On Shifting Sand

by Allison Pittman

Long before anyone would christen it "The Dust Bowl," Nola Merrill senses the destruction. She's been drying up bit by bit since the day her mother died, leaving her to be raised by a father who withholds his affection the way God keeps a grip on the Oklahoma rain. A hasty marriage to Russ, a young preacher, didn't bring the escape she desired. Now, twelve years later with two children to raise, new seeds of dissatisfaction take root.When Jim, a mysterious drifter and long-lost friend from her husband's past, takes refuge in their home, Nola slowly springs to life under his attentions until a single, reckless encounter brings her to commit the ultimate betrayal of her marriage. For months Nola withers in the wake of the sin she so desperately tries to bury. Guilt and shame consume her physically and spiritually, until an opportunity arises that will bring the family far from the drought and dust of Oklahoma. Or so she thinks. As the storms follow, she is consumed with the burden of her sin and confesses all, hoping to find Russ's love strong enough to stand the test.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Romance, Adult, Drama

383 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2015

About the author

Allison Pittman is the author of For Time and Eternity, Stealing Home, the Crossroads of Grace series, and her nonfiction debut, Saturdays With Stella. A high-school English teacher, she serves as director of the theater arts group at her church. She is also the co-president of a dynamic Christian writers group in the San Antonio, Texas area, where she makes her home with her husband and their three boys.

Reviews

[Jocelyn Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books I race to the end in order to see how it all turns out. This one, I slowed down. I wanted it to last. The ending is one of the most satisfying conclusions I've ever read. The writing in this book is SO good, when I finished reading it I just wanted to lie down on the floor, spread eagle, and absorb all the goodness somehow. I want to write like Allison Pittman when I grow up.

[Carissa (Regency Woman) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading an Allison Pittman novel so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I did know what I was getting into, however, with the synopsis so nothing really surprised me. I knew Nola was going to be unfaithful to her husband. I knew they were living through the Dust Bowl, of which I knew practically nothing. And I knew that somewhere in this story, the seed of redemption and forgiveness would be planted. I was right on all three counts.

I suspect that a lot of readers will struggle with liking Nola and this book in general. I have a great deal of empathy for most hurting people, but she was starting to strain it about 2/3 of the way through the novel. As Ms. Pittman herself states, Nola is an unreliable narrator. She presents the reader with all these grandiose moments of suffering and sorrow and shame, but she continues on in her sin. She hates herself for it, and says she'll never do it again, but she does it again. It's painful to watch, doubly so because her husband, Russ, is affectionate and loving. And they are obviously, categorically in love. She never denies that point. So why the adultery?

Sometimes I think it is Nola living up to the expectations of her father. In his eyes, she will always be dirty, having sinned with Russ before their wedding. Yes, we have a preacher who slept with his girlfriend. I'm sure it's happened before and will happen again. Because her father had such low expectations of her and because Russ put her on such an impossibly high pedestal, all Nola wanted was to escape. So when Jim shows up in their lives, it was the ideal opportunity. Shame and guilt weren't enough to keep her from sinning.

There are so many nuances to this story. After she's committed adultery, Nola literally starves herself as a way to pay penance. She doesn't ever seem to have that specific a though about the starvation, at least not while she's undergoing it, but the reader knows that's why. And yet, even the starvation, is an act of selfishness, just like most of her other behavior. She would take from her children their mother and from her husband, his wife. All because she cannot handle the shame of what she's done. Nola even connects the dust storms that sweep through Oklahoma with her sin.

I can't say that I like Nola. What I can say is that Christians are not perfect, and even in her period of sin, she is still a Christian. She's walking in the desert of her faith, lost and searching, but unable to be honest with her family and with her God. So she's hiding, in the only place she knows, in her sin. This is not your typical feel good fare that usually adorns Christian bookstore shelves. It's honest and raw and very hard to read. There were times I wanted to grab Nola by her hair and shake her because she just wouldn't stop. And then I thought back to my own life and my own personal sins and realized that she and I aren't much different.

