Welcome to another First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books. Today I’m sharing the first line from Sarah Loudin Thomas’ latest historical novel set in 1930s West Virginia, When Silence Sings. Love the title, don’t you? I had the pleasure to sharing a meal with Sarah at the 2016 ACFW gala and it was an honour and delight. Sarah is an exceptional person and her writing follows in the same vein. I have selected this novel for my book club next year (yes, it takes that long for books to arrive in Australian bookstores) and can’t wait to discuss this on in detail.
Have you read any of Sarah’s stories? Do you have a favourite? And if you haven’t, don’t miss your chance to enter the giveaway, courtesy of Bethany House Publishers.
First Line
I love how this line evokes the noise and smells of a coal train and makes you wonder where Colman and the train are headed!
As a Long-Standing Feud Threatens to Spark Once More,
the Fates of Two Families Rest on the Most Unexpected of Shoulders
For years, Serepta McClean has towered over the coal-filled hills of West Virginia, taking more than her share of legal and illegal trade alike. She’s intent on securing the future of the McClean name, despite two unreliable sons and a long-standing feud with the Harpe clan that’s exploded once again into violence.While many fear her, and many more despise her, few dare to stand against her. Especially not someone like Colman Harpe–a railroad man with dreams of being a preacher. And yet it’s a reluctant Colman, Serepta’s sworn enemy, who finds himself in this powerful woman’s territory, supposedly sent there by God himself to share stories of love and hope.
With the feud growing ever more dangerous, putting the entire region at risk, these two impossibly different people find themselves on a collision course. And the very lives of everyone close to them will be changed forever.
Sarah Loudin Thomas (www.sarahloudinthomas.com) is a fund-raiser for a children’s ministry who has time to write because she doesn’t have children of her own. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Coastal Carolina University and is the author of the acclaimed novels The Sound of Rain and Miracle in a Dry Season–winner of the 2015 Inspy Award. Sarah has also been a finalist for the Christy Award, ACFW Carol Award and the Christian Book of the Year Award. She and her husband live near Asheville, NC.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Thomas @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Sarah’s website
Discover Sarah’s free e-novella Appalachian Serenade
Buy at Amazon: When Silence Sings or Koorong
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November 16, 2019 at 12:15 pm
The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad is located an hour or two from us. Sarah is probably familiar with it. It’s not cheap, but a fun day trip in the fall when the leaves are changing.
November 19, 2019 at 12:18 pm
I’ve been on it! Such fun!
November 19, 2019 at 6:42 pm
Sounds good! We have one here about 15 minutes from us – Puffing Billy 🙂 It’s makes for a great day trip.
November 16, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Thank you for the giveaway!!!
November 19, 2019 at 6:43 pm
You are welcome, Connie! All thanks to Bethany House Publishers.
November 16, 2019 at 1:49 pm
Only when I was very young (so I don’t remember it) but my parents told me about it.
November 16, 2019 at 2:24 pm
Happy Friday! My first line is from “Because of You” by Becky Wade:
“Maddie Winslow met the man of her dreams the same day that her friend Olivia introduced Maddie to her new boyfriend. Which would have been splendid, except that the man of Maddie’s dreams was Olivia’s new boyfriend.”
November 19, 2019 at 6:43 pm
Great choice! I featured the same line last week 🙂
November 16, 2019 at 5:35 pm
This week on my blog I shared the first line from Heart of a Royal by Hannah Currie. It’s also my current read so I’ll share the first line from chapter 22 here: “The reception had been going on for hours–and no one seemed in any rush to end it.” Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
November 19, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Thanks Becca – I’ve been meaning to get my hands on Heart of a Royal. Hearing good things!
November 17, 2019 at 1:43 am
I have traveled on one at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI.
November 17, 2019 at 2:49 am
I was fortunate to have ridden a steam powered train when I was very young. It’s a very fond memory.
November 17, 2019 at 10:23 am
I have traveled on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad about 10 yrs ago. Beautiful scenery and a fun experience!
November 17, 2019 at 12:40 pm
I’m not quite halfway into reading When Silence Sings and enjoying it very much. I always like Sarah’s books.
November 19, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Great to hear, Pam!
November 17, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I just met Sarah at the Christy Awards, and she’s so nice. I read her novella that was up for the award and really enjoyed it!
November 19, 2019 at 12:19 pm
And I read yours–ditto!
November 19, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Thank you 🙂
November 19, 2019 at 6:46 pm
She’s lovely – just like you, Janet!
November 20, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Thank you 🙂
November 18, 2019 at 11:08 pm
Would like to see if this preacher can reach Serepta for the Lord.
November 19, 2019 at 12:20 pm
It’s a process . . . 😉
November 23, 2019 at 1:35 pm
Not yet.