1. Miracle in a Dry Season
    Sarah Loudin Thomas
    Bethany House / 2014 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$16.00
    4.6 out of 5 stars for Miracle in a Dry Season. View reviews of this product. 63 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW212253
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Displaying items 21-25 of 63
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  1. Fitzysmom
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Review from Rambles of a SAHM
    August 26, 2014
    Fitzysmom
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    My first introduction to Sarah Thomas' writing was her novella Appalachian Serenade. That story sets the stage for Miracle in a Dry Season. I was thoroughly enchanted by that tale and the characters. I couldn't wait for the release of Miracle in a Dry Season just to find out where the story was going.

    The time frame is the mid '50s and the setting is the rural community of Wise, West Virginia. The main character is Perla Long. She's a young mother that has come to stay with her aunt and uncle to hopefully escape some of the nasty things being said about her in her hometown.

    Perla is looking for a chance to start fresh with her daughter and she's hoping that is possible in Wise. Unfortunately small towns are small towns. Tongues begin to wag and speculations abound. The one person that Perla confides in begins to distance himself from her. A never married woman with a child is like a pariah in a pious church congregation.

    Through a very dire set of circumstances the townspeople begin to realize that they need the gifts that God has bestowed upon Perla. The journey through the crisis is a heart rending experience for everyone. Casewell Phillips is attracted to Perla, but he just can't seem to get past the idea of her having a child out of wedlock. But as the days go on and he begins to submit to God's leading, he teams up with Perla to help the townspeople.

    Miracle in a Dry Season is a beautiful love story. It reminds you that God's ways are not our ways. Things that seem to be a stumbling block can easily be removed when God is in control. It is also a story about forgiveness. We're reminded that we are called to forgive just as we've been forgiven. That also pertains to forgiving ourselves and continuing on the path that has been set before us.

    I look forward to reading more of Sarah Thomas' work in the future. If this debut novel is any indication of what her potential is, I'm betting we're going to be reading her novels for some time to come.

    I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.
  2. kathae
    Front Royal, VA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A Refreshing Read
    August 20, 2014
    kathae
    Front Royal, VA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    So many times, I don't really ponder the title of a book, I just dive right in. In the middle of this story I realized that the title was actually what the book was about: Miracle in a Dry Season. This book was an easy read, and full of humor, surprises, and drama. It was just what I needed. The author did a great job, because in the midst of one of the coolest summers in my memory, I was experiencing drought conditions as I read through the book. The author nailed human weakness and fickleness in so many characters, and highlighted God's grace and the power of forgiveness. And miracles! I highly recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to more books from Sarah Loudin Thomas. I won a copy of this book from the publisher and have happily given my honest review.
  3. bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A thought provoking novel
    August 18, 2014
    bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This is a compelling novel. No, there is no suspenseful action that makes you turn pages. Nor is there intense emotion that propels you to the next page. It is just one of those novels that, when you finish, you sigh and say, "That was a good novel."

    The novel centers on Perla, who has come to the town of Wise unwed and with a five year old daughter. The other main character is Casewell, a young man who befriends her. Shortly after Perla arrives, a terrible drought plagues the town. The blame is set squarely on Perla by the local preacher and the town's gossiping citizens.

    There is so much to think about in this novel, where do I start?

    Perla has a gift from God but others don't understand and call it witchcraft. Perla feels the burden of a misunderstood gift from God. She struggles with being faithful to her gifting, rejecting the harsh words of others. And I am reminded of the times I may have misunderstood God's gifts, especially when they are so different from my own.

    Perla is not accepted into the close knit community. She is different and obviously a sinner. I am reminded of the times I may not have accepted someone else because they were "different."

    In the novel the town drunk gives forgiveness easily while the righteous hold on tight. The righteous are quick to judge Perla, too. Her sin is so obvious in the person of her sweet five year old daughter. Judging someone else's obvious sin is so much easier than admitting the well hidden ones we have within.

    Yes, there is much to think about in this novel. A good discussion guide is included so this would make a fine choice for reading groups.

    The Lord works in mysterious ways. In reading this novel you will be reminded of some of them. And the "miracle in a dry season"? Well, there were so many, I'm not sure which one the author meant.

    I received a complimentary egalley of this novel from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
  4. mcaldwell
    Erie, PA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Awakening from the Drought
    August 12, 2014
    mcaldwell
    Erie, PA
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Miracle in a Dry Season - eBook.
    I found this story to be fresh and believable within its time period and geographic setting. Casewell Phillips is ready for some change and Perla Long's arrival to town provides just that. Add a summer drought to Perla's intrigue as an unwed mother. It's a drought and suffering of the the worse degree and it has been cast on the people of Wise, WV for their sins, so says the misguided pastor of the story. Casewell, an upstanding bachelor, struggles with his definition of levels of sin. It's a story about casting stones and a story about examining one's own missteps. It's also a story of awakening and renewal which is well-written and emotive. Thanks to Bethany House for providing me a copy for review in my own words.
  5. katiespen
    Greer, SC
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Delightful and easy reading
    August 11, 2014
    katiespen
    Greer, SC
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    This book is a beautiful story of God working in mysterious ways. Take a small town in the 1950's where everyone knows everyone else's business, introduce a mysterious woman with a child out-of-wedlock, and open the doors to show God's love and forgiveness.

    From the beginning, I was drawn into the small town of Wise, West Virginia, where the people are so locked into the traditions of religion that they don't know that they are experiencing a spiritual drought. But when Perla Long enters the scene with her young daughter, Sadie, the town gossips start wagging their tongues. Before long, the town is experiencing a real drought with no signs of rain in the near future, and they are ready to blame the newcomer.

    When Casewell Phillips begins helping Perla to fit into the small town, he starts to realize just how desolate things have been until the young mother arrived in town. But when Perla begins to offer help by cooking for the town, people find something else to talk about - the way there seems to always be an abundance of food when Perla cooks. From town harlot to town witch, Perla gives the people a person to blame for the season of drought.

    Through it all, Perla shows grace, love, and forgiveness. But can the town accept her God-given gifts and recover from both the physical drought and the spiritual drought?

    I loved this story. There was such a clear message throughout that God is still able to work miracles and to love and forgive us even when we don't know we need it. This story was a beautiful reminder to me that God is still in the business of performing miracles and is always ready to forgive us for our sins.

    I hope that I see more stories from this writer as I think she has a God-given talent.
Displaying items 21-25 of 63
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