This story draws you right into the Appalachian mountains and its rich heritage and fascinating folks. Ella almost seems to invite the reader into her family as we follow her along in her pursuit for happiness and purpose. I admired her for her commitment to her family and her special bond with her grandma. This series has really come full circle, including us in the lives of three generations now.
It’s a simple tale, but its roots are deep in family and faith. The down-to-earth storytelling brings you right into the scene. Ella’s goal to save the old church kept me turning the pages. I was also curious to see which of the young men her heart would fall for.
Hands down, though, the most interesting character was still Perla. Watching her struggle with her health and her desire to mend the relationships most important to her captured my heart. I loved seeing her life progress and watch how God redeemed her. Her testimony felt very real.
I would recommend starting this series from the beginning to appreciate how the characters have grown and what they’ve learned through the years. It’s a memorable legacy.
I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
This Decade-Spanning Novel of Family and Faith Will Delight
Now in her eighties, Perla Phillips has carried a secret since she was eighteen years old. When she sees her granddaughter, Ella, struggling for perfection, she decides to share her secret to show that God can use even the biggest mistakes for good. But before she can reveal what happened during that summer sixty years ago, she has a debilitating stroke.
Carrying a secret of her own, Ella arrives back in Wise, West Virgina, to help her aunt Sadie care for Perla. Both know the woman wanted to tell them something, but she’s now locked in silence. Together they begin looking into the past, but they may learn more than they expected.
Will they have the courage to share their hearts? Or will the truth remain buried forever?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah Loudin Thomas grew up on a 100-acre farm in French Creek, WV, the seventh generation to live there. Her Christian fiction is set in West Virginia and celebrates the people, the land, and the heritage of Appalachia. Her first novel, Miracle in a Dry Season, released August 2014 through Bethany House. Book #2, Until the Harvest, released May 2015. Sarah is represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency.
A graduate of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC, Sarah once dreamed of being a marine scientist. But her love for words won out and she has spent much of her career in public relations and marketing. She currently oversees fundraising and communications for a Christian children’s home in Black Mountain, NC.
Sarah and her husband Jim live in the mountains of Western North Carolina with Thistle–the canine equivalent to a personal trainer pushing them to hike, run, and throw sticks. Sarah is active in her local church and enjoys cooking and–you guessed it–reading.
For more, visit her at www.sarahloudinthomas.com.
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