Helpful Score: 1
One generation should teach the next. Sometimes that teaching isnt done in the traditional form of speaking and sometimes those words come to us in the form of letters never immediately intended to affect our lives.
Words are so powerful. Im constantly in awe of the potency they can have echoing down through the ages. Tandi has so much growing up to do in The Prayer Box. I couldnt help but be a bit frustrated with her at times, but to watch her mature and change into the woman she is called to be was a great part of the story. Done with subtlety and yet depth so you couldnt help but watch her blossom and deepen.
I really loved the letters shared throughout the entire book. It was the strong reason I choose to review the book and they didnt disappoint. They add a dimension to the story that takes the reader from the past to the present and back again.
Characters are compelling and interesting and the story flows with a sense of interest for this reader. If anything, the story itself might have been a bit drawn out and overlong, but the telling in and of itself is enjoyable and fulfilling.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
Words are so powerful. Im constantly in awe of the potency they can have echoing down through the ages. Tandi has so much growing up to do in The Prayer Box. I couldnt help but be a bit frustrated with her at times, but to watch her mature and change into the woman she is called to be was a great part of the story. Done with subtlety and yet depth so you couldnt help but watch her blossom and deepen.
I really loved the letters shared throughout the entire book. It was the strong reason I choose to review the book and they didnt disappoint. They add a dimension to the story that takes the reader from the past to the present and back again.
Characters are compelling and interesting and the story flows with a sense of interest for this reader. If anything, the story itself might have been a bit drawn out and overlong, but the telling in and of itself is enjoyable and fulfilling.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate
Tandi Jo Reeses life is pretty much a mess. The most stable people in her life had been her grandparents, but her parents eventually kept them out of her life. She has allowed her children to take care of themselves as she barely can help herself. Until she moves to Hatteras Island, one place with a good childhood memory. She lives in fear of her past and future until the day her she finds her elderly landlord dead and the woman seems to speak to Tandi through letters she had written to God.
This book has as many treasures in it as Iola Anne Poole's letters. A look into the past and it's prejudices. Watching Tandis daughter Zoey follow in her moms footsteps with bad choices. The struggle of falling into old habits when pushed by guilt, and so much more. It had some mystery to it along with the strength of a small community needing to pull together after a disaster. An ebook called The Sea Glass Sisters is the prequel to this story.
**Received through author for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/12/tyndale-house-publishers.html
Tandi Jo Reeses life is pretty much a mess. The most stable people in her life had been her grandparents, but her parents eventually kept them out of her life. She has allowed her children to take care of themselves as she barely can help herself. Until she moves to Hatteras Island, one place with a good childhood memory. She lives in fear of her past and future until the day her she finds her elderly landlord dead and the woman seems to speak to Tandi through letters she had written to God.
This book has as many treasures in it as Iola Anne Poole's letters. A look into the past and it's prejudices. Watching Tandis daughter Zoey follow in her moms footsteps with bad choices. The struggle of falling into old habits when pushed by guilt, and so much more. It had some mystery to it along with the strength of a small community needing to pull together after a disaster. An ebook called The Sea Glass Sisters is the prequel to this story.
**Received through author for review
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/12/tyndale-house-publishers.html
"The Prayer Box" by Lisa Wingate tells the story of Tandi Reese who is escaping from her abusive husband. In an attempt to disappear, she heads to the tiny community of Fairhope on Hattaras Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After finding her elderly landlady, Iola Anne Poole, deceased in her home, Tandi finds herself commissioned with the task of cleaning out Iola Anne's beautiful old Victorian home. In the midst of her cleaning, Tandi stumbles upon the first of many prayer boxes, each box containing prayers written by Iola Anne, starting from the time she was a young girl. Reading the prayers helps Tandi piece together fragments of Iola Anne's life and helps bring healing to her own troubled past and present.
This book was the second Lisa Wingate novel that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main characters had great depth and I loved the slow transformation of Tandi throughout the story. Overall, it was a great story. Faith themes were more subtly woven through the story, which was a nice change from some other Christian fiction novels available. A discussion guide at the back of the book lends itself nicely for use in a book club.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
This book was the second Lisa Wingate novel that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main characters had great depth and I loved the slow transformation of Tandi throughout the story. Overall, it was a great story. Faith themes were more subtly woven through the story, which was a nice change from some other Christian fiction novels available. A discussion guide at the back of the book lends itself nicely for use in a book club.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
Kristin D. (kdurham2813) reviewed The Prayer Box (Carolina Heirlooms, Bk 1) on + 753 more book reviews
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Tandi is a tragic character right from the start, she escaped a bad relationship and has ended up in another without realizing it. She is stressed trying to raise two kids and running from her past. Through letters to God, Tandi ends up learning about her deceased neighbor that helps her change her life.
There were many many moments where I wanted to knock this character upside her head! She just had no sense and I just wanted her to realize that she was repeating her mistakes, it took a lot of time for me to grow to even like her. I loved the setting for the book, the town and its people were awesome. I wouldn't mind listening to more of their back stories and learning more about the history of the town and maybe less of Tandi's issues.
Tandi is a tragic character right from the start, she escaped a bad relationship and has ended up in another without realizing it. She is stressed trying to raise two kids and running from her past. Through letters to God, Tandi ends up learning about her deceased neighbor that helps her change her life.
There were many many moments where I wanted to knock this character upside her head! She just had no sense and I just wanted her to realize that she was repeating her mistakes, it took a lot of time for me to grow to even like her. I loved the setting for the book, the town and its people were awesome. I wouldn't mind listening to more of their back stories and learning more about the history of the town and maybe less of Tandi's issues.
This is a wonderful story. I loved the descriptions by the author of the places and characters. I loved this book! Highly recommended!
Virginia P. (virginiajeanne) reviewed The Prayer Box (Carolina Heirlooms, Bk 1) on + 207 more book reviews
Tandi and her two children are running from her past, and they settle into a rental cottage on Hatteras Island. Tandi is hired to clean out the Victorian mansion next door when the owner, Iola, dies, and makes a discovery of prayer boxes containing old letters.
I thought this book was very good with the two stories, Tandi's and the home owner's, woven together. I had previously read the prequel to this novel, The Sea Glass Sisters, and several characters reappeared in this book.
I thought this book was very good with the two stories, Tandi's and the home owner's, woven together. I had previously read the prequel to this novel, The Sea Glass Sisters, and several characters reappeared in this book.
Accurate picture of the OBX community
I enjoyed the book for its strong (and accurate) depiction of the OBX/Hatteras Island community. The prayer box part itself wasn't as compelling as I expected, but all in all it's not a bad book.
I enjoyed the book for its strong (and accurate) depiction of the OBX/Hatteras Island community. The prayer box part itself wasn't as compelling as I expected, but all in all it's not a bad book.
The first part of the book was slow moving, I very rarely stop reading a book. And I am glad I kept reading this one. Once the story line was established and and characters introduced, it became a good book to read. Had it not been for the Iola's part in this book, I would not have enjoyed it. Her devotion to God and her anonymous gifts to those in need it heartwarming.
Eileen S. (smileen) -
It's been a while since I finished a book in tears. Lisa Wingate has written another amazing, heartwarming story that had me captured from the beginning. A woman escaping her previous life, hanging by a thread, find a home in a seaside village of fascinating characters. The whole story was simply wonderful! Now I can't wait to go read Before We Were Yours again!
Really enjoyed this! Great read.
