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Prayers and Lies
When seven-year-old Bethany meets her six-year-old cousin, Renna Mae, it's the beginning of a lifelong kinship that saves both from a bone-deep loneliness. It's also the start of a family's unraveling, as long-buried secrets and sins are exposed.
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
February 1st 2011
by Kensington
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When Bethany meets her cousin Reana Mae, it's the beginning of a friendship that will last forever. Every summer Bethany and her family leave Indianapolis for West Virginia's Coal River Valley. These trips remind Bethany's mother of the coal mines and grinding poverty of her childhood. But because of their relatives, and Bethany's friendship with Reana Mae, they keep coming back. As Bethany grows older she learns that life in this small town isn't as simple as she once thought. The secrets of th...more
An appropriate thought-provoking title for this book about acceptance and forgiveness: a remarkable story of love, friendship, being a teenager, the compelling need to be wanted and needed, lies, secrets, and the dichotomy of pain and joy. Bethany and her cousin Reana Mae draw you in to their lives: growing up in the Coal River valley of West Virginia. When Bethany begins to realize familial dark secrets, her world begins to change and she wrestles with integrity, loyalty, and devotion. Bethany,...more
Jul 30, 2011
Bon
added it
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1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
1 like · like · see review
When seven-year-old Bethany meets her six-year-old cousin Reana Mae, it's the beginning of a kinship of misfits that saves both from a bone-deep loneliness. Every summer, Bethany and her family leave Indianapolis for West Virginia's Coal River Valley. For Bethany's mother, the trips are a reminder of the coalmines and grinding poverty of her childhood, of a place she'd hop...moreWhen seven-year-old Bethany meets her six-year-old cousin Reana Mae, it's the beginning of a kinship of misfits that...more
Sep 20, 2012
Lisa
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone, 16 or above
Recommended to Lisa by:
Lucky find
I stumbled upon this book by accident at my local library. Honestly what prompted me to check it out was that it was set mostly in West Virginia. I'm a sucker for anything nonfiction OR fiction that takes place in my state. What was the most unusual part about the find is that my library has a section devoted to anything that takes place in WV, both historically and fictionally. I found this on the opposite side of the library in the regular fiction section. I read the 'blurb' and saw that it wa...more
Bethany, a seven year old girl from Indianapolis begins to spend her summers with her parents, sisters, and extended family at the Coal River in West Virginia. While the life here is much different from what she is used to, she quickly feels both at peace and at home here, and forms a tight, sisterly bond with her six year old cousin, Reana Mae. There is a simpleness here on the River that Bethy finds comforting. Though they may not have the "riches" that Bethy has at home, they have the "riches...more
"The Bible says the sins of the father are visited upon the sons...But I believe it's the daughters who bear the brunt of most of the family sins. At least that's so in my family" So begins Sherri Wood Emmon's haunting novel about family secrets and salvation.
Bethany and Rena Mae are cousins. They spend every minute of Summer vacation together in the coal country of West Virginia. Bethany enjoys these summers away from her home in Indianapolis. It is during these summers that she gets a bit of...more
Bethany and Rena Mae are cousins. They spend every minute of Summer vacation together in the coal country of West Virginia. Bethany enjoys these summers away from her home in Indianapolis. It is during these summers that she gets a bit of...more
2 likes · like · see review
As shared on my blog, www.dineanddish.net.
Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons was a book I picked up while on vacation in Texas. I was pulled in by the cover image and that little girls piercing eyes, and then pulled the trigger on buying the book by reading the back cover description. I love discovering new authors and since this is a first book for Sherri Wood Emmons I was anxious to see how it was.
I found myself completely engrossed in Prayers and Lies from the very beginning. Bethanny and...more
Prayers and Lies by Sherri Wood Emmons was a book I picked up while on vacation in Texas. I was pulled in by the cover image and that little girls piercing eyes, and then pulled the trigger on buying the book by reading the back cover description. I love discovering new authors and since this is a first book for Sherri Wood Emmons I was anxious to see how it was.
I found myself completely engrossed in Prayers and Lies from the very beginning. Bethanny and...more
Picked this up based off the cover, and for once the cover doesn't lie. 4.5 stars for a first novel that sensitively and thoughtfully explores a complex of themes from family secrets and inherited mental illness, to faith--and you guessed it, incest--all set against a rural 1960s West Virginia backdrop. Be aware that while it might be tempting to write this off as a "of course that happens in West Virginia [or wherever]" story--don't.
The author does not bedazzle with language per se, but rather...more
The author does not bedazzle with language per se, but rather...more
Loved this first book of Sherri wood Emmons.
Bethany, one of four sisters is best friends with her wrong side of the tracks only child Reana Mae. The two are inseparable as children with Bethany's family spends summers at the cottage. Reana is more of a sister to her than Tracey her next oldest sister. Tracey is just mean and nasty and uses every opportunity to torment her sister and even more is Reana her target.
One summer, when Reana is 11, she is never to be found and Bethany finds that Rean...more
Bethany, one of four sisters is best friends with her wrong side of the tracks only child Reana Mae. The two are inseparable as children with Bethany's family spends summers at the cottage. Reana is more of a sister to her than Tracey her next oldest sister. Tracey is just mean and nasty and uses every opportunity to torment her sister and even more is Reana her target.
