Sweetwater Run...Review

About the book:

In 1891 in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, two young women stand at a crossroads. Both are protégées of the same mentor, Copper Brown, yet they couldn’t be more different. Darcy Whitt falls in love with the town’s handsome yet unscrupulous attorney who plots to take not only Darcy’s land but that of her sister as well. Meanwhile, her beautiful sister-in-law, Cara Whitt, suddenly finds herself alone and afraid, living in a rickety cabin on the backside of nowhere. As they struggle with the realities of life, both women learn to rely on their faith above all else. 

When her husband is wrongfully arrested for stealing his own mule, Cara Whitt finds herself alone in their small cabin on a mountain in eastern Kentucky. With her husband's family close by, Cara finds that she must rely on her own strength to survive. When her brother-in-law is gravely injured, leaving his wife and 5 children to cope and her young sister-in-law runs off with an unscrupulous lawyer, Cara turns to her friends and finds her faith in God restored.

While this book continues some of the characters from Jan Watson's Troublesome Creek series, it also stands alone. I haven't read any of her others yet, and while knowing the back history might have enriched this story, it certainly wasn't necessary.

A sweet book about faith, family and friendship, with quirky and endearing characters. These are people who have faith in God and others who find that faith at a time they need it.

Jan Watson has a way with words and her descriptions of 19th century backwoods life are fascinating: it certainly wasn't an easy life, especially for the women. But, there was also a sense of contentment and satisfaction that we don't see as much of today.

A smooth, pleasant read. I'm glad to have discovered this author and look forward to reading her other books.

Thanks to First Wildcard for the opportunity to review this book. You can read the first chapter here. You can learn more about Jan Watson here. You can get your own copy of the book here.

Read 8/09

* * * *

4/5 Stars