Synopses & Reviews
Introduction
In this sequel to "Friendship Cake, the same delightful women have finished the cookbook that brought them together, showing each the true meaning of friendship. Now these bonds are challenged by Margaret's sudden illness, Nadine's mourning for her lost daughter, and Jessie's desire to see the world outside the confines of a small town. Even Charlotte, the steadfast young pastor, has a spiritual crisis and finds herself questioning her calling. Standing by each other through tragedies and triumphs, these unforgettable women come to realize that true friendship, like faith itself, is a garden that needs to be tended and nurtured.
Questions for Discussion
Lynne Hinton has stated that her grandmother, to whom the book and the opening poem are dedicated, taught her to garden. Is there anyone in your life who taught you to love the earth? What does gardening mean to you? Charlotte realizes that she doesn't have anything to offer her suicidal parishioner, Nadine. What do you consider an appropriate pastoral response to a person who attempted suicide? The doctor is concerned about his patient Margaret when they discuss the findings from her mammogram. He wonders "what kind of support systems she had, what gave her purpose, and how well she could fight trouble." What are the resources you think a person needs when facing an illness? Charlotte decides to see a therapist. What are your thoughts about a minister going into counseling? Jessie discusses her desire to move from Hope Springs, her home town. Have you ever desired to live in a place other than where you live? Where would you choose to move and why? Marion, Charlotte'stherapist, asks the young pastor to tell how she thinks of God. How do you think of God? How comfortable are you with a feminine image of God? Margaret, Louise, and Beatrice discuss what makes makes a woman, a woman. What are your thoughts about what distinguishes a woman from a man? Is it physical or emotional? In order for Nadine to begin to heal regarding her loss she must forgive herself for what she considered her responsibility in the accident that killed her daughter. How does a person learn to forgive herself? What helps in encouraging the forgiveness of oneself? Jessie realizes her fears that James will leave her again. Are you surprised that she took him back when she did? How does a couple who has separated and come back together regain the trust that was lost? Why do you think the women decided to shave their heads? What displays of empathy and friendship have you experienced in your life? How important is friendship in facing illness? Jessie and James decide to take a trip to Africa. What trip have you always wanted to take? Where would you go if you could go anywhere? Since there's another book in the Hope Springs Trilogy, another book about the women in Hope Springs, what do you think might happen next? Which character would you like to know more about?
Review
“…an anthem to friendship….. To miss it is to deny yourself a small treasure.” Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean and A Theory of Relativity
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“For all those who loved Friendship Cake, Garden of Faith will be like a garden party with old friends.” --Loraine Despres, author of The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc
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“Hintons writing style is similar to Eudora Weltys: easy, conversational, down-home….reverberates with rhythm and lyricism.” Greensboro News & Record
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“Vintage Hinton...thoughtful and exploratory...challenges the reader to be still and...to live completely, even when it hurts.” Winston-Salem Journal
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“Hinton celebrates the power of womens connections through a story about hope, loss, and the sometimes fragile nature of faith --Ann Howard Creel, author of The Magic of Ordinary Days
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“Like Rebecca Wells, Hinton has a knack for tapping into a womans longings for lifelong, authentic, messy friendships.” Publishers Weekly
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“If books had a taste, this one would be the genuine tangy sweetness of a small homegrown strawberry.” Lois Battle, author of Florabama Ladies' Auxiliary and Sewing Circle
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“...a beautiful story grows side by side with powerful truth. It caused my soul to bloom.” Philip Gulley, author of Front Porch Tales, Home Town Tales, and For Everything A Season
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“Garden of Faith is a lovely novel filled with hope.” Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees
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“With a loving eye for her characters, Lynne Hinton tells a gentle story of faith, healing and redemption.” Brenda Jernigan, author of Every Good & Perfect Gift
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“Its a ‘giver readers will want to buy and share with mothers, daughters, sisters and special, forever friends.” -Suzann Ledbetter, author of East of Peculiar, South of Sanity, North of Clever and West of Bliss
Synopsis
The ladies of Hope Springs Church have finished the cookbook that brought them together, showing them the true meaning of friendship. Now these bonds are challenged with Margaret's life-threatening illness, Nadine's mourning for her lost daughter, and Jessie's desire to see the world outside the confines of a small town. Even young pastor Charlotte questions her calling. Through their tragedies and triumphs, the women come to realize that true friendships are acts of faith. Like our gardens, we need to tend our friendships so that they will bear abundant fruit in time.
Interspersed throughout are rollicking, handy gardening tips from Bea's Botanical Bits -- unforgettable snippets of advice that help to cultivate the garden, as well as the spirit.
Synopsis
Make friends in Hope Springs
Pull up a chair and discover the strength and sustenance of friendship with Jessie, Margaret, Louise, Beatrice, and Charlotte, as the unique bond forged between these five remarkable women is put to the test when one of their own is stricken with a deadly illness. Filled with the mystery and wonder that make life worthwhile, Hope Springs will lift your spirits and warm your heart.
About the Author
A retreat leader and writing teacher, Lynne Hinton is the author of numerous novels including Pie Town, Wedding Cake, Christmas Cake, Friendship Cake, Hope Springs, and Forever Friends. She also writes a mystery series under the name Jackie Lynn. She lives in New Mexico.