One summer, when Reana is 11, she is never to be found and Bethany finds that Rean...more
I won this book from Reading Group Choices. This would be a 3 1/2. I enjoyed reading this novel about a family from West Virginia which has so many dark secrets and closet skeletons (some very ugly) that it is hard to keep track of them all. Some of the secrets are not just secrets, but crimes, though they are simply attributed to "bad blood". While I did find it somewhat predictable, I was drawn into the compelling story of two girls growing up in the 60s and 70s. Is it possible for a 12 year o...more
I picked up the book becuase of the cover reminds me of a this kid I use to watch. Okay so upon reading the back i wanted to read the story. I love sotries about other people's lives.I especially liked this one becuase part of my customer base is in West Virginia and they are some of the most interesting people alive!!
There are stories, oh the list goes on. I enjoyed the book greatly. I wish I could write like this.
There was only one upsetting part and that wasn't the writers mistake but the p...more
There are stories, oh the list goes on. I enjoyed the book greatly. I wish I could write like this.
There was only one upsetting part and that wasn't the writers mistake but the p...more
This is a book of the love of a family. The unity of this family was amazing. The unconditional love. No matter what, they took care of each other, supported each other, loved each other. They may not have liked each other at times, but always loved one another. All families have secrets. This book makes you stop and think do those secrets help or only hurt those you are trying to protect. This book makes you rethink a lot of things. Would I have enough faith to make it through the things this f...more
Bethany and her cousin Reana Mae are soul sisters, inseparable during the summers when Bethany and her family stay at their cottage in West Virginia's Coal River Valley. As they grow up, Bethany realizes that not everything is as perfect as it seems, and every family has dark secrets. As these secrets come to light, Bethany's world is rocked, and she must decide how to react towards those she loves most.
This was a haunting story that I couldn't put down. The secrets and events that happen within...more
This was a haunting story that I couldn't put down. The secrets and events that happen within...more
prayers and lies by sherri wood emmons
9780758253248 $15.00 kensington 02/2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It begged to be read in one sitting. Bethy, an Indiana girl who visits her Coal River cousins every year, feels a sisterly bond to her cousin Reana Mae who is scarecly tolerated by her Mother let alone loved. At the same time Bethy prays for her cousin she also protects Reana Mae's darkest secrets. A wonderful new voice in fiction for fans of Lee Smith, Dorothy Allison, Ron Rash. Fans of...more
9780758253248 $15.00 kensington 02/2011
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It begged to be read in one sitting. Bethy, an Indiana girl who visits her Coal River cousins every year, feels a sisterly bond to her cousin Reana Mae who is scarecly tolerated by her Mother let alone loved. At the same time Bethy prays for her cousin she also protects Reana Mae's darkest secrets. A wonderful new voice in fiction for fans of Lee Smith, Dorothy Allison, Ron Rash. Fans of...more
A mildly disturbing story set in rural West Virginia and Indianapolis in the late '60s/early '70s. The characters talk about "bad blood" in their family lines, another way of saying mental illness, and that kind of struck close to home for me--one of the characters being so hateful and mean and going out her way to hurt people made me think about members of my own family who are similar, though not to such a great extent.
Very well-written and engaging. I finished it in just over 2 days :) I'll b...more
Very well-written and engaging. I finished it in just over 2 days :) I'll b...more
Apr 23, 2012
Tamme Webster Johnson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
april-2012-challenge
The prologue to this coming-of-age novel forewarns: The Bible says the sins of the fathers are visited upon the sons...But I believe it's the daughters who bear the brunt of most family sins. At least that's so in my family." And so sets the scene for one family secrets, as told through the eyes of the youngest daughter.
Bethany who lives in Indiana, spends the summers with family at their cottage in West Virginia's Coal River Valley. Long, lazy afternoons were spent on the river, swimming and hi...more
Bethany who lives in Indiana, spends the summers with family at their cottage in West Virginia's Coal River Valley. Long, lazy afternoons were spent on the river, swimming and hi...more
This was another great book by Sherri Wood Emmons. A real picture of childhood in a small town in the mountains and the development of sisters/cousins/family relationships. I enjoyed this book and could understand the feeling that Bethany was somewhere where she felt as though she didn't fit in. Her feeling of feeling more comfortable where the family vacationed in the small town in West Virginia almost mirrors my own feelings. I felt more comfortable as a child in my dad's hometown in North Car...more
This is a very appropriate, thought-provoking title for this book. Sherri Wood Emmons is a new voice in fiction, and one well-worth listening to.
Most families are held together with ties that bind, and often are prayers and lies. Such is the family of this narrator, Bethany and her cousin Reana Mae.
Every summer, Bethany’s family goes home to the Coal River Valley of West Virginia. She and her cousin Reana Mae, both “misfits” develop a “sisterhood”. As they grow through adolescence, the shocking...more
Most families are held together with ties that bind, and often are prayers and lies. Such is the family of this narrator, Bethany and her cousin Reana Mae.
