Recent Reads - Until the Harvest

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Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas - I was so excited to see the latest book in this series set in Wise, West Virginia, because I'd read - and loved - the previous two stories. And loved them despite the fact that they are firmly set in the 20th century, and I don't generally go for historical settings that modern! This one is set in the 1970's, and focuses on Henry Phillips and his circle of family and friends.

Henry is the son of Casewell and Perla, the main characters in the previous novel, Miracle in a Dry Season. Henry's father passes away in the opening pages of the book, and in Henry's grief and confusion, he decides not to return to college, and he also gets himself into several scrapes and more serious trouble as the story unfolds. His grandmother Emily is a comfort to him, but he initially dislikes Emily's housekeeping helper, Margaret. He takes an immediate liking to Margaret's little sister, Mayfair, though, and as time goes by he and Margaret do become friends. Margaret doesn't much like Henry to begin with either, but she does appreciate his kindness to Mayfair and she longs for the same sense of family and affection that she observes with him and his mother and grandmother. Over time, Henry and Margaret find their friendship growing, and they often come together to help Mayfair. Theirs is a sweet and slow-growing romance, and they both must learn to forgive and trust before they can live out their simple dreams for their future together.

This book can certainly stand alone, but is all the more satisfying if you've already met the older generation characters by reading Miracle In a Dry Season.

From the publisher:

Take This Journey of Broken Souls Restored and Tentative Hearts Brought Fully to Life
When family tragedy derails Henry Philips'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. 

By the same author: Miracle in a Dry Season, Appalachian Serenade


Visit the Baker Publishing Group for more info on where to buy.

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