Books/Writing
My publisher is Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. I’m represented by Wendy Lawton of Books & Such Literary Agency. My novels are available through major retailers and independent booksellers. Click on the links for my author pages.
NOVEMBER 2019 – When Silence Sings
Colman Harpe works for the C&O in the Appalachian rail town of Thurmond, West Virginia, but he’d rather be a preacher and lead his own congregation. When a member of the rival McLean clan guns down his cousin and the clan matriarch, Serepta McLean, taunts the Harpes by coming to a tent revival in their territory, Colman chooses peace over seeking revenge with the rest of his family.
Colman, known for an unnaturally keen sense of hearing, is shocked when he hears God tell him to preach to the McLeans. A failed attempt to run away leaves Colman sick and suffering in the last place he wanted to be–McLean territory. Nursed by herbalist Ivy Gordon–a woman whose unusual appearance has made her an outcast–he’s hindered in his calling by Serepta’s iron grip on the region and his uncle’s desire to break that grip. But appearances can be deceiving, and he soon learns that the face of evil doesn’t look like he expected.
NOVEMBER 2017 – The Sound of Rain
Judd Markley is a hard working coal miner who rarely thinks much past tomorrow until he loses his brother—and nearly his own life—in a mine cave-in. Vowing never to enter the darkness of a mine again, he leaves all he knows in West Virginia to escape to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It’s 1954, the seaside community is thriving, and Judd soon hires on with a timber company.
Larkin Heyward’s life in Myrtle Beach is uncomplicated, mostly doing volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more—maybe moving to the hollers of Kentucky to help the poor children of Appalachia. But she’s never even met someone who’s lived there—until she encounters Judd, the newest employee at her father’s timber company.
Drawn together in the wake of a devastating hurricane, Judd and Larkin each seek answers to what tomorrow will bring. As opposition rises against following their divergent dreams, they realize that it may take a miracle for them to be together.
Appalachian Blessings Series
Appalachian Serenade: A Novella
Delilah Morrissey has always wanted to be a mother, but when she becomes a young widow, that dream now seems farther away than ever. Unable to continue to live alone in Chicago, her only option is to accept her sister’s offer to move in with her family back in West Virginia. Will Delilah have the faith to pursue a new dream–even if it means giving up the old?
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Miracle in a Dry Season – Released August 2014 “Wonderful, simply wonderful.” – Debbie Macomber
It’s 1954 and Perla Long’s arrival in the sleepy town of Wise, West Virginia, was supposed to go unnoticed. She just wants a quiet, safe place for her and her daughter, Sadie, where the mistakes of her past can stay hidden. But then drought comes to Wise, and Perla is pulled into the turmoil of a town desperately in need of a miracle.
Casewell Phillips has resigned himself to life as a bachelor…until he meets Perla. She’s everything he’s sought in a woman, but he can’t get past the sense that she’s hiding something. As the drought worsens, Perla’s unique gift divides the town in two, bringing both gratitude and condemnation, and placing the pair in the middle of a storm of anger and forgiveness, fear and faith.
“Once in a while a new author comes along with a work that makes you sit up and take notice. Thomas has crafted a tale of this proportion.” – Library Journal starred review
- 2015 Selah Award Winner – debut novel
- 2015 INSPY Award Winner – debut novel
- Christian Retailing’s Best Award nominee
Until the Harvest – Released May 2015 – Continue the Phillips’ family saga with Casewell & Perla’s son Henry.
When a family tragedy derails Henry Phillips’s college studies, he’s left unmoored and feeling abandoned. Although Henry tries to find escape in bad company, the only things that can tamp down his anger and grief are the family farm, his fiddle, and sweet but unusual pre-teen Mayfair Hoffman.
Unfortunately, Mayfair’s older sister, Margaret, with the freckles and cute, turned-up nose, has the opposite effect. Worse, she’s his grandmother’s housekeeper and helper, so she’s always around and ready to push his buttons. At first he thinks she doesn’t care about his loss, before beginning to understand she’s facing her own struggles. Mayfair’s health and unique gift sit at the heart of those worries, and Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as both Henry’s future and Mayfair’s life are put at risk.