What I appreciated most is Ms. Pittman's absolute assurance that Nola is a Christian. She stumbles and falls, but God is there to pick her up once she genuinely reaches for him and stops hiding in her sin. It's beautiful. There is restoration at the end of On Shifting Sand, both of Nola with her husband, but also the promised restoration of the land. For people who have been there, in the valley of sin, I think this book will touch you in ways even you might not understand yet. God forgives and Nola is a prime example of that forgiveness.

When the opportunity presents itself, I will give Ms. Pittman's other work a try. I find she had a delightful and rare honesty in her work that strikes a chord in me as a reader. Even though On Shifting Sand focuses on a difficult topic, I found it made me pause and think, and give serious consideration to my own faith, how real it is, and what choices I need to make in deepening my relationship with my Lord and Savior. It was an excellent book to finish on Easter weekend.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the day her mother died, Nola Merrill has been drying up inside. Left with a harsh father that withholds affection, Nola escapes into a hasty marriage to Russ, a young preacher. Twelve years and two children later, Nola can’t shake the dissatisfaction that is once again seeping into her life. When Jim, a drifter and long-lost friend from Russ’s past, appears, she can’t help but find life under his attentions, leading her to commit the ultimate betrayal of her marriage and Russ’s love. In the shadow of what would later be called “The Dust Bowl,” Nola’s withers physical and spiritually, consumed by guilt and shame of her secret sin, until the family has an opportunity to leave Oklahoma’s dust and drought. Nola prays that her sin and the storm are behind her, but they follow. Unable to fully escape the dust and the burden of her sin, she confesses all to Russ, depending on his steadfastness to withstand the ultimate test of their marriage.

On Shifting Sand was a hard book to read at times, yet it was also very honest and thought-provoking. The can best describe it as being a “heavy” story. Allison does a good job at creating an oppressive atmosphere. Set during the bleakness of the Dust Bowl, Nola’s spiritual life compares easily to the barrenness of the land. From the outset, the reader knows that adultery will play a part in this novel, yet there is also hope for forgiveness for Nola and redemption for their marriage. Though it is a long time coming, it does indeed come. The writing is flawless in many ways, and Allison’s descriptions flow easily. Nola’s voice, the setting, and the time period all feel authentic, and the small details truly made such an impact.

I doubt I am the only reader who found Nola unreliable and at times unlikable; I hope I am not the only reader that also saw themselves in her character. The self that will never be good enough, that won’t accept forgiveness, that won’t break the habit, that won’t quit the sin. She is extremely frustrating, but on the other hand, I empathized with her. Characters like Nola force me to be honest about myself about my response to different kinds of sins in others and also to be honest about my own shortcomings. Nola is not honest with herself about the temptations she struggles with and because she isn’t honest, she doesn’t have the right mechanisms for fighting them.

I honestly didn’t understand her need to participate in deception and lies, until I “met” her father. He had only come onto the scene a short while before I realized where a lot of Nola’s issues had originated. Our treatment of others, especially children, has such an impact, and while I do believe each individual is responsible for their own actions, children become adults shaped by the experiences of their childhood. Nola’s father had such a low view of her and made sure she knew it. I could see why Nola ended up the way she did, with feelings of being unworthy, the desire to get away and need for escape. It really made me think about how our actions and how we treat others, especially our children, can have lasting, negative effects. Nola never felt worthy enough for forgiveness, so even though she asked for it, she never accepted it or lived it out.

The structure of the story was problematic for me. I think I was expecting Nola’s infidelity to happen earlier in the story, and the remainder would bring healing and reconciliation within their marriage. The story takes much, much longer to arc and come to that point, and it wasn’t my preferred way to have the plot play out. She never really overcame her sin; it was more that the opportunity was taken away. While I know that Christians still struggle with all types of sin, I also believe that we can overcome them through Christ and never be tempted by certain things or even put ourselves in those positions again. Nola was not only tempted by the idea, she would invite temptation and find the opportunities to sin, knowing that she was going to give in, but lying to herself that she would choose differently. I just never truly felt that she was victorious in that regard, and it was a let-down for me after all of the pain and heartache that had been endured.

