nA 2020 Michigan Notable Book n n*** n nIn this powerful first novel . . . Bartels successfully weaves American history into a deeply moving story of heartbreak, long-held secrets, and the bonds of family.--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review n nA forbidden interracial marriage, an escaped slave, an expectant mother waiting for her Union soldier to return--all of these stories are deftly told by Bartels, as she explores the hard realities of racism and its many faces during various eras of American history. . . .Compelling characters make this winning debut also appealing for fans of general historical fiction.--Library Journal n nBartels debut tells the story of three Balsam women, each of a different era, told against the backdrop of racism and violence in America. . . .will appeal to fans of faith-based womens fiction authors like Colleen Coble.--Booklist n n n***** n nWhen Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request--that she look up a relative she didnt know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos--seems like it isnt worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time. n nAt her great-aunts 150-year-old farmhouse north of Detroit, Elizabeth uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think. n nDebut novelist Erin Bartels takes readers on an emotional journey through time--from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to the Michigans Underground Railroad during the Civil War--to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide. n n***** n nWe Hope for Better Things has it all: fabulous storytelling, an emotional impact that lingers long after you turn the last page, and a setting that immerses you. I havent read such a powerful, moving story since I read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school. This book will change how you look at the world we live in. Highly recommended --Colleen Coble, USAToday bestselling author of the Rock Harbor series and The View from Rainshadow Bay n nA timely exploration of race