Among the Crepe Myrtles (Letters to Layton)

Letters to Layton #1

by Kim Williams

Robbed more than once of what he desires from life, Ben Williams is disillusioned with his concept of fairness. The only person still alive who matters to him is his son, but his work takes him from home, leaving someone else to parent the boy. The railman hides his resentment behind a facade of good-naturedness and an illusion of self-reliance. He has every intention of his mind outwitting his emotions. Eighteen-year-old Katherine McGinn is unaware that she views herself as an emotional victim, despite her strong faith. Her longing for acceptance and a desire for more than her common life offers her are both held prisoner by her practicality. The only world she knows exists inside a rural early 1900's community where she shares a house with her siblings, and where mundane work is a necessity for survival. She guards her emotions for fear of disappointment. When their lives cross paths, Ben and Katherine attempt to help one another move beyond their inner conflicts, but their bond is threatened by new circumstances that demand the need for forgiveness.

Genres: Romance

238 pages, Paperback

Published June 15, 2017

Reviews

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories based on someone's heritage and real events. (Is that any surprise, since I wrote one of my own?) Therefore, even if the story itself is a little slow in some places, it's easily forgiven. If the story doesn't have one main plot point, that's also easily forgiven. After all, whose life has one main plot point? (If yours does, I think something's wrong) I read the author's note--at the end of the book--before I actually read the book, and so was anticipating the story. I love true stories that are stranger than fiction!

Anyway, on to the book. The setting is in Texas. The book starts in 1918, with the prologue set in 1916. (I had forgotten it skipped a couple years, so when the actual book was talking about the War, I was greatly confused.) I love the setting of Texas in the 1910's, and there were a few hints that made that setting. Someone said "Y'all," there was a mention of Prohibition, and such. And I'm sure Crepe Myrtles grow down in Layton, Texas, although I don't have firsthand knowledge of that. So the setting didn't pervade every scene, but it was there in the background.

The characters were developed very well, and there were just enough; they all had an important role. Katherine wasn't especially adorable, (at least, not as much as Ben thought) but she had her amusing quirks. It made her real. Plus, she couldn't cook! Not so desirable for a housewife, but she had her sister.

Then, of course, her husband, Ben. His character definitely isn't done, however. (This is why I need to next book) His line of reasoning about God was made believable, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that his mind wasn't changed due to one conversation with the pastor. Now, I would have liked it if his mind was changed a little quicker ... His feelings were all understandable, and even though he made a big mistake, he's very forgivable. I was glad that it was stressed that Ben doesn't deserve forgiveness. But he can still have it. I really liked the way he was a 'good' man--better than Joe, for contrast--but it was shown that a good man isn't good enough. There aren't many books with a hero like that.

Katherine's siblings, Joe and Lena, were both very important. Lena was a great younger sister. She just created a perfect household atmosphere. I wanted Joe to be some sort of an honorable brother, and well, that didn't happen. (Joe, your story is far from over!) I did like his not-sentimental, full-of-flaws personality, though. He's not completely evil, but he's far from perfect.

And Sammy ... poor Sammy. He's quite a darling. Not much to say about him, except that that one part about him was just too sad. I should have seen it coming, but I didn't want to believe it would happen.

The faith content was solid. Ben's struggle against God, as I said, was very believable. But God's grace was shown to him, not because he deserved it, but because of God's Love. I would have liked if there was an issue with the fact that Katherine was a Christian, and Ben wasn't. Being unequally yoked, people. That's a bigger problem than Katherine's inadequacy to care for Sammy. The characters' faith wasn't shown on every page, but I think it was good that way. When they didn't trust the Lord, and cast all their cares on Him, things fell apart. When Katherine turned back to God, things started to be okay. (But the story isn't done yet!!)

The book wasn't perfect, however. I was a little uncomfortable with all the marriage-talk. Katherine worried way too much about the 'wedding night'. It was all kept vague, and nothing was 'on-screen', but I felt it was a bit unnecessary. Yeah, we know they're married. We also know what married couples do. We don't need to talk about it in depth.

I read a paperback copy, and so the formatting issues and typos were more obvious to me. "Shuttered" instead of "shuddered" and "hear" instead of "here" were two typos that I specifically remember. There were also some mistakes pertaining to em-dashes, quotation marks, and even an extra blank paragraph with only a period in it. (maybe I shouldn't be so critical, since I only learned about em-dashes recently. I just assume that everyone has much more knowledge than I)

Overall, though, it was a good book, and I read it with anticipation, because I like to know real people's lives. I need book two next, please!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Kim Williams' historical novel "Among the Crepe Myrtles," she intrigues her readers with a story of faith, love, and reconciliation. The novel is based on the true story derived from love letters that the author's great-grandfather wrote to her great-grandmother. The cover of the book is very meaningful as a letter and postcard mailed to the author's great-grandmother after she married was incorporated into the design. The story begins in 1916 in Commerce, Texas and tells the love story of eighteen year old Katherine and twenty-eight year old Ben and the struggles they faced as they began their lives together. Ben struggled with the death of his first wife and was left to care for their young son who was deaf and had other physical disabilities that left him unable to walk. Ben had difficulty understanding why God would let bad things happen to good people. The story dealt with relevant issues such as alcoholism and gambling, and the message prevailed throughout the story that Jesus had given his life so people could accept forgiveness of sin. The supporting cast of characters in the town added additional interest to the story and made the readers feel like a part of the town of Layton themselves. The historical details in the story allowed readers to see what everyday life was like for Texans in 1918. Very well written book! I look forward to the second book in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.

