I will freely admit that I picked up this book because it is set in Iowa and written by an author from Iowa. It was well worth picking up as a touching look at grief, war, love, and hope affect us and those around us.

Full review: https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-n-k-holt-missing-peace/ ( )

I was not sure what to expect with this book. But the Iraq connection put it on my radar. Now that I have finished it, I am speechless over its powerfully emotional message.

This is a book about war, about redemption, about peace, about love, about heartbreak, about faith, about family. Above all, about family. This was an emotional journey for me - I cried, I cheered, I loved.

US Army Specialist John McKay is given an unusual rosary by a mysterious beggar man in Iraq. He sends it to his sister Janey back home in Iowa. Neither of them is aware of the role this rosary plays in a prophecy. I don’t want to give anything away, but I can say that a radical extremist is obsessed with the rosary and will stop at nothing – NOTHING – to get the rosary back.

If you enjoy the complexity of Kate Morton’s novels, this is a book for you. At 432 pages, it held my attention from start to finish. Holt’s timing throughout the book was superb, allowing me to breathe a bit before once again having me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath in suspense.

There is a delightful romance between John’s baby sister Janey and his best friend and fellow soldier Layton. I delighted in their tenderness and his gentlemanly treatment of her. All the characters are memorable, and through the descriptions of their raw emotions, I felt a true connection to them.

Beautifully written. I highly, highly recommend this book for a thought-provoking, inspirational read.

A beautiful quote near the end: “We find each other in the missing pieces of ourselves. God is in those pieces.” ( )

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Missing Peace is a work of fiction in the personal drama, religious and emotive sub-genres of writing, and was penned by author N. K. Holt. Taking us deep into the hearts and minds of its protagonists, this bittersweet tale speaks of the power of overcoming grief, facing terror head-on, and trying to keep the faith when everything around is collapsing. The protagonist is Janey McKay, who receives a mysterious rosary from her brother John, serving in Iraq. What follows is a plot with sharp, painful twists, but an everlasting thread of hope that Janey can find peace as time goes on.

Author N. K. Holt has crafted a powerfully emotive story that will be sure to please fans of uplifting personal drama, but also those who want to see real struggle and deep hardship in their dramas. The narrative voice gives us a close insight into Janey as a character, and the speech and thought presentation is well crafted as we sit on her shoulder and feel every heartbreaking moment of her personal journey. The plot of the novel really centers around the characters and their emotions, but the wider terror plot does produce some very poignant and exciting action moments to ramp up the tension. What results is an accomplished novel with plenty of highs and lows, and excellent realistic dialogue which keeps the characters and their feelings grounded. Overall, I would highly recommend Missing Peace to all drama fans, especially those who believe in hope, faith, and family.

SOURCE: https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/missing-peace ( )