The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

 

Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he'd obeyed his mother. The ripples caused by his discovery will impact the town of Beverly, West Virginia, in ways no one could have imagined.

The first person those ripples disturb is Loyal's absentee father. When Creed Raines realized his infant son was deaf, he headed for the hills, returning only to help meet his family's basic needs. But when Loyal, now a young teen, stumbles upon a murder it's his father he runs to tell--shaping the words with his hands. As Creed is pulled into the investigation he discovers that what sets his son apart isn't his inability to hear but rather his courage. Longing to reclaim the life he abandoned, Creed will have to do more than help solve a murder if he wants to win his family's hearts again.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2020

Genre: historical fiction

Series: standalone novel

My Review

Ms. Thomas is a master storyteller. Her folk-inspired characters are every bit as warm and flawed as a decades-old quilt pieced together by the colorful members of the communities she creates. I look forward to her books every year, knowing a part of myself will be whisked away to a home I’ve never visited.

The Right Kind of Fool is both beautiful and heartbreaking. A community is shaken. Misplaced love is found again. Relationships are rebuilt even stronger than before. Set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, The Right Kind of Fool is a wonderful reminder to embrace differences (even our own), hold our loved ones close, and stand for truth no matter how difficult the circumstances.

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart

In 1933, most people are focused on the Great Depression but all Piper Danson can think about is how to get out of being a debutante and marrying Braxton Crandall. In an act of defiance, Piper volunteers as a frontier nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains where adventure awaits.

Publisher: Revell, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

Setting: Appalachia, 1933

My Review

This is the first book I've read by this author. The premise intrigued me, the characters were likable, and the beginning of the book started off strong. While well-written, my excitement for the story waned the further I read. I felt that some parts slowed the story enough that it caused me to lose my interest. I, honestly, did not finish the book. I was halfway through. It's a book I will hang onto and try again at another time in case my current mood affected my reading.

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

After the rival McLean clan guns down his cousin, Colman Harpe chooses peace over seeking revenge with his family. But when he hears God tell him to preach to the McLeans, a failed attempt to run away leaves him sick and suffering in their territory. He soon learns that appearances can be deceiving, and the face of evil doesn't look like he expected.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2019
Genre: historical fiction (with light romance)
Setting: West Virginia, 1930


My Review
I love Sarah’s books because of their authenticity. Her characters are so genuine in their triumphs and their flaws. Her settings feel like home. Her plots are relevant with sound Bible teaching stitched throughout like a handmade quilt you want to wrap up in.

When Silence Sings is beautifully written and stays with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend this book.

A Tapestry of Secrets by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Appalachian Blessings book #3

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?


Publisher: Bethany House, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Fiction


My Review
Ella Phillips needs a change. Unfortunately, she isn't sure what that change is, until her grandmother, Perla Phillips, has a stroke and Ella returns to the family farm in Wise, WV. The solitude of country living, the support of family, and the connection to her grandmother--and Perla's past--are exactly what Ella was missing. Then an entrepreneur threatens a piece of their heritage, exposing secrets, and testing Ella's relationships and her faith.

This novel was a fantastic conclusion to the Appalachian Blessings series, however, this is a standalone novel that doesn't require the reader to have read the first two books in order to understand this one. Though, I do recommend doing so, as it's so much fun to watch the entire family evolve throughout the generations.

I can't wait to read Ms. Loudin's next series. I give this book 4 stars!

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For more about Sarah and her books, visit her website at www.sarahloudinthomas.com and follow her on social media. 

Silver White Winters--Early Release!

Silver White Winters released on Amazon today! I'm so excited to share this story with you. Stay tuned...I've got some great giveaways planned!

Raelynn Rivers dreams of reviving her floundering career. The “Country Music Queen” hasn’t had a number one hit in six years, and her song-writing ability has vanished. But Raelynn’s hopes are derailed when tragedy strikes. Returning to her home town forces her to confront her past—Lane Ryan, the childhood best friend and former fiancé she abandoned in order to pursue her music career. 

In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one inspires her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries is as big as Coal Mountain and threatens any future they may have together. 

Second chances don't come around every day. Will Raelynn sacrifice her career this time or say goodbye to Lane forever?

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*Silver White Winters is available now on Amazon!

*Pre-order Silver White Winters at Pelican Book Group and Christianbook.com. (Barnes & Noble coming soon)

Silver White Winters--Cover Reveal

Here it is! My book cover for Silver White Winters, releasing late fall/early winter. Here's a sneak peak into the story. 

She thought she had it all. Until she discovered the treasures in the snow. 

          Country music singer/songwriter Raelynn Rivers is a has-been. According to the latest gossip magazines, that is. Her last number-one hit was six years ago, and her songwriting ability has vanished. Her foundering career is all she has left, and she’s determined to once again hold the title of “Country Music Queen.” But Raelynn’s dreams are derailed when a coal mine collapses in her home town of Eve Hollow, West Virginia, trapping her daddy and brother inside.

            The man in charge of the mine rescue is Lane Ryan, her childhood best friend and the former fiancé she abandoned twelve years ago for her career. In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one has inspired her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries around is as big as Coal Mountain.

            Will Raelynn sacrifice her title, or say goodbye to Lane forever? 


I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some snow!

New Book Announcement!

Image courtesy of patrisyu/
freedigitalphotos.net

I'm excited to announce my next Christmas novella Silver White Winters will release with White Rose Publishing later this year as part of Pelican Book Group's Christmas Extravaganza!








Here's a sneak peak into the story.

She thought she had it all. Until she discovered the treasures in the snow. 

          Country music singer/songwriter Raelynn Rivers is a has-been. According to the latest gossip magazines, that is. Her last number-one hit was six years ago, and her songwriting ability has vanished. Her foundering career is all she has left, and she’s determined to once again hold the title of “Country Music Queen.” But Raelynn’s dreams are derailed when a coal mine collapses in her home town of Eve Hollow, West Virginia, trapping her daddy and brother inside.

Image courtest of
digidreamgrafix/
freedigitalphotos.net

            The man in charge of the mine rescue is Lane Ryan, her childhood best friend and the former fiancé she abandoned twelve years ago for her career. In the snow-covered mountains of Appalachia, Raelynn reconnects with family and rediscovers her musical abilities—and her faith. And no one has inspired her more than Lane. She’s finally ready for a relationship, but the secret Lane carries around is as big as Coal Mountain.

            Will Raelynn sacrifice her title, or say goodbye to Lane forever? 



*I hope you'll join Raelynn and Lane this holiday season in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. 
More details to come. 

Appalachian Serenade by Sarah Loudin Thomas

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.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2014


My Review
Summer 1945
Widow Delilah Morrissey isn't too upset about her husband's passing. She returns home to West Virginia to live with her sister and brother-in-law, but when money gets tight, Delilah takes a job at Thortons' Store where working beside Robert Thorton makes her long for a second chance at a family. 

The characters were endearing, and this amazing book cover matches the story's tone perfectly. The romance was organic and satisfying for such a short read. I highly enjoyed this novella as an introduction to the characters in Sarah's debut novel Miracle in a Dry Season, which releases in August. I will definitely be reading more from this author.


Get your free copy of Appalachian Serenade today from Amazon!