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Beneath the Broken Oak
Trees don’t heal. They seal.
But Forester Jodee Trevaine isn’t a tree. The wounds of abandonment she’s spent years denying will be ripped open the night she witnesses a child’s abduction.
The hardscrabble West Texas town of El Hueso, where keeping secrets is what keeps you alive, is the last place one would expect to find healing.
Until her job brings her there for a dying tree.
With new friends and the unexpected reacquaintance with the man she loved and left, Jodee has everything to gain—and just as much to lose—as she races against time to rescue the boy.
Could it be that her roots go deeper than she realized into the soil of EL Hueso?
But Forester Jodee Trevaine isn’t a tree. The wounds of abandonment she’s spent years denying will be ripped open the night she witnesses a child’s abduction.
The hardscrabble West Texas town of El Hueso, where keeping secrets is what keeps you alive, is the last place one would expect to find healing.
Until her job brings her there for a dying tree.
With new friends and the unexpected reacquaintance with the man she loved and left, Jodee has everything to gain—and just as much to lose—as she races against time to rescue the boy.
Could it be that her roots go deeper than she realized into the soil of EL Hueso?
- GenresChristian Fiction
340 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2025
About the author
Lori Altebaumer
11 books108 followersLori Altebaumer is a writer who only half-jokingly tells others she lives with one foot in a parallel universe. With her boots on the ground, head in the clouds, and heart in His hands, she is a wandering soul with a home-keeping heart in search of life’s truest adventures. Lori loves sharing the joys of living a Christ-centered life with others through her writing. Her first novel, A Firm Place to Stand, released in January 2020, and was a finalist for both the Selah and the Director’s Choice awards. In addition to being a regular contributor to Crossmap, The Word on Wednesday, and other online devotions, she blogs regularly from her website. Lori also serves on the leadership teams for both the Called to Change Women’s Prison Ministry team and Sacred Journey, an experience for women wanting to go deeper with God.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 17, 2025
History is important, especially when searching for the truth.
This book spans a century (or more), but each moment in time is essential for Jodee to discover the truth about her past. Not only Jodee but also Blue Sunday.
The novel alternates chapters between the past and the present. And even in the present, the point of view is from different characters, primarily Jodee and Blue. The author drops morsels of information throughout the chapters, and multiple times, I would gasp at the knowledge because it would change how I viewed the characters and the story. These tidbits also added depth and complexity to the story.
I had mixed feelings about Jodee. She does some things that aren't wise and puts herself in danger more times than she should have. However, she was doing it for the greater good, but that still didn't make her decisions wise. I also admired her struggle with faith and realized that perhaps there is more. There are even moments when she has help from a guardian angel; at least, that is how I choose to look at it. You hear stories of people who have help from a stranger who disappears but is there at a critical moment.
There are some humorous moments in this book as well. Blue and Jodee have some witty banter that made me smile. There is one that sticks in my mind, but I don't want to spoil it for you. I also thought the romance between Blue and Jodee had a steady pace, and it wasn't rushed for the book's sake. It allowed them to delve into their feelings for one another and how they could work through past issues to have a steady future.
There are some interesting turns of events for multiple characters that relate to their ancestry. Some good, some not so good, but all vital information needed to move forward.
Each chapter starts with a quote about trees. I found those to be appropriate to the story and noteworthy. I do love the statement that trees don't heal, they seal. It is a thought-provoking statement.
I enjoyed this novel and the history surrounding this impressive tree and the small town. We give this book 4 paws up.
This book spans a century (or more), but each moment in time is essential for Jodee to discover the truth about her past. Not only Jodee but also Blue Sunday.
The novel alternates chapters between the past and the present. And even in the present, the point of view is from different characters, primarily Jodee and Blue. The author drops morsels of information throughout the chapters, and multiple times, I would gasp at the knowledge because it would change how I viewed the characters and the story. These tidbits also added depth and complexity to the story.
I had mixed feelings about Jodee. She does some things that aren't wise and puts herself in danger more times than she should have. However, she was doing it for the greater good, but that still didn't make her decisions wise. I also admired her struggle with faith and realized that perhaps there is more. There are even moments when she has help from a guardian angel; at least, that is how I choose to look at it. You hear stories of people who have help from a stranger who disappears but is there at a critical moment.
There are some humorous moments in this book as well. Blue and Jodee have some witty banter that made me smile. There is one that sticks in my mind, but I don't want to spoil it for you. I also thought the romance between Blue and Jodee had a steady pace, and it wasn't rushed for the book's sake. It allowed them to delve into their feelings for one another and how they could work through past issues to have a steady future.
There are some interesting turns of events for multiple characters that relate to their ancestry. Some good, some not so good, but all vital information needed to move forward.
Each chapter starts with a quote about trees. I found those to be appropriate to the story and noteworthy. I do love the statement that trees don't heal, they seal. It is a thought-provoking statement.
I enjoyed this novel and the history surrounding this impressive tree and the small town. We give this book 4 paws up.
March 8, 2025
Beneath the Broken Oak is a heart-pounding journey that kept me on the edge of my seat for much of the book. From the very beginning, vivid descriptions pulled me into the action of the story. I listened tensely to the scrape of a shovel under a dark night sky, felt the sting of regret in a seedy truck stop parking lot, and endured the terror of a brutal attack.
As the author builds tension, she deftly introduces new characters into the fray, moving from viewpoint to viewpoint to reveal the full scope of the story. She puts her cast through their paces, especially the woman at the story’s center, Jodee Trevaine.
In addition, Altebaumer layers the story across two different timelines, carefully stitched like quilt pieces that are finally united at the climactic end. The dual timeline is reminiscent of Louis Sachar’s Holes, in which events at the same location earlier in history impact the present story.
There are glimpses of the mysterious—perhaps even the supernatural—men who show up to save characters from the brink of death, then disappear, and well-placed comments from strangers delivered at just the right moment. These elements kept me riveted to the story, searching intently for explanations.
The novel weaves faith and Christianity throughout with a light hand. Blue Sunday’s struggle to prove himself after newfound sobriety and Jodee’s struggle with her identity provide insight into their growing faith, and prayer factors into the lives of several characters.
The one critique I have of the novel is the author’s use of the congenital heart defect Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. As someone with WPW, I noted that some of the key details about the condition were incorrect. It is rarely hereditary, and it is only lethal for 0.5 percent of untreated patients. Regardless of these inconsistencies, as a necessary plot device, it worked well.
I highly recommend Beneath the Broken Oak, especially for readers who enjoy a well-written thriller without profanity or explicit content.
As the author builds tension, she deftly introduces new characters into the fray, moving from viewpoint to viewpoint to reveal the full scope of the story. She puts her cast through their paces, especially the woman at the story’s center, Jodee Trevaine.
In addition, Altebaumer layers the story across two different timelines, carefully stitched like quilt pieces that are finally united at the climactic end. The dual timeline is reminiscent of Louis Sachar’s Holes, in which events at the same location earlier in history impact the present story.
There are glimpses of the mysterious—perhaps even the supernatural—men who show up to save characters from the brink of death, then disappear, and well-placed comments from strangers delivered at just the right moment. These elements kept me riveted to the story, searching intently for explanations.
The novel weaves faith and Christianity throughout with a light hand. Blue Sunday’s struggle to prove himself after newfound sobriety and Jodee’s struggle with her identity provide insight into their growing faith, and prayer factors into the lives of several characters.
The one critique I have of the novel is the author’s use of the congenital heart defect Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. As someone with WPW, I noted that some of the key details about the condition were incorrect. It is rarely hereditary, and it is only lethal for 0.5 percent of untreated patients. Regardless of these inconsistencies, as a necessary plot device, it worked well.
I highly recommend Beneath the Broken Oak, especially for readers who enjoy a well-written thriller without profanity or explicit content.
March 12, 2025
Upon finishing BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK, readers can release the collective breath they didn’t know they were holding. As the stakes get higher, the action ramps up at a breakneck pace until at last, long-buried secrets are revealed in one a-ha moment after another.
BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK takes readers back and forth through dual timelines and multiple storylines that set-up mysteries, the missteps and mayhem behind them, and a huge cast of characters. I ended up jotting down notes to keep up with the three primary family trees and peripheral characters, and how they all relate. Super glad I did that in pencil. Ha! Given the big reveals, I understand why the author couldn’t include them for readers. (Wink-wink.)
