Customer Reviews

Chasing Memories (Memory Box Trilogy, Book 1)

5 star:		(3)
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I was very impressed with this book. I felt so sorry that Laura had so much tragedy happen in a short period of time. I kept hoping that her memory would come back, but even though it didn't, I was glad that somewhere in her subconcious, the motherly instinct kicked in and she was able to re-connect with her daughter. I am anxiously awaiting to read the second book in Cindy's trilogy. Karen Mills

What a pleasure, in today's traumatic world, to be able to get comfortable in your recliner and have a "good" read about "normal people" who tackle some of the same problems you and your lady friends have faced from time to time. This book reminds me of the ones my mother's book club read in the 1930's before "Forever Amber" came on the market and caused such a "splash".This was back when Faith Baldwin wrote such good stories, ones that held your attention and about good people who "just did the best they could" and did it with grace. I am looking forward to this writer's "follow up" story.

I was drawn into this book by how the author was able to describe everyday events with ease. The more I read the more I felt for the main character and all her challenges. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to find out how life continues to challenge her.

'Chasing Memories' is the first in the series of three books by the Inspirational author, Cindy Bauer. The trilogy follows the life of Laura, a young widow with a small daughter. Thare are a few main characters to meet in 'Chasing Memories', apart from Laura and her daughter Annie, including their neighbours, Mr & Mrs Parker; and Susan, Annie's Nanny. All these characters play an important role in the story. The book focuses on the everyday lives of the characters and we follow them through their daily tasks. The book literally does make you feel like you are a fly on the wall in Laura's life, as almost every activity from the moment she gets out of bed in the morning to when she goes back to bed in the evening, from brushing her teeth to eating her dinner, is described in some detail especially at the beginning of the book. At first, I thought that we were being given a little too much of this mundane information, but as you read through the book and the story progresses, you do realise that these mundane tasks that Laura once perfomed very easily are all things that she could never really take for granted ever again...
After the death of her husband, Laura is trying hard to put her life back together when she suffers an accident and loses her memory. When she wakes up in the hospital she doesn't remember who she is and doesn't recognise her own daughter. In fact, her whole life up the point of the accident is a mystery to her. She is helped by her friends and family to piece together parts of her life and is given a gift at Christmas, a 'memory-box', in which she can place important photos and personal items from her past and perhaps use them to jog her memory. We follow Laura through the story as she almost loses hope that she will ever regain her memory and almost loses her faith in God. However, the book contains some truly inspirational fiction as it describes the ways that Laura is blessed despite the tragedies which seem to meet her at every turn. There are seemingly no end of tragic events for Laura and her child to deal with. At one point Laura realises that 'life actually really is a continuous process, with an abundance of opportunities to start over' and in the context of the book and Laura's life, the author has done well to illustrate this point.
I am sure this book will provide inspiration and also guidance to people who may be facing the reality of loss in their lives. As the author states so succinctly in the book: If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
In the second half of the book the pace picks up and the ending is surprising, so that the book quickly turns into a compulsive read.
The novel ends with an epilogue to entice the reader to read the next in the series, and hints at things to come... I am looking forward to finding out what happens next.

I recommend this book to all who want an exciting, easy reading book, and one of good moral content (which is hard to find now days)! I cannot tell you the different times while I was reading Chasing Memories, that I was brought me to tears. Putting myself in Laura's place, I found myself crying and thanking God that I am able to remember my darling husband, my children and all of my beautiful grandchildren! For being able to recall my precious parents and Grandparents who had a great influence in my life and all of the friends in I have now and past. I am not through with it yet but I assure you that this is a gem of a book for anyone who loves good, wholesome, family reading! V.K.S.

Alot of inspiration has gone into this book which centers around every day living, working on overcoming problems and attitudes. The author has a very humble quality to this book and I recommend it to other readers.

I am pleasantly surprised after reading Chasing Memories, by Cindy Bauer. Born in Iowa, Cindy now resides in Missouri with her husband. She thanks her husband, Robert, and sister, Debra for their continued support. Chasing Memories is her first title.
The book is supposedly the first in a trilogy and takes place in a small town called Hampton in Missouri. The book opens with a prologue and closes with an epilogue of Laura in her elder years. The storyline follows Laura Thompson, a thirty year old widow, through some very difficult times in her life. Just when Laura and her daughter, Annie were moving on after the death of Steven, another tragedy is thrown at them when a freak accident causes Laura to lose her memory. With the help of her friends, Susan and Mildred, Laura attempts to regain control of a life she doesn't remember, and restore normalcy to her daughter.
That I am aware of, the second book in this trilogy, Shades of Blue, follows Laura's friend, Susan shortly after Chasing Memories ends. I am unclear where the third books goes, but after reading the epilogue, I'm hoping it's back to Laura and the budding relationship with Dr. MacKenzie, or following her daughter, Annie after she's grown.
It is my understanding that the author is seeking a new publisher for this book and is working on a re-write, so the very few minor criticisms I have might be moot. I found a few errors in the editing process. Overall, there were few, and it did not distract me or discourage me from reading. The first few chapters seemed a bit methodical in a way that we were just obtaining day-to-day rituals and not necessarily knowing inner feelings or personality of the characters. This quickly dissolved around the fourth chapter.
Aside from that, I found this to be an enjoyable and bittersweet read. Cindy Bauer was able to extract characters on paper and into our hearts. One tragedy after another, there were no dead spots and, I am amazed at how emotional I was at times while reading. She was able to relay the despair of losing a husband, the uncertainties of parenthood, the necessity of friendship, the fear of amnesia, and the power of faith and prayer. I am very much looking forward to the other 2 books in this trilogy. Cindy Bauer is a true gem in the inspirational fiction genre, and I see nothing but great things for her writing career.

Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer

"I spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon and evening enjoying a great read. The story, while a little sad, did show that even when life deals you a bad hand, you can overcome the obstacles and make the most of it. I especially liked the descriptive prose of each chapter. I could see the snow falling, smell the pine of the Christmas tree, and feel the warmth of the characters."