Every summer, Bethany’s family goes home to the Coal River Valley of West Virginia. She and her cousin Reana Mae, both “misfits” develop a “sisterhood”. As they grow through adolescence, the shocking...more
You know that feeling that you get when you first start reading a book and you quickly fall in love with the main character? You hang on to their every word and feel the same emotions that they are feeling? That's how it was between me and Bethany Wylie. Bethany and her parents and her three sisters spent every summer on the Coal River in West Virginia. Her parents were born and raised there, so they had numerous aunts, uncles and cousins to visit with. Bethany formed a special bond with one of...more
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Wow.. talk about a dysfunctional family... whew. I have to say the story is a bit sad, and my heart just broke for Reane Mae. The story flowed easily, but the book is about an abandoned (not literally) child and how it effects the child and the those who love the child. I have to say, throughout the book there is a lot of praying to "protect the child" but it's not a religious book. Praying is used in a way that provides peace for those praying but there is no miracle in this book. I would most...more
This book was wonderful...four stars because --- there were just to many relatives in the first couple chapters and again in the last couple chapters...I know they were part of the story, I just hate having to read family trees...I can never follow them and I always have to go back and re-read...but this was a wonderful story and I would recommend it to all...it kinda feels like "Me & Emma" but there is so much more to this one...it is soft and sweet while hard and harsh...if you liked "Me &...more
1 like · like · see review
I liked how it all came together at the end.
Throughout the whole story, you have a hunch about what is going on with Reana Mae. It is a little bit foggier with Tracy and there is no clarity at all between the reference of "bad blood". At the end, Aunt Belle sits down and explains it all. It all comes full circle.
It's a pretty quick read. Some suspense and mystery, but not really enough to leave you sitting on the edge of your seat or enough to make you have to stop and really think about what i...more
Throughout the whole story, you have a hunch about what is going on with Reana Mae. It is a little bit foggier with Tracy and there is no clarity at all between the reference of "bad blood". At the end, Aunt Belle sits down and explains it all. It all comes full circle.
It's a pretty quick read. Some suspense and mystery, but not really enough to leave you sitting on the edge of your seat or enough to make you have to stop and really think about what i...more
A gripping and thought-provoking debut novel dipping into the complex extended family life in Appalachia. The narrator, Bethany, portrays an innocent voice uncovering dark family secrets through her summers spent in Coal Valley.
Two morals I learned from this:
1) Family sticks together and helps each other through thick and thin.
2) You can not escape your past. Do not hide or cover the truth as it creates confusion, especially in your own children.
I did enjoy the conclusion of the novel, I just f...more
Two morals I learned from this:
1) Family sticks together and helps each other through thick and thin.
2) You can not escape your past. Do not hide or cover the truth as it creates confusion, especially in your own children.
I did enjoy the conclusion of the novel, I just f...more
Nov 09, 2011
Maureen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Readers who liked "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls, and those who value good writing....
Recommended to Maureen by:
No one! (for a change)
I usually choose my books based on advance recommendations or reviews. I stumbled upon this book while in the library and am so glad I picked it up and subsequently read it ahead of other "books to read" on my list.
Now -- I had just finished reading a book, which IMO, was terrible -- and so that could contribute to my high praise of this book (by comparison).
This is a well-told and well-written story, one that you think about and want to get back to, and schedule time in your busy day to do jus...more
Now -- I had just finished reading a book, which IMO, was terrible -- and so that could contribute to my high praise of this book (by comparison).
This is a well-told and well-written story, one that you think about and want to get back to, and schedule time in your busy day to do jus...more
Prayers and Lies, which is Emmons first novel, is an easy read. The writing is excellent and the character development is exceptionally well done. The story grabbed and held my attention. Some of the story line is strong but entirely true to the way humans treat each other. Granted, this is a disfunctional family and I sometimes ached for the two young girls, but it happens. I recommend this book for a summer read.
I gobbled up this story like a bag of M&Ms. Bethany, the narrator, is the sheltered youngest daughter of two loving parents, and by the end of the story, we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that all the love in the world can't protect our children from the ugly realities of life- but it can give them the strength to make it through.
Bethany revels in her family's yearly trips to West Virginia, where most of her relatives live a hardscrabble life along the banks of Coal River. She and her co...more
Bethany revels in her family's yearly trips to West Virginia, where most of her relatives live a hardscrabble life along the banks of Coal River. She and her co...more
This book is an interesting look at "bad blood", which I found to be an interesting look at how some people just seem to be 'born' mean, or troublesome. Story is about an extended family, narrated by "Bethany", whose parents grew up in a rural area, married & moved away. They visit frequently & the story revolves around Bethany, her sisters, cousin and extended family members. Bethany's sister is one of those who people say has "bad blood" as is her cousin's mother.
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Sherri Wood Emmons is a freelance writer and editor. Prayers and Lies is her first work of fiction. She is a graduate of Earlham College and the University of Denver Publishing Institute. A mother of three, she lives in Indiana with her husband, two fat beagles, and four spoiled cats.
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Jan 18, 2013 07:24am