When Silence Sings

GIVEAWAY

THOMAS, SARAH LOUDIN
WHEN SILENCE SINGS

A long-standing feud threatens to spark once more, the fates of two families rest on the most unexpected shoulders

For years, Serepta McClean has towered over the coal-filled hills of West Virginia, taking more than her share of legal and illegal trade alike. She's intent on securing the future of the McClean name, despite two unreliable sons and a long-standing feud with the Harpe clan that's exploded once again into violence.

While many fear her, and many more despise her, few dare to stand against her. Especially not someone like Colman Harpe -- a railroad man with dreams of being a preacher. And yet it's a reluctant Colman, Serepta's sworn enemy, who finds himself in this powerful woman's territory, supposedly sent there by God himself to share stories of love and hope.

With the feud growing ever more dangerous, putting the entire region at risk, these two impossibly different people find themselves on a collision course. And the very lives of everyone close to them will be changed forever.

My Review:

I'm being struck speechless by quite a few books lately and When Silence Sings joins the group. Profoundly captivating. It's really impossible to describe the soul-searching depths to this story. Layers upon layers richly woven into a fascinating tapestry of Appalachian life. Back stories that go back generations. The way the sheer stubbornness of feuding clans can morph into something so evilly destructive. And the light the word of God can bring to those who are willing to listen.

Colman is the unsuspecting, very reluctant light bearer. He wants to be a preacher -- but not the staring-down-lions kind. There's a clever retelling of Old Testament Jonah within the pages of this book. And I spotted quite a few scripture parallels among these complex characters. Love the way Colman is more of a storyteller than a fire and brimstone preacher. His insecurities drew me in and he spends a lot of the time not realizing the majesty of his God-given gift. So relatable -- how we assume we're not measuring up to God's expectations. And I love how he learns everything the hard way! Just like me -- by ignoring it, running away or doing it all wrong first time round. :-)

Then there's Serepta. A cunning, emotionally guarded clan matriarch. I actually recoiled when I first met her and, truthfully, didn't completely warm up to her even at the end. But I understood her thanks to the literary artistry of Susan Loudin Thomas. Her story is complex and heartbreaking woven together with fragile threads of hope. I'd actually like to meet up with Serepta in a future book to see how she's faring.

While When Silence Sings is told from Colman and Serepta's points of view, there are some stand-up-and-take-notice secondary characters that captivated me. Gentle Ivy with her healing gifts, orphaned Emmaline, devoted, long-suffering Charilie and even embittered Wes Harpe. But there's one particularly intriguing character I'd really like to get his own story. Crossing my fingers as I refrain from naming any names. Don't want to even hint at any spoilers.

A truly incredible, not-to-be-missed and meant-to-be savoured read! Oh -- and I listened to the audible version of this book. Leah Horowitz did a great job of bringing these characters and their stories to life.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of When Silence Sings , leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 7 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!