Jill Moss loves and respects her eccentric Uncle Neil, an expert and fearless archaeologist. He has discovered ancient artifacts in Mexico. Recognizing the danger if the artifacts fall into the wrong hands, he hides away. He deflects attention and involves his beloved niece, Jill—protecting her by telling her nothing, but trusting her to do as he asks. She suspects he is once again in danger and believes she has no choice. Uprooting her life, she embarks on Uncle Neil’s quest, one clue at a time.
Readers walk in the foreign streets, sit in the cafés, sleep in the dwellings, sweat in the heat, smell the food, and drop exhausted with Jill, when she is overcome. Our hearts thump as we run with her to keep up. We can’t wait to get to the next page, but the words are so compelling, we cannot skip. Pulling for her, we try to solve the mystery and decide what she should do to stay safe.
We are comforted when Jill’s trust in God along with her spiritual connection, guides her, allowing narrow escapes in a few of the many precarious situations. Biblical quotes augment the story, giving clues, as the reader slowly grasps the reason behind the intense desire of others who hunt the artifacts—at any cost. The plot keeps the story flowing, but jars us with surprises. Do we believe this story could happen? Absolutely.
The main characters are well drawn and feel like family or people we know or have met. We don’t want to say goodbye when finished with the last page. In many scenes, we wonder whether the players are friend or foe. Even the sweet romantic element keeps us guessing until near the end.
This reviewer looks forward to being captivated again by this author and will watch for a sequel to Picking up the Pieces, or to the next entertaining page-turner by Wendy Dewar Hughes.
Chanticlear Reviews
Wendy, I enjoyed Picking up the Pieces so much I'd love to read more of your books. It was so hard to put down; it totally captivated me.
Sharon Rickaby
Picking up the Pieces is an adventure story on a global scale! Traveling the world in pursuit of historical artifacts while being pursued by the bad guys, the main character, Jill, leads us through one heart-stopping incident after another. This book has many layers; historical, travel, romance, and spiritual, and Wendy has woven them into a brilliant tapestry. This story is thought-provoking and exciting, and yet not a heavy read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Picking Up the Pieces" and recommend it. Well done, Wendy!
Fran Jenkins
Picking up the Pieces is filled with thought-provoking mystery that keeps you guessing from start to finish. The historical and religious themes were fascinating and thrilling to read -- it reminded me of Dan Brown, and honestly, I liked the mystery in Picking up the Pieces a lot better. The combination of a wild adventure and an exotic romance gives it a "Romancing the Stone" feel that keeps you rooting for the relatable and sympathetic heroine. A thrilling adventure, from one end of this earth to the other!
Tiana Warner, Author of Ice Massacre.
Your book was really hard to put down.. and I found myself thinking about the story and what had just happened even days after I had put it down. I cried, laughed, held my breath and even fell in love as well! Man, I was all over the place! I (wanted to) let you know how entertaining and full of thrills I thought it was! What great work. I enjoyed your book thoroughly!
Jlynn Johnson, Actor
Wendy, I started reading your book, Picking up the Pieces, last night and I can't put it down. I read until almost midnight and have been reading off and on today with all the time I can spare. You're a wonderful writer, great descriptions, beautiful phrases and you really keep the story moving! What a great idea to use scriptures as clues. Well, I have to find out what happens next but just wanted to let you know how much I'm enjoying it.
Jackie McGirvin, Author, Angels of Humility
I've been reading your book when I'm in the sauna. It's pretty darn good. I can't wait to read more.
Joyce Esau, B.C.
Wendy - just finished reading your delightful novel. Truly appreciated the spiritual content and also the lack of vulgarity. Looking forward to "Jill's" next adventure. Thank-you.
Anita Lall
Just finished reading your book and loved every page of it! Wow, wow, I loved the character Jill Moss and the way you injected faith into the story. It was definitely a page turner!
Doreen Wiebe
I finished reading Picking up the Pieces, and found it to be a page turner. I have seldom read a book that flows so smoothly and is completely seamless. You are an amazing writer, and the amount of research that must have gone into the preparation simply boggles my mind. Being familiar with the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation, I found the storyline fascinating. You weave prophecy and fantasy skillfully. The concept seemed so plausible that, at times, I had to remind myself that the story was really a work of fiction. Well done! I hope there are more books in the works.
Doris Riedweg, Author of Still Waters and Water in the Wilderness.
