Where Willows Grow, softcover

In 1936 Spencer, Kansas, Anna Mae Phipps is struggling with the Depression, the drought, and a husband whose actions she can't understand. When Anna finds out that she is pregnant with their third child, her husband announces that he is leaving to build a castle.in Kansas. After days go by with no word from either one of them, each wonder if this is the beginning of the end of their marriage. Can their love conquer all, or is something else working to destroy their relationship? "Where Willows Grow" is a story that takes readers on a journey of struggles caused by lack and the promise of what hope, endurance, and love can bring. Kim Vogel Sawyer, softcover, 348 pages.

Acclaimed author, Kim Vogel Sawyer, has written another great book: Where Willows Grow, a historical novel set in 1936 Kansas.

Spencer, Kansas is experiencing a severe drought. The Phipps’ farm is in trouble. The crops have failed and there is no money. Harley Phipps, the farmer, realizes the only way to feed his family and earn money for the upcoming taxes is to leave home and take a job with the Works Progress Administration. Harley’s wife, Anna Mae, lets him know she is not happy with his decision. She allows her temper to get the best of her and refuses to say good-bye as he walks away from the farm.

Months pass and the money and letters Harley promised to send do not materialize. The Phipps’ friend Jack comes daily to help with chores, to take Anna Mae and the children to church, and to take them on other outings. The due date for the taxes has come and gone, food is scarce, and Jack is pressuring Anna Mae to leave Harley and marry him. Only with God’s continual presence will Anna Mae make it through the tough times.

The character-driven story is superb. Each character is well portrayed, living on in the minds of readers who feel like a part of the story. The setting in Where Willows Grow is well crafted, becoming another character in the story. The author allows the reader to work alongside Harley at the construction site, to sit under the cooling protective branches of the weeping willow, and to look at the drought-ridden land through the eyes of Anna Mae.

Where Willows Grow is a gentle reminder that like the willow’s roots which grow deep to find its source of water, each one of us must have our faith root grow deep to find our life source, God. I definitely would recommend this book to any reader. – Victoria H. Borgman, Christian Book Previews.com

Average Rating:

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Reviewed by Mikayla (wilton NH), December 18, 2008

This book was amazing! You touched and felt what the characters touched and felt, lived and breathed what the characters lived and breathed, and pinched and scraped with them to get through life in the middle of the Depression. Being in portrayed in Kansas, it really gave it a family, farmy feel that brought me even closer. Kim's style was wonderful the way it showed everybodys thoughts and feelings, you wouldn't have felt as close to the character if it wasn't that way, and Jack would have been kept a secret until the end, which would have taken out one of the major parts of the book. Among all the others charcters, Anna mae touch my heart, I seriously could not put it down, even when reading by candle light when our power was out!I can't decribe anymore without giving it away, so you will have to read it for your self. All I can say is I LOVED this book like all the other Kim Vogel Sawyer books I've read = ).

Reviewed by Shirley Salo (Watton, MI), May 07, 2008

This is a very good book and another book about things from times past. It is a book that you really hate to put down.

Reviewed by Helen (Kansas), April 19, 2008

When I read this book I felt like I was a part of it. This author pulls me so thoroughly into the story I can smell the smells, hear the sounds, and see the sights. I highly recommend anything she writes.

Reviewed by Brenda Lott (Marietta, GA), June 20, 2007

My favorite book this summer so far. I simply loved this book! I loved the setting--drought stricken Kansas in 1936. Genuine and good-hearted characters made me care about Anna Mae and Harley who are trying to survive the drought and pay taxes, but just barely scrapping by to hold their farm together. With a baby on the way and their 5 year old Marjorie to feed, Harley leaves in hopes of finding work to send money back to Anna Mae, despite her strong protests. My heart swelled with love for these "salt of the earth" people. Anna's strong faith and God's continual provision gave her hope in their helpless situation, regardless of the outcome. When months go by and Anna doesn't hear from Harley, she remains steadfast, even though her heart is breaking. Complicating matters further, her childhood friend, Jack fancies himself in love with her, and sets out to convince her that Harley will never return. It was hard for me to put this book down, and turn out the light because I wanted to find out how Anna would handle each turn of events that plagued her. Very convincing plot and well crafted, real characters made this book so appealing. Don't miss it!

Reviewed by Cara Putman (Lafayette, IN), May 17, 2007

This book has Kim Sawyer’s signature depth of characterization. As the reader, I quickly fell in love with Anna and her struggles. The characters were rich and diverse. Harley is a man who has pulled himself up and works hard to support his family. Jack has a successful dairy farm, but is focused on the love that’s been denied him. Dirk is a man who will teach Harley what sacrifice is about. And Anna is a woman trying to make the best of an impossible situation. I also love the way Kim makes the setting come alive. She pulls together unknown pieces of Kansas history that add richness and depth to the plot. I also enjoyed the fact that this book was set during the Depression. This has been a time period that has been overlooked by many historical authors, yet Kim makes it come to life in a manner that kept me engaged from page one.

Reviewed by Patti (Stockbridge,GA), April 14, 2007

I loved this book! The story kept me interested, and Kim Vogel Sawyer's descriptions of her characters and the settings easily painted a "mental picture" for me as I read. Most of all, this book shows how the Lord can turn "hopeless" situations into HOPEFUL ones! I would highly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more of Kim's work.

Reviewed by Kait (Kansas), April 13, 2007

I loved this book. I felt like the characters were real. I got to know them and care about them. When they cried, I cried. When they laughed, I laughed. I didn't want to see the book end because I didn't want to say goodbye. And I loved how the characters grew even though everything was so hard for them. They found their strength in God, just like we always need to. I really enjoyed this book.

Reviewed by mary (jefferson city missouri), April 12, 2007

I was disappointed in this book. I loved Waiting for Summer, and was expecting more. I didn't care for or really about the characters and I didn't care for the jumping from Anna Mae to Harley every other chapter. It was irritating. Being a woman I am interested in stories about women and their struggles. Harley wasn't the least bit interesting to me.

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Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer
Located in: Kansas
Submitted: June 27, 2006

    Tell us a little about yourself.  I grew up in Kansas, a bashful little girl who found her friends in books. I'm now a still- pretty-bashful adult who sometimes finds her friends in books :o). I have a family I adore-- my husband, three daughters, and three grandsons mean everything to me. We are active in our church, and I enjoy participating in community theatre when time allows.

    What was your motivation behind this project?  Most of my projects choose me rather than the other way around. Our church has a hay rack ride and bonfire every October at the farm of one of our members. In 2004, the hay rack ride took us past an abandoned farmhouse and barn. It was dusk, with lots of shadows, and as we went by, I got this "zing" of awareness. I knew a story was hiding there. So that evening, at home, I just listened to my heart, and the story slowly came to life. I hope Anna Mae and Harley's story will be a blessing to others who have encountered hardship that was not of their own making.

    What do you hope folks will gain from this project?  Let's face it, sometimes life just isn't easy. That was certainly the case for farm families during the Depression. They battled dust storms, drought, falling prices for their crops... It was a very difficult time. Yet, despite what life throws in our pathway, we can access a Source of Strength that can help us triumph over any earthly difficulty. That Source, of course, is God.

    Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists?  My biggest influence is God, who placed the desire to write in me from the moments of my conception. My parents and a handful of teachers encouraged my writing, and fellow authors from American Christian Fiction Writers have expressed their belief in me. All of these influences have assisted me in my writing journey.

    Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know:  I love to hear from readers. Please feel free to contact me through my website: www.kimvogelsawyer.com -- and may God bless you as you journey with Him!

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