Ozark Reunion by Helen Gray

My book review today is on the Heartsong Presents, Ozark Reunion by Helen Gray. This is Helen's second book about the Great Depression in a small town in Missouri. I enjoyed the first and was glad when her second one arrived. She has done it again, this book is well written, her characters are hurting victims of a national tragedy, and the love story is sweet.

Jolene Delaney is a school teacher, she was forced to take a pay cut but at least she had a job. Her father is injured and is unable to care for the farm. Their neighbor takes over the chores. Jolene and her younger sister are struggling to survive. One of her beloved students is forced to move to town when his father leaves town to try to find work. The boy runs away and is found her hiding in her barn. When she takes the boy home she finds his mother and four children living in a garage with nothing. She ends up having his mother care for her father and gives them all a room in her home.

Riley Blake has a troubled past; running moonshine, shot by mobster, and his loss of his brother. He stopped having anything to do with God when He let his brother died. As a child his sister's best friend had been a part of his life and he grew to care for her, maybe even love her. Jolene is a strong Christian
and as they became teens she began to preach at him constantly. Riley turned from her as he had God. Now he had returned home to help his family through this time of struggle.

This story is a journey of many different areas; Jolene learning that preaching to a man is not the way to bring him to the Lord, Riley's struggle with love and faith, and both learning that God has a plan and that no matter how bad things get giving is the true joy in life, and as you give God will bless you. I know this book will warm your heart and touch your soul. Now have a great weekend and God bless you.