Together is All We Need (Shenandoah Sisters #4) [Paperback]

Michael Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2004

Shenandoah Sisters Book 4, the sequel to The Color of Your Skin Ain't the Color of Your Heart. For over a year, Mayme--a former slave--and Katie have lived together on Katie's plantation, hiding the fact that they are orphans of war to avoid being separated. Together they have sheltered others and battled threats of foreclosure, theft, and deadly danger. But now the girls face what seems like the certain end of their scheme. A hard-nosed relative of Katie's father discovers--and exposes--their secret. He claims Rosewood as his own and forces Mayme and the other blacks to leave. Katie decides she must leave as well. Is this the end of their way of life? Will the girls ever be together again?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A warm and convincing tale...will steal your heart away." -- My Shelf

About the Author

Michael Phillips, one of the premier Christian novelists of this generation, has written four dozen novels (including THE SECRETS OF HEATHERSLEIGH HALL) with sales over five million copies. He also is the man responsible for introducing Victorian novelist George MacDonald to new readers around the world. Michael and his wife, Judy, live in Eureka, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (May 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764227033
• ISBN-13: 978-0764227035
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1970, while students at Humboldt State University, Mike and Judy Phillips began what would become the One Way BookShop as a small, informal source of Christian books and materials for their fellow students. Over the next two decades God prospered those small beginnings, and now the bookstore is a thriving part of the Humboldt County Christian community.

Mike's first published book was about his wife's pregnancy and the birth of their twin sons. After several more nonfiction titles, Mike undertook a lifelong dream to renew the popularity of Scottish writer George MacDonald, whose teachings had been central to Mike and Judy's spiritual growth. Mike began editing some of MacDonald's lengthy novels, heavy with Scottish brogue, into shorter and more readable editions, with some of the work being done right at the bookstore counter between customers.

Through the years, God has continued to guide Mike in the production of books emphasizing strong spiritual values and unforgettable characters. In addition to being best sellers in Christian bookstores all across the country, Mike's books have been offered through several book clubs, have been translated into a number of foreign languages, and have been published in over 120 editions in all, with sales of over 3 million. Mike is today recognized as one of the Christian bookselling industry's most prolific and versatile authors.

Family is very important to Mike. He and his wife, Judy, have taught their three sons, Patrick, Robin, and Gregory, at home throughout their education. Home schooling enables the family to frequently accompany Mike in his work-related travels.

It has always been Mike's desire in his writing that all who read his books will find a closer and more real walk with God through the characters and stories. Both he and Judy enjoy responses from readers and find great encouragement from the letters they receive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Difficulties Emerge, June 26, 2004

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Together is All We Need (Shenandoah Sisters #4) (Paperback)

The Shenandoah Sisters Series continues with TOGETHER IS ALL WE NEED. In this collection of books two young girls, Katie and Mayme, have found themselves alone and left to run Katie's family plantation. Along the way, the two forge an unlikely friendship that transcends racial lines and defies the social mores of the time. The story opens when a new uncle, Burchard Clairborne, comes to town. Uncle Burchard is Katie's father's brother, and he feels he is next in line to inherit the family plantation. Initially, Katie and Mayme continue their attempts to maintain the secret they share, the fact that they live alone. But Uncle Burchard's persistence and overall lack of sensitivity, eventually leads to the uncovering of the very thing they have worked so hard to hide. He begins an aggressive mission to take over the plantation and make it profitable for him and along the way he decides that everyone living there with the exception of his niece must find a new home. The girls become the talk of the town and experience first hand the disdain of the neighbors for both their deception and their unconventional inter-racial friendship. Things look bleak until yet another uncle, Ward Daniels, appears with some shocking news, just in the nick of time. From there, the unlikely "family" works to reunite with Katie's Uncle Templeton and build a new life together.

TOGETHER IS ALL WE NEED continues to meet expectations for fans of the Shenandoah Girls Series. There is drama, controversy, and difficulties but ultimately the love shared among the primary characters helps them survive. Michael Phillips does a great job capturing the spirit of the time period by providing well rounded characters that are much more complex than the archetypal post-civil war personas quite often presented in literature. In this book the characters, particularly the former slaves, overtly struggle to reconcile their previous notions of their societal role with the racial equality they share on this "color blind" plantation. The dynamic characters, subtle spiritual messages and well-paced plot make this a fulfilling and enjoyable page turner.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great series ... try to start with the first book., September 6, 2004

By 

Christian Bookshelf "Christian Bookworm Reviews" (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Together is All We Need (Shenandoah Sisters #4) (Paperback)

TOGETHER IS ALL WE NEED, by Michael Phillips, would be a great read for young, teenaged girls. The story line is very simple and straightforward and obviously written for the less than mature audience. It is the fourth book in THE SHENANDOAH SISTERS series and should be read as the fourth book. When read out of sequence, it is sorely lacking in character development. Within the first chapter, I realized that I had definitely missed something and then discovered that, as I suspected, it was one of a series. I could tell though, that the story line was a continuation of a very interesting scenerio, an uncommon tale of tragedy, heroism, and redemption.

Katie and Mayme have discovered that they are unlikely cousins. They are both teenagers and are forced, for the sake of their own survival, and with the help of a few friends, to take on the responsibility and hard work of adults; maintaining and running a productive cotton farm. Their current situation must be kept a secret and those in the community must be led to believe that everything is as it should be on their farm. Eventually, their secret is discovered by the brother of Katie's father, her Uncle Burchard. When he learns the truth, he sets out to take the farm from them. But God is faithful and provides for their needs by another unexpected turn of events.

TOGETHER IS ALL WE NEED successfully demonstrates that love knows no boundaries and is not affected by the prejudices of man. The girl's faith in God and love for each other pays off in the end in a big way. If you have a young teenage girl, or know one, you would do well to recommend this series to them or give as a gift.

-- reviewed by Ginny Sutton for Christian Bookshelf

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good and very bad all in one book, August 20, 2004

By 

Bonnie McKinzie (Garden Grove, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Together is All We Need (Shenandoah Sisters #4) (Paperback)

Katie and Mary Ann are still running Rosewood --until a most unlikely and extremely greedy relative appears in town with intentions of taking over and removing everyone except Katie. He shows total disregard to human kindness or reason. He has the law and the deed. Their little extended family is finished. All have been run off and Katie will leave soon. Until.....

Their story appears in papers all over the nation and a "stranger" figures it is past time he comes to check on some unfinished business. Can he make it there in time? A real knuckle cracker book!

One little stray has found her way back home, but they have picked up others in the meantime. Relationships are stronger than ever but so is greed. One relative even lands in jail trying to make old wrongs right again. He had tried to run fast, but his shadow ran the same speed as him.

This book certainly has its' share of surprises- who is an uncle, who is a papa and who really can be trusted whether they are blood kin or not? In fact, just who IS family anyhow?

Taking place just after the end of slavery, this book is excellent in its' explanation of the way Blacks felt. Memories and scars from years of slavery were not going to vanish with the signing of a declaration. Historically and spiritually, this book is extremely relevant.

Thanks Michael Phillips.