The Prayer Box (A Carolina Heirlooms Novel)

Finish Time: 6ish nights. Another book that got me through my move. And a great one to do so. This book had it all and was really a great read and as I started writing my review – realized it would be only my 2nd 5 bone review of the year! I really liked it! Meet Tandi. A newly single mom, running away from an awful past with her 2 kids, not knowing where her next paycheck is coming from, just trying to get by and figure out who she is. She rents a cottage in on Hatteras Island (which sounds beautiful!), quickly goes through what money she received from her divorce, and scrambles to figure out what is next. The cottage or bungalow, as a few call it, is owned by a woman, Iola Anne Poole, who we never meet in person in the book, but really the story is just as much about her as it is Tandi. Tandi never met her landlord, but when she needed her one day, she ventured over to the “main house” on her property, where Iola lives, only to find her passed away. Panicked and afraid of what will happen next, Tandi does the right thing and calls the police, but it was a weird struggle for me whether to trust her or not. Throughout the book we learn more about Tandi’s past, and it comes to make sense, but I could never tell if she would do the right thing, or had the right intentions. She does have a big heart, but she is also getting pretty desperate, so who knows what that will drive someone to do. So it took me some time to trust her (not that I have to trust my main characters) but I guess as any relationship, that was all part of it and I felt made for a great story. In fear of losing her house and on edge, Tandi is approached by the church, who has taken control of the property, to clean it out in exchange for staying in her bungalow. And as she starts sorting through Iola’s things, she discovers more than she bargained for, but in a good way. Iola didn’t have the best reputation on Hatteras Island, most thought she deceived an old man into getting control of her estate. But like most rumors, no one had all the details, and Tandi made it her mission (after much thought) to bring out Iola’s story. Which was truly fascinating. Oh and I should probably mention the prayer boxes in the title. That is how Tandi learned everything about Iola. From a young age, not having a confidant, Iola begins writing letters to her father, which Tandi learned (a bit slower than I did) is the Almighty Father in heaven, so they are not letters, but prayers. Through joy and tears, Tandi is transported into Iola’s past and learns so much more about this woman who had an amazingly big heart, but preferred to remain in the background. I’ve already rambled on a lot and feel I haven’t even touched the story. Throw in a (not so appreciative) boyfriend, a terrifying ex-husband, nosy townspeople, her sister, that cute dorky guy from church, her kids, a sea shell stop, the handy-woman hidden inside her, and an open heart for the Lord, really this story had it all. Really it does. You won’t be disappointed – check it out!

The Prayer Box took me on such an emotional journey. At times the stories of Iola Anne Poole and Tandi Reese are heartbreaking, full of hurt and turmoil, but overall there is a wonderful spirit of optimism in this book. Tandi is a single mom with two kids, who has left a horrible, dnagerous situation and escaped to the Outer Banks, a place with happy memories of times spent there with her grandparents. Her own childhood was a scary one, as she and her sister were bounced from foster families to her grandparents and back to their parents again. She'd love to give her own children a more stable, happy family life, but feels caught up in her own past. Tandi is renting a cottage at Benoit House, a dilapidated Victorian that has withstood many storms in all the years since it was built. When Iola Anne Poole, the owner of Benoit House, dies, Tandi is asked to help with cleaning it out in exchange for letting her stay in the cottage. Destitute and desperate, Tandi takes on the task, not knowing that what she finds within its walls could be the answer to her prayers for herself and her family. While she is cleaning out the house, she discovers a closet full of boxes of all shapes and sizes, each containing letters written by Iola Anne to God. As Tandi reads the letters in the prayer boxes, she uncovers the story of Iola's life, from when she was a child living in a home for orphans, through the last years of her life. As she uncovers Iola's past, she also discovers so many truths about herself. The language in this book is breathtaking, and is full of wonderful quotes and sayings, words that we can all live by. Words that tell us that we should see the divine in everything, that prayers are answered in ways that we don't choose, that the river of grace bubbles up in unexpected places. I loved the thought that life is quilted from all the scraps of our life, where we've been, the people in our lives, and how it's up to us to stitch them together. Tandi comes to many startling revelations as she reads the letters, revelations about herself, and especially how she learns that love is not just about those who are tied to us by blood, but it's those who love us outside of our bloodlines that prove to us that we are worthy. The Prayer Box is an amazing story, and it is the first story of the author's Carolina Chronicles. I can't wait to read the rest of the stories!

I love this book. Lisa Wingate’s exquisite prose drew me in from the first paragraph as she paints in delicate watercolours this brief period of time in the life of Tandi Jo. I love the complexity of the characters and the myriad little surprises throughout the book. This is a story of redemption, of forgiveness, and of faith. I loved Tandi Jo’s transformation as she immersed herself in Iola’s secrets. Her new faith was tested time and time again, and that realism enhanced my appreciation. This is a book I will read again and again. The Prayer Box is worthy of five stars, and that is what I award it.

A great story. I shall be looking out for more of Lisa Wingate's stories. I had great difficulty putting it down once I started it. I would recommend it highly as suitable for all age groups. Like all good books I will be returning to it again in the future. It is well written, the story flows well, the characters are credible and it keeps your interest right up to the last page. God bless you.

It's nothing life changing but it was a good read and it was free so that was fine. It was written well and I would recommend it as a light read.

I loved this book. Very well written, deeply thoughtful and some really good twists and turns. I so admire Iola and learned some wonderful life lessons. Highly recommended.

I just started reading this book out of curiosity. My mind was asking : why would someone give their book on Kindle for free? As i read I realized the incredible gift this book is. It is full of wisdom and a depth of understanding of human nature that is rarely found in a storybook. I was captivated by this girl ,Tandi, and her mentor from the grave, Iola Anne. Their journey together took me along as a silent partner who in the end was transformed by what they discovered. Thank you Author Lisa, for this Spirit-to-spirit treasure .