Into the Free

Julie Cantrell is an amazing storyteller. In her debut novel, Into the Free, we discover Millie Reynolds. Millie's mother is lost in sorrow and her father is abusive and cruel. There is a neighbor named Sloth who is one of the only encouraging influences Millie has. He teaches her about the farm, fishing and parental love while weaving life lessons for her hungry soul. There is also a young man, River, who travels with a band of gypsies and crosses her path. He teaches her to open her heart, to dream and to believe in herself. She waits for him to return again the next year but much is to happen to Millie during that time of waiting.

Millie faces intense hardship and loss that breaks the readers heart. We journey with her as she figures out how to keep her head above the swirling waters of her life and somehow move forward. She is not afraid to dream and to believe deep in her heart that there has to be more to her existence - more to hope for.

When she loses her family she is taken in by another family. The mother, Diana, is generous and kind to her but once again her safety is stolen from her and the ground shifts beneath her feet.

Millie finds redemption in the town rodeo. She is a natural with the horses and makes a new friend, Bump. He is gentle and kind and helps draw Millie out. He helps her discover healing in the love of a horse and his own unconditional friendship, faith and love.

The author weaves a story of redemption through heartache and loss and that there are mountain tops despite the deep and dark valleys. This story changes the reader, I was moved deeply by Millie and her resilient spirit.

The author has written a sequel to Into the Free. It is called When Mountains Move. I have had the privilege of reading this next installment in Millie's life and will review it next.

I will treasure "Into the Free" and revisit this story again. It is a keeper!