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” ~Nelson Henderson
Author Lori Altebaumer starts each chapter of BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK with a tree-related quote (forty-nine in all), and each truly enriches the story. I cannot imagine how long it took the author to research and find these and would love to see them compiled as a companion collection to the book. The one above, attributed to a Canadian farmer named Nelson Henderson, seems to me to be a primary take-away message from BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK. It’s such a simple and logical concept, yet — as illustrated through the characters’ actions — extremely difficult for most to embrace.
“The engine coughed to life like an old smoker climbing out of bed in the morning.”
Fans of figurative language will be dazzled by not only the quantity of examples, but the quality of them. Beyond the symbolism of the oak tree, Altebaumer has a knack for using similes, metaphors, and personification to create evocative and memorable scenes and situations. The teacher in me could see assigning this book to high school students for a lesson on literary devices.
”Actions had consequences. Repenting of the actions didn’t take away the consequences.”
A thread of spirituality runs steadily throughout BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK, adding both subtle and not-so-subtle layers to the storylines. Altebaumer does a great job of keeping the faith element constant without being preachy. She keeps it realistic by not only describing the radiance that shines when a person embraces God’s love, but also the struggle to find Him in dark times and places. How main-character Jodee and her love interest Blue handled their faith journeys — the former being somewhat oblivious to having a journey, and the latter brimming with its life-changing impact — reinforced that finding one’s path to God is a most personal endeavor. But support certainly helps.
For me, the non-character support is my favorite element of BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK. There’s a white stone, a guiding voice, and a cowboy who help characters in need across both timelines. Readers are left to decide if these are manifestations of the mind in times of distress, supernatural forces at play, divine intervention, or maybe all three?
There are a few loose threads and some unexplained and unnecessary elements in the story, and there are a smattering of typos in the copy I read. But overall, I believe readers will enjoy the thought-provoking escape provided in BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK.
This full review and more special features can be found on Hall Ways Blog.
BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK takes readers back and forth through dual timelines and multiple storylines that set-up mysteries, the missteps and mayhem behind them, and a huge cast of characters. I ended up jotting down notes to keep up with the three primary family trees and peripheral characters, and how they all relate. Super glad I did that in pencil. Ha! Given the big reveals, I understand why the author couldn’t include them for readers. (Wink-wink.)
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” ~Nelson Henderson
Author Lori Altebaumer starts each chapter of BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK with a tree-related quote (forty-nine in all), and each truly enriches the story. I cannot imagine how long it took the author to research and find these and would love to see them compiled as a companion collection to the book. The one above, attributed to a Canadian farmer named Nelson Henderson, seems to me to be a primary take-away message from BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK. It’s such a simple and logical concept, yet — as illustrated through the characters’ actions — extremely difficult for most to embrace.
“The engine coughed to life like an old smoker climbing out of bed in the morning.”
Fans of figurative language will be dazzled by not only the quantity of examples, but the quality of them. Beyond the symbolism of the oak tree, Altebaumer has a knack for using similes, metaphors, and personification to create evocative and memorable scenes and situations. The teacher in me could see assigning this book to high school students for a lesson on literary devices.
”Actions had consequences. Repenting of the actions didn’t take away the consequences.”
A thread of spirituality runs steadily throughout BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK, adding both subtle and not-so-subtle layers to the storylines. Altebaumer does a great job of keeping the faith element constant without being preachy. She keeps it realistic by not only describing the radiance that shines when a person embraces God’s love, but also the struggle to find Him in dark times and places. How main-character Jodee and her love interest Blue handled their faith journeys — the former being somewhat oblivious to having a journey, and the latter brimming with its life-changing impact — reinforced that finding one’s path to God is a most personal endeavor. But support certainly helps.
For me, the non-character support is my favorite element of BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK. There’s a white stone, a guiding voice, and a cowboy who help characters in need across both timelines. Readers are left to decide if these are manifestations of the mind in times of distress, supernatural forces at play, divine intervention, or maybe all three?
There are a few loose threads and some unexplained and unnecessary elements in the story, and there are a smattering of typos in the copy I read. But overall, I believe readers will enjoy the thought-provoking escape provided in BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK.
This full review and more special features can be found on Hall Ways Blog.
