The Salt Garden

by Cindy Martinusen Coloma, Cindy McCormick Martinusen

Three women's lives converge around the century-old mystery of a shipwreck. There's Sophia, a reclusive author who retreated from the world after a tragic loss, Claire, a young journalist who's reluctantly returned to her home town, and Josephine, a passenger from the ill-fated ship.

As they discover the truth about lost love and buried secrets, each woman finds hope, healing, and strength to face the future.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Mystery

314 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

About the author

Cindy Coloma is a national bestselling author who has written twelve novels, including: Beautiful (2010 Christy Award finalist for Young Adults and 2011 Revolve Young Adult Tour featured book); The Salt Garden (one of Library Journal's best genre books in 2004); Song of the Brokenhearted (2013 ECPA bestseller with coauthor Sheila Walsh); Orchid House (2008 ECPA bestseller); and Winter Passing (2001 Christy Award finalist and Romantic Times Top Pick).


Cindy has collaborated on fiction projects with bestselling author, singer, and speaker Sheila Walsh, and as a ghostwriter with a former federal prosecutor and national TV legal-news analyst.


Her nonfiction projects include collaborations on memoirs such as The Waiting (May 2014, Tyndale Momentum) and It's a Wild Life: How My Life Became a Zoo(June 2014, Medallion Press), a book about an exotic animal zoo in Michigan and the Nat Geo Wild television program. Cindy developed and wrote the nonfiction book Renting Lacy: A Story of America's Prostituted Children (coauthored with former Congresswoman Linda Smith) and has also written over one hundred published articles.


Cindy is a speaker, book doctor, and writing coach. Her writing coach clients have included both aspiring and professional writers. She tailors her programs to meet their individual needs and goals.


She's spoken at such events and conferences as the World Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany; Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference; Simpson University Faculty Retreat; LittWorld in Tagaytay, Philippines; and many others. In her local area, she has co-led a writer's group for seventeen years.


With five children ranging in age from their early twenties to a baby boy, Cindy's life is always full of laughter, joy, and toys to trip over. She can't own enough books or watch enough movies, has more travel dreams than possible for a human (including underwater and outer-space itineraries), but loves home best of all. She and her extended family have lived in the Redding, California area for over thirty-five years. a with her husband and four children

Reviews

[Keiki Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would you desire to peer inside the mind and thoughts of a godly woman? Interested in reading a fictional story of how godly women react to the various events of their lives?

The Salt Garden by Cindy Martinusen is adventure into the minds of three women from the small town of Harper’s Bay and the providential events centering around the discovery the journal from a shipwreck survivor.

Presented in 1st person narrative, reading this book is like sitting along with these women and watching their lives unfold before you. Memories of the past, thoughts of the present, and the ever changing plans for the future are all found in this novel.

There is Sophia…
The reclusive novelist and prayer warrior with the adventurous thoughts that fill notebook after notebook of fictional stories that may never be published. Reading of her thoughts and recounting the memories of her life reminding me of the character Wendy in the novel Peter Pan. Sophia is defined in this novel with this comment “Contemplation has been my companion.”

There is Jospehine…
The romantic, enduring, steadfast wife of the shipbuilder. A shipwreck survivor, it is Josephine’s journal Sophia discovers during a oceanside walk. Her papers, donated after her death to the local historical society, spark media interest to seek more answers to what really happened the night the ‘Josephine’ sank. Reading from her jounal thoughts sparks devotion, strength and empathy. Josephine is defined in this novel with this comment “I would have followed him anywhere“.

There is Claire…
The young news reporter that suffers a comical string of providential events that prevent her from leaving the small town and pursuing her politically correct ambitions and goals. Accepting of these events and starting over after coming home, Claire finds that she is not as reluctant to stay as she once was. Her faith develops in this story as she begins again at home, finding a reunited family, a genuine friend and a love interest through it all. Claire is defined in this novel with the comment “I didn’t want to be here“.

I truly enjoyed Cindy Martinusen’s writing style. Beautiful landscape descriptions, authentic dialogue, and true struggles make this a novel well worth the time spe

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've found a new favorite author! I so enjoyed this novel - a gentle mystery full of beautiful imagery and quiet wisdom (love a well-written Christian novel where the author does not feel a need to preach at you!)

