Prayers the Devil Answers by Sharyn McCrumb

Her husband is ill and she sits by his bedside waiting for him to get better.  It's not to be, pneumonia kills him.  He was still a fairly young man, who would have thought he could die from a cold?

Atria Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published May 10th.

Appalachian hill country people have their own ways.  They tend to take care of themselves, keep to themselves, and don't accept charity.  They'd rather do without than take charity.  They also aren't very social creatures.

Once her husband dies, she has the women of the town bringing all kinds of food to the house.  She doesn't like it but it's what one does and she accepts it.  When she gets her husband buried, she has to decide what she's going to do to keep her home and her boys together.  She's not moving back home again.

Her husband was Sheriff in the small town and she approaches one of the commissioners to suggest she fill his position.  He's not sure about it at all, but she's already approached the deputies and they have agreed to let her have the position.  She needs the money, she can do the paperwork and they might even get the office cleaned up with her there.  They do, but not how they were expecting it.

This is the story of a good woman who cared for her family and tried to do what was right.  It's a hard look at a tough life.  I liked the ironic touch at the end.  Everyone has to pay for their sins.