Far Side of the Sea

When does a promise become a curse?

Bound by a secret and a promise, Danny and Rachel Martens immigrate to America from China via Germany in 1952. They settle into life in Oregon, and Danny’s business flourishes. But memories and flashbacks from the Korean War plague his dreams.

Their daughter, Diana, grows up restless and willful. The undeniable love of family and friends eases her troubles, but she is unwilling to give in to God’s persistent tug on her life.

Diana’s unquenchable curiosity aggravates an already challenging journey. She travels to Austria for Bible college in 1970 and searches for her roots in her birth city of Berlin, where she discovers more than she bargained for. Why have her parents lied about her true identity all these years? Will this new revelation change the course of her life and alienate her from those she loves? And when does a promise become a curse?

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About the Book

In Search of Freedom culminates with the settling of the Martens and Giesinger families in the USA. But all is not well. Danny and Rachel’s daughter, Diana, is determined to learn more about her roots. She travels to Germany to retrace the steps her family took from there to the States, and to learn what they refuse to tell her.

This story has been a puzzle to put together, but I believe it gives the series a satisfying conclusion. And I really did love living in the 70s again for a few chapters!

Details

Author: Janice L. Dick
Series: In Search of Freedom, Book 3
Genres: Historical Fiction, Inspirational
Publisher: Tansy & Thistle Press
Publication Year: 2019
Format: Paperback, e-book
Length: 337 pages, 936 KB
ASIN: 0995031983
ISBN: 9780995031982
Rating:

Endorsements

In Far Side of the Sea, Janice Dick's third novel in her series In Search of Freedom, she carries us out of the chaos and despair that these families have lived with over the course of their lifetimes...through horrendous, life-crushing circumstances and now into a life of relative comfort. Janice has done a brilliant job of telling an amazing story of faith, love and endurance. Through colorful description and engaging dialogue, we have been immersed in the lives of these families...an exciting and absorbing journey.

– Dee Robertson, retired educator, administrator, traveler and writer

In her latest book, Far Side of the Sea, author Janice L. Dick makes fine use of her considerable gift of seamlessly weaving history and faith into the lives of characters that she makes us care deeply about. I learned some things historically and felt strongly engaged in the characters' faith journeys. Her writing reminds me of Janette Oke's, with its clean, honest and heartfelt style. Because her love for her characters and her sympathy for their circumstances shines through, the reader is able to go along on their journey.

– Donna Gartshore, author

Far Side of the Sea is book 3 in the In Search of Freedom trilogy, beginning in 1951 and spanning 40 years to bring this multi-generational family saga to a satisfying conclusion. I appreciate the characters, especially Rachel and Luise. Despite their many hardships, these two women live a sincere faith. They don’t deny the pain, but they choose to let it press them closer to their Saviour. Danny carries trauma he won’t share with them, and in his anger at God he bears it alone. With this novel, we move from a foreign setting to the western US, and from the 1950s (which are still in the historical genre) to 1990, which is recent enough for me to remember. Readers with longer memories will enjoy recognizing nods to their past. While you could enjoy this novel as a stand-alone, I recommend beginning with book 1, Other Side of the River. Take time to savour the Martens family’s full experience. As difficult as parts of their journey are, there are also moments of laughter. And some well-turned phrases.

– Janet Sketchley, author

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Other Books in "In Search of Freedom"

Other Side of the River

In a Foreign Land

Preview

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