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.

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What Momma Left Behind is Cindy K. Sproles's debut novel. The author takes readers to the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1870s. Worie Dressar loses her mother, her home and security in a short span of time. Influenza and typhoid are afflicting the residents of the mountain leaving numerous people dead. Worie had dreams of becoming a teacher, but there was no way she could leave her mother alone to care for the farm. Her brother, Justice took to drink after their father passed. Her other brother, Calvin is a greedy man who is also a liar and a conniver. Thankfully, Worie has good friends in Ely and Bess Merrell. She then meets Pastor Jess who will prove invaluable in helping Worie. I thought the author captured the speech of the Appalachian people along with the living conditions and their struggles. Worie is a simple person with a limited education which is evident from her speech and knowledge. Worie's mother was a woman of great faith, but it is something Worie has struggled with despite her mother's teachings. I thought What Momma Left Behind was a slow starter, but, as I got further into the book, I become more engrossed. I wanted to find out how the story would play out. There were some interesting surprises along the way. I appreciated the epilogue which nicely wrapped up the book. The story is told in the first-person from Worie's point-of-view. It gives the reader an opportunity to really understand this feisty young woman. Worie is only seventeen at the beginning when she begins taking in the orphans. I just loved Pastor Jess who kept popping up when you least expected him. Worie has a great deal to learn and understand. Her spirited nature will stand her in good stead, but Worie does need to control her temper. The one thing I did not like was how the book started. I just found it off-putting which made it hard for me to get into the story. I wish the author had put that scene in the second chapter. Faith plays a big part of the story. There are scripture passages along with religious talks. What Momma Left Behind is an interesting historical novel that gives readers a glimpse at what life was like for residents of the Appalachian Mountains in the late 1870s.

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