Cindy Bauer Books
Inspirational, Mystery & Suspense
Literary Reviews
"I am pleasantly surprised after reading Chasing Memories, by Cindy Bauer. Born in
The book is supposedly the first in a trilogy and takes place in a small town called
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 its 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." -- Bookpleasures.com
"Chasing Memories is a story about Laura Thompson, a woman whose husband has died. While shoveling snow for her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Parker, Laura gets hit by a car. Her leg is broken, but the worst part is that she suffered a concussion, and now can remember nothing. She can't remember her name, her town, what day it is, anything! She even forgot that she had a husband and daughter! Slowly, with the help of her daughter's baby-sitter, Susan, Laura begins to gain a few memories back. Then one day, Laura comes home with her daughter, Annie, only to find that part of her house is on fire! Annie runs inside, grabbing a memory box for her mother, and Laura runs in after her, pulling her out of the fire. Laura, Annie, and Susan all have to learn how to trust God, no matter the consequences, in this wonderful book by Cindy Bauer." -- Crosswayz Books
FIVE STAR REVIEW
"Laura had an ideal life. She had a great husband and had been blessed with an adorable daughter, Annie. Life was good, until a drunk driver tragically ended Steven's life, leaving his wife and child alone. Laura was grief stricken, acting more on basic instinct, until her daughter's comforting words brought her back to life.
They struggled to make ends meet, even with Laura's job at Hensen's department store, the money was tight, but Annie always had what she needed.
With her parent's living in Georgia, Laura had few people she felt close to. Susan was her best friend, taking care of Annie while Laura worked, and Laura was also quite fond of her elderly neighbors, the Parkers. When Mr. Parker had a stroke, Laura watched over his wife, but her good deed met with a terrible ending, when a sliding car knocked her off her feet. Miraculously, Laura had only broken her leg, but she'd also lost her memory, neither recognizing her friends, her family, or her child.
During Laura's hospital stay, Susan stepped in and took care of Annie. It was a difficult situation, especially since her best friend couldn't remember either her or Annie, and Susan needed a diversion to take Annie's mind from her mother's troubles, suggesting they start decorating for the Christmas season. Excitedly, Annie and Susan prepared the surprise for Laura's homecoming, and though Laura was impressed with their efforts, she felt out of place facing her previous life.
Weeks past, and though disturbing visions had come to her dreams, it seemed that Laura was no closer to remembering things than she'd been that first day, no matter how much she tried. She mostly faked her way through each day; until life became an acceptable routine, but it seemed that her troubles weren't yet over when her home caught on fire.
Chasing Memories is a heart-touching story, with a bittersweet conclusion.
This is a touching storyline. I read with anticipation, hoping for a happy finale, but I was left with the feeling of melancholy. Cindy Bauer writes well, creating believable story lines and likable characters. I enjoyed this read quite a bit, and I admired Laura's strength, despite the hard knocks. Great Read!" -- Ghostwriter Reviews
THREE BEACON REVIEW
"Amnesiac, Laura Thompson, thought the worse crisis that could ever happen to her was losing her memories of her marriage and the birth of her six year-old daughter. But she was wrong. Her life deals her one emotional crisis after another when she struggles to reestablish just who she was.
She learns that her husband is dead, that she lives alone in a small house with her young daughter, and that Christmas is just around the corner. She doesn't remember the car that ran her down and broke her leg as she shoveled snow from her neighbor's walk, or the strong young woman who takes over the directing of her daily life.
Recapturing her illusive identity doesn't come easy, even with the constant love and support from her neighbors, friends, her employer, and family members. Her faith is sorely tested! Again and again she must learn to trust strangers who want to tell her what to do. In spite of her life's traumas she and her young daughter discover that life is a continuous process filled with new opportunities to begin afresh.
This Inspirational story of Laura's brave struggle to become her own person, leans heavily upon her relationships with the people who love her, and the supportive members of her community church. A Good Read!" -- Lighthouse Literary Reviews
Amazon Reviews
"'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." -- 4 Stars! -- Maria Savva (Hertfordshire)
"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!" -- 5 Stars! -- V.K.Sansone (Midwest)
"A lot 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." -- 5 Stars! - Cindy J. Greever, Washington State USA
"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." 4 Stars! -- Karen L. Petty,
"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." 4 Stars! -Kay White Miles,
"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 was glad that somewhere in her subconscious, 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." 5 Stars! -- Karen Mills,
What others are saying...
"This is a wonderful story, very heart touching. I like how you carefully describe each scene. It makes me, the reader feel as if I'm actually there. I could visualize every scene. The flow is smooth. It is easy reading...easy to follow what is taking place step by step.
This is surely a story of tragedy, a bond between two friends and a strong desire to want to move forward. Although all these obstacles were thrown before her, and through her frustrations, perhaps, bitterness at times and the willingness to accept the things she cannot change and work with what she got was a real touching message for me as well.
I loved the story tremendously. Very articulated, well thought out story line, well written and an ethical and moral story for all who has a forgotten memory. I'm happy the story ended the way it did and not the way I had anticipated. This makes the story feel real. I'm saying "bring on the next one"...Shades of Blue. Your book could make a LIFETIME movie." -- Alice Grant - Author
"I first saw in the Assumption newsletter about your book. I had our library order it. It's great. Can't wait to read your next book!" -- Diana Smith,
"I found this book hard to put down. I found myself relating to the main character, Laura. The house fire and incidents following were very realistic. I can't wait to read the second book in this trilogy." -- Rebecca Albin,
"I started reading it and couldn't put it down. It had me on the edge of my seat. I have to know what happens next and can't wait for the next book to come out!" --
"Chasing Memories is wonderful! I couldn't put it down and I can't wait for the next one!" -- Darlene Dice,