Although normally I love first-person narration, there were advantages and disadvantages. Though it doesn’t allow readers to ever the perspective of Nola’s husband Russ, it did serve to enhance Nola’s loneliness and magnify her thoughts and emotions. Russ is an interesting character and not one that I’m sure I ever really understood while reading. Though I don’t want to appear to blame him for Nola’s infidelity, and it was obvious that they loved one another, he often appears to be putting his congregation’s needs before his family’s needs. He also felt a lot of guilt because he didn’t fight in the war and allowed that to dictate many of his decisions – for example, allowing Jim to stay with his family despite Nola’s obvious discomfort. Again, I’m not excusing Nola, or anyone, for their actions, but one person’s action toward another can make a huge difference. I’m not sure if Allison even meant to have that as a prominent theme, but that reminder was certainly there for me.

Despite some of the qualms I had with the story overall, the complex nature of Nola’s character and the spiritual intricacies found in its pages made me glad that I read it. The forgiveness and healing that does come is a beautiful picture of Christ’s love and a good reminder of the fact that only “he who is without sin” can cast the first stone, and the only one without sin would never cast those stones. Talking about adultery is uncomfortable and unpleasant, but is not something that should be glossed over. Though I would have had the story play out in a more uplifting way, I applaud Allison for tackling such tough subject. I’m looking forward to reading more of her previously published work and hope that there is more to come from her in the future.

[Shari Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long before the Dust Bowl hit their small town in Oklahoma, Nola Merrill feels like she's been drying up bit by bit ever since the day her mother died, leaving her to be raised by her stern father. A hasty to marriage to Russ, a young preacher, didn't bring her the escape she desired, and twelve years later, with two children to raise, dissatisfaction with her life takes hold of her once again.


When Jim, a mysterious drifter and a long loss friend of her husband's takes refuge in their home during a dust storm, Nola slowly springs to life under his attention, until a single, reckless encounter causes her to commit the ultimate betrayal to Russ. For months afterwards, guilt and shame consume Nola, until an opportunity arises that will take her family far from the drought and the dust of Oklahoma, but she can never get far enough away to forget the past, and she considers confessing to Russ, but if she does, will his love be strong enough to forgive?


I really enjoyed this story, and the author does a great job of bringing what it must have felt like to live with the drought and the dirt vividly to life, and also what brings Nola to make the decisions that she makes. Although the plot lines are different, this story definitely had a "Grapes of Wrath" feel to it.

[Staci · Rating 3 out of 5]

On Shifting Sand was a modern day story of Job. While I enjoyed that parallel and the symbolism throughout the story, I never fully connected or got engaged in the story. Nola was difficult to relate to.

This is my second Allison Pittman novel. I enjoyed the first one much more than this novel and look forward to reading her other works.

[Emma Troyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It isn't often that I can't decide what to say about a book. I'm still not sure what I think of this one. It's a good story, it's quite well-written, and yet-- I just didn't like it. Most of that, I know, is because it's written in the dreaded present-tense, which I really dislike reading. It often makes me confused, and it annoys me so much that it's just plain distracting. I know I would have gotten much more from this book if it hadn't been written this way.

Another reason why I didn't particularly enjoy it was the dark subject matter. It's not a happy story at all. I often love stories that deal with heavy issues, hard times, wrong choices, and end in redemption. This one, however, just didn't grab me. As I said before, the writing bothered me immensely, and wasn't enough to attach me to the characters and pull me into the story.

If you can get past the weird way it's presented, I'm sure it is a powerful book.So while it didn't do anything special for me, I definitely don't discourage others from reading it.

