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.

Nora Bonesteel's Christmas Past by Sharyn McCrumb

This is a Christmas novella that will make you smile.  It's Christmas Eve and there is magic in the air...

PR by the Book sent me a copy of this book for review as part of the blog tour (thank you).  This would make an excellent Christmas gift.  (Even if you buy it for you!)

I've always enjoyed the Nora Bonesteel character and was looking forward to what Ms. McCrumb did with her in this book.  Surprisingly, it was the side story that touched my heart the most.  Christmas really can change how people act and what they do.  There's a perfect example within in these pages.

Nora has neighbors that don't usually winter over here in the hills.  They stay home in the bad weather and visit in the summer months.  This year, the wife wants to stay.  All is going well, they're remodeling, and Christmas is almost here.  What they can't fathom is why their Christmas tree keeps falling over and their ornaments get broken.  They have no animals, there's no breeze, and yet it happens.  When they ask Nora for help, she has to figure out how to explain in a believable way.

The other side story is the sheriff and his deputy trying to deliver a warrant for arrest.  They feel like Scrooge because it's Christmas Eve and who wants to spend that night in jail, but it's their job.  When they get there and the old man comes to the door, he confirms that name is his.  He'll go, but would they help him by cutting firewood for his wife?  She's too old to do it herself.  They do.  Then he has another chore for them...

Nora helps the new tenants put up a tree that will please a ghost from Christmas past; the sheriff and his deputy spend the afternoon doing errands for the old couple.

This a pleasant read that makes you feel as soft and fuzzy inside.  I need one of those every now and again and I really enjoyed this one.  Why don't you get a copy and settle in for a good read, too?