The Years In Between: The Miriam Chronicles, Book Two

by Anthea T. Piscarik

Fourteen-year-old Lori Hopkins, an only child, loses her parents to a devastating storm while she sleeps soundly in a fallout shelter. Lori’s sudden loss of family leads to a life in harm's way as an acclaimed photojournalist to test out her own fate and
destiny. Through her camera’s lens, she witnesses historic milestones in the United States and world stage that haunt her already damaged psyche. A series of adventures and misadventures follow her to the cultural cities of Europe, the jungles of Vietnam, the bustle of New York City, and Boston, and finally home in the wide plains of Texas. Lori’s personal relationships, a patchwork of disappointments and triumphs, shape her paramount journey to the truth.

404 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2022

Reviews

[Peggy Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Author did a great job on this book from the 50s and 60s and up until 2019. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and remember it all from Kennedy's Assassination to the Vietnam War. It was like a trip down Memory Lane. I highly recommend this book.

[Tanya Dreke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

I won a digital copy of this beautifully written book through Goodreads giveaways. It definitely reflects real-life and the challenges that come with it. Thank you!

[Maria Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the nostalgic and historical references in this novel wrapped around compelling stories with rich characterizations. It was engaging from beginning to end and I look forward to more books in this series.

[Susan Brassfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Stunning Tapestry of Loss, Resilience, and the Human Spirit

The Years In Between: The Miriam Chronicles is a hauntingly beautiful story that stays with you long after the final page. Anthea Piscarik introduces us to Lori Hopkins, a fourteen-year-old girl whose world is shattered in the most unimaginable way losing her parents in a devastating storm while tucked away in a fallout shelter. What follows is a breathtaking journey of survival, purpose, and rediscovery.

Lori’s transformation from a grieving teenager to a daring photojournalist felt authentic and earned. Through her lens, we’re taken on a whirlwind tour of global and personal events each one leaving a deeper mark on her psyche. Piscarik’s writing is lyrical, emotionally charged, and deeply immersive. The vivid descriptions of war-torn Vietnam, vibrant European cities, and the quiet resilience of the Texas plains bring each chapter to life.

This is not just historical fiction it’s a story of what it means to live in the aftermath of loss, to chase meaning in chaos, and to ultimately come home to yourself. I was moved to tears more than once, and Lori’s story reminded me of the fragility and strength of the human heart.

If you loved The Book Thief or All the Light We Cannot See, you’ll want to add this to your shelf. A profound and powerful read.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was interested in this book when I first started reading it, but it is way too long.
I skipped over parts and read the last chapter.
Thanks to Goodreads for the kindle copy.