March 16, 2025
A story with great heart.
This is anything but a simple story. So much happens, connecting characters in different ways that it’s like a tapestry of the many lives and events that intertwine and propel the plot.
The main thrust of the story focuses on Jodee as she attempts to sort out her life – at the same time that she’s trying to rescue a young boy who’s abducted from a truck stop. She’s also on a mission to save the ancient oak tree in the center of this small town, which is the job she was sent there to do.
The tree, and it’s roots, holds the various threads of the tapestry together as everything goes back to the tree. From what happened a century earlier to what occurs in present time, the tree is connected, sheltering the many secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the narrative. The revelations come at just the right time, and were often a delightful surprise, as in “I didn’t see that coming.”
The novel alternates chapters between past and present, and it’s easy for a reader to follow the changes and get more and more absorbed in the complicated history of the people and the place. The more I read, the more I saw how both timelines are still so solidly connected to that old tree, and role it plays in the horrible secret that drives the dark side of the town.
It’s true that the sins of the past never truly go away.
Jodee and Blue are wonderful characters, fully developed and likeable. There were times I questioned her impulse to jump into the fire, literally and figuratively, but I could understand the driving force behind her actions.
Maybe because she knows she can’t save the tree, she’s desperate to save the boy who disappeared? That’s just a sliver of a motivation I sensed as her deep desire to do good, even though she didn’t always feel good about herself – is so evident. She struggles to believe in herself – believe she is worthy of love – which complicates so much in her life, especially her relationship with Blue, which is complicated enough merely by their past history.
The resolution of the romantic dilemma doesn’t come easily. Nor does the resolution of the mystery. But when they come, it is with a great deal of what I call the heart of this story – faith in God, faith in the strength of relationships, and an abiding faith that good will always conquer evil.
I really enjoyed meeting the mysterious cowboy who shows up at crucial moments to pull Jodee out of whatever mess she’s gotten herself into. The cowboy, in full old-fashioned Western wear from Stetson to long, tan coat, is also instrumental in helping other characters, jumping the centuries, adding that perfect element of fantasy. If he’s an angel, he’s my kind of angel.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like a story with a complicated mystery, engaging characters, plenty of surprises, great descriptions, and a satisfying resolution.
This is anything but a simple story. So much happens, connecting characters in different ways that it’s like a tapestry of the many lives and events that intertwine and propel the plot.
The main thrust of the story focuses on Jodee as she attempts to sort out her life – at the same time that she’s trying to rescue a young boy who’s abducted from a truck stop. She’s also on a mission to save the ancient oak tree in the center of this small town, which is the job she was sent there to do.
The tree, and it’s roots, holds the various threads of the tapestry together as everything goes back to the tree. From what happened a century earlier to what occurs in present time, the tree is connected, sheltering the many secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the narrative. The revelations come at just the right time, and were often a delightful surprise, as in “I didn’t see that coming.”
The novel alternates chapters between past and present, and it’s easy for a reader to follow the changes and get more and more absorbed in the complicated history of the people and the place. The more I read, the more I saw how both timelines are still so solidly connected to that old tree, and role it plays in the horrible secret that drives the dark side of the town.
It’s true that the sins of the past never truly go away.
Jodee and Blue are wonderful characters, fully developed and likeable. There were times I questioned her impulse to jump into the fire, literally and figuratively, but I could understand the driving force behind her actions.
Maybe because she knows she can’t save the tree, she’s desperate to save the boy who disappeared? That’s just a sliver of a motivation I sensed as her deep desire to do good, even though she didn’t always feel good about herself – is so evident. She struggles to believe in herself – believe she is worthy of love – which complicates so much in her life, especially her relationship with Blue, which is complicated enough merely by their past history.
The resolution of the romantic dilemma doesn’t come easily. Nor does the resolution of the mystery. But when they come, it is with a great deal of what I call the heart of this story – faith in God, faith in the strength of relationships, and an abiding faith that good will always conquer evil.
I really enjoyed meeting the mysterious cowboy who shows up at crucial moments to pull Jodee out of whatever mess she’s gotten herself into. The cowboy, in full old-fashioned Western wear from Stetson to long, tan coat, is also instrumental in helping other characters, jumping the centuries, adding that perfect element of fantasy. If he’s an angel, he’s my kind of angel.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like a story with a complicated mystery, engaging characters, plenty of surprises, great descriptions, and a satisfying resolution.
