Julia's Hope (The Wortham Family Series #1) [Paperback]

Leisha Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

After the great market crash of 1929 circumstances force Sam and Julia Wortham to seek shelter in an abandoned farmhouse-and to find mercy in a stranger's heart. Emma Graham, the elderly owner, is indeed merciful. But there are others who will stop at nothing to drive the family from the farm. Julia's Hope is an endearing story of faith and faithfulness as Emma teaches the Worthams to live fully, give generously, and love unconditionally.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

From a fresh new voice in Christian fiction comes this simple, well-told story of one family's experience of love, generosity, forgiveness and faith during the Great Depression. Samuel and Julia Wortham and their two young children leave Harrisburg, Pa., with only eight dollars and three bags containing all their worldly goods. They're hitchhiking to Vernon, Ill., where there is the promise of a job and a roof over their heads. Along the way, the family stumbles onto a deserted farmhouse belonging to the elderly widow Emma Graham, who was forced to leave her home because of her health and longs to return. As Julia works out a solution to her familys troubles and Emma's, the small farm promises to be a haven and place of healing for all concerned, if the neighbors dont interfere. George Hammonds farm adjoins Emma's, and he sees the interlopers as moving in on his territory, while spinster Hazel Sharpe is determined to see her version of justice done. Kelly tells the story from several different points of view, handling the switches smoothly and changing voices believably. The faith threads in the novel are gently woven in, rather than feeling forced or contrived, and the writing is beautifully descriptive without being overdone. The novel ends rather abruptly, leaving the reader wishing for just a bit more, not a particularly bad way to finish. Overall, Kelly's smooth voice and well-crafted writing keep the pages turning.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

"I loved living inside this book!" Janice Daugharty, author of Like a Sister

They Needed a Home.
She Needed a Family.
What They Found Was a Miracle.

After the great market crash of 1929, families everywhere are falling on desperate times. Raised by a grandmother who instilled a love for simple pleasures and the good, wild things growing on God's earth, Julia Wortham is determined to make a decent life for her children. Her husband, Samuel, carries the shame of losing his job, their home, and Julia's savings. He also bears the impossible burden of providing for his family.

Then circumstances force the family to seek shelter in an abandoned farmhouse-and to find mercy in a stranger's heart. Emma Graham, the elderly owner, is indeed merciful. But there are others who will stop at nothing to drive the family from the farm. Meanwhile, Sam and Julia's fears could compel them to abandon the one place they and their children long to call home.

As the unusual bond between Emma and the Worthams deepens, each person sees with increasing clarity the truth that "there is a time for everything under the sun." Filled with both joy and hardship, those times will create a harvest greater than any of them have ever known.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Reprinted edition (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080075820X
• ISBN-13: 978-0800758202
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired me to begin a new hobby - reading!, June 11, 2006

By 

MKLH (Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julia's Hope (The Wortham Family Series #1) (Paperback)

I've never been an avid reader, but I decided to give it a try on this series from Leisha Kelly. Wow! These books are great and so hard to put down. Since I've completed all the books in this series (Julia's Hope, Emma's Gift, Katie's Dream and Rorey's Secret), I've been inspired to read many others. I'm also looking forward to reading the new book, Rachel's Prayer, coming out in July, 2006. I feel I've found a new hobby, a place to get away from everyday stresses.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful story of Hope!!, October 1, 2002

By 

"royalballou" (Moriarty, NM United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julia's Hope (The Wortham Family Series #1) (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book very much!! It has a clean fresh approach!! The only four letter words were hope, love, and pray. It tells a story of a much simpler life where hard times were approached with trust in God and neighbor helping neighbor. The characters were based on the hard working, church going type of people our Christian ancestors were who settled in this great country of ours and made it as great as it is today. I only wish we could go back to a time when we lived life with the same outlook that the characters in this beautiful book portrayed. It showed the true teachings of Christ thru their lifestyles of loving God and your neighbor. Thank you Lisha Kelly for this reminder of what we were placed on this earth for.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Julia's Hope, March 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Julia's Hope (The Wortham Family Series #1) (Paperback)

What a wonderful book by a new author. I picked this book up at the library on a whim and loved it. The book tells the story of a woman who despite everything that happens to her and her family continues to have faith and hope that all will work out for the best. This is a subtly Christian novel. The author does not talk about religion directly and yet it is definetly a story of a Christian woman. We all can use this reminder of what faith, hope, and grace are all about. I recommend this book highly and look forward to Leisha's next book.