Wendy Dewar Hughes has written an extremely entertaining and fascinating adventure that kept me up well past my bed-time just so I could read a few more pages. This novel had me hooked from the start and I couldn't put it down! Wendy sent her heroine in search of ancient blocks that would help unlock mysteries hidden since the Great Flood of Noah's time. Not only did Wendy create a convincing and entertaining story, but she did an incredible job telling the story as well. She is a skilled wordsmith. Many times as I was reading the novel I would stop just to admire her prose. I can tell that Wendy is an artist who enjoys painting beautiful scenes for her readers. As a Christian I also thoroughly enjoyed the main character's reliance on the Holy Spirit. I found this aspect of the book so refreshing! And being able to relate to the heroine of the novel in this way made it that much more compelling and exciting to me! I am recommending this book to all of my friends and family who like to read. And I look forward with eager anticipation to Wendy's next novel!
Tiffany Magee, Connecticut, USA
Wendy Dewar Hughes writes inspirational romantic suspense novels set in contemporary times. For a passionate reader like me, finding a great book is like discovering a gold nugget while panning for gold.
When my husband finished reading Picking up the Pieces by Wendy Dewar Hughes, he passed the book to me, saying, “Now this is a great book.” His endorsement sent me to the pages immediately. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages and genres whether they are looking for inspiration or not. The writing craft is stellar. The suspense, mystery and intrigue is gripping. Did it keep me hooked? Oh yes!
I walked in the protagonist’s shoes, felt fear amidst her dilemmas full of danger, and experienced the international settings through her eyes. I felt like I was there. I cared deeply, and rooted for her on every page. The story and the characters stayed with me, like real people I know. This writer has gifted her readers with a fine piece of work. Well done.
Marion Spicher, Washington, USA
Picking up the Pieces opens with a short prologue so well done that we are anchored in its stellar writing and professional style. Immediately, readers pass through a portal, created with written words, transported into the living world of the story. Feeling a part of Jill Moss, we long to discover “how, who, what, where, when and why” as we begin chapter one, bracing for an emotional ride filled with suspense.
Jill Moss loves and respects her eccentric Uncle Neil, an expert and fearless archaeologist. He has discovered ancient artifacts in Mexico. Recognizing the danger if the artifacts fall into the wrong hands, he hides away. He deflects attention and involves his beloved niece, Jill—protecting her by telling her nothing, but trusting her to do as he asks. She suspects he is once again in danger and believes she has no choice. Uprooting her life, she embarks on Uncle Neil’s quest, one clue at a time.
Readers walk in the foreign streets, sit in the cafés, sleep in the dwellings, sweat in the heat, smell the food, and drop exhausted with Jill, when she is overcome. Our hearts thump as we run with her to keep up. We can’t wait to get to the next page, but the words are so compelling, we cannot skip. Pulling for her, we try to solve the mystery and decide what she should do to stay safe.
We are comforted when Jill’s trust in God along with her spiritual connection, guides her, allowing narrow escapes in a few of the many precarious situations. Biblical quotes augment the story, giving clues, as the reader slowly grasps the reason behind the intense desire of others who hunt the artifacts—at any cost. The plot keeps the story flowing, but jars us with surprises. Do we believe this story could happen? Absolutely.
The main characters are well drawn and feel like family or people we know or have met. We don’t want to say goodbye when finished with the last page. In many scenes, we wonder whether the players are friend or foe. Even the sweet romantic element keeps us guessing until near the end.
This reviewer looks forward to being captivated again by this author and will watch for a sequel to Picking up the Pieces, or to the next entertaining page-turner by Wendy Dewar Hughes.
Chanticlear Reviews
Wendy, I enjoyed Picking up the Pieces so much I'd love to read more of your books. It was so hard to put down; it totally captivated me.
Sharon Rickaby
Picking up the Pieces is an adventure story on a global scale! Traveling the world in pursuit of historical artifacts while being pursued by the bad guys, the main character, Jill, leads us through one heart-stopping incident after another. This book has many layers; historical, travel, romance, and spiritual, and Wendy has woven them into a brilliant tapestry. This story is thought-provoking and exciting, and yet not a heavy read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Picking Up the Pieces" and recommend it. Well done, Wendy!
Fran Jenkins
Picking up the Pieces is filled with thought-provoking mystery that keeps you guessing from start to finish. The historical and religious themes were fascinating and thrilling to read -- it reminded me of Dan Brown, and honestly, I liked the mystery in Picking up the Pieces a lot better. The combination of a wild adventure and an exotic romance gives it a "Romancing the Stone" feel that keeps you rooting for the relatable and sympathetic heroine. A thrilling adventure, from one end of this earth to the other!
Tiana Warner, Author of Ice Massacre.