"I know I have this judgmental side that I'm often fighting against. But today I recognized the depths of my assumptions about people. What I envision is nothing remotely similar to the reality. Humility hurts. Coming home is disturbing."

"I think of how sometimes God puts people together, maybe more often that we realize. We can disregard it, lie to ourselves... I've been afraid of it. There is something fearful in revealing our true selves, allowing others to peer intimately inside. It takes such trust, and none of us are completely trustworthy."

"What comes from sorrow, watered by tears, grows something of beauty. A salt garden. And so this I leave behind. A harvest for those who find their way into my life and I into theirs."

[Carole Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Cindy Martinusen's style, her descriptions and flow of words, made me want to keep reading and not put it down. The past is centered on the life of Josephine, through her diary telling of the tragic loss of her husband in a shipwreck and his ultimate betrayal. Present day author, Sophia Fleming, lives a reclusive life and becomes fascinated by the century old shipwreck which happened near her coastal cottage. Claire is the young journalist whose return to her hometown brings her close to the lives of both women, one of the past, the other in the present. All three women are strengthened by their faith in God, which sees them through difficult times. Cindy Martinusen's style is similar in tone, and equally well written, as secular writers Susanna Kearsley and Kate Morton.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three women's lives converge around the century old mystery of a shipwreck. Sophia, a reclusive author who retreated from the world after a tragic loss. Claire, a young jounalist who reluctantly returned to her home town, and Josephine, a passenger from the ill-fated ship. As they discover the truth about lost love and buried secrets, each woman finds hope, healing and strength to face the future.

[Carmen Liffengren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mysterious shipwreck, a reclusive writer and a lighthouse all make for a promising read, but the characters are so dull and flat that by the time the mystery surrounding the shipwreck is solved, the reader just won't care anymore.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in fits and snatches between advanced reader copies of books I'd committed to review. This book deserved better. It deserved a long snowy or rainy weekend, or a vacation retreat. It deserved cuddling up with a favorite hot beverage and the quilt your grandma made. I love it when I discover such treasure that has been on my bookshelf just waiting to be discovered.
I was in the last chapter when I mentioned to my husband that I still had not discovered how this book got its title, then there it was on the very last page, and a more perfect title there couldn't have been. “What comes from sorrow, watered by tears, grows something of beauty. A salt garden.” The reader of course must then stop and reminisce about their own salt gardens, the ones so tenderly nurtured. That being said, please don't let me leave you with the idea that this story is characterized by sorrow. No indeed! It is characterized by beauty: the beauty of three stories melded together, the beauty of the lives of three women from three different times but in one place held in common, and the beauty of the author's words. It was the beauty of the language that caused me to want to dwell in this book rather than be satisfied with brief visits.
Josephine Vanderook was rescued following a shipwreck in 1905. She washed up on the shore of Orion Point. Many aboard that ship were not so fortunate among them her husband, the ship's builder. The cause of the shipwreck would remain a mystery for almost a century. Reclusive writer, Sophia Fleming had lived on Orion Point since she was a small girl, only she and her childhood friend, Ben, remained. Ben was her only connection between her and the outside world of the nearby community of Harper's Bay. Having fled from New York society following a tragedy that personally was of epic proportions, Sophia had found it more and more difficult to reenter society of any type. Claire O'Rourke, a budding journalist, gets stranded after a trip home to Harper's Bay, then finds herself tethered there by unexpected circumstances. The lives of these three women become entangled, and through her connection to the others, Sophia discovers the opportunity to once again grasp hold of life, but is she strong enough and determined enough to seize that opportunity?
I encourage those who like to read books that do more than entertain to spend some time in this one. I hope that your own salt gardens have become a thing of beauty.

