About the Book

Book: Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Christian Contemporary Women’s Fiction

Release date: April 5, 2022

Elaine Smith lived in the small coastal town of Sabal Palms long enough to know when to worry about a squall and when to simply close the windows and wait for it to pass. This one would be significant. It would be significant in terms of damage, but that was to be expected. What no one expected was the profound effect it would have on the lives of people from the Texas coast to New York City. Positive qualities of humanity are often displayed during times of natural disaster.
But a supernatural power had attached to this storm and subsequently worked within the hearts of the most needy, the most lonely, and the most sinister. The lives of four delightful women, a homeless teen, a rebellious son, a grieving lover who is at the bottom, a son who lost his faith, and a hired murderer, are all intertwined in the aftereffects of a Category 3 hurricane thanks to a few passages written by one determined woman.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed.D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. Her university experiences included teaching at Longwood University in Virginia, the University of Texas-Brownsville, The University of Texas-Pan American, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Stephen F. Austin State University. She held positions as Dean and Department Chair during her tenure in higher education. Her areas of research included behavior disorders, learning disorders, autism, and research in higher education. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, blogging, and visiting with friends and family. Her books have been recognized and received awards from Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Awards, and have earned five stars from Readers Views and Readers Favorites. Her books have been recognized Finalist for the International and National Book Awards.

 

More from Terry

This book will take the reader to the southern coast of Texas. In fact, this book happens at the very bottom tip of Texas. The reader will feel the warm sea breezes, view the coastal sunsets and sunrises, and experience the friendships of four close women friends. Here is a sample:

 

The women gathered at the swimming pool and shed their cover-ups. Next, each lady

took out her favorite sunscreen lotions and creams and sprayed and squirted so much on, they all

looked almost as pasty as a bottle of glue. No one talked at all during this process of slathering

on thick coats of varying SPFs. It was a polite, unspoken agreement that no forbidden words

were ever mentioned when the ladies were in swimwear. Words like cellulite, wrinkles, fat, fatty

tissue, weight, weight loss, weight gain, age spots, and—the worst words ever—skin cancer were

completely and totally off limits.

 

In times of crises, these four women always bind together and help each other. They have been friends for over twenty years. Here is an excerpt of one of their conversations during a pool party:

 

What strangers might not understand is the banter back and forth was exactly the only way they could get along. They enjoyed it. They thrived on it.

 

“Oh, fiddle-faddle, Bonnie, last week you told me you thought the salon was opening up

this week,” Mary jabbed. “It didn’t.”

 

“I didn’t say that. I said I heard it might be opening next month.”

 

“You said next week as sure as I am floating on this raft.”

 

“Had your hearing checked lately?”

 

“Right after you get yours checked.”

 

And they both laughed. It was always entertaining.

 

“Well, horsefeathers! I need to get this hair trimmed again. It is all cattywampus on the

sides.”

 

“What? You’ve got a cat in there?” Bonnie laughed.

 

“Feels like it,” Mary retorted.

MY REVIEW

The story is one where I enjoyed getting to know the four main women and how they each faced a hurricane together. I thought the author did a good job of describing the hurricane and the damage it leaves behind. I have been through several  and each one is different. The most devastating one for my town of Houston, Texas was Hurricane Harvey. In its path was destruction, lost lives, and a community that worked together. It was so inspiring to see people reaching out and lending a hand. This story has a similar feel to it and I loved how the author brings people together in a time of crisis. 

There was one statement that really stood out to me that was said by a character. They uttered the words, “I’m tired in my faith.” I stopped reading and really thought about those words. I do feel tired at times in my faith. Like the character, I wonder if I am doing enough to help others. Am I spending time with God or speeding through those moments in my daily life? What I realized was I was tired because my faith has been tested a lot in the last few months. What I needed was encouragement, His Word and to know that He has never left me. 

In this story we find characters that are looking for answers and before they realize it, a slip of paper finds them with words that they needed. How nice would it be if we left little notes for people to find? They could have scriptures on them or little snippets of words that talk about never giving  up. We all wonder sometimes if we have made a difference in someone’s life. We may never see the seeds that we planted but God will see the changed lives as we continue to share His word.

The book has a wonderful cast of characters that see changes in their life through faith. Who knew that a woman who desired to be a writer would someday find her words spread throughout the states. Those pieces of paper she thought were not good enough, was just what was needed at the right time for those who were looking for answers. I loved the book and how the author illustrated that God has a plan for each of us. As we look for answers when we are struggling, there may be  a message through someone we know or perhaps on a slip of paper that found it’s way to us as  God ordained  it to be.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 30

Where Crisis & Christ Collide, May 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 31

Texas Book-aholic, June 1

Inklings and notions, June 2

deb’s Book Review, June 3

For Him and My Family, June 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 5

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, June 6

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, June 7

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 9

Mary Hake, June 9

Blogging With Carol, June 10

Pause for Tales, June 11

Spoken from the Heart, June 12

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Terry is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card & copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1e381/sabal-palms-and-southern-squall-celebration-tour-giveaway