March 6, 2025
Beneath the Broken Oak pulls the reader through the twisting branches of a generational tale of greed and deception, love and sacrifice. A child’s terrible act on the West Texas frontier cascades consequences down through three families until they detonate around Jodee Tremaine as she comes to the town of El Hueso—a town her mother told her never to enter.
Jodee comes to El Hueso to save a tree as part of her job with the forest service, but can’t make it three minutes into town before running into her old flame, Blue Sunday. Already reeling from her own personal battle, facing him brings all the old pain and insecurities to the surface. Little does she know, greater perils are just around the corner. Attacked and left with temporary amnesia from a head injury, Jodee finds herself entangled in mysteries and dangers she must struggle to understand.
Parallel to Jodee’s tale, we also meet Will Sunday, an orphan who is taken in by the kind Charidy family along with the two DeGroot brothers. The events surrounding a horrific night in 1858 will send shock waves through all three families. Will is the kind of person we all hope we can be, and his tale is equally compelling to the main action of the novel.
Altebaumer deftly weaves seemingly unrelated threads into a compelling tapestry that will have you racing through the pages. She finds a delicate balance between fully fleshed-out characters who either sneak their way into your heart or chill you to your marrow while keeping the action and mystery diving around unexpected turns. I appreciated her dedication to making sure that even minor characters were well crafted.
Each chapter begins with a quote regarding trees and roots, a motif skillfully pulled through both storylines with vivid imagery of this meticulously plotted novel. I cannot imagine the time and searching required to find such perfect quotes that either echoed or foretold the events unfolding in each chapter. One of my favorites: “Learn character from trees, values from roots, and change from leaves.” ~ Tasneem Hameed. So many layers in that one—it will stick with me for some time.
Beneath the Broken Oak is a compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and a gentle romance. The branches of two fascinating stories grow together in a fantastic adventure you don’t want to miss.
Jodee comes to El Hueso to save a tree as part of her job with the forest service, but can’t make it three minutes into town before running into her old flame, Blue Sunday. Already reeling from her own personal battle, facing him brings all the old pain and insecurities to the surface. Little does she know, greater perils are just around the corner. Attacked and left with temporary amnesia from a head injury, Jodee finds herself entangled in mysteries and dangers she must struggle to understand.
Parallel to Jodee’s tale, we also meet Will Sunday, an orphan who is taken in by the kind Charidy family along with the two DeGroot brothers. The events surrounding a horrific night in 1858 will send shock waves through all three families. Will is the kind of person we all hope we can be, and his tale is equally compelling to the main action of the novel.
Altebaumer deftly weaves seemingly unrelated threads into a compelling tapestry that will have you racing through the pages. She finds a delicate balance between fully fleshed-out characters who either sneak their way into your heart or chill you to your marrow while keeping the action and mystery diving around unexpected turns. I appreciated her dedication to making sure that even minor characters were well crafted.
Each chapter begins with a quote regarding trees and roots, a motif skillfully pulled through both storylines with vivid imagery of this meticulously plotted novel. I cannot imagine the time and searching required to find such perfect quotes that either echoed or foretold the events unfolding in each chapter. One of my favorites: “Learn character from trees, values from roots, and change from leaves.” ~ Tasneem Hameed. So many layers in that one—it will stick with me for some time.
Beneath the Broken Oak is a compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and a gentle romance. The branches of two fascinating stories grow together in a fantastic adventure you don’t want to miss.
March 16, 2025
When forester Jodee Trevaine travels to El Hueso in hopes of saving an old tree, she doesn’t expect to run into her old flame Blue Sunday. She also didn’t plan on stepping into a mess of trouble, but that’s what happens when she witnesses a young boy’s abduction. After the attack, she finds herself struggling to remember what happened, and she also finds herself struggling to keep Blue at a distance. Meanwhile, Blue has his own agenda, one that he’s trying to keep hidden from Jodee even as he hopes to draw closer to her.
The titular oak is more than just a tree. It carries secrets borne of a brutal act, an act that irrevocably connected the Charidy, DeGroot, and Sunday families. And like the rest of El Hueso, the tree gives up its secrets reluctantly.