My rating: 5/10

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

While engrossed in Allison Pittman’s latest novel, On Shifting Sand, I continually found myself heading to the kitchen for a tall, cool glass of water to slake my thirst. Yes, it’s been a dry, hot summer here in Idaho, I told myself, but what gives? Then I realized that the cause of my thirst was Allison’s vivid, you-are-there descriptions of daily life in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

“We feel thirst everywhere,” she writes in protagonist Nola’s viewpoint, “–our parched throats, of course, and the corners of our mouths. It seems, sometimes, that we are drying up from within. Our lungs rasp with every breath, our bones threaten to snap themselves to powder. There is not enough water to drink, to wash, to bathe. We are never quenched. we are never clean.”

Gaaack! Pass the pitcher!

Of course, I’d heard about the Dust Bowl (or Dirty Thirties, as they’re sometimes called). I’d read Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath along with millions of other American high-schoolers over the years. But On Shifting Sand gave me my first glimpse in up-close detail what it was like to live through it, day by day. My ancestors experienced the Great Depression in other contexts, but not the dust storms that plagued the Great Plains. No wonder so many “Okies” packed up and left–for most of them, there was literally no other alternative. The storms took away their homes, their livelihoods, and even people they loved.

As I read On Shifting Sand, the descriptions of storms kept me riveted, almost as if the weather was a character unto itself.

This was important, because I found it hard, if not impossible, to warm up to Nola, a pastor’s wife in a small Oklahoma town. While I sympathized with the near-impossibility of keeping a clean and healthy home in the constant dust storms, and to feed her children on practically no income, her constant complaining and chronic dissatisfaction with her lot in life wore on my nerves. When a drifter comes to town and she makes terrible choices to try to make herself feel better . . . well, at that point, many good Christian readers may have closed the book.

And that’s too bad. Because Nola’s story has much to teach us about ourselves.

You see, when we’re not vigilant–and sometimes even when we are–sin comes upon us like those dust storms. It seeps into every crack and crevice of our lives, no matter how hard we try to keep it out, to scrub it away. Only the Living Water, Jesus Christ, has the power to wash it away, quench our thirst and make us clean again.

That, I believe, is the point of the story. Nola grew up in a home without love, and went looking for love in all the wrong places, as the old song goes. To escape an unhappy home life, she made a hasty marriage. (The title hearkens to Jesus’s parable about the foolish man who built his house on sand, “and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”) Now she’s restless, unhappy, and critical toward her husband, her two children, and the people of her town. When the handsome drifter–an old friend of her husband–comes to her home, her poor choices make everything infinitely worse. (In keeping with Christian publishing standards, we aren’t offered graphic details of what happens–needless to say, the picture’s clear enough.)

Ultimately, On Shifting Sand is a story of repentance, forgiveness, and redemption. You may have to slog through some dust and dirt to get there, but it’s worth it.

Disclosure: I’ve been given a review copy of this book by the publisher. This generosity, while appreciated, has not biased my review.

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Shifting Sand

About the Book:

Long before anyone would christen it "The Dust Bowl," Nola Merrill senses the destruction. She's been drying up bit by bit since the day her mother died, leaving her to be raised by a father who withholds his affection the way God keeps a grip on the Oklahoma rain. A hasty marriage to Russ, a young preacher, didn't bring the escape she desired. Now, twelve years later with two children to raise, new seeds of dissatisfaction take root.When Jim, a mysterious drifter and long-lost friend from her husband's past, takes refuge in their home, Nola slowly springs to life under his attentions until a single, reckless encounter brings her to commit the ultimate betrayal of her marriage. For months Nola withers in the wake of the sin she so desperately tries to bury. Guilt and shame consume her physically and spiritually, until an opportunity arises that will bring the family far from the drought and dust of Oklahoma. Or so she thinks. As the storms follow, she is consumed with the burden of her sin and confesses all, hoping to find Russ's love strong enough to stand the test.


My Review:

As the Dust Bowl dries everything up and whisks it away, Nola Merrill feels that it also is doing the same to her very existence. Her mother died when Nola was young leaving her with a father who wont say he loves her. She married Russ the local preacher quickly, and had two kids just as fast. It all seem to be going the same as always until, she meets Jim, an amputee and college friend of her husbands.


