Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed on 9/30/2017 + 157 more book reviews

Liar's Winter is a powerful story written by an equally powerful storyteller. Cindy K. Sproles writes with a fresh voice in Christian fiction and spins a mesmerizing, character-driven tale as hauntingly beautiful as its Smoky Mountain setting.

From the time in my youth when I read Catherine Marshall's Christy, I've been drawn to Appalachian settings, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's a combination of elements â for instance, the raw beauty of an untamed land â isolated, an area unto itself â and the naiveté, superstition and innocence of its people. The lyrical voice of Sproles captures the essence of late nineteenth-century Appalachia and its people in this story of faith and redemption. The dialect and ungrammatical language of the mountain people is easy to follow, even bringing back memories of my own north Georgia ancestry.

If a character has ever stolen my heart, it's Lochiel. With her horrifying background of abuse, brokenness and abandonment, concepts of love, trust, tenderness and caring are unimaginable to her. Liar's Winter is raw and gritty, just like Lochiel's life. But contrasted with that is Lochiel's moving response to honesty, compassion, and grace.

I'm more of a fan of drama than suspense and adventure; but although those elements are present, they fit the storyline. Strong secondary characters like Walton, Edna and Silas also captured my heart. Liar's Winter is a story of prejudice and choices; it's not a light read, but a compelling and memorable one. Highly recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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