🍷 🚗 ⛪"New Wine Transportation Company" (Springville Stories #2) ⛪ 🚗 🍷 - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Ambassador International (March 29, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1649600569
ISBN-13: 978-1649600569
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Springville Community Christian Church is nestled in the mountains of North Carolina and is a quiet, Mayberry-esque type of town—that is until a ruthless businessman sets his sights on the town and opens the first bar in the middle of the quiet community.
Pastor Daniel Whitefield seeks only to do the will of God. Nothing more, nothing less. When he's pressured to join the Springville League of Churches—a coalition in protest of the bar—he resists, causing tension with friends and congregants. He further risks his credibility by organizing a taxi service for the bar's customers, as a way to witness.
The seven members of New Wine Transportation Company are excited to serve, despite the naysayers, but as damaging rumors spread, he begins to question the project, too.”
Thank you in advance to the author, Heather Norman Smith for providing a complimentary review copy. A positive review was not required or requested, all words are my own.
In 2019, one of the first few review “tours” I applied for was the author’s Grace & Lavender, which is apparently part of the “Springville Story” series and introduces Colleen Hill, one of the characters that reoccurs in this book with Harvey. It isn’t necessary to read the first book, but I do want to.
In that respect, Norman is a “new-to-me” author and this is the first book I’ve read by her. It probably won’t be the last book either.
This is NOT a lengthy read at all. In fact, it falls under short form (read this little blog regarding the “forms”: https://gosparkpress.com/writing-content/).
From the first chapter page (11) to the last page of the story (185), it is only 174 pages. Though the book is listed as 192 pages which include author and other pages, making it a VERY enjoyable day read.
Smith also uses one of my favorite writing techniques: SHORT CHAPTERS (anything less than 20 pages). I cannot stress how much those really tend to speed the story along. Two books can both be 450 pages, but the short chapters keep me far more engaged and I read more than longer chapters.
That’s just my preference and view.
Anyway …
This story seemed so interesting right off – the title really caught my attention. Then that cover! I definitely wanted to jump right in the car and see where the author was going to take me.
This also seemed, from the title description, to have a bit of mystery to it. And, anyone who’s read my blog or seen my photos – I LOVE suspense.
Each of the characters are tied together by either circumstance or by the congregation.
The story is mainly told from Pastor Daniel’s POV. Harvey, Greg, Nick, Stewart, Alex and Homer’s POV are through the “rides”. Daniel, “Speedy”, Curtis, and Agnes round out some of the most interesting cast of characters. Most all the characters featured are well-balanced and very well developed. Some of the minor characters are also very well developed too. I loved watching how these characters found their own way and helped others as well.
The premise is about a “ride” program that develops as the result of a bar that opens in downtown Springville. As someone who grew up and lives in Las Vegas – bars near a residence or “downtown” is nothing new. There is a bar/pub about half (½) a mile up the road from me. Our area is, for the most part, a pretty safe area to be in when it comes to crime.
However, small towns may or may not fare so well. That made me curious to read this. In addition, rideshares such as Lyft and Über are in abundance where I live.
And, this gives an interesting view on drinking. As of note – per the author – “this story is not about drinking or not drinking alcohol. It is not meant to spark a theological debate and is not intended to be a representation of my person interpretation of Scripture on the subject of alcohol”. Norman does quite well with keeping the neutral stance. There are some conflicting passages in the bible on drinking.
There will be a few potential “trigger” and content warnings – underage drinking, DUI with death, and drug addiction. Anyone with sensitivities to these issues should read with caution.
This story had me hooked right off from the first chapter and didn’t let go. It was the perfect “day” read. And, I definitely did not want to put this down.
The author’s writing is so descriptive that halfway on page 12, I was almost drooling over the Pastor’s breakfast of a “fluffy biscuit bathed in perfectly seasoned sausage gravy”. And, it is at breakfast when Daniel is confronted about his stance on the bar.
Some of the townspeople are in a tizzy over it, afraid their down will go down the toilet. And, I had to laugh about Daniel wanting to knock Clifford out but didn’t want it replayed on YouTube.
