Appalachian Blessings #3
Sarah Loudin Thomas
Contemporary Fiction
What is the weight of a secret?
And what happens when that burden becomes
almost too much to bear?
For decades, Perla Phillips has hidden the truth of a decision that still fills her with guilt. But now, seeing her granddaughter, Ella, struggle in a similar way, she's prepared to finally open the past to her family, no matter the consequences. But when the opportunity is snatched from her in a most unexpected manner, will she have waited too long?
Spanning generations, this moving family drama weaves together the interlocking stories of two women as they navigate relationships, family, faith, and the choices that will shape their lives. Heartwarming and nostalgic, the story explores the courage to share the wounds of the past and celebrates the legacy a family passes from one generation to the next.
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My Thoughts
My favorite type of series includes an ongoing story that crosses from one generation into the next. The Appalachian Blessing series does that in a beautifully stirring way. The first book, Miracle in a Dry Season, introduced us to Perla Long and her daughter Sadie as they arrive in Wise, West Virginia. Perla wants to live a quiet life and raise her daughter but winds up instead leaving her mark on everyone within miles, especially Casewell Phillips.
The second novel, Until the Harvest, shifted the focus from Perla and Casewell to their son Henry. I particularly enjoyed this storyline. I felt like it was a little bit lighter in tone but still dealt with serious heart issues. We get a bigger picture of this family but there are still some loose ends hanging out there that made me eager for the next book.
Now we come to A Tapestry of Secrets and we shift back to Perla and her story. Perla is the grandma now and has an especially close relationship with her granddaughter Ella which is in distinct contrast to her strained relationship with her own daughter Sadie. Way back at the beginning we knew that Perla was a single mother. She didn't speak about Sadie's daddy and Sadie didn't ask. But over the years the tension over the subject has just tightened. As Perla faces her own mortality she feels the need to speak about it to Sadie but the actual words prove to be a struggle. So in essence the story has come full circle.
I can't possibly put into words how moving this series turned out to be. It is Sarah Loudin Thomas' debut work and she followed it up with continuing stories that were every bit as strong as the first. I found it very interesting to read in the author's notes that A Tapestry of Secrets was the original story. I am so thankful that her editor and publisher had her turn it into a series. It is well worth the read and all three books are on my top books of the year list. I highly recommend them.
Other Reviews For This Author
Appalachian Serenade (novella prequel to the series)
Connect With The Author
Photo Credit: © Kristen Delliveniri |
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