I was unsure what to expect from What Momma Left Behind since there are so many intriguing plotlines mentioned.

Getting in to the story, I quickly find so much more at work, there was so much mystery, so much pain, so much love, and yet every single plotline fell in to place with such easy that the whole book was a masterpiece. The relationship between Worie and each of the other characters was so sweet, except for the bad guy, of course.

My only concern with What Momma Left Behind was inappropriate content that bordered on rape, if you want details message me.

And the ending, awww, I loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

In 1898, 19 year old Worie is unprepared for her mother's death or for the growing number of orphans her mother had been helping feed. While she is trying to work out how to handle this sudden responsibility, Worie's brother confronts her about their mother's secret canning jar and the contents of it. Worie must fight for her home and learn what secrets her mother held.

This was an enjoyable story and set during a time I don't usually gravitate toward. It is a very emotional story right from the start and I wasn't prepared for it. Those who are sensitive to matters of suicide might want to be cautious about reading this book. Worie has a lot of anger through the course of the story and this causes her to lash out.

The story is told with dialogue of the time, which took some adjusting to. My main criticism is how abruptly the story ended and the epilogue, which left me confused. It says many years passed, then goes back to what happened right after the last chapter, and then back to many years.

Overall, it was an interesting read and I would recommend it to readers of Christian Fiction. I received a free copy from the author through LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. All opinions expressed are my own. ( )

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having just read Christy by Catherine Marshall, the setting felt very similar—but the stories, while bearing resemblances to each other in some ways, are also completely different. This one is a very well intertwined mystery—whereas that one was more of a biographical novel.

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was how the narrative matches the main character’s way of speaking. Grammatically, this book would be terrible—but it makes sense in the setting, and actually brought it more to life for me. I haven’t seen that stylistic choice in many other places—generally, even if the conversations somewhat match the setting, the narrative is proper English. This one made sense the way it was, and I enjoyed that.

I also enjoyed my trip through the Smoky Mountains. I’d love to visit a place like that sometime, although I could do without the mud! Seeing things through the eyes of someone who had lived there all their life was quite interesting—and I also thought the descriptions of how they went about doing their daily chores interesting.

There are so many things I feel like I could say about this book—the whole concept of what constitutes a family, adoption, love, support, and so much more. In some ways, it’s a delightful story. In other ways, I did end up really hating a couple of the characters, even though I was sorry their storylines had to end the way they did. In all, I felt like this was an excellent read. Perhaps not quite as deep as some books, but it still held a fascinating mystery in a beautiful historical setting, and I’ll be on the lookout for other books by this author!

Note: If suicide is a trigger for you, this book may not be a good choice. One happens just before the story starts, and it's referred to throughout the book.

I requested a free review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it. ( )

What Momma Left Behind
By Cindy K. Sproles
I find myself at a loss for words to describe Cindy Sproles books! She is incredible! Her books are always on my read list! Her understanding and ability to capture all the aspects of life in the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1890’s breathtakingly real. Each story, including this one reaches deep inside of you on an emotional level. You aren’t just reading about the characters and their experiences, but living them.
Influenza has struck the small community of Sourwood, Tennessee. Many many people are dying, but what is worse they are leaving orphaned children alone in a poverty stricken environment. After the death of her father, Worie is thankful to have her mother. Then tragedy strikes. She finds her mother dead from suicide. She faces grief and confusion as to why her mother would take her life. Worie is 19 years old so she isn’t in as dire straits as all the young children left alone.
Totally unexpectedly the orphans of the area begin showing up at her home seeking help. How can she help them, she hasn’t much? Yet her loving tender heart moves to do the impossible and take them in. God works through these heart retching events to change Worie’s life and the lives of others around her.
It rang so true to me that God uses horrible circumstances to turn our trust to Him when there is nowhere else to turn. I loved the wise words friends Ely and Bess; they are ones to remember. I was inspired by Worie’s courage, determination, and willingness to listen to God. This book is filled with unexpected surprises, mystery, and beautiful examples of the love and help of those around us. A very emotional but uplifting book. ( )

'I was afraid. Afraid of bein alone. Not afraid of bein by myself, but of bein alone---with nobody that cared.'

At seventeen, Worie Dressar has seen a lot of trouble and endured a lot of hurts and now, she is experiencing the worst pain of all! After finding her mother dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, Worie is both grief-stricken and angry! Why would her mother leave her alone to deal with two brothers who have done nothing to help the two of them since her father died? But Worie has been taught well, and after burying her momma, she sets out to carry on!

Cindy K. Sproles is a new-to-me author and I was captivated by her story that begins in Sourwood Mountain, Tennessee in 1877. Her characters are fascinating and I was especially drawn to Worie and her special friends, Ely and Bess. Ely and Bess are loving, God-fearing people and I believe that it is their Christian witness that allows Worie to grow in her own faith and to carry on the work of her Momma. It is the discovery that her Momma had been secretly caring for children who had been orphaned by "the fever" that offers Worie another challenge and a new mission. How can she help them when she can barely feed herself? Is there a chance of redemption for her brothers, Calvin and Justice? Will Worie finally find peace, forgiveness, and a family as she works to provide homes for these precious children?

Appalachian dialect, an implied mystery about Worie's own birth, and the historical facts about the typhoid and influenza epidemics that invaded the Appalachian Mountains are all reasons that I enjoyed this book. What Momma Left Behind is a story that I won't soon forget and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Baker Publishing Group/Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. ( )