The way Jim looks at Nola gives her shivers. She desperately wants him to leave town before she does something unthinkable. It all gets worse when her husband believes it would be in Jim's best interest for him to stay at their home. But Nola knows this isn't the greatest idea. When her father becomes mentally unstable, Nola finds herself more and more around Jim. During a rough dust storm, she is caught alone with Jim, in her car, with no one around. She walks away from that dust storm an unfaithful wife. Her life begins to spiral out of control. She asks God for is forgiveness daily, but her husbands forgiveness is what she desperately wants, if only she had the heart to tell him.


The author did an amazing job portraying the life of a woman who committed adultery. This book had me continuously wanting to know what happened next. All the characters had perfect chemistry, despite a few of their choices. I thought that Nola's husband was a sweet guy, even though his wife did what she did. It truly was an amazing book!


**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Tyndale.

[Rambling Readers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could almost feel the sting of dust particles as I read Allison Pittman's newest release "On Shifting Sand." Novel after novel, Pittman proves herself more than adept at creating plots that will impact readers into the depths of their hearts. Every aspect, from the history to the setting to the characters, is created in fully-developed detail. I never know what path one of Pittman's novels will take, but I know that I will always find history, pain, depth, hope, and faith along the way.

Set during the Dust Bowl, "On Shifting Sand" brings the period of history to life. Although the Dust Bowl is a topic I remember learning about in history classes, I never realized how significantly the people who lived through it were affected. Pittman doesn't spare readers from the loss and suffering that defined the Dust Bowl. The dust is as much a part of the story as any character, always present with a sense of foreboding.

Nola Merrill's self-destruction is as constant as the dust storms that plaque her community. Her sins accumulate like the dust, and it is hard to witness her decisions. The burden of her choices weighs heavily on Nola, and heavy on readers as well. Pittman digs deep into the the topics of betrayal and adultery. As readers, we watch Nola choose to break her marriage vows. Through her, we witness the strong temptation to sin and the equally strong guilt that accompanies that sin. Anyone looking for an idealized, happy read won't find it in the pages of "On Shifting Sand." What Pittman delivers is heart-breaking, but so much more memorable and powerful for its directness. Nola's story is not sugar-coated, nor does it end with a tidy epilogue of perfect lives. When I finished reading the last page, I hoped to read more about Nola and her family. It seems like their story could continue for at least a few hundred more pages. Though readers may be left contemplating the future of Nola and her family, "On Shifting Sand" closes with a promise of hope and forgiveness of all who seek it, and those are promises that will endure longer than any story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[ElsaMakotoRenge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book at all. However, it's not a bad book. It just wasn't for me. I thought it was really boring, and since I hated our narrator Nola, AND she tells the story in present tense, it made me dislike the book, too. She does have a clear voice, and she's certainly not a cardboard character, which is one of my pet peeves, but she's annoying and a liar. She is an unreliable narrator.

That being said, one thing I really liked was that the author never questions that Nola is a Christian. She might be unlikable and doesn't feel like she has any likableness about her whatsoever, but I was glad it wasn't written like "Oh, Nola cheated on her husband. She is not a Christian." Russ is just...meh. He's realistic, I guess, but he's kinda bland. Jim is meh, too. I don't know why Nola went after him. I do think the fault of the cheating also lies with Jim. He might tell her she should stop, but he goes along with it, so therefore he is as guilty as she is.
The book is very predictable. It's well-written, but I was just completely bored. I won't be rereading this one. It is a unique POV, but I just didn't like it. 2.5 stars.

[Tanya Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impressed with this book. The depiction of Oklahoma in the trying days of the Dust Bowl are unbelievable. I can't imagine living under those conditions and I am from Oklahoma. The horror of drowning from sand just from being outside when the storm came. Just the visualization of people having to place wet cloths in or around their mouths and nose just to keep the sand out when a storm came. But I think the author does give an accurate account of what life was like living in the Dust Bowl, a very desolate experience.

