Worie Dressar is 17 years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie’s mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.
Plagued with two … them.
Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers–one greedy and the other a drunkard–Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma’s children.
Storyteller and popular speaker Cindy K. Sproles pens a tender novel full of sacrifice, heartache, and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
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I don’t remember ever having read a novel by Cindy K. Sproles but after reading What Momma Left Behind I will be sure to read more. Worie Dressar’s story begins shortly after tragedy has struck her young life. From that point on Worie faces one difficult situation after another but is supported by several characters who play a major role in her life and spiritual development.
This novel was both touching and encouraging as Worie learned how to trust others and grew to trust the Lord also. I loved seeing how she matured as she followed her compassionate heart for all the orphaned children her mother had been caring for. A touch of mystery and a bit of action added depth to this engaging tale that offered more than one surprise along the way. The narrative is jam-packed with so many quotable passages that it would be difficult to choose a favorite.
Readers who love a story that pulls at their heart strings will love this latest novel by Cindy K. Sproles.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
I love reading stories about the folks in the Appalachian mountains. This book did not disappoint. I did not want to put this book down. I cried a lot throughout this book. Worse is a great character. She had some problems but she works these out. You root for her at all times. This was the first book I read by this author and I hope it will not be my last. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Women like Worie are woman history are written about. Strong, bold, independent, resourceful! She was just 17 years old, barely a woman but she blazed a trail helping young orphans.
My heart went out for Worie! I could only imagine the pain and loss she was feeling after her momma’s passing and so many secrets that were revealed. But i loved the lagacy her momma left behind for her of caring for orphans. Even though it was hard I admired her for rising up to the challenge. I loved her determination to make a way for herself and the young ones despite the odds.
I enjoyed the rich history in this story, the characters were wonderful, the story rich and heartbreaking but very inspiring. I loved how the author wove faith into the story illustrating forgiveness and the work God does in a heart if it is opened to him. Only God can clean and change a person from inside out.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, deep story. Also to young adult girls, this story has a way of inspiring purpose.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
I was unsure what to expect from What Momma Left Behind since there are so many intriguing plotlines mentioned.
Getting in to the story, I quickly find so much more at work, there was so much mystery, so much pain, so much love, and yet every single plotline fell in to place with such easy that the whole book was a masterpiece. The relationship between Worie and each of the other characters was so sweet, except for the bad guy, of course.
My only concern with What Momma Left Behind was inappropriate content that bordered on rape, if you want details message me.
And the ending, awww, I loved it!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
A profound picture of grace and trust
My rating is 4.5 stars
I was a little in awe of the way the author maintained the voice of Worie in her speech and her thoughts throughout the story! Narrated in the first person, the entire story was told with an Appalachian accent. I have not often seen this done – it certainly worked here. Though I was dyin’ to add ‘g’s to words as I began to read, as I continued, the cadence and the music of the language began to feel natural and appropriate.
Worie was fascinating. She was selfish in many ways – always thinking about how things affected her more than others. Yet she also had a heart filled with compassion for the children who came to her in need. She never hesitated to embrace them, and never considered how she would afford to feed them. She struggled with grief and anger over her mother’s death, feeling inadequate despite the sacrifices she had made. She was courageous and became like a mother bear when the children were threatened!
The plight of the children in the face of the epidemic was tragic. They showed such courage and love for one another. I just wanted to wrap each one up in a great big hug!!
It was a tragedy to see the evil man her younger brother had become, filled with greed and selfishness! His actions were despicable. Her older brother underwent a transformation as well, though he went from being a drunkard to a man who cared for his family. I really liked Justice!
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Worie changed through learning the truth and reading the Word. Despite having her world shaken, or perhaps because of it, she learned to trust others and more importantly, to trust God. And as she got a better glimpse of herself, she was able to surrender her imperfections to the Lord so He could make her new.
Amid dark situations with trouble after trouble, author Cindy K. Sproles has written a poignant tale filled with glimmers of faith and hope and lots of love.
Read my review of What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell Books, for providing a complimentary review copy through the Revell Reads Reviewer Program. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.
There are some trigger warnings despite this being a “Christian/Faith” themed book. Those will be depression, suicide, gun violence/death, teen pregnancy as well as a slight mystery by “new-to-me author”, Cindy K. Sproles.
