Wednesday, May 27, 2020

The Prayer Box: A Book Review

Summer is on it's way and hopefully you have a list of Books to take to the cottage or read on those lazy summer nights!


girl reading a book
                                   

I have just finished reading The Prayer Box, by Lisa Wingate!

What a great story about a lady who lived her whole life in a small vacation community and yet remained a mystery to that whole community.

It doesn't take long for this book to grab you and reel you in.  Iola Anne Poole had lived on Hatteras Island her whole life and died at the ripe age of ninety one!  Hatteras Island is a community of people that live there all year long and an increased population during the summer season.  Artisans and good people call this home and wait for the influx of visitors in order to finance their off seasons.  Home cooked meals, coffee shops with caring staff, make this island a wonderful place to live and an even better place to spend your summer months.  Everyone who lives here knows everyone else.  With the exception of Iola Anne Poole!

What starts out as a new beginning for Tandi Jo Reese, ends up being her lifeline to a future without fear.  Tandi Jo is hiding from a controlling and manipulative man.  She and her two children are literally running from a past of fear and control, into a future that will hopefully be better.

Iola, rents Tandi a cottage that is part of the property she owns.  Tandi in search of a better place for herself and her children jumps at the chance of having a secure roof over their heads without the fear of being found.  Her landlady is even willing to rent to her on a weekly basis.  

Just two weeks into this new beginning, Iola dies!  Tandi is already having problems with the rent.  Her "ex", (you'll learn more about him when you read the book)  does not know where she is and she does not want him to find her.

Iola, left her belongings and everything else in her life to the church just up the road from her Rambling Victorian home.  The pastor needs help to clean out Iola's home.

Tandi, now has a job.  Hired by the pastor to clean out her home, Tandi comes across a walk in closet full of decorated boxes.


decorative shoe boxes
Image by Luisella Planeta Leoni from Pixabay

What happens next is for you to find out.  I really don't want to spoil this novel for you.  So much happens in such a reasonably short time frame.  You will need to pick up this book and enjoy it for yourself.

Those boxes and life on Hatteras Island has made it possible for Tandi to understand that there is more to life than running and hiding.  That there are good people in the world and that everything you learn from life can come to your aid when you need it the most.




This book has won many awards, and  has been recommended by Debbie Macomber , one the New York Times Bestselling Authors.  (I enjoy her writings as well).

It is the firsts in a series of 3 novels, and, I know I will read all of them.

The Prayer Box is a lovely summer read and will have you thinking about your own relationships, familial and with the people around you.  This book really is a summer gift and I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I have.

the prayer box collage


About the Author

 Lisa Wingate has written several novels and each one has had it's share of acclaim.  


While I was busy taking in this novel, my co-writer Bev Owens just finished reviewing another of her books, Before We Were Yours!  I had read this book as well and enjoyed it immensely.  So when I saw The Prayer Box, I was already enchanted with the author. Her stories are really enjoyable and I can see why she has such great reviews!  




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


12 comments:

  1. This sounds like a perfect read for a lazy weekend.

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    1. Louanne, I would guarantee that this is a book you would certainly enjoy. It's light reading, yet holds some really good life lessons in it as well.

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  2. Having lived many years on Tybee Island, GA, which is exactly the kind of place and people you describe Hatterus Island to be, I am definitely interested in reading this book. Thanks for your review, Olivia.

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    1. Oh if you have this kind of life experience, I'm sure you will enjoy this book. The story is really very sweet even though it starts out kind of sadly.

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  3. Olivia, this sounds like a wonderful, engaging, and uplifting story with a twist of mystery, and one that I would enjoy reading. Thanks very much for the review and recommendation!

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    1. Margaret, I could not put this book down. If the need for sleep wasn't an issue, I would have read it in one sitting. It really is a page turner.

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  4. I was immediately interested in this book by the title, which made me think of prayer journals. Prayer is always the one thing we can do for someone else even if we don't have earthly resources. It is also the most precious gift we can give. I can easily imagine filling a box with prayers, answered and ongoing. I'm sure I would enjoy this book immensely. Thank you for the recommendation!

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    Replies
    1. Oh Miss Mouse, as I was reading, I thought of who would really enjoy this and you were first on the list. The Prayer boxes are really intriguing and even more sincere when written by Iola. You will enjoy this book, no doubt in my mind at all.

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  5. Olivia, wow, this sounds like an excellent book. You have peaked my interest indeed, I don't often have time to read books, but honestly I want to read this one - actually I have a friend who I believe might love this!

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  6. Barbara, it is really a great book. You might think it "preachy" because of it's title, but it truly is not. The Prayer Box is integral to the telling of the tale and the story of Iola! It is truly fascinating and keeps you totally absorbed. I hope you do get some time to read this one.

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  7. Sounds wonderful. I plan to check it out. Thanks!

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  8. Thanks for the recommendation - you've definitely put this on my summer read list plus the bonus of a series!

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