Lori Altebaumer gives us an engaging dual timeline mystery, with clues that unfold and intertwine in chapters that alternate between past and present. There were moments that had me holding my breath, and moments that had me wanting to just shake either Jodee or Blue for putting themselves in a really tight spot. I understood why they did it – they both had powerful motivation to do the right thing. But there were some nail-biters!
The story also offers a pretty slow-burn romance, as Jodee is hesitant to believe Blue has changed. They both have some things to unpack if they want any future relationship to be successful, with Jodee in particular having to come to terms with her fears of abandonment. I love it when a relationship isn’t an insta-romance. Jodee and Blue’s reconnection developed at a pace where we could see their concerns and see how those were handled.
Faith underpins the story, but it’s not necessarily a picture-perfect faith of someone who Has It All Together. Jodee in particular wrestles with faith, wrestles with the idea that God cares about her or hears her. I really enjoyed the mysterious cowboy who appeared to serve as her guardian angel, her compass pointing her toward the right choice, and the fact that a certain scent seemed to alert her to his presence.
If you enjoy a twisty, compelling mystery that weaves through past and present, you’ll love Beneath the Broken Oak.
The titular oak is more than just a tree. It carries secrets borne of a brutal act, an act that irrevocably connected the Charidy, DeGroot, and Sunday families. And like the rest of El Hueso, the tree gives up its secrets reluctantly.
Lori Altebaumer gives us an engaging dual timeline mystery, with clues that unfold and intertwine in chapters that alternate between past and present. There were moments that had me holding my breath, and moments that had me wanting to just shake either Jodee or Blue for putting themselves in a really tight spot. I understood why they did it – they both had powerful motivation to do the right thing. But there were some nail-biters!
The story also offers a pretty slow-burn romance, as Jodee is hesitant to believe Blue has changed. They both have some things to unpack if they want any future relationship to be successful, with Jodee in particular having to come to terms with her fears of abandonment. I love it when a relationship isn’t an insta-romance. Jodee and Blue’s reconnection developed at a pace where we could see their concerns and see how those were handled.
Faith underpins the story, but it’s not necessarily a picture-perfect faith of someone who Has It All Together. Jodee in particular wrestles with faith, wrestles with the idea that God cares about her or hears her. I really enjoyed the mysterious cowboy who appeared to serve as her guardian angel, her compass pointing her toward the right choice, and the fact that a certain scent seemed to alert her to his presence.
If you enjoy a twisty, compelling mystery that weaves through past and present, you’ll love Beneath the Broken Oak.
February 19, 2025
Was it fate that brought Jodee Trevaine and Blue Sunday to the same truck stop? Blue is a blast from her past, and not a good one. He brings back troubling memories and stirs old feelings. Once she sends him on his way, she witnesses the kidnapping of a young boy. Her attempts to intervene get her a nasty head wound and a trip to the emergency room.
As she tries to recover, Blue reenters her life, but he has his own agenda, one he tries to protect her from. But Jodee is nothing but stubborn and it’ll take more than Blue to stop her from doing what she thinks is right.
Beneath the Broken Oaks is an intriguing multi-layered mystery. A dual timeline sets up a twisty plot with roots deep in the past that ensnares the lives of the modern-day characters. Told in multiple POVs, this fast-paced mystery will suck you in. The setting is a creepy West Texas town, drowning in atmosphere. Jodee, a forester, finds herself revisiting her past, searching for herself and who she wants to be. Blue Sunday has made his peace with God and the world, but he still needs forgiveness from the woman he’s loved all his life. Together, they need to piece the clues that will lead to the missing boy, solve the mystery, and get them back on track.
With plenty of surprises, twists and turns, this page turner will keep you engaged. I admit I did not see the ending until late in the game. The book does have a Christian theme, but it complements rather than overpowers the plot and the cowboy clad guardian angel is a nice touch. The romantic elements, while an enjoyable addition, are not the driving force for the story.
All in all, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to readers who enjoy a good mystery.
As she tries to recover, Blue reenters her life, but he has his own agenda, one he tries to protect her from. But Jodee is nothing but stubborn and it’ll take more than Blue to stop her from doing what she thinks is right.
Beneath the Broken Oaks is an intriguing multi-layered mystery. A dual timeline sets up a twisty plot with roots deep in the past that ensnares the lives of the modern-day characters. Told in multiple POVs, this fast-paced mystery will suck you in. The setting is a creepy West Texas town, drowning in atmosphere. Jodee, a forester, finds herself revisiting her past, searching for herself and who she wants to be. Blue Sunday has made his peace with God and the world, but he still needs forgiveness from the woman he’s loved all his life. Together, they need to piece the clues that will lead to the missing boy, solve the mystery, and get them back on track.
With plenty of surprises, twists and turns, this page turner will keep you engaged. I admit I did not see the ending until late in the game. The book does have a Christian theme, but it complements rather than overpowers the plot and the cowboy clad guardian angel is a nice touch. The romantic elements, while an enjoyable addition, are not the driving force for the story.
All in all, I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to readers who enjoy a good mystery.
March 28, 2025
There’s a little bit of almost everything in Lori Altebaumer’s Beneath the Broken Oak. In this story of second chances and mystery, we see Jodee Trevaine come across an old flame, Blue Sunday, and almost immediately afterwards, be witness to the kidnapping of a young boy. The story is layered as we are shown two timelines, past and present, and the usage of multiple POVs also provides us with a thick story of intrigue and emotion.
I found Beneath the Broken Oak to be quite the page-turner. I didn’t see where the story was going, and I am always thankful for that in mystery and thriller stories. There was a theme of Christian fiction in this narrative, but I didn’t find that it deterred from the story itself. And although I am a romance-lover at heart, the romance we do get to in Broken Oak also does not deter from the tale. Forgiveness, surprises, and intrigue are ultimately what is at the core of this story.
All in all, I believe readers of mystery ficiton would truly enjoy this story; I know that I did.
I found Beneath the Broken Oak to be quite the page-turner. I didn’t see where the story was going, and I am always thankful for that in mystery and thriller stories. There was a theme of Christian fiction in this narrative, but I didn’t find that it deterred from the story itself. And although I am a romance-lover at heart, the romance we do get to in Broken Oak also does not deter from the tale. Forgiveness, surprises, and intrigue are ultimately what is at the core of this story.
All in all, I believe readers of mystery ficiton would truly enjoy this story; I know that I did.
April 25, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual-timeline mystery/suspense story. The main characters displayed heart and courage, making them easy to root for. I especially appreciated the heroine's drive to protect and save a little boy she didn't even know from danger, at the risk of her own peril.
The author did an excellent job weaving in a spiritual growth thread, while bringing both timelines together in the end to an unpredictable but sensible conclusion. I highly recommend this read!
The author did an excellent job weaving in a spiritual growth thread, while bringing both timelines together in the end to an unpredictable but sensible conclusion. I highly recommend this read!
March 13, 2025
Excitement and suspense from its adrenaline-inducing beginning to its surprising conclusion.
Beneath the Broken Oak by Lori Altebaumer is an exciting and suspense-filled story set in West Texas. It is told in dual timelines that will keep readers turning pages as fast as they can. Indeed, there were twists in the plot that had me gasping out loud!
The story’s main protagonist, Jodee Trevaine, is with the Texas A&M Forest Service and is in the small town of El Hueso to check out an ancient live oak, which, if trees could talk, could definitely tell a tale. A simple restroom break at a truck stop proves to be a life-changing event for more than one reason, including a chance encounter with a man from her past, a child’s abduction, and a vicious attack.The plot unfolds in dual timelines and from multiple points of view, each with their own storylines of building suspense and secrets. But perhaps my favorite aspect of the book was the mysterious, other-worldly cowboy who makes timely appearances just when he’s needed the most.
However, it is the author’s writing style that really made this book special for me. Her use of language made for compelling reading, with vivid descriptions that piqued my interest in what she was saying beyond the gripping tale, as well as tantalizing foreshadowing of what was yet to come in the story itself. I couldn’t put this book down, wanting to see what would come next and next and next.I recommend BENEATH THE BROKEN OAK to readers of Christian fiction, mystery, and suspense.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
June 5, 2025
A wonderful dual time story through. The characters are well written into the story. It is a book worth reading more than once.
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