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The Lost Years
We may not control our circumstances, but we can control our choices...
WE ARE ALL COLLECTING MEMORIES; moments that stay with us, forever imprinted on our hearts and minds. We store these moments, letting them shape who we are and who we become. But what do we do with the unwanted memories; the ones that haunt us?
At thirty-two, Rainie Amburger has pushed everyone from her past aside to start a new life. She is finally dating someone who might be the one. Despite her past, she has created a life that allows her to be in control and surrounded by those she can trust at her Kentucky Farm Rescue and Sanctuary.
Estranged for years, Veronica Jorgenson never forgot her older sister Rainie. Her married life with Andrew is full of smiles and pleasantries. But Veronica is learning that smiles can be deceptive. After several odd events, she is beginning to wonder what Andrew may be hiding behind his jovial smile. What she is uncovering about the truth of her perfect-looking life places who she is and what she believes into question.
Nearly sixty, Sarah-Jayne has spent her life as a caretaker to her ailing husband. She sacrificed her dreams and any shred of dignity to care for a man who could never be bothered to properly care for himself. When her husband is involved in a fatal accident, despite having each gone their separate ways, the incident brings the mother and her two daughters to the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina. There, the three women are tested against their past and against their individual struggles. And there, with the backdrop of aquamarine waves, Rainie runs into her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Milo Rivers – someone she thought she left behind fourteen years ago.
The Lost Years is the story of the bond between sisters, of mothers and daughters and of finding the courage and strength to leave the past behind and welcome what lies ahead, even when it looks vastly different than what was expected. Ultimately, The Lost Years is a story of hope, love and connection in the face of fear and despair.
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
"Heartwarming. It is a story full of hope, love, connection, and strong women. I didn't want the book to end. Once again, Stacey Ritz weaves a rich and delightful story." - The Bookfast Club
"What fantastic read. This is a story full triumph and hope. I loved every character and found myself rooting for everyone in the story." - The Bookworms Book Club
"We are all faced with tragedies in our lives. Our stories however, are not based on these tragedies but in our response to each tragedy. This is exactly what Stacey Ritz proves with her newest novel, The Lost Years. The author pulls you in with her fabulous story telling and keeps you engaged through her emotional and heart-warming characters. You will not want to put the book down and may find yourself reading all night. This was a wonderful story of hope and re-connection." - Book Ends Book Club,
"My favorite part of The Lost Years was the underlying message that we are all in charge of our lives. I loved this book and will happily read more of Ritz's novels in the future." - Dayton Monthly Book Club
"I was intrigued from the beginning. I thought this may be just another beach read but I was wrong! What a fabulous story of hope and reconnecting with those you thought you may have lost forever. It gives everyone hope that maybe, if you are true to yourself, that happy endings aren't just for fairy tales." - The Lunch Bunch Book Club
WE ARE ALL COLLECTING MEMORIES; moments that stay with us, forever imprinted on our hearts and minds. We store these moments, letting them shape who we are and who we become. But what do we do with the unwanted memories; the ones that haunt us?
At thirty-two, Rainie Amburger has pushed everyone from her past aside to start a new life. She is finally dating someone who might be the one. Despite her past, she has created a life that allows her to be in control and surrounded by those she can trust at her Kentucky Farm Rescue and Sanctuary.
Estranged for years, Veronica Jorgenson never forgot her older sister Rainie. Her married life with Andrew is full of smiles and pleasantries. But Veronica is learning that smiles can be deceptive. After several odd events, she is beginning to wonder what Andrew may be hiding behind his jovial smile. What she is uncovering about the truth of her perfect-looking life places who she is and what she believes into question.
Nearly sixty, Sarah-Jayne has spent her life as a caretaker to her ailing husband. She sacrificed her dreams and any shred of dignity to care for a man who could never be bothered to properly care for himself. When her husband is involved in a fatal accident, despite having each gone their separate ways, the incident brings the mother and her two daughters to the beaches of Corolla, North Carolina. There, the three women are tested against their past and against their individual struggles. And there, with the backdrop of aquamarine waves, Rainie runs into her childhood best friend and high school sweetheart, Milo Rivers – someone she thought she left behind fourteen years ago.
The Lost Years is the story of the bond between sisters, of mothers and daughters and of finding the courage and strength to leave the past behind and welcome what lies ahead, even when it looks vastly different than what was expected. Ultimately, The Lost Years is a story of hope, love and connection in the face of fear and despair.
EDITORIAL REVIEW:
"Heartwarming. It is a story full of hope, love, connection, and strong women. I didn't want the book to end. Once again, Stacey Ritz weaves a rich and delightful story." - The Bookfast Club
"What fantastic read. This is a story full triumph and hope. I loved every character and found myself rooting for everyone in the story." - The Bookworms Book Club
"We are all faced with tragedies in our lives. Our stories however, are not based on these tragedies but in our response to each tragedy. This is exactly what Stacey Ritz proves with her newest novel, The Lost Years. The author pulls you in with her fabulous story telling and keeps you engaged through her emotional and heart-warming characters. You will not want to put the book down and may find yourself reading all night. This was a wonderful story of hope and re-connection." - Book Ends Book Club,
"My favorite part of The Lost Years was the underlying message that we are all in charge of our lives. I loved this book and will happily read more of Ritz's novels in the future." - Dayton Monthly Book Club
"I was intrigued from the beginning. I thought this may be just another beach read but I was wrong! What a fabulous story of hope and reconnecting with those you thought you may have lost forever. It gives everyone hope that maybe, if you are true to yourself, that happy endings aren't just for fairy tales." - The Lunch Bunch Book Club
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
16 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Ritz
25 books35 followersInspired by love and hope. Impassioned storyteller. Writer of books and poetry. Nature lover. Animal advocate. Lover of words. Captivated photographer. Believer in karma.
Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award-winning writer. She is a multiple time Muse Medallion winner and a proud alumna of The Op Ed Project’s Write to Change the World. Ritz's novels are beloved by readers worldwide. Her books have been published in more than three dozen countries including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Republic of South Africa, Belgium, India, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Australia.
With the keen ability to tap into authentic human emotions, Ritz's novels unearth the secrets and burdens that are harbored surrounding love, loss, betrayal, and hope. Her novels are emotional dramas that delve into the complexities of relationships, families, friendships, and secrets.
Animals are often incorporated in her stories, due to her extensive background in animal welfare and her love for all living creatures. Ritz’s books on animal welfare include the bestseller, Covered in Pet Fur (Rockville Publishing), which gained international interest as well as attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is a multiple time winner of the CWA’s CEVA Human Animal Bond award for writers. Ritz is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501c3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved 11,000 lives (and counting).
When Ritz isn’t reading or writing, she’s likely spending time with animals, family, in nature, or watching home renovation shows.
Find more @ staceyritzbooks.com
*Visit Stacey at staceyritzbooks.com & sign up to receive New Release email notifications!*
_______________________________________________
Ritz's books include:
FICTION:
Mainstream Fiction / Contemporary Drama / Women's Fiction
NON-FICTION:
Animal Welfare
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
POETRY:
Written under the name S.L. Ritz
Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award-winning writer. She is a multiple time Muse Medallion winner and a proud alumna of The Op Ed Project’s Write to Change the World. Ritz's novels are beloved by readers worldwide. Her books have been published in more than three dozen countries including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Republic of South Africa, Belgium, India, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Australia.
With the keen ability to tap into authentic human emotions, Ritz's novels unearth the secrets and burdens that are harbored surrounding love, loss, betrayal, and hope. Her novels are emotional dramas that delve into the complexities of relationships, families, friendships, and secrets.
Animals are often incorporated in her stories, due to her extensive background in animal welfare and her love for all living creatures. Ritz’s books on animal welfare include the bestseller, Covered in Pet Fur (Rockville Publishing), which gained international interest as well as attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is a multiple time winner of the CWA’s CEVA Human Animal Bond award for writers. Ritz is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501c3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved 11,000 lives (and counting).
When Ritz isn’t reading or writing, she’s likely spending time with animals, family, in nature, or watching home renovation shows.
Find more @ staceyritzbooks.com
*Visit Stacey at staceyritzbooks.com & sign up to receive New Release email notifications!*
_______________________________________________
Ritz's books include:
FICTION:
Mainstream Fiction / Contemporary Drama / Women's Fiction
NON-FICTION:
Animal Welfare
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
POETRY:
Written under the name S.L. Ritz
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 30, 2019
To date, this has been my *favorite* book to write. I loved the characters in The Lost Years and felt a strong connection to the story. Of course, I love anytime I can write a novel and bring in rescue animals, too! I also love writing stories of connection, hope and strong women. I hope you - the reader - enjoy reading the book as much as I loved writing it. Find more info on the book at: staceyritzbooks.com - Happy reading!
February 19, 2019
This book was a fun read and one I couldn't put down. The characters were relatable to me (the main protagonist loves books and animals) and the plot drew me in right away. I found myself rooting for the main character, Rainie, while simultaneously wanting to shake some sense into her. I enjoyed watching the characters develop and felt satisfied with the ending. This book would be the perfect summer read to enjoy by the pool or, if you are lucky enough, on a sandy beach. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that sparks hope and warms your heart.
February 20, 2019
The Lost Years by Stacey Ritz was a great book. I enjoyed Rainie’s story, along with the development of the family members and the flashbacks from current time to childhood. I would recommend this book. I thinks fans of Nicholas Sparks books would also enjoy this novel.
January 28, 2019
I loved this book. The character development was phenomenal and I fell in love with the three women protagonists. Excellent read, great story.
January 31, 2019
Loved, Loved, Loved this book!
June 24, 2020
Another great book by Stacey Ritz! It was a wonderful story about choices, family, and love. I loved how the story wove in stories of rescued animals. I loved the conversation with the author at the end of the book that told about her passion for rescuing animals and incorporated her own experience into the story. Great book!
March 15, 2019
Touching Read
I have to admit I couldn't put this book down, read it in one day. So many inspiring lines I hope I don't forget. Life is choices, good or bad. I absolutely loved the book and characters!
I have to admit I couldn't put this book down, read it in one day. So many inspiring lines I hope I don't forget. Life is choices, good or bad. I absolutely loved the book and characters!
May 6, 2021
I started this book very excited as it explores family relationship with having an alcoholic father. I really enjoyed the pieces on animals and their habits. Then the story became very repetitious and very corny rom com. Will not read this author again.
March 29, 2019
Nice easy read. The love story part was very predictable.
August 28, 2019
Loved it! Great read about family, love and overcoming the past.
December 12, 2019
Enjoyed the premise of this story. Loved the inspiring message and the characters were very likable.
February 17, 2021
3.75. Good easy read but a bit to much romance for me.
June 8, 2023
This book was ok. The writing was a bit repetitive and the storyline was not as engaging as I had hoped.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews