Book Review: Miracle in a Dry Season
By: Sarah Loudin Thomas
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: 8/5/2014
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pros: Very sweet story; good character development—made the reader care about them; good character lessons; realistic storyline
Cons: Perla was not always involved; some story elements seemed unrelated; patchy plot sometimes; story didn’t always tie together
By: Sarah Loudin Thomas
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: 8/5/2014
Rating: 3 out of 5
Pros: Very sweet story; good character development—made the reader care about them; good character lessons; realistic storyline
Cons: Perla was not always involved; some story elements seemed unrelated; patchy plot sometimes; story didn’t always tie together
Casewell Phillips is a single man and “a pillar of the community” in the small town of Wise. Perla Long is a strange new woman in town with a child at her side—and no husband to show. When Perla begins to catch Casewell’s eye, he must put aside his judgments on her for her illegitimate child. The rest of the town, however, struggle deeply with accepting Perla. First for her adultery, and second for her “knack” with cooking. Only when a severe drought hits the town do people have anything to do with her, and even then new rumors are spread. Despite her efforts to help the hungry people, they cannot bring themselves to accept her. Although they need her gift during the drought, many create ugly lies and rumors to explain her gift and refuse to partake of it. With doubt, confusion, hurt, and fear swirling about her head, Perla believes the best thing to do would be to leave Wise in order to protect Casewell from embarrassment and judgment. Casewell must decide what his true feelings are for the woman and child who so strongly impacted his heart, and whether or not he is willing to accept the consequences.
Miracle in a Dry Season is a sweet romance. The odd thing about this book, however, is that the romance between Casewell and Perla is not always the focus. Perla is left out in many of the scenes and chapters in this book. There was a lack of connection between the two that characterizes a romance novel. I had thought that she was the protagonist, so I was a little surprised to discover that Casewell was. Because the book was written with his point of view, it is different than a traditional romance novel. Some side characters, Angie and Liza (two sweet ladies in their 70s) “took over” the novel occasionally. Casewell spent a lot of time with them, and it sometimes seemed unrelated or unnecessary to the story. Also, there is a supposed mystery at the beginning of the book regarding a scar on Casewell’s face. I must admit, I was excited about the possibility of a bit of mystery in this romance novel, but it turned out to be a very disappointing “mystery”, at least to me. It could have been developed a little more deeply. The plot seemed a bit patchy at times, like it didn’t tie together perfectly. But, nobody is perfect, and I can’t imagine any novel would be either.
The morals to the story were very good and fit well with the characters and plot. The overall theme is that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) Forgiveness is tied in with that theme as well. Perla has sinned, but Casewell’s love for her covers and forgives her sin. That makes this story so sweet. Perla is overwhelmed that a man as good as Casewell could love her. All of the characters are very endearing. I felt terrible for Perla when the town treated her badly, and loved Casewell when he was one of the only ones who cared and stood up for her. The romance between the two was very sweet, and very realistic. A lot of romances are much too fictional, and they give a wrong impression of love. This novel really had a realistic view of how a couple would fall in love and act accordingly.
Miracle in a Dry Season is the first in Mrs. Thomas’ Appalachian Blessings series. Although this book was not my favorite romance, I will be looking forward to reading her next novel.
Miracle in a Dry Season is a sweet romance. The odd thing about this book, however, is that the romance between Casewell and Perla is not always the focus. Perla is left out in many of the scenes and chapters in this book. There was a lack of connection between the two that characterizes a romance novel. I had thought that she was the protagonist, so I was a little surprised to discover that Casewell was. Because the book was written with his point of view, it is different than a traditional romance novel. Some side characters, Angie and Liza (two sweet ladies in their 70s) “took over” the novel occasionally. Casewell spent a lot of time with them, and it sometimes seemed unrelated or unnecessary to the story. Also, there is a supposed mystery at the beginning of the book regarding a scar on Casewell’s face. I must admit, I was excited about the possibility of a bit of mystery in this romance novel, but it turned out to be a very disappointing “mystery”, at least to me. It could have been developed a little more deeply. The plot seemed a bit patchy at times, like it didn’t tie together perfectly. But, nobody is perfect, and I can’t imagine any novel would be either.
The morals to the story were very good and fit well with the characters and plot. The overall theme is that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8) Forgiveness is tied in with that theme as well. Perla has sinned, but Casewell’s love for her covers and forgives her sin. That makes this story so sweet. Perla is overwhelmed that a man as good as Casewell could love her. All of the characters are very endearing. I felt terrible for Perla when the town treated her badly, and loved Casewell when he was one of the only ones who cared and stood up for her. The romance between the two was very sweet, and very realistic. A lot of romances are much too fictional, and they give a wrong impression of love. This novel really had a realistic view of how a couple would fall in love and act accordingly.
Miracle in a Dry Season is the first in Mrs. Thomas’ Appalachian Blessings series. Although this book was not my favorite romance, I will be looking forward to reading her next novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Miracle in a Dry Season from Bethany House Publishers through The Christian Manifesto in exchange for my honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
This review also appears on The Christian Manifesto. http://thechristianmanifesto.com/fiction/miracle-in-a-dry-season/
This review also appears on The Christian Manifesto. http://thechristianmanifesto.com/fiction/miracle-in-a-dry-season/
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