Review Blitz for Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett and Giveaway!

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Through Water and Stone by Karen Barnett,

 hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

 

Title: Through Water and Stone 

Series: National Parks 

Author: Karen Barnett 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: September 23, 2025 

Genre: Christian Fiction, Dual Timeline 

****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God. 

Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers. 

Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock. 

My Review

I enjoy visiting national parks, so this book series is quickly becoming one of my top picks. Through Water and Stone tells a story across two time periods. It focuses on Henry Eriksson, a ranger at Zion National Park, and his wife Alma, back in 1948. They faced heartbreak when a flash flood took their baby boy. A year later, Henry finds a newborn baby boy in a cardboard box in the park. Alma takes to the baby immediately, and eventually, they adopt him. A few years pass, and doubts grow about the child's true origins thanks to an undercover reporter from Salt Lake City. 

Fast-forward 80 years to now. We follow Talia Eriksson, who just lost her big marketing job in disgrace. She returns to Zion for the summer to stay with her grandpa, a longtime ranger there like his dad. A DNA test shakes everything up, and Talia starts to question her own roots. She meets the handsome Ranger Blake Mitchell from law enforcement. Together, they dig for clues to her past. Sparks soon fly, and romance starts to grow between Talia and Blake.

The two-timeline setup hooked me. It jumps between the 1950s and today. Each chapter uncovers bits of hidden family secrets. You start fitting the pieces together yourself quickly. I also adore how Karen Barnett pulls you into Zion's stunning beauty. She paints the park's wonders with vivid details. If you've never been there, it is a must-see park. A Christian thread runs through it all, and the characters turn to God for strength in tough times. One line hit home for me...

"Zion is a good place to seek truth. God's voice can be heard through the water and the stone. Be still and listen."

This novel is packed with mysteries, Zion's amazing glory, family bonds, and faith. Through Water and Stone makes for a solid read. It gets you thinking deeply about what is truly important in your life.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub | Bookshop

More in this Series:

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About the Author

Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of nine novels, including When Stone Wings Fly, Where Trees Touch the Sky, and the Vintage National Park novels. A former national park ranger, she’s also a hobby photographer and enjoys teaching writing workshops with both Cascade Christian Writers and West Coast Christian Writers. She and her family live in Albany, Oregon.

Connect with Karen by visiting karenbarnettbooks.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Through Water and Stone and $20 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 1, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!