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I like that the two families blend together and work as one, sharing with each other. I like the faith that Julia, Samuel, Franky and others exhibit. I like that Julia and Samuel are willing to take in another mouth during times that are difficult--when they aren't even sure they'll have enough to feed their own two children.

Seeing the sibling relationship between Edward and Samuel was tough. I'm glad they came to some sort of understanding by the end of the book. I wish their relationship hadn't been so full of anger.

I guessed who Katie's father was long before it was revealed in the book and that's a rare thing for me to have happen.

I also appreciate how the Worthams accept Franky for who he is and how he is. It's disappointing to see that his own father doesn't see beyond the obvious. It's also disappointing that the schoolteacher apparently can't see that Franky can learn, he just learns differently than most. She apparently thinks since he can't write or read that he's stupid and unteachable. But he can do math quicker in his head than most do on paper and he "gets" deep meanings in literature and from the Bible that most people his age don't understand.

I liked this book in some ways better than others in the series, but in other ways I didn't like it as much which is why I rated it one star lower than the other two. Perhaps as another reviewer said, it is because this book contains so much anger and other emotion that it spilled over into how I feel about the book. ( )

This is another great story in this 'Wortham Family Series'. I find myself thinking about this family during the day and looking forward to reading more about their life and their struggles. This story truly does depict Ecclesiastes 3:1-5, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a tiime to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together."

It is July 4th, 1932 and the Wortham family will once again have their world shaken and learn how to deal with the next hardship in their life. Samuel and Julia Wortham will return home that night to find Samuel's brother Edward, out of prison and on their doorstep. But what really shocks them is when Edward introduces them to a young girl, Katie, and says she is Samuel's daughter. Samuel will maintain his innocence despite the obvious similarities to this child and her story. Julia will struggle with believing her husband and with her feelings towards Edward, who is a very hard person to love. And Katie, she just dreams of finding a home where she will be loved and cared for.

As the back of the book states, this is "a gripping story of truth, forgiveness, and reconciliation that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end". I strongly encourage readers to read these stories in the order they were written as all 3 flow together like one big book. This author truly does a great job of writing about a time that was hard, but also about a faith that was real and of two families that had to face a lot. ( )

Kelly's second novel features a gritty, authentic realism as well as a haunting, beautiful mood that enables readers to feel the characters' pain and rejoice when they overcome life's heartaches.

This book is third in a series of books by Leisha Kelly. Another great inspirational story of the Wortham and Hammond families. I have loved reading this series and reading how these families get through their struggles in life through their faith. These are nice quick reads. Truly enjoyable! ( )