"Witness one woman's strength and growing faith"

"Do not forget to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:2)

When Eliza Wyatt is put in a position of running the family orchard by herself, she discovers that the new people entering her life are not who or what she thinks. Some years ago, as a younger woman, Eliza moved to a new town, created a new history, and purposefully set about creating a whole new family for herself. Now, with both her husband and her over-bearing father-in-law gone, she is faced with keeping her remaining family and her children's inheritance together during the Great Depression. One crazy aunt with a deep faith in God helps Eliza realize that when God answers our prayers, He doesn't always give us the answers we are looking for. One brother-in-law, believed to be permanently gone, has inherited everything. And what about the mysterious drifter? Is he the guardian angel that they all prayed for? Or is he what stands between Eliza's children and their future? I thought I had it all figured out, but was delighted to find out that I was wrong.

Lynn Austin writes a charming tale in which we get to know the why behind her characters, even those who are aready gone. By taking us back into the history of each of the major players in this story, we get pulled into the twisting family dynamics and start understanding how the Wyatt family has reached this point in time. By taking Eliza to a reunion with her own past, we see a life coming full circle. Ms. Austin shows us characters with an honest faith in God which, for most of us, means questions and doubts, anger and fear; but also, as it grows, means a sense of peace knowing that God really does provide just what we need.

Reviewed by Amy Edwards
Posted July 15, 2002