As part of the Revell review program, this was one of the choices available for the current month. I chose the book because of the relevance to this current pandemic. It seemed appropriate and was genuinely interesting in how people managed these things back in that time. I was also drawn to it because of a 17 year old who lost her momma who then becomes a surrogate momma to the children in her care and does so with amazing courage, tenacity, and fierceness. Her attitude is admirable and inspiring.
While the “pandemic” is part of this story, it is not the central or main theme.
In “vernacular” for the time and setting, “What Momma Left Behind” is written to sound as the people talked in the location and time. The author takes us, with vivid descriptions and that vernacular, to the heart of this mountain community which is gorgeously represented on the cover. There is a lot of regional talk and references making this story authentic. Very believable dialogue given the time period and location; which definitely fits the genre this book is classified in.
Right off the reader is thrust into the middle of this emotionally provoking tale that will take them on a journey. Readers will need to keep in mind that the 17-year-olds of that time (1877) were vastly different in those times as opposed to the ones today, or those they might know or have known. Told in first person by Worie, this accurately depicts the harshness of the times as well as the resourcefulness of those left behind.
Sproles begins right off with an emotional beginning – Worie (pronounced worry), burying her momma with a neighbor’s help. One brother is away, and the other is drying out in the local jail.
While grieving, she is angry at her “momma” for leaving them behind. Turns out her mother held a dark secret. But, there is more that “momma left behind”. Anger, grief, sadness start off this story which is as much about Worie’s own journey as it is uncovering the secrets her momma left behind.
In addition, Worie has to worry about one of her brothers, Calvin, trying to take her home and a jar her mother left to her – though she can’t seem to figure out why. And, given her momma’s fierceness about protecting it, Worie feels compelled to do the same. But, that isn’t all – Worie soon finds the orphans her momma was feeding which is just one of the many secrets. And, thankfully she isn’t alone – she has friends in Pastor Jess, Ely and his wife Bess, former beau Trigger, and brother Justice.
I wasn’t too far into this book when I read something that made me laugh and smile. On page 23, there is a quote that is similar to what my mom said about “wanting” – “want in one hand and spit in the other, see which gets full fastest”. Spit wasn’t the word my mother used, and she used “fuller faster”, however, the meaning was the same though.
But, after Worie loses her home and two of the children are kidnapped – she stops at nothing to get them back; all the time uncovering more and more secrets that her momma left behind. Even reconciling her past along with her brothers Calvin and Justice’s pasts.
In addition to being captivated by her search for the truth as well as the two kids ripped from her care; I was also rooting for her and Pastor Jess to somehow come together. They seemed so perfect for each other from their overwhelming concern for the children, in addition to as how well they worked to get the children back. I also thought that Jess had a special affection for Worie.
It is in chapter 33 that reveals momma’s reasoning behind the events that begin the book. It is gut-wrenching, yet depicts a selflessness that this wonderful woman had. Her final act was to protect those closest to her.
Worie realizes that truth comes in all shapes/sizes; light or hard to take; but it is what it is.
Beautiful, rich, compelling, and stunning despite the simple words used. This story holds a lot of wisdom which Worie comes to rely on, along with the faith of her mother. Also, the resilience of the children who laugh despite loss and keep living the life they have. That particular point of view makes this story riveting & thought-provoking.
I closed the book feeling grateful for the resourcefulness of my ancestors and people like them; their maturity; their “upbringing”. I understood Worie and other characters because of my great-parents.
I was split between wanting to repeatedly sit this book aside due to the immense and overwhelming sadness that surrounded this story. I often wanted to avoid it. But, I also couldn’t help but pick it back up and keep reading to see where Sproles was going with this.
It was a relatively short read by most standards. This was also due to the fact of short chapters that kept the story going and not just merely meandering on.
Distributed by Revell, a Christian/faith themed publisher, “What Momma Left Behind” has themes of faith, bible quotes, forgiveness, and even redemption. While not central to plot, the faith shown and exhibited is important to the characters and part of their development.
Recommended for those who enjoy the genre, whose ancestors were from that location/time or know of those, people who might want a history lesson or an inspirational tale of overcoming the odds, as well as fans of the author.
A very enjoyable read by Cindy Sproles who wrote so well that I thought I was in the novel with Worie Dressar.
Worie impressed me so much! She’s one strong and determined young lady who does what needs to be done in order to survive in 1877 Appalachia’s.
Along the way she learns some valuable life lessons like forgiveness and love as she helps the needy children who lost their loved ones.