[Marie Carmean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books (and there have been quite a few) that I would love to give 3 1/2 stars. It hovers somewhere between "I liked it" and "I really liked it." The story was really interesting and at times it carried me along, anxious to see what would happen next. I really enjoyed the character development and the underlying backstories. It was very different from what I usually read, and was a Christian novel which was somewhat refreshing. One of the criticisms I might have is that ALL of the main characters were Christians, and that does not often happen in any situation in life. It's just too unrealistic. Sophia is wonderful as the tortured reclusive novelist, with only Ben her longtime friend, as her connection with the outside world. Claire was also well written, with her "coming home from the big city" stresses and her eventual connection with Sophia. But I did not care for Claire's brother's story which brought an element of unrealism to the tale. Then there is Josephine and her great shipwreck tragedy that weaves through it all. Her voice comes to them from the past through a journal and eventually in other ways. It is her losses, and her sad story that finally ties all together.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of three women's lives and how they are connected in some way. It is divided into chapters with each about one of the ladies. First, we have Josephine Vanderook who escaped a tragic century old shipwreck and hers is told in her diary. Next is Sophia Fleming who was a top selling author but is now a recluse living on Orion Point and only sees Ben who lives in the lighthouse. Finally, is Claire who begins working for the local paper and her family. Each woman finds hope, healing, and strength to face the future in their lives.

[Alyssa Bramante · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was one that I picked up and didn't want to put down... not because it was so thrilling and intriguing, but it was so inviting. I loved how she developed the story and characters and felt like the storyline was unique. The only reason it isn't a 5 star for me is that the ending felt like it was missing something, or maybe it was shorter than I would have liked? I'm not sure, but I really enjoyed this book overall.

[Teresa May · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book gives us the story of 3 different women. Had it stuck to just their stories it may have held my attention better. There's a lot, too much that happens on the side of the main 3 plot lines. I wanted more resolution to a few of the things that happened.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written story with beautiful prose, many theological questions and ponderings, and a shipwreck mystery that is solved satisfactorily.

[Barb Ratcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even that goes back-and-forth between the characters I still enjoyed the book. It has some twists and turns.

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by this author, and I really enjoyed this one. It is a deep involved story of three different generations of women and how their lives are entwined. Very well-developed story and characters. i will definitely read more from this author.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I identified this story as a mystery because answers are being sought about recent and historic events, but it's not a murder mystery like that identification might suggest. This is a sweet story, but not too sugary about a woman relunctantly returning to her hometown. A second story is about a recluse and her slowly evolving decision to move back into the world a little. The two stories become intertwined in a nice and believeable way. Don't expect high drama, but if you want a simple story for a rainy day afternoon, I recommend this one.

[Maegan Roper · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like multiple story lines progressing at once, you'll enjoy this book! Each character has their own life stage dilemma to overcome, all the while, their paths are crossing without even realizing it. It's definately a book you'll want to read in one day b/c the plot thickens quickly!

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

A look back in time and forward in time for three women. It was a good story, a little mystery, a little romance. It does have a nice ending, however, it doesn't tie things up as nicely as I would've preferred.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved all of this author's books. I like this story about the lives of three women who have lived different lives, years apart, and yet the author weaves their stories together. An inspiring book.

[Trish Boese · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* A slow-moving but thoughtful tale of a shipwreck and how it affects 3 women of different generations. At times I wanted to skip ahead because the reader is given clues very slowly throughout the book. In the end it was a well-written story that inspired me.

[Cookielover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't recommend it to a friend because my friends like books that grab your attention, make you become an emotional wreck, and then leave you with some kind of emotion. I like books like that too so this book didn't really work for me.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this was an okay story. It was a spiritual exploration of three women, representing past, present and future. The characters were interesting, but I found some of the plot way too predictable. Sometimes it was a little preachy, as this is Christian fiction.

[Ann Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the other Martinusin Coloma titles, experiencing The Salt Garden feels like standing in front of a Van Gogh in the British Museum or listening to the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra play Vivaldi. Beauty, emotion, joy, completion.

[Jessica Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very dramatic heart-touching book! The characters in this book had very close relationships with each other and It makes us realize that only some people will be in your lives for a short time.. Do not take the people in your life for granted...!! {:

[Pam]

08/10/08 purchase from books-a-million

[Kimberly Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book a little slower for me to read, but overall a nice read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the history of the shipwreck. I actually wanted to hear more about it. The story was slow in the beginning, but it eventually picked up.

[Stacy Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book and hope to find more by this author soon.

[Jennifer Braun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sad when this book ended.

[Jana Van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

My most favorite book ever! Tells the story of how three women's lives are woven together even though they didn't all live at the same time.

[Maria Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Character development wonderful. A sensitive and revealing look into womens hearts.

[Kian Hattar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself is very interesting and works as a movie too, but for me at some points I lost some interest, maybe it was so predictable or slow. don't know.