I wasn't too sure how I was going to like this one. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was pulled in to the story. Finished it in about 4 hours:) It is set in West Virginia during a time of drought. It felt strangely like I was in the middle of the drought in the Bible.
Casewell(wasn't quite sure how to pronounce his name) is a really sweet bachelor but at one point I wanted to slap him. Perla is the niece of the storekeepers in town. She arrives with a little girl which brings speculation among the townsfolk. Of course, when the drought comes and the preacher starts bringing up that the rain is being held back because people aren't repenting over their sin, everyone starts looking at her. Perla has only confided in a few people over what happened and one of those was Casewell. I had mixed feelings over him and how he reacted to things. Sadie is an absolute doll and I loved her!!
There were a couple other side stories and these were quite enjoyable. Including two little old ladies who were in love with the same man many years ago. I had a minor problem over two things and I will bring them out here. I don't say this in any way to be rude or mean, just want to be honest over some things I saw. This does have something that could be a spoiler so please don't read if you want to be surprised by the story:) One is that Perla doesn't really show any remorse over her sin. Her immoral relationship is shown as a mistake but not really shown as sin. I understand that a woman can do this and then repent over it and her past is forgiven. But the remorse just wasn't there. It is a very fine line between someone repenting and being forgiven and a woman who shows no remorse. The other thing I had a problem with was her miracles. There is a difference between using wood to make things and a woman who makes food and it multiplies. Again, this is my personal opinion. So if things like this don't bother you, pick this one up!! It was interesting and kept my attention through the whole book. Can't wait to see what Sarah has in store for her readers next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Casewell(wasn't quite sure how to pronounce his name) is a really sweet bachelor but at one point I wanted to slap him. Perla is the niece of the storekeepers in town. She arrives with a little girl which brings speculation among the townsfolk. Of course, when the drought comes and the preacher starts bringing up that the rain is being held back because people aren't repenting over their sin, everyone starts looking at her. Perla has only confided in a few people over what happened and one of those was Casewell. I had mixed feelings over him and how he reacted to things. Sadie is an absolute doll and I loved her!!
There were a couple other side stories and these were quite enjoyable. Including two little old ladies who were in love with the same man many years ago. I had a minor problem over two things and I will bring them out here. I don't say this in any way to be rude or mean, just want to be honest over some things I saw. This does have something that could be a spoiler so please don't read if you want to be surprised by the story:) One is that Perla doesn't really show any remorse over her sin. Her immoral relationship is shown as a mistake but not really shown as sin. I understand that a woman can do this and then repent over it and her past is forgiven. But the remorse just wasn't there. It is a very fine line between someone repenting and being forgiven and a woman who shows no remorse. The other thing I had a problem with was her miracles. There is a difference between using wood to make things and a woman who makes food and it multiplies. Again, this is my personal opinion. So if things like this don't bother you, pick this one up!! It was interesting and kept my attention through the whole book. Can't wait to see what Sarah has in store for her readers next.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
"Miracle in a Dry Season", the debut novel from Sarah Loudin Thomas, takes place in Wise, a tiny hamlet in the mountains of West Virginia. Casewell Phillips is a well-respected member of the community. He harbors a deep desire to marry, but hasn't found the right woman yet. Perla Long came to Wise with her daughter, Sadie, to reside with her aunt and uncle in order to escape her past, but finds it to be difficult to leave it all behind. Circumstances bring them together, particularly a severe drought which brings the community together in ways they would never have forseen.
The novel was full of likeable characters and some interesting sub-plots. The theme of sin, forgiveness, and God's grace ran strong through this novel. The story is mostly told through Casewell, which brings an interesting twist that isn't found in many Christian fiction novels. The characters are well-developed and the descriptions of life in this tiny Appalachian town are wonderful. This book was a nice debut novel and provides high hopes for future novels from this author.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
The novel was full of likeable characters and some interesting sub-plots. The theme of sin, forgiveness, and God's grace ran strong through this novel. The story is mostly told through Casewell, which brings an interesting twist that isn't found in many Christian fiction novels. The characters are well-developed and the descriptions of life in this tiny Appalachian town are wonderful. This book was a nice debut novel and provides high hopes for future novels from this author.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