The language of the mountain people is beautiful. Sort of reminds me of Kentucky.
The one person that I didn’t like was shifty Calvin. I felt that he should have stayed around to help Worie. To me, it didn’t matter about his upbringing. He still should have stepped up to be a man. He made me mad at him.
This story will tug at your heart as you read Worie’s story. It did me. I will be looking for more of Cindy’s work in the future.
I appreciate that Sproles doesn’t beat around the bush about the hard times and tough subjects that are in this book.
She will make you smile and cry at the same time.
This book will keep you turning its pages until you are finished and will leave you thinking about Worie and her family long after this story is finished.
I highly recommend it!
My thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
“Then there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray….
Wow, what a story! What Momma Left Behind was faith, hope, love, and a sense of community.
The story begins with Worie Dressar, who is 17 when influenza and typhoid ravage the Appalachian Mountain Community of Sourwood, Mountain, Tennessee in 1877. Her mother had been secretly feeding several children on the mountain till she died. Worie is left to figure out how and why she was caring for the children. The author is a master storyteller by placing the reader in an old cabin, high up on the mountain in a meadow of wildflowers, deep in the hearts and lives of those who live there. Worie has two good for nothing brothers, one who is greedy and one who is a drunk, she must fight to save her home and the children now in her care.
The author inspires the reader to keep moving during time of trouble, to keep the faith. Worie discovers unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she begins to care for all the children.
The book was a reminder that we are to all be grateful for what we have.
“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I don’t know Your ways, good Father, but I trust mercy and I rejoice despite my misgivins. Help me to forgive others so I can be forgiven.”
I received a copy of the book from Revell/Baker Publisher’s in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.
“I tried to convince myself this was a mistake, but it was like the good Lord stuck His hand down my mouth and pulled them words right out. They was no doubt I’d regret it.”
Worie Dressar’s notions of family get turned on their ear when her momma leaves this earth and Worie finds that Momma has been caring for the orphans of Sourwood Mountain. What is she supposed to do about the children who keep showing up at her feet with empty bellies and no families? The answer sure wasn’t to take them in, but the good Lord had other plans for Worie’s life.
Cindy K. Sproles has developed very strong and interesting characters in What Momma Left Behind. Their strengths and flaws are relatable, opening the reader up to a beautiful journey to understanding forgiveness and unconditional love. Her exploration of what makes a family, especially in light of God’s love and care, is a heartfelt experience for the reader.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are completely genuine.
This is a unique story! It takes place in the late 1800’s, in the Appalachian Mountains, and it is written in what felt like a very authentic way. I was very impressed. The whole story moved along smoothly, and I really liked the main character, Worie. Right away we are taken with her plight.
There was a lot of sorrow in her story, but the lessons she learned were heartfelt and true. And all the children…how precious. I also really like Justice – Worie’s brother. He had his own trials and struggles, but I love how they pulled together towards the end.
This whole story is very well written, engaging, and sweet. As I said, it has its sorrows and trials, but it is a uniquely beautiful story that reaches the heart.
Looking forward to reading more by this author!
*I received a copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review.
A powerful story set in the rugged, yet beautiful mountains of Appalachia.
Seventeen year old Worie Dressar is left to contend with the realities of her mother’s death and the secrets that her passing uncovers. Worie is a spunky, headstrong, and mule-stubborn heroine, with a fierce love for her family. I really liked how we see that she is a young woman who has grown up quickly, yet she doesn’t have it all figured out and there are moments when her youth shows and she is more vulnerable.
The story is told in first person through Worie’s eyes, and it did take me awhile to acclimate to her distinct dialect, slowing me down at first as sometimes I would have to re-read a section to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. I loved the setting, wild, lawless, rugged and strong like the people who made it their home. I thought that it was really striking just how young the main characters are, and just how much harshness they have seen in their lives. One of my favorite characters was Pastor Jess, he is patient and humble, slow to speak, very mature for his age, yet also very much a twenty year old man.
This is a story about family, faith, and love, with a sassy heroine willing to go the distance. I loved the unexpected twists that this story takes, with colorful characters, and precious children. The characters are intriguing and well built, and they do a great job of evoking the realities of life in the mountains. I enjoyed the unexpected twists to the story, as well as the heartwarming aspects. A perfect read for fans of Christy, and Appalachian fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Let me start off by saying What Momma Left Behind is very different than really any book I’ve read before. It is written with the talk of the Appalachian people in the 1800s. It’s a very uneducated talk by the world’s standards, even back then, but there are phrases of wisdom throughout the story that catch you and make you want to figure out a way to use them in your daily life (which would be an impossibility lol).