Daniel is also asked by Reggie Carson (another pastor) to join the coalition against the bar. Yet, Daniel cannot join it. But, when the granddaughter of Speedy (cook at the diner) is killed by a drunk driver who was served at Main Street Bar – Daniel feels compelled to do something.
There is an interesting mention that the driver had a previous DUI and could’ve easily gotten the alcohol elsewhere. Thus, Daniel is compelled to take the incident and work with it.
He feels protesting and praying isn’t going to reach the people it needs to. And, it doesn’t help that he went to school with the owner.
Daniel feels the best way to reach out to people – responsible rides home. After selecting seven (7) volunteers and assigning days, plus making a plan for single female passengers (using cameras) – The New Wine Transportation Company is born. They do wonder how long they will be doing this – as with anything, there is a “wait & see” approach. I loved Homer’s attitude – “you can’t very well yell and scream nobody into heaven”.
Of course, there is a worry about how the rides for drunks will look to the parishioners. I’d personally like to believe that Jesus and God would see it as doing good for fellow man.
Then there is busy-body and trouble-maker Agnes who wonders if Daniel isn’t enabling sinners. After the death of Speedy’s granddaughter, Daniel prefers to think of it as “saving lives”. For Homer and and his wife, it is personal because of their missing, drug-addicted granddaughter.
Each call is unique in some way – a little lost lamb, a broken man, and a lonely woman. Each one of the calls has a special meaning. And, each call not only delves into the motives of the driver, but their lives and place in the story.
But, that doesn’t stop Carson from pressuring Daniel. And, it doesn’t stop trouble from arising when someone who knows Daniel, his wife Marsha, and Adam Curtis steps into one of the rides and tells rumors about Marsha.
During one of the rides, I was almost suspicious of a woman, and yet I was never more wrong about her.
I laughed at one part when Daniel decks Curtis and I was laughing when Agnes supported Daniel. Apparently, Claire was at the bar taking after her father and helping a friend. Daniel finds that instead of wanting him fired, more people support him.
But, as the rides continue, something else lurks – a suspense, a case, and illegal activity. There is definitely more than meets the eye when it comes to the bar.
There were a lot of beautiful, endearing, tear-jerking, heart-breaking moments; there were laughs, and cringes. There was a romance. Some people were more than they appeared to be. There is a beautiful reconciliation scene with God’s intervention. And, there was redemption.
At the end of the book, I truly saw what she’d put in the preface – “God works “all things together for good”.
This is definitely a Christian novel – references to God, ministering, as well as bible quotes (some references at the bottom of the page). These are essential and a deeply rooted part of the story. I didn’t mind it and loved seeing how it all worked together.
For fans of the author, those who’ve read the previous book Grace & Lavender, and fans of the genre – I highly recommend this book.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Other books in the series:
Series: Springville Stories (Book #1)
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Ambassador International (February 28, 2021)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1620208334
ISBN-13: 978-1620208335
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“Recently retired Colleen Hill is always busy, constantly on a quest to make life more interesting.
When the ladies' group at her church partners with the local children's home, Colleen jumps in as usual, volunteering to share her passion for cooking with a troubled teenager named Grace. But Colleen must balance the new project with her pursuit of becoming a contestant on a television game show, along with all the other ideas her brain continually spins out.
Colleen's daughter Melody is quite different. She lives a calm, simple life and is content with who she is. That is, until an unexpected opportunity to work with Grace, too, pushes her to reevaluate life and dare to take on bigger dreams. The path starts with a newly-found interest in soap-making and leads her to responsibilities she didn't even know she wanted, including helping Grace understand the meaning of her name.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Norman Smith lives in the Piedmont area of North Carolina with her husband, their four children, and several pets. Her goal as an author is to use the written word to entertain and encourage while illuminating the redemptive love of God. In addition to writing novels, Heather enjoys writing devotions and singing about Jesus. Learn more at www.heathernormansmith.com.
You can also find her on the following social media accounts:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathernormansmith
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathernormansmith/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HNSblog
*This post contains affiliate links
Comments
Post a Comment