A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

A Tapestry of Secrets

Appalachian Blessings, Book 3
Bethany House
8/2/2016
ISBN-13: 9780764212277

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?

Buy Your Copy: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I have loved every book in the Appalachian Blessings series, so far. They are poignant stories that reach down deep and touch your heart. While A Tapestry of Secrets took me longer to really get into than the other stories, I ended up loving it just as much!

I enjoyed catching up with Perla, Sadie, and the rest of the family. Perla plays a big part in Ella’s story, though she is silent through most of it. Ella is a wonderful character. I felt such a connection to her struggle to accept herself as worthy, beautiful, and forgiven. At the point in the story where she had three beaus, I had already chosen who I wanted her go for. Seth provided a strong, silent support for Ella, following God’s prompting in his relationship with her.

Sadie’s quest for her biological father provided a nice side story, and added to the importance of the message. Sometimes, in order to embrace what God has for your life, you have to let go of the past. Ella, Sadie, and Perla all struggle with this throughout the book. The verse that kind of brings home the point to me is found in Acts chapter 2: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Overall, while it took me several chapters to get hooked to this story, I was caught well and good once it happened. I recommend this sweet, soul stirring story.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

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.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas

About the Book: Take This Journey of Broken Souls Restored
and Tentative Hearts Brought Fully to Life

When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, he's left unmoored and feeling abandoned. The only things that can tamp down his grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and an unexpected friendship with sweet but unusual preteen Mayfair Hoffman.

Unfortunately, Mayfair's older sister, Margaret, despite her spray of freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has a completely different effect. His grandmother's helper, she's always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems at first that she doesn't care about his troubles.

Henry soon realizes, though, that Margaret's facing her own struggles. Mayfair's health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as potential tragedy collides with growing hope in a warm story of family bonds and the surprising ways healing finds us all.

ISBN-13: 9780764212260

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Publication date: 5/5/2015

Pages: 304

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: Sarah Loudin Thomas is an excellent writer. She takes an ordinary story and makes it extraordinary. Until The Harvest is a story about Casewell and Perla's son, Henry. This is a story about healing in the midst of great tragedy. It is well thought out and written. I loved reading from both Margaret and Henry's point of view. I was intrigued by the story from beginning to end.

Henry's character resonated deeply with me. When tragedy happens in life, who do you turn to? Henry struggles to come to terms with his grief, making poor choices and hurting those he loves until he realizes that God is still in control and turns to Him for help and counsel. Margaret is dealing with a life time of hurt brought on by her family. Both Henry and Margaret struggle to figure out what true and lasting love is. With the help of Margaret's sister, Mayfair, the story does have a happy ending.

The message of the story, I think, is rooted in love. God's love for us is everlasting and eternal. He wants what's best for us, even when we don't know what that is and try to turn away or not trust Him. Mayfair helps each of the characters in the story realize that what they need is love. Not just love of each other, but eternal love that will last "until the harvest."

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you haven't read Sarah Loudin Thomas before, I highly recommend her other two books, Appalachian Serenade and Miracle In A Dry Season. 

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the Bethany House Blogging program in exchange for my honest review.*

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, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. 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.

Connect with Sarah: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Top Ten Tuesday: Can't Wait for Sequels

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

 Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. 

 

This Week's topic: Top Ten Sequels I Can't Wait To Get

 

 

I really enjoy series that follow a family or group of friends, such as Sabotaged and Now & Forever. It's fun to meet the new family member or friend, while still keeping up with the previous characters. A new favorite kind of series of mine is one that follows the same person throughout the whole series, like Julia Elliston in Price of Privilege, Kate Adams in Desperate Measures, and Mia Quinn in Lethal Beauty. I feel like you can really connect with the character and watch them learn and grow.

1. Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey - Alaskan Courage Series
2. Price of Privilege by Jessica Dotta - Price of Privilege Series
3. To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander - Belle Meade Plantation Series
4. Now & Forever by Mary Connealy - Wild at Heart Series
5. Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas - Appalachian Blessings Series
6. Gone Without A Trace by Patricia Bradley - Logan Point Series
7. Desperate Measures by Sandra Orchard - Port Aster Secrets Series
8. Lethal Beauty by Lis Wiehl - Mia Quinn Series
9. The Daughter of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky - Edwardian Brides Series
10. After a Fashion by Jen Turano - I don't know if this will be a series or not, but I love Jen's writing so I added it anyways :D

 What sequels are you DYING to get your hands on?

 

Miracle In a Dry Season by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Overview: In a Drought, It's the Darkest Cloud
That Brings Hope

It's 1954 and Perla Long's arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.

Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor . . . until he meets Perla. She's everything he's sought in a woman, but he can't get past the sense that she's hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla's unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.

ISBN-13: 9780764212253

Publisher: Baker Publishing Group

Publication date: 8/5/2014

Pages: 304

Buy It!: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I am so glad I read this book! It was absolutely fantastic! We first met Perla in Sarah's novella Appalachian Serenade. (If you haven't read it yet, don't worry! You don't need to, but I highly recommend it! It's fantastic!) The plot of the story was unique to me. I haven't read many books set in the 1950's era. It was well written and kept my interest page after page. 

The characters were fantastic! It was nice to catch up with Delilah and Robert, who play a prominent role in this story. Perla Long is a unique heroine because of her past and her special gift with food.  Perla becomes the "miracle" in Wise's "dry season," much to her dismay. Then she meets Casewell Phillips. I loved him as a male hero because the author gave him pride and humility, braun and brain, and most importantly, a sense of right and wrong. Watching their feelings blossom amidst the division of the town was sweet. The secondary characters (Casewell's father, the twins, and Frank) provided the perfect mix of humor and seriousness to the story.

The message read much like a story from the Bible. In every season, there is a time to learn. The town of Wise had to learn that judgement comes from the Lord, it's not for us to dish out. Yet, when someone comes among you that is unique, it's easy to judge. Perla had to learn to forgive those who hurt her, let go of her anger at her past, and most importantly, forgive herself. Casewell, even with his great qualities, had to face his flaws and overcome them in order to get what God wanted him to have. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to more from this upcoming author!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Bethany House Blogger program in exchange for my honest review.*

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, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. 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.

Connect with Sarah: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Appalachian Serenade by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Overview: Delilah Morrissey has always wanted to be a mother, but when she becomes a young widow, that dream now seems farther away than ever. Unable to continue to live alone in Chicago, her only option is to accept her sister's offer to move in with her family back in West Virginia. Will Delilah have the faith to pursue a new dream--even if it means giving up the old?

In this charming novella, debut novelist Sarah Loudin Thomas introduces readers to Wise, West Virginia--a small town nestled in an Appalachian valley where the everyday miracles of life and faith play out in stories of healing, hope, and love.

ISBN-13: 9781441264985
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 6/4/2014
Series: Appalachian Blessings
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 128

Download it, IT'S FREE!: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I absolutely loved this short little novella. The characters are sweet and charming. The story is well written and interesting; the dialogue is full of Southern charm. I also appreciate the fact that the author shows the passage of time, even though the story is only 70+ pages.

Delilah and Robert were fun to watch fall in love. They both had ideals they had to overcome and they both had to learn to accept the hand that God gave them.  Delilah is a very admirable character. She is modern, yet traditional. She is down-trodden, yet hopeful. Robert is much the same.

The best part of reading this sweet little novella was some of the charming sayings in the book! I'll list a few of my favorites below (and don't worry, they won't spoil the story for you!):
* "Why, thank you, Robert. That's a....regionally specific compliment."
* "We all need a little pretty in our lives."
* "Oh well, my mother always said if wishes were horses, paupers would ride."
* "Like a hound dog staring at the last piece of cornbread on the plate."
* "But I figure God knows better than I do, and this is the life he's given me. Might as well make the most of it."

I am so looking forward to diving into Miracle In a Dry Season shortly!

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, releases August 2014 through Bethany House. 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.

Connect with Sarah: Twitter | Facebook | Website