It's amazing to me that people lived to tell and that it's even true. On Shifting Sand is a deeply spiritual book too, dealing with infidelity, perfectionism, eating disorder and many other deep subjects. Most importantly, the act of waiting on God's will for action in one's life. The humbling act of keeping one's vows of marriage even after a spouse has strayed. Also the importance of having good friends and neighbors to keep you company and help you out in scary times like the Dust Bowl days. Good read!

[Jackie McNutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was struck by the intensity of this book, both by the emotional, physical and spiritual struggles for survival that the characters endured, but also for the captivating story line.
This is more than a story of hardship, but also of the undying faith of one, and the hard fought battle of the mind and heart of the other.
As a woman I could deeply relate to the character of Nola for she struggled with many emotional issues that women face everyday, the consequences of our choices for good or bad, and the value we so often misplace on our own worth.
This is a story that will open your heart to see that while our sins may not be the same, we all fall and need God's great mercy and grace.
This book is very heartfelt and thought provoking along with being a very inspirational story.
I received this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Catherine Richmond]

Denola is trapped in 1930s Oklahoma with a bitter father, a husband who makes major decisions without consulting her, and a congregation who hasn't accepted her as their beloved pastor's wife. She's losing the battle against dust storms and against her attraction to a drifter. Such a grim story is only made readable by the adept writing of Allison Pittman.

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional novel,centered around a family,who lived thru the Dust Bowl yrs.
The father was a minister of a small.church in.Oklahoma.
The family had two children,about Jr.High age & a little girl who turned six.
The couple had committed Adultery & had to get married, very early. The mother of the woman,had passed, but her father never forgave her,or Russ,her husband.
The Church her husband pastored was his home & the parishoners loved him,his wife didn't think,they cared that much for her,but,she tried her best.
She was a very unhappy women.
They weathered the storms the best they could but it was one after another and no rain.
Good food was very scarce the mother often gave her portions to her kids.
This is the 2nd.book,I've read about the Dust Bowl, this week,this being a novel by a very talented author."Allison Pittman"
She has made these characters so real,that the book.will stay with you.for sometime.
There is so much going,but I have tried to give you a small glimpse.
You will want to read it & will be inspired by the characters & what they went thru to survive,although many didn't.

[Dianna (SavingsInSeconds blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.

Doesn’t the On Shifting Sand book cover take your breath away? It has instant drama factor. In classic Allison Pittman style, the characters in this book are real, raw, and almost tangible. From the very start of the book, I connected with Nola. She was an exhausted mom who stole away moments to herself, trying to rush around for nighttime prayer or wondering how her blush of youth was gone so quickly. My heart caught in my chest when Nola started to waver between right and wrong; I wanted to cry out to her and remind her of what she once held dear. The Dust Bowl might be the setting, but Nola could be any woman in any time period. This timeless story of pain and forgiveness can’t be ignored. It’s unsettling to say the least, so don’t walk into it expecting a warm-and-fuzzy tale of soft love. This gritty novel is one that will claw its way into your soul.

[April Kelcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made me regret my character trait of continuing to push through something bad, while thinking and hoping it would get better. This is not genuine well-researched historical fiction, nor is it an admirable effort to incorporate genuine Christian themes. The whole story line was more like an awful romance novel with very little real character development, and no real redemptive theme. Sin is repetitive and largely unresolved, except for the main character resolving to do better, or basically trying to move on and pretend it never happened. The Christian gospel is based on what Jesus did for sinners, not how they try to pull them up by their own bootstraps. Furthermore, most of the story line could be summarized in about three main sentences, repeated over and over endlessly.

[Jennifer K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could feel the dust as I read Pittman’s depiction of the Oklahoma people fighting to endure the dust bowl. Sadly the characters had internal struggles which became just as destructive. I appreciated the faith lessons and biblical principles lived out by the characters. They made mistakes but the concept of forgiveness became real as it was experienced by them. Living among the community of believers, helped them greatly. Through a picture of the devastation and destruction of the land and times of depression, Pittman portrays a beautiful illustration of complete cleansing and forgiveness following sin. I would love a sequel with an update on these characters. Definitely worth the read!

