I read each of the 14 books in the Mitford series as they were published. When I retired, I reread all of them and enjoyed them all the more the second time around. I only wished that I had written down in a journal all of the wonderful, inspirational comments, Scriptures, and prayers. Well, Jan Karon the author has now done that for me, and I thank her so much! This is a wonderful conclusion or wrap up for the Mitford/Father Tim series.

This book will be a welcome addition to the shelves of die-hard Mitford fans, of which I am one, but be warned: 95% of this book is material, quoted verbatim, from previous Mitford books. Outside of Karon's foreword and a brief sentence of two introduction of each chapter, it's all material from the other books. Now, I love Mitford, but this bothered me a teeny bit. Essentially, you are paying for a hardcover book that you've already read. Karon is leaving Mitford, a fact for which I am deeply saddened, so I suppose this is her going out, so to speak. I still wished I'd known this before I purchased the book. It still garners 4 stars cause it's .well, MITFORD!

BATHED IN PRAYER is a collection of prayers, sermons and inspiration from Ms. Karon's bestselling Mitford series. It also includes and overview of each book that it's quoted from as well as Ms. Karon's personal insights on the sections shared. Ms. Mitford also shares the story behind the Mitford series.

BATHED IN PRAYER is a collector's copy for fans of Mitford as this is closing that fiction line. It is also an introduction to the series in case a reader gets their hands on it and is intrigued by some of the selections.

My husband and I were introduced to Mitford when they first came out by a leader in a Mom's Time Out or Mothers of Preschoolers group I attended. The leader raved about the book and being an avid bookworm I had to check it out. Back then they had Christian bookstores around every corner just about and online wasn't a thing. Now you don't even have to get dressed to find your favorite bookseller online, type in BATHED IN PRAYER and buy a copy for the serious Mitford fan on your Christmas gift. They will be all squeally happy as my teen daughter would say.

Truly a book that needs to be added to the Mitford shelf in a fan's library. Or the public library.

I was given a copy free. All opinions are my own.