[Jerah Alvarado · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming book, it was hard to put down. It was clean and pretty straight and just when I thought it couldn’t get any cozier, ‘Bam!!’, the most unexpected thing happened! I thought of many ways Katherine and Ben’s bond could be threatened or go wrong, but never this. It took me completely off guard and the ending was not what anyone would expect. Yet author Kim does an amazing job of closing and leaving me anxious for book 2! I don’t want to say too much but, I love how she compares martial relationships with our personal relationship with God. :).

[Lindsay Bowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a touching narrative. The love story is both beautiful and heartbreaking - any reader will experience all the emotions as they walk through Ben and Katherine's journey. Often, it went off script from what I expected, which made the story engaging from beginning to end. The author isn't afraid to really dive into the the true human experience, both the good and the bad. Looking forward to book 2!

[Gail Pallotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben Williams’s fellow employee at the railway introduces Ben to his sister, Katherine. Ben’s lost his wife and takes care of his handicapped son, whom he loves dearly. Katherine does housework and takes care of her brother, who drinks too much, and her sister, who loves Katherine very much. Katherine and Ben are attracted to each other, but Katherine thinks Ben wouldn’t want someone as mundane as her. Ben’s first obligation is to his son, but he doesn’t want to burden Katherine with extra responsibility. As a result, he keeps his son’s existence secret from Katherine for a long time. However, as their love grows, he finally tells her. Yet, it’s not the fact that Ben has a handicapped son that eventually rips their lives to shreds, but something else.
I couldn’t put down this book about the hardships life can impose and the need we all have for forgiveness. The characters came to life as did the setting and I felt as though I was living on every page with Ben and Katherine. I highly recommend this story all who enjoy history, romance and people overcoming difficulties.

[Janette Johnson Melson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kim William’s novel Among the Crepe Myrtles is a historical romance set in Layton, Texas in 1918. It is the first in a trilogy, which is based on love letters from her maternal great-grandfather to her great-grandmother. Although there aren’t any of her letters to him, and there aren’t enough of his letters to understand their full love story, there is enough that Kim based her fictional novel on these and filled in the gaps. What she has created is a touching love story between Ben Williams and Katherine McGinn. A widower and father of a young, disabled son, Ben meets and falls in love with the much-younger Katherine. They begin a life together, but tragedy, stupidity and stubbornness threaten to tear them apart. Through it all, they both learn lessons about their personal relationships with each other and with God. I found this book to be heartwarming and, at times, heart-wrenching. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their story and think you would enjoy it as well. It is available on Amazon.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among the Crepe Myrtles
Series: Letters to Layton Book 1
By Kim Williams

This amazing book is primarily about Katherine and Ben, but it is also a book about what forgiveness and unforgiveness look like and how they affect people.
This story will take you deep into the love, pain, joy, and stress in the lives of the two main characters and their family. You are drawn into their lives so much so that you laugh and cry with them You find yourself pulling for them to overcome their struggles. You cheer when they succeed.
Read this story and e a part of life in the early 1900s in rural Texas. Read it to watch God move in people’s lives.
I highly encourage you to read this book if you like history and/or romance. This truly is a wonderful book.

[Jt Furbay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book that I have read in this series and i think it is very good. This takes place during WW1 in Texas. Ben is a widowed man with a handicapped son who brings him a lot of joy. He works for the railroad and lives in a boarding house. When he goes home with Joe when they both are off work, he meets Katherine, Joe's sister. He developed a friendship with her and they write letters to each other. Eventually they marry. But when severe tragedy strikes, will they be able to survive it together?

[Terri Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMONG THE CREPE MYRTLES surprised me with its literary prose and willingness to dig deep into the pain of souls bruised by life.

The story behind the story turns out to be based on the author, Kim Williams' great grandparents. This love and care definitely shows up in the writing of the tale of those so wounded by life they don't realize the beauty in the crepe myrtles.

This is the first book in the Layton series, and I plan to read books 2 & 3 as soon as possible.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bring the tissues. This is a heart touching story filled with family, love, faith, heartache, forgiveness and more. The cover is beautiful and the story is beautiful. Great read. I received a complimentary copy of the story. No review was required.

[Cecily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet yet sorrow-filled story that kept me turning pages. Can’t wait to see where this story goes next.