Worie is an incredible character. She’s seventeen years old, but 2 things… 1) I think back in the 1800s kids grew up quicker and 2) I think living in the mountains like she did back then they took on a lot more responsibility at a younger age.
The legacy that’s left behind for her is a hard, but beautiful one, and she picks up the mantle with a fierce determination. I saw a bit of myself in Worie. A gal’s gotta do what a gal’s gotta do and we’ll fight for it with as much gusto as we can muster.
Of course caring for the orphans isn’t the even the hardest part of the story. Her brother, Calvin, is such a villainous character. He’s definitely in the top 10 of characters I want to throat punch for treating his family the way he did. HA!
I appreciated how all of the supporting characters were written. They made the entire story feel cohesive and gave depth to life on the Mountain. I especially appreciated Ely and Bess who shared comfort, wisdom, and their home when needed. It seemed everyone who lived on Sourwood Mountain was willing to take care of each other.
I received this book from Revell for review. This is my personal opinion.
I’m from the north and I’ve admired the Appalachian Mountains for its beauty. I love history and learning about the cultures from the past. Cindy Sproles took me away to the Appalachian Mountains and held me there as I walked beside Worie while she grieved her mother’s death and tried to find purpose in her life without her parents. The whole story is told in first-person and the strength of the writing kept me in the hills of Tennessee. I hurried behind Worie as she ran ahead to do what she felt needed doing. I want to pull her into my arms to offer comfort. The author gave me a chance to do that as I watched Worie mature, find the answers to her many questions and the purpose God had for her. Loved, loved, love this tale. I’m still thinking about the characters. Now that I’ve left the farm and the wonderful people there I have questions. I want to know what happens to the secondary characters. What path did the children take when they grew up? And when will Cindy’s next book be out. I want me so more of her amazing storytelling.-
I have never read anything by Cindy K. Sproles and I hope this is not the last book I read. Her style is very unique and I found it very enjoyable.
The book is set in the Smokey Mountains in the late 1800’s and is written in the vernacular of those people. Some may find this unenjoyable, but to me, it made the story more like listening first hand. The story has a bit of mystery and intrigue and kept my interest throughout. In fact, I read through this in just a very few evenings.
This is a Christian book, but not preachy. It shows the faith of a few of the characters, the lack of faith in some, and the growth of faith also.
The story flowed well but did leave a few questions even when the story ended. The editing was quite well done and the characters were very well developed. The style is a bit different, and I enjoyed that.
I was gifted this book through Revell Reads Blogger Program. I am not required to leave a positive review and this review is totally my own opinion. I give this book a 4 out of 5 star review. I would give it 5 stars if all the questions had been addressed. I would recommend this book to my friends.
Set in the Tennessee mountains of the late 1800’s, “What Momma Left Behind” is a poignant tale of heartache, hardship, and survival against staggering odds from poverty, disease, and family strife. With gritty detail and dialogue of the time and place, author Cindy K. Sproles paints a vivid picture of life in Appalachia in a time when typhoid and influenza decimated the population, leaving behind many orphaned children and widowed adults, leading to a great number of “blended” families and incalculable displaced persons. At age 17, Worie Dressar’s world was forever changed by the unexpected death of her mother. Unable to depend on her two troublesome brothers after her father passed away, Worie had given up her personal hopes for the future to stay and help her mother. Now that her mother was gone, Worie began to discover that her mother had been secretly feeding a number of orphaned children in the area of their home on Sourwood Mountain. With her own small means and conflicts with her brothers, how was Worie to care for an increasing number of orphaned children? Drawing on inner strength and a growing faith, Worie receives help from the local pastor and a few family friends. She comes to deeply love all the children and thinks of them as her own–their welfare is of great importance to her. As time passes, circumstances continue to change in ways that Worie had never imagined. The secrets and wisdom that her Momma left behind will all come full circle, and finally there is hope and ultimate healing faith.
