Until the Harvest

Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas is an awesome read, set in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia , in the 70's. The author takes us back to the town of Wise, where everyone knows everything about everyone else, or thinks that they do. Until the Harvest is part of the Appalachian

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Blessings series, but can also be read as a stand-alone book.

Margaret takes care of her younger sister, Mayfair, taking her with her to work. Margaret works as a helper for an elderly lady named Emily, who has a grandson named Henry. When Margaret and Henry meet at his grandmother's house, she is not so sure if she likes him, although he and Mayfair strike up an immediate friendship. Mayfair, a diabetic, with a heart of gold, and a unique gift that makes her a big interest to others. Henry, a young man who loves to play the fiddle, gets himself mixed up with the wrong kind of people when his father passes away. Margaret and Henry soon find themselves depending on each other though as troubles arise for both. This book has a bit of action, mystery, love, farming, and enough prayers to be called spiritual. One of my favorite parts is when Henry takes Margaret to see his father's tombstone, absolutely LOVED what is inscribed on it! I won't tell you what it says, I will let you read that for yourselves as it is truly a blessing.

The author has done a beautiful job of setting the scene to take the reader back in time to when things were different, and although had it's own share of troubles, was still a bit simpler. I enjoyed this visit to Wise, West Virginia and all the characters that I met along the way.

I received an ARC (advanced readers copy) from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review, be it good or bad. Thank you.

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Monday, May 18, 2015
Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas, © 2015
Appalachian Blessings
Summary: "In 1970s West Virginia, a family tragedy derails Henry Phillips's college studies, and he returns home to Appalachia feeling devastated and desperate. Can a sweet and unique young girl and her older

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sister help him find his way again?"–– Provided by publisher.

My novels are all about Appalachian blessings--the people, places, qualities, and kindnesses of my favorite place on earth. ––author Sarah Loudin Thomas

My Review:

My heart goes out to Henry. He needs to find the right way and not wallow in the depths of sadness and a longing for what does not satisfy who he is. Henry, don't let darkness pull you over. I want to encourage Margaret to continue to be all she can be. I sorrow for Mayfair; for not being allowed to fully see all that can be before her in the giftings she has been given ~ not held back from joy. Rise above all of the destruction and lack of hope portrayed before you. Each day is new, fresh, and bright for you. We are cheered on to be released from chains of the past, and like these characters in Until the Harvest, may we grow and shed the chaff that wants to imbed and disable all that is available to our todays.

A slippery slope in just one more time, Henry is watched over and prodded to return to a life that can be his. There is no easy way to try to grasp a life without repercussion when it has to be hidden from those who love us. Steady plodding is the best way, the sure way, having a clear focus on what is ahead; not being deceived by the lives of others that pull us away to choices we would rather not make. Henry doesn't want to appear to be chicken, or different, even though he knows a better way.

Life is going on around him ~ Margaret is moving into his great-grandmother's house. Somehow, that stings him a little. Like belonging. The little gray house, when times were easier.

"There's not having anyone to talk to, and then there's not talking to the ones you've got. You make sure you know which is which."
--Until the Harvest, 181

Life intermingles from generation to generation. How much has come before affects where we are going. Face what you're up against head on. Truth revealed.

"God only called one man to build an ark, Henry. Whatever His purpose is for you, it's different from anyone else's. You ponder on what makes you feel satisfied. that ought to at least point you in the right direction."
--Ibid., 240

Well, I will leave you with hopes that Henry finds his greatest heart's desire. You will enjoy Until the Harvest as the characters learn to "do the next thing." Love this ~ shared so many times by Elisabeth Elliot Gren in her ministering.
Poem: Do the Next Thing

Sarah Loudin Thomas is a fundraiser for a children's ministry, who has also written for Mountain Homes Southern Style and Now & Then magazines, as well as The Asheville Citizen-Times. Her debut novel was Miracle in a Dry Season. She holds a BA in English from Coastal Carolina University. She and her husband reside in Asheville, North Carolina. She can be found online at her website.

***Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for inviting me to review Sarah Loudin Thomas' newest release, Until the Harvest. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.***

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Until the Harvest, by Sarah Loudin Thomas, opens in the Phillips's home on New Year's Eve, 1975. They reside in Wise, West Virginia where it doesn't take long for news to travel. Henry Phillips is home from college for the holidays and he tries to convince his parents to let him pursue his musical

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interests when he returns to school. The conversation doesn't go as he hoped and by the following morning a tragedy had struck. As a result, Henry takes the next semester off and struggles to adjust to his loss. Even though he is surrounded by a loving family, it doesn't seem to be enough and he embarks on dangerous paths in an attempt to prove and find himself. Margaret Hoffman enters Henry's life because she works for his grandmother. She is a young woman with no illusions and finds satisfaction in caring for Mayfair, her diabetic younger sister and in her work. Both girls don't fit the image that their mother wishes to project. However, there is something very special about Mayfair that touches those around here in unexpected ways. The relationship between Margaret and Henry gets off to a rocky start, but when it develops into something better Henry is hit with shocking news. His and Margaret futures may be permanently changed.
This is a multilayered story with complex and believable characters. As past secrets are revealed, the characters examine their pasts and, in some cases, grow from what they learn. This a story about legacy, honesty and willingness to embrace personal growth no matter when it comes along. I found this to be a moving and well told story.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers and I give this review of my own free will.

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Title: Until the Harvest
Author: Sarah Louden Thomas
Pages: 304
Year: 2015
Publisher: Bethany
My rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
The story is set in West Virginia in the year 1975 on the eve of 1976 when a family is devastated by the sudden death of Henry Phillips’ father. Now Henry, his sister Sadie and

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his mother Perla have to learn how to live without the man they loved. Sadie is a librarian in Ohio where she returns to after the funeral. Perla is trying to get Henry to return to college to finish his degree though Henry wants nothing to do with school.
Margaret and her younger sister Mayfair help Henry’s grandmother on the farm and with the house work. However, Mayfair has a special gift that she shares with whoever is in need. She is also a diabetic who suffers from hypoglycemia after she aids a person. There are many more heart-touching characters and scenes the author crafts together to draw readers to a story that shows the love of God and family. In the tale, there is also redemption along with prayer and sharing of one’s heart with others.
I enjoyed the relationships that reflected genuine love and care with various characters in the small town. Some were family loving wayward family members and other relationships were friendships of a sort. This was an era that saw the demise of moonshine and the beginning of drugs being transported and sold throughout the country. Henry is the main male character who, after losing his father, is really lost and therefore makes some bad choices that put his life and future on a dangerous path.
Mayfair is a quiet character in the story yet she is the most in tune with how others are either in need of healing physically or emotionally. Mayfair shares that people have to want to be better or to change because she cannot make that choice for them. I love Sarah’s novels because the characters reflect both the positive and the shortfall of humanity. Above all, they show how God longs to reach us with His love and care and how we sometimes struggle to understand the reality of His being.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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** I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway contest **

I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads "First Reads" giveaway and when I received my copy in the mail, I intended to glance through it and start reading it later that night. That plan went south the

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minute I read the first paragraph, as I was immediately absorbed into the world of Margaret, Henry, Emily, Perla and Mayfair.

Reading this book is like taking a long deep breath at the end of a satisfying day, sitting on the back porch of your cozy home with a glass of sweet iced tea at your side and having a long chat with your dearest friends.

I found myself rooting for poor Henry as he made one wrong turn after another because I knew at heart he was a good man, he just lost his direction in the wake of a family tragedy. I held my breath each time Mayfair experienced issues with her diabetic condition and my heart went out to Margaret, as she experienced all the pain, heartache and sadness of a life lived without parental love, guidance and acceptance.

I have not read any of Sarah Loudin Thomas's previous books, but you can bet I'll be reading them all now. After closing the final page, which has a scene that left tears in my eyes, I felt like the first thing I wanted to do is move to Wise, WV and put down roots. Since this book was set in the 70s, there was a nostalgic ambiance to the book anyway, but I really felt saddened by the fact that those old days, and such an innocent way of life, are gone forever. But they don't have to be, as long as we have more stellar books like this from Ms. Thomas.

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