[Victoria Wier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Written Depression Era Drama

I feel as if I’m on shifting sand rating this book. On one hand the details gave me insight to life in the dust bowl, her description were so effective at times I could feel the dust invading, imagine the suffocating effects. Yet on the other hand I despised Nola and her inability to walk away from temptation it made me sick. But isn’t that a sign of a good writer I felt emotions while reading instead of just mindlessly consuming the words. I wouldn’t recommend it as a must read but it is worth 4 stars due to the authors ability to evoke emotion and give a glimpse into what it would have been like to live through the Dust Bowl.

[Robeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book trying to remember another book I had read about the dust bowl.

I have never read anything by this author. The book was just ok. I found Denola to be a bit disappointing and her husband even worse. The author research on the dust bowl was very good, I could appreciate the point of view from a housewife trying to keep her house in order and her family fed. Truly heartbreaking times.

If you are interested in reading more about the dust bowl, I found the book I was originally looking for: “House of Earth” a novel by Woody Guthrie. I do recommend it and will read it once again.

[Spencer Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the first book I've read that takes place during the dust bowl. I learned a lot--which is a given in historical fiction (for me anyway.)

The first person narration drew me into the story immediately. Seeing life through Nola Merrill''s eyes made me feel her angst, and understand her disgust. She is a flawed character, and she'll stay with me for some time. Dealing with adultery--not a topic I usually read about--the story offers an emotional rollercoaster, and showcases mercy and redemption.

[Hannah Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

You HAVE to read this!!! This book is set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. I've never read anything in this time period before, and it was eye-opening! The sickness and starvation that people had to deal with is awful. It took dedication and commitment to survive this time. This story deals with despair and depression, love and forgiveness, temptation and desire, and faith. It is raw and real and spoke to me in so many ways. I cannot put into words just what my heart is still meditating on after reading this amazing book. I believe this will stay with me...and I hope that it does!

[Joy Kidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title references the allegory of the Dust Bowl miseries in Oklahoma with a agonies of an unfaithful wife and mother caught in both. Interestingly written in first person present tense, the author captures Nola's background (losing her mother, a cruel father) and dust-filled life and insecurities. Married to a pastor, Nola struggles with accusations from her father, poverty, never-ending grit and dust, infidelity, and guilt. Her angst is almost overdone, but the healing process is well thought out and presented.

[Gretchen Louise]

The topic of infidelity made this a challenging read even without the desperation and death of the Dust Bowl. Allison Pittman takes the reader on a journey into the heart of a woman whose very soul is parched by the drought of dissatisfaction. Nola is a pastor’s wife who makes seemingly small but reckless decisions that throw her headlong into the path of temptation. Will redemption come with the rain?

[Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly wish Ms. Pittman would have addressed Nola’s unresolved psychological issues. The fact that her husbands love did not cure her or help her overcome. That her husband may in fact be compounding her issues. I am deeply disturbed that anyone would think that this is a happy ending.
I do like the authors story telling abilities. I was just hoping for an actual resolution at the end, I’m heart broken for Nola.

[Antho2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I recently discovered Allison Pittman quite by accident. She writes historical romantic fiction. This book was a devastatingly accurate portrayal of the Dust Bowl; both in the country but also in the couple. Her insights on marriage were fascinating and functional. I will continue to look for her work.

[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful story of life in the Dust Bowl, but more importantly, of forgiveness. Pittman tackles the subject of adultery with care and wisdom, and the topic of guilt and grace with beauty. I highly recommend this book.

[Wendy Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good story. But I struggled to read this book. I just could not relate to the main character at all. Her struggles were just too far removed from mine. The second half was a little better as she seeks to forgive herself and be forgiven by others

[Ckainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very powerful story about forgiveness. Loved how it was written in first person. Living in Oklahoma I especially found the dust bowl interesting.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well written, but I felt like it focused more on the sin than the grace

[Carolyn Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written novel.