Journey Under Heaven

Part Two

Fiction - Inspirational
438 Pages
Reviewed on 01/20/2022
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Author Biography

Combining a longtime love of different time eras in history and a heart for everyday people, Daria Cyr’s novels are meant for everyone, whether Christian or those searching to find a relationship with their Creator. Her characters are also involved in issues that do not usually get addressed in novels of faith.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Journey Under Heaven is the second part of a duology by Daria Cyr. The story of Autumn Sawyer continues as she grows as a person and grows closer to God as well. After finding her affinity with animals, Autumn becomes a veterinarian in Independence, Pennsylvania. Independence has become the home she always craved and she felt a connection with the people of the town. However, this does not mean her life was not tested anymore. Making unlikely friends and making connections has helped her stay afloat, but that is not enough. Soon, her world is shaken once again when Dr. Samuel comes into her little corner of heaven and changes everything. While not a threat, Samuel is a man who makes her question things, and before she knows it, Autumn is back to building her relationship with God and asking some very hard questions. Should she stop questioning God and let Him take her life wherever? Or was she going to fight it?

Daria Cyr is absolutely right in saying that the issues mentioned in this series are common and almost timeless. The themes of the sequel are forgiving yourself, forgiving others, and letting the past go so you can move into the future. And as expected, the author managed all of these themes skillfully to make the story entertaining and inspiring. The message of Journey Under Heaven is so simple, and the narrative reflects that. However, don’t misjudge the story based on that. It is rich with minor details; the characters are reliable and relatable, and the plot itself is more than just entertaining. Each character has a story to tell, and the author does her absolute best to give free rein to her characters. I loved every single moment of it!

K.C. Finn

Journey Under Heaven Part Two is a work of fiction in the inspirational genre and serves as the second and final installment in the series. It is aimed at the mature reading audience and was penned by Daria Cyr. Continuing the story of Autumn Sawyer, this book chronicles her journey to work with animals and become a professional vet. Settling into her new life in Pennsylvania, she becomes a respected member of the community, though the decisions she made in her youth still have the potential to undo all of her hard-won happiness. As she struggles with not letting her old life ruin her new one, her heart finally begins to open to God.

There’s comfort to be found in the pages of books about reinvention and self-discovery, the promise that it’s possible to change your life for the better if you can just outrun the mistakes of the past. Daria Cyr has taken this idea and run with it, creating a vibrant and fleshed-out community of characters that Autumn works hard at to be included. Each of the residents of Independence felt like a real person that I wanted to sit down with and get to know more, a tribute to the author's skill as a world builder and narrator. Autumn’s sincerity and desire to do better with her new chance at life were wonderfully presented, and the experiences she has fighting to make her happiness a reality serve to make the conclusion to Journey Under Heaven as rewarding a read as the first book.

Edith Wairimu

Journey Under Heaven Part Two by Daria Cyr is a heart-warming, inspirational novel set in the early 1900s. After a long trip, Autumn Sawyer arrives in Independence, a quaint, small town in Pennsylvania. Despite limitations regarding property ownership by women at the time, Autumn purchases her ideal home - a private haven that she can call her own. A veterinarian by profession, Autumn’s occupation piques the town’s interest but she quickly gains their trust with her expertise and commitment. However, many of the town’s residents remain wary of her choice to remain single. Through the years, Autumn learns to let go of her past and embrace her new life. She grows in her faith and opens her heart to the possibility of love and marriage. She also makes many new friends and has many adventures; some humorous while others turn out to be life-threatening.

I found Journey Under Heaven Part Two by Daria Cyr to be an immersive novel driven by a wonderful main character. I loved that Autumn did not let personal limitations and society’s rigid mindset dictate her life and stop her from accomplishing her dreams. There are many other delightful characters who are also well-developed such as Sister Lucy, a woman of Asian descent who becomes Autumn’s friend and confidant. The book is flavored with many life lessons and spiritual truths as it explores Autumn’s faith journey. It is also set in a charming town with interesting characters and in Autumn’s picturesque property. I also loved that the romance in the book is authentic. Samuel is a flawed man but also honorable and his story adds other life lessons to the novel. Fans of faith-based, inspirational novels will find Journey Under Heaven Part Two a delightful read.

Vincent Dublado

The last time we met Autumn Sawyer, she was crossing a new threshold to find herself and her calling. Journey Under Heaven Part Two by Daria Cyr continues Autumn’s tale, where she is now making a difference as an animal doctor. As part of her practice, she has purchased an isolated thirty-four-acre property on Willow Grove Lane. This is where she truly feels at home, and in the process builds a reputable name for herself through her vocation. Her life takes a new turn when Samuel Kemp, a British doctor, moves into town and catches her attention. Her attraction to Samuel proves strong, as she tends to succumb to loneliness, and she is cautious about which men she draws into her life. Despite her standing in the community, her closeness to the doctor becomes a source of exaggerated rumors.

Daria Cyr’s old-fashioned way of telling this inspirational story is quite endearing. It is fiction made with real people and plausible scenarios. Cyr has created a memorable heroine, and even the setting has a personality. The dynamic of the story depends on how Autumn navigates her daily life fulfilling her duties, being true to herself, and living her life the way she wants. Scenes involving her interaction with the locals and how she is perceived as a woman of rare ilk has a strong intrinsic charm. It gives you an idea that Autumn is one of those early paragons of woman empowerment. Journey Under Heaven Part Two is heartwarming reading entertainment, spiritual but not overbearing. It’s a refreshing tale that demonstrates how there can be plenty of conflict in the run of everyday life.

Joy Hannabass

In Journey Under Heaven: Part Two by Daria Cyr, Autumn Sawyer is older and definitely knows what she wants to do with her life. With her great love for animals, Autumn locates a veterinarian who is happy to bring her in as an apprentice and will teach her everything he knows. Turns out that Autumn's father helped this veterinarian out in his time of need, and he was more than happy to help the man's daughter. After her time is up here, Autumn checks the maps and finds a place in Independence, Pennsylvania that needs a veterinarian, so she packs up and with the help of a friend moves to her new place. She immediately finds a farm with a house, such as it is, and begins her practice. Finding herself successful in her role as a veterinarian, Autumn is happy with her life, and is even beginning a relationship with her Creator. But just as she is comfortable with her life, a British doctor moves to Independence, really upending Autumn's life.

I enjoyed this second part of the story so much. Since this continues where Part One leaves off, there's no background information, so it starts off at an interesting place in the story. I was touched by how the community came to help Autumn, and she soon has the inside and outside of her house and property looking spruced up. I found myself feeling proud of Autumn and her new life, and I was thrilled with the doctor, because Autumn needed a male friend, whether she thinks so or not. There is so much in this book, there's no way I can cover it all. All in all, this is a story of facing the difficulties and fears that come your way, and finding forgiveness and peace when giving your life to the Lord. Journey Under Heaven: Part Two by Daria Cyr is a wonderful book for those enjoying a good clean historical fiction read. But you need to check out Part One in this series and read it first.