Sweetwater Run

I have read several books by Jan Watson and have enjoyed them all. I enjoy reading about Kentucky and her fictional folks.

I had read three books before by Jan Watson about this same area and there are some of the same characters in this book as the others, but you could for sure read it as a stand alone book! Cara and Dimmert are a young couple who get stuck in a frustrating twist of events where he ends up in jail for a long while and Cara is alone at home, and all over a mule, a crooked lawyer and some mean people. You will enjoy the story set in somewhat primitive conditions as Cara seeks to overcome her fears of being alone and uses her time instead of being bitter about it, to help others. There is her sister Dance, who seems to suffer from either just being over tired or PPD and she steps up to minister to her. I really enjoyed this book- set in the Kentucky mountains, you get the quaintness of the area and the time period. It is well written and enjoyable! I enjoyed hearing about where Copper was as well, from previous series by Jan Watson too as well as a couple of other familiar characters.

Sweetwater Run is set in the simplistic, yet complicated hills of Kentucky in the year 1893. it is a book about the characters of individuals forged in the fires of hard times and testing. Although set in the 1800's, readers will find themselves identifying with the characters in the book as they struggle through fear, insecurity, depression, and childhood wounds that impact their adult lives. The book centers around Cara Whitt, a young wife who finds herself sentenced to a life alone when her husband is sent to jail for stealing his own mule (back from a neighbor). Fighting through the terror that consumes her, Cara finds help in the most unexpected of ways--the area's equivalent to Robin Hood. Supplementing Cara's story are the side stories of her friends and neighbors Ace and Dance (Dance who suffers from issues resembling today's post-partum depression and pica) and Darcy Mae Whitt who is courted - and deceived - - by the local town lawyer. Sweetwater Run, at first glance, seems to be the atypical predictable fiction book, and readers will be surprised to find themslves caught off guard by some unexpected twists and turns, all while never letting go of the old-home feeling the book gives.

I have just so much praise for Jan Watson, and I am thinking "Where have I been?" I had no idea that Sweetwater Run was a part of a series. This is awesome for two reasons. First, the book totally stands firmly on its own. There is enough background given in the novel so that the reader does not feel as if they are walking in the middle of a conversation. Secondly, I now have the joy of having a new series to pick up! This is a Christian novel, but it is a story in which the Christian theme enhances the story rather than feeling as if it is thrown in at every turn to make it Christian. I really enjoyed seeing Cara turn to her faith in her times of distress. Obviously I have never lived in 1893, but the book brought scenes to my mind so vividly. The characters were solid and the relationships were drawn out so very well. I definitely caught myself giggling at moments but also touched in the heart at others. Sweetwater Run has all the makings of a fabulous story with a cast of characters that you grown to care for. I woud highly recommend this book, and I will certainly be catching up with the rest of the series.

When her husband is wrongfully arrested for stealing his own mule, Cara Whitt finds herself alone in their small cabin on a mountain in eastern Kentucky. With her husband's family close by, Cara finds that she must rely on her own strength to survive. When her brother-in-law is gravely injured, leaving his wife and 5 children to cope and her young sister-in-law runs off with an unscrupulous lawyer, Cara turns to her friends and finds her faith in God restored. While this book continues some of the characters from Jan Watson's Troublesome Creek series, it also stands alone. I haven't read any of her others yet, and while knowing the back history might have enriched this story, it certainly wasn't necessary. A sweet book about faith, family and friendship, with quirky and endearing characters. These are people who have faith in God and others who find that faith at a time they need it. Jan Watson has a way with words and her descriptions of 19th century backwoods life are fascinating: it certainly wasn't an easy life, especially for the women. But, there was also a sense of contentment and satisfaction that we don't see as much of today. A smooth, pleasant read. I'm glad to have discovered this author and look forward to reading her other books.