Until the Havest - Sarah Loudin Thomas

Henry Phillips is home for the holidays. Whilst he's studying agriculture, he'd rather give it all up and play his fiddle. Would his parents understand? He doesn't want to disappoint them, so when tragedy strikes, Henry is left despondent and alone.

His unlikely friend of one pre-teen called Mayfair Hoffman shows him another way to think. However, her sister Margaret is very protective of the diabetic young girl and whilst tries to understand his loss, doesn't know why Henery just doesn't head back to college. If she wasn't a disappointment to her mother then she would have liked to have had a decent education.

As his grandmother's caretaker, Henry can't avoid the somewhat pretty, freckled woman with the looks and the opinions. She winds him up and seems wrapped up with her own life.

However, the young frustrated man, soon realizes that Margaret has her own problems. Coupled with Mayfair's unique gift and condition, they both come to understand that they may be of help to each other. When Mayfair takes a turn for the worse, they rally - along with his mother and grandmother - to truly help each other cope.

Thomas' second outing is another deeply engaging, wholesome read. Her characters are rich, interesting and real. Their story is moving, thwart with complications and emotional. Yet the underlying peace is found through their faith - even if they (Henry, Margaret) aren't sure of it.

Whilst the author has the same eloquence with her writing, language and characters (as with her first novel) I did prefer Miracle in a Dry Season (where you first meet the Phillips family). Perhaps it was the time it was set in (50s) or the romance seemed more prevalent but regardless, Until the Harvest is a great book. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, to review. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique. 

Miracle in a Dry Season - Sarah Loudin Thomas

Meeting a beautiful woman with a growling stomach isn't how Cresswell Philips, the local carpenter, wanted to be introduced to Perla Long. But that's how it happened. The pretty blonde is Delilah's niece (Delilah is the wife of the local store owner) and Perla is staying with them for a indefinite period.

Cresswell would have thought seriously about asking her out but there was one problem. Perla is a mother to a spritely five year old. How is it that they are here in the 'sleepy' town of Wise, West Virginia? Is she widowed or worse is there no father to speak of? Gossip and slander becomes rife and when a drought begins, the preacher's word is taken as Gospel and the 'harlot' is to blame.

Can Perla keep living in a town that has condemned her? Her ability of making the smallest amount of food feed a town well, originally thought a gift, is now seen as witchcraft. It's something that she wanted to hide but with the drought there was little choice. And why does she have a need/want to confess everything to Cresswell? Feeling alone and lost, Perla is desperate to leave but knows her heart is slowly but surely clamoring for a certain young man.

Thomas's plot is a simple one but beautifully told with a strong message. The writing is clean and uncomplicated but her characters are not. Cresswell is immediately likeable and his love for his parents is so strong. Yet when his father becomes seriously ill he becomes even stronger in demeanor and faith. Both this and his growing affection for Perla is leaving him a little lost. Is he able to see past her indiscretion? Was he too hasty to judge?

I knew from the moment that I finished reading Thomas' novella Appalachian Serenade that I was going to thoroughly enjoy Miracle in a Dry Season. And, I wasn't wrong. I loved every page - an outstanding debut novel. The tone is gentle, evenly paced and its charismatic, lovable characters with God-fearing yet down to earth attitudes makes this a wholly complete work. It's a homely story which envelopes you in a warm blanket of cosiness. A highly recommended read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House publishers as part of their blogging program. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive critique.

Appalachian Serenade: A Novella (Appalachian Blessings) Sarah Loudin Thomas

Delilah Morrissey's dreams of being a mother are shattered when she becomes a widow. Not that the loss of her husband is that great, but becoming a mother - that's left a longing.

Moving back to West Virginia to live with her sister and husband, she leaves Chicago with a heavy heart. Arriving in Wise, the small town where her sister lives, Delilah endeavours to pull her weight - despite the grumblings of her brother-in-law.

When she meets Robert Thornton, owner of the town store she's not sure what to think. It has been a long time since she saw him last. When an opportunity for her to work at his store arises, she jumps at the chance.

Robert is thrown when he meets Delilah after so many years. His attraction to her is immediate but even when it's confirmed she is a widow, he knows he can't pursue her - she wants the one thing he can't give her.

Will working together be a problem? Will Delilah want to have a relationship with Robert when she finds out the reason why he's been holding back in pursuing her?

Novella's sometimes get bad press of being too quick and not allowing for development of people or place. This isn't the case here. Thomas has created warm, inviting characters with real depth. Landscape descriptions are quick yet evoke the imagination quickly. Easily read and just as absorbing, this story is an excellent introduction to the full length novel Miracle in a Dry Season (an excerpt is included and is the debut novel of the Appalachian Blessings series), this is a story that won't disappoint. A highly recommended read.