Title: Prayers and Lies
Author: Sherri Wood Emmons
First published February 1, 2011
312 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780758253248 (ISBN10: 0758253249)
Rating: 3.95
Overview
In Prayers and Lies, readers are transported to the Coal River Valley where a young Bethany finds solace in her six-year-old cousin Reana Mae. For years, Bethany and her family make the annual trip to West Virginia, but as she grows older, she begins to uncover the dark secrets that lurk in this tight-knit community.
The cabins by the riverside, once a symbol of her family’s history, are now a source of scandal and whispers. With devastating secrets coming to light, Bethany must navigate the dense woods and unmask the unimaginable truths that threaten to shatter her life and everything she once thought was true.
About the Author
Meet Sherri Wood Emmons, a skilled freelance writer and editor who has now ventured into the world of fiction with her debut work, Prayers and Lies. Sherri holds a degree from Earlham College and has also completed the prestigious University of Denver Publishing Institute.
When she’s not busy writing, she enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband, two chubby beagles, and four pampered cats. Sherri is proud to call Indiana her home.
Editoral Review
Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons is a poignant and powerful novel that weaves together themes of family, love, and betrayal against the backdrop of the American South in the 1950s. Emmons is a talented writer and storyteller, crafting a deeply emotional and layered narrative that will leave readers moved and inspired.
Set in rural Virginia, Prayers and Lies tells the story of young girl named Rachel Hearn, who grows up in a deeply religious family that is steeped in tradition and secrets. Rachel is a bright and curious girl, but she is often overshadowed by her beautiful and charismatic sister, Francine.
Despite their differences, Rachel and Francine are close, and they share a special bond that helps them navigate the challenges of their family and community. As the novel unfolds, Rachel and Francine begin to uncover the many lies and secrets that have been kept hidden from them for years.
They discover that their family is not as perfect as it seems, and that the people they have always trusted may not be who they appear to be. Along the way, they also learn about the power of forgiveness and the strength of love, as they struggle to come to terms with the truth about themselves and their loved ones.
Emmons’ writing style is beautifully lyrical and evocative, and her descriptions of the Virginia landscape and people are vivid and immersive. She captures the essence of the rural South in the 1950s, with all its complexities and contradictions, and creates a world that feels both immensely real and deeply personal.
Her characters are compelling and fully realized, with Rachel and Francine standing out as particularly memorable and sympathetic. One of the strengths of Prayers and Lies is Emmons’ ability to tackle difficult themes and issues with sensitivity and nuance.
She explores difficult topics such as abuse, adultery, and religious fanaticism, but does so in a way that never feels heavy-handed or preachy. Instead, she allows her characters to grapple with their own moral and ethical dilemmas, and leaves the reader to draw their own conclusions about what is right and wrong.
While Prayers and Lies is a powerful and compelling novel, it is not without its flaws. There are moments where the pacing can feel slow, and some readers may find the religious themes and imagery to be heavy-handed or repetitive.
Additionally, some of the plot twists and revelations don’t quite land as well as they could, leaving the reader with a sense of unresolved tension. Overall, however, Prayers and Lies is a novel that is well worth reading.
It is a timeless story about family, love, and forgiveness that is well-suited to readers of all ages and backgrounds. With its beautifully crafted prose, compelling characters, and engaging plot, it is a novel that will stay with readers long after they’ve finished the final page.
Highly recommended.