Book Copy Gratis Revell Books
Cindy K. Sproles is a brand new author to me. The blurb for this book sounded really interesting to me so I thought I’d give it a shot. Given that the blurb mentions that it is set in the mountains in 1877, I should have realized that the characters would have a old timey dialect. I did not think about that though I wish I had because it causes a book to be a slower read for me. However, I am glad that I did not let this stop me from continuing the book because there was a lot of mystery and good lessons to be had from this book. I would recommend it but just keep in mind that it may not be as fast a read as some of the other Christian fiction books you may be reading these days.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.
Page 1 begins with drama! And the drama never stops. Worie Dressar is a 17 year old who finds herself in a unexpected parental role. The story unfolds in 1877 in the Appalachian mountains. Life was still very rough and rugged. Worie’s mother had been feeding children whose parents died of a fever that was raging in their area. Kind of reminds you of the Covid days we are experiencing as well.
I loved how the character of Worie’s language denotes the language of the mountain people, making it easy to visualize the time and place she was living in. It’s written in the first person of Worie, so a lot of the language in the book portrays this.
This is the second book that I have read from life in these mountains and the first book by this author. I am certain I will be reading more. The book is believable, and tragic. A book that touches on the orphan trains that were also a part of that historical period. The heroine is a strong-willed young woman whose determination does not give up on what she decides to do.
It is a book worth your time to read and will you feeling full of emotions. Loved this book.
I received a copy of this book from Revell publishing. All thoughts are my own.
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up Cindy Sproles’ book, What Momma Left Behind. What I found was not a romance, but a fight to survive in the, to uncover a decade’s old secret, and a desperation to save a mother’s legacy.
This book was a quick read for me. Sproles was able to captivate my attention by a plot thick with mys-tery, one that tugged my heart strings. I found myself yearning for the survival of your heroine and all those she vowed to protect.
What Momma Left Behind is certain to get under your skin. An Appalachian adventure, complete with a strong heroine who will stop at nothing to protect those she loves, this is not one to be missed!
I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars
“Mountain women shovel their feelins over the shoulder and go on. It’s what they do. It was what I would do. I kept tellin myself this . . . . . ”
Worie Dressar’s young shoulders are bearing a heavy load. So many on the mountain have died from the fever, and now her mother . . . . is dead the result of a different sort of tragedy. She leaves Worie with a legacy that the seventeen year old never knew existed . . . feeding the children.
But life is never simple, deep in the mountains of Tennessee. Worie’s two brothers are fighting their own demons, and one has a cruel spirit that cannot be contained. In the end, Worie learns a lot about herself, the true meaning of family and what it means to truly forgive. All because of what “her momma left behind”.
“Wrongs don’t make a right. . . . . . . What-ifs can’t never be answered, and once you start askin about them they’re like rabbits. They just keep multiplin. . . . . . . . Best you can do is stop blamin and start livin.”
In spite of the fact that Worie is a complicated character who takes a little longer to understand or even admire, (and it’s certain that you will) there’s a plethora of good ol’ mountain wisdom in this touching story.
Hard Times in Sourwood
It’s hard times in the remote area of the Appalachian mountains in 1898 when an influenza fever outbreak takes over Worie’s small Tennessee community of Sourwood. So many people are dying an so many are left without parents. Worie knew that her mother was helping one family…she didn’t know the rest. Worie at least has her mother after her father passes away…until she doesn’t. When she finds her mother dead from suicide she is devastated , angry at her mother, hurt and alone. She is now an orphan at 19.
Then the unthinkable happens. Orphans start appearing for Worie’s help. Her mother was feeding them and now they have no one since her mother is gone. What is a 19 year old to do with small children that have no parents? What can she do? She takes them in.
The story moves on, Worie has to contend with a brother, Calvin, that lies and cheats and just wants her mother’s hidden fruit jar where he thinks she keeps something worth money and he aims to get it from Worie. She also has another brother, Justice, that is an alcoholic. Luckily she has a friend in the church Pastor Jess, her friend Tigger, and her friends Ely and Bess.
While Worie struggles to care for the orphans she learns valuable lessons in life. Trusting in God, trusting in each other, knowing her own heart and how to heal her hurts and control her anger over what she cannot change. She learns to feel compassion for others and to forgive and to be forgiven.
This is truly a sad story, but it is heartwarming in its love and compassion that the mountain people show for each other. It is full of love and warmth and god’s teachings. The characters are realistic and the book is well written. I will never forget this wonderful story. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Thanks so much to Cindy K. Sproles, Revell publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy for an honest review.