This followup story will delight readers of Thomas’ previous novel, but, it reads perfectly as a standalone as well. – RT Book Reviews Top Pick – 4.5 stars
- 2016 Christian Book Award Finalist – Fiction
- 2016 Selah Award Winner – Historical Romance
- 2016 Carol Award Finalist – Romance
A Tapestry of Secrets – Released August 2016 – The Phillips family saga wraps up with matriarch Perla remembering the fateful summer of 1949.
When Ella Phillips’ volatile ex steps back into her life, she’s suspicious of his motives. The news that her beloved Grandma Perla has suffered a stroke and can’t speak is the perfect excuse to rush home to WV. Ella’s always had a knack for understanding people, so she stays to help nurse her grandmother. Of course, new pastor Richard Goodwin and handsome Seth Markley make her decision easy.
Perla Phillips has carried a secret since she was eighteen years old. While family and friends know her oldest child, Sadie, was born out of wedlock in 1949, no one knows the father’s name. Perla hopes finally sharing the truth will help her daughter and her granddaughter resolve their own struggles. But before she can reveal what happened sixty years earlier, she suffers a stroke.
Sadie Phillips adored her stepfather and thought she should honor his memory by never discovering the identity of her real father. When she realizes her mother could die without revealing his name–or anything about him–she determines to discover the truth.
Three generations of women carry secrets–some more damaging than others. Will they have the courage to share their hearts? Or will the truth remain buried forever
LINKS TO ON-LINE WRITING
Book Fun Magazine – p. 153 August 2014 – http://www.bookfunmagazine.com/i/357221
Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference – http://altongansky.typepad.com/writersconferences/2012/11/a-surefire-way-to-avoid-publication.html
One Life; One Verse – http://onelifeoneverse.blogspot.com/
Souther Writers Suite T – http://southernwritersmagazine.blogspot.com/2011/12/gift-of-rich-childhood.html
Christian Devotions – http://christiandevotions.us/2012/04/01/time-to-tuck-your-shirt-in-sarah-loudin-thomas/
Your Daily Poem – http://www.yourdailypoem.com/listpoem.jsp?poem_id=136
The Revivalist – http://therevivalist.info/mountain-momma-an-appalachian-poem/
Appalachian Heritage – http://community.berea.edu/appalachianheritage/issues/summer2006/sadstreaks.pdf
I’m offering you my sincere congratulations.
God’s blessings on you, your family, and your work.
Thank you so much.
So glad I was led to your site by our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps you are a Methodist also and worship at Black Mt. UMC? Check out Equip FM in Virginia for fantastic Bible-based teaching daily; listening to a sermon about Zechariah and the early life of John the baptist now. You are blessed!
I just finished Miracle in a Dry Season and I loved it. It tugged at my heart to the way I unintentionally judge folks. I want to make a change in how I look at other folks…Who am I to judge? Thank you. I am already excited about the next book, Until the Harvest.
Hope you enjoy it as much!
Just finished The Sound of Rain. Will it be a three part like the series about Perla? Do you have any new writings in the works? If so when do you expect them to be released? I have read all your books and I love them! You are a very gifted writer.
There will be a “mini” sequel to The Sound of Rain in October. It’s a novella that’s part of a collection called, The Christmas Heirloom. Each of four novellas features a generation of the same family (written by different authors). A Shot at Love follows Hank to WV where he meets Judd’s family and a very special lady! For now, that’s the only sequel. My next novel will likely be another stand alone set in 1930s WV. Thanks for loving my books!
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to read them!
i WANT TO START READING UR APPALACHIAN BLESS. SERIES AND i HAVE TITLE FOR 1 -2- 3- 5 -WHAT IS THE TITLE FOR NUMBER 4??
Hmmm. There are only three books in the Appalachian Blessings series – Miracle in a Dry Season, Until the Harvest, and Tapestry of Secrets. There’s a novella prequel – Appalachian Serenade that’s considered 0.5 in the order.