MY REVIEW:
“Grace and the Preacher” was such an enjoyable read with an abundance of memorable characters. Sweet Grace had fallen in love with Fairland’s new preacher through his letters but when he finally arrived in town, he was not at all what she expected. Theophil Garrison had always tried to do the right thing but somehow nothing ever seemed to go his way. When he arrived in Fairland to deliver a difficult message, the acceptance he felt from the townspeople made him decide to reinvent his life as another man. Little did he know how difficult it would be to live out the lie.
A story populated by people who often made the wrong decisions, “Grace and the Preacher” was also filled with Biblical wisdom liberally shared by Grace’s Uncle Philemon and Bess, the lady who ran the boarding house. It is a beautiful story of grace and mercy, forgiveness and redemption that ultimately points the reader toward following the Lord’s plan for her life rather than her own.
I especially liked how Earl’s story turned out. He was a character who could easily have received what he deserved and most readers would have been happy with that outcome. The author’s solution was so much better! I loved this book and look forward to reading more books by Kim Vogel Sawyer in the near future.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Blogging for Books. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
At the age of twenty-four, postmistress Grace Cristler has all but given up hope of finding a husband among the narrowing group of eligible men in her town of Fairland, Kansas. But when her uncle decides to retire from the pulpit, Grace is responsible for corresponding with the new preacher set to take his place. She can’t deny the affection growing in her heart for Reverend Rufus Dille—a man she deeply admires, but has only met through his letters.
Theophil Garrison is on the run from a past and a label he’s desperate to escape. Ten years ago, his outlaw cousins convinced him to take part in a train robbery, but Theo fled the scene, leaving his cousins to face imprisonment. Now their sentence is complete, but the plan for vengeance has only just begun. Branded a coward and running for his life, a chance encounter could provide Theo with the escape he needs.
But the young man’s desperate con might come at an enormous price for the tenderhearted Grace—and the entire town. Will Grace’s undeserved affection and God’s mercy make something beautiful from the ashes of Theo’s past?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With over 40 titles on library shelves and more than 1.5 million copies of her books in print worldwide, Kim Vogel Sawyer enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Empty-nesters, Kim and her retired military husband, Don, are active in their church’s music ministry. Additionally, Kim helps lead women’s fellowship and enjoys teaching at writing conferences and spiritual retreats. When she isn’t writing, Kim enjoys quilting, traveling, and spoiling her granddarlings.
