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Cindy K. Sproles
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What Momma Left Behind Kindle Edition

by Cindy K. Sproles (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 531 ratings
See all formats and editions
Worie Dressar is 17 years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie's mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.

Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers--one greedy and the other a drunkard--Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma's children.

Storyteller and popular speaker Cindy K. Sproles pens a tender novel full of sacrifice, heartache, and courage in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    255 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Revell
  5. Publication date
    June 2, 2020
  6. File size
    8635 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

What Momma Left Behind

What Momma Left Behind

What Momma Left Behind

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Seldom does a story move me to tears and encourage me to examine my life. Highly recommended."

-- "DiAnn Mills, author of Fatal Strike"

"In Sproles' emotionally powerful and timely tale of tested faith during an epidemic, Worie learns how to let go of anger and bitterness. An unforgettable story of healing and giving."

-- "Booklist"

From the Back Cover

In the face of overwhelming obstacles, she'll need courage, grit, and a tender heart

Worie Dressar is seventeen years old when influenza and typhoid ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1877, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie's mother has been secretly feeding several of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when tragedy strikes, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.

Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers--one greedy and the other a drunkard--Worie must fight to save her home and the children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she discovers the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma's children.


"Cindy's special talent is in telling about life the way it is--hard parts and all--while preserving the beauty and wonder of love shining through even the darkest night."--Sarah Loudin Thomas, Christy Award-nominated author of Miracle in a Dry Season

"Seldom does a story move me to tears and encourage me to examine my life. Highly recommended."--DiAnn Mills, author of Fatal Strike


Cindy K. Sproles is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. An author, storyteller, and popular speaker, Cindy teaches at writers conferences across the country and directs the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. Editor of ChristianDevotions.us and managing editor for Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, Cindy has a BA in business and journalism and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her family.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0821PMJ4Q
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Revell (June 2, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 2, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8635 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 255 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 531 ratings

About the author

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Cindy K. Sproles

Cindy K. Sproles

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Cindy K. Sproles is an author and speaker. Raised and living in the mountains of East Tennessee, she spins tales of life in the deep crevices of the Appalachian mountains. Cindy is proud of her mountain heritage and her desire is to see this culture live on in history. "Children aren't taught in school about the innovation and determination of the mountain people or about the heritage that is richly embedded in them. These are the people who helped forge America and these are the people who have the brawn and guts to stand by their families, heritage, and beliefs." Cindy's desire is to continue to weave the stories, despite their hardships, that show the resilience of the Appalachian culture. Being raised in these mountains and having family who practiced the old ways, Cindy writes from a deep love and experience of the mountains of East Tennessee. Who better to pen the stories of the people, than someone who knows it first hand.?

Aside from her writing, Cindy co-founded ChristianDevotions.us and served as managing editor for SonRise Books and Straight Street Books, imprints of Iron Stream Media. She teaches at Christian Writers Conferences and ladies retreats and ladies conferences across the country. Her devotions are heartfelt and honest. Edgy and inviting. Cindy serves as the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us, a writing mentor, and life coach. She shares mentoring with Lori Marett at Writing Right Author Mentoring Service. Author of four non-fiction books, Cindy's fiction debut novel, Mercy's Rain(Kregel Publishing), won book of the year and her second novel, Liar's Winter has won numerous awards. Cindy's 3rd Appalachian Novel, Revell Publishing, What Momma Left Behind, also received a gold medal in the national Illumination Awards and was named Christian Market Novel of the Year. She has contributed to CBN.com and InspireaFire.com and serves as the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Visit her at www.cindysproles.com or contact her at cindyksproles@gmail.com

Cindy is available for speaking events by contacting her at cindyksproles@gmail.com.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
531 global ratings
This book will get inside you!
5 Stars
This book will get inside you!
I love to read. But... I have been going through some personal "stuff" and haven't been reading for nearly a year. This book is one that my book club is reading this month, and I decided I needed to let go of some of my personal angst and start reading again. This is the book I picked up. Let me just say, once I started reading it, it was very difficult to put down! Worie Dressar, the "heroine" in the story, got "inside" me, and I needed to keep reading until I knew how this would turn out. I've read books by Cindy Sproles before, and they never fail. This has to be her best book yet, and if you haven't read anything by Cindy Sproles before, please get this book, and start. You won't be sorry. This book will get inside you, and y'all 'll be speakin' the language of the mountains afore you know it!
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Top reviews from the United States

Cindy_Huff
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the you-are-there feeling
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
I’m from the north and I’ve admired the Appalachian Mountains for its beauty. I love history and learning about the cultures from the past. Cindy Sproles took me away to the Appalachian Mountains and held me there as I walked beside Worie while she grieved her mother’s death and tried to find purpose in her life without her parents. The whole story is told in first person and the strength of the writing kept me in the hills of Tennessee. I hurried behind Worie as she ran ahead to do what she felt needed doing. I want to pull her into my arms to offer comfort. The author gave me a chance to do that as I watched Worie mature, find the answers to her many questions, and the purpose God had for her. Loved, loved, love this tale. I’m still thinking about the characters. Now that I’ve left the farm and the wonderful people there I have questions. I want to know what happens to the secondary characters. What path did the children take when they grew up? And when will Cindy’s next book be out. I want me so more of her amazing storytelling.
19 people found this helpful
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Patricia LaDuke
5.0 out of 5 stars Five-star rating does not do justice to the greatness of this book!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
My mother's greatest gift to me, through her example, was love of the written word found within the covers of a book!!! As a mom of eight, I was amazed that this woman could block out the constant noise and distractions, while she was lost in some amazing place and time other than our tiny, miniscule three bedroom house of chaos! My most vivid memories of the 1950's and 1960's are of her cooking at the stove or running a sweeper reading! But, still, she knew exactly what we were doing at all times!!! (Ya still couldn't get away with any unacceptable behavior! LOL!

At, seventy years of age, I wish I had kept count of the books I have read! I must have been about 12 when I had read the novel, POLLYANNA. By 14, I stepped into the world of Louisa Alcott as LITTLE WOMEN! ROOTS And GONE WITH THE WIND were soon to follow.

I read all genres. Fiction, history, biographies. There have been few that I just could not get into, set aside, and forgotten. I found this author to be outstanding! The book beyond measure. Well written and I was totally unable to put it down. Astounding work!!! Will definitely read more of Cindy K. Sproles novels.

Patricia LaDuke
4 people found this helpful
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cindy mcqueen
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2023
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Loved this. Second book I’ve read by this author and I will order more
One person found this helpful
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Laura Davis
4.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Story!
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2020
Cindy K. Sproles is a new author to me, and the title, premise of the story and the book cover instantly drew me in. I knew I had to read it.

At first, I was a little thrown off by what I thought were grammatical errors. Then I realized the author was writing in the dialect of the characters. Once I got used to that, I was able to enjoy the story. And what a remarkable story it is!

Worie Dressar is seventeen years old and finds her mother dead of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As Worie deals with the betrayal and anger she feels over her mother's suicide, children start showing up at her door. She begins to realize her mother had been feeding the orphans in the area whose parents had died of the "fever." Worie now has to fend for herself, provide for the children and be prepared to defend herself against her dangerous brother Calvin. He wants something else Momma left behind and will stop at nothing to get it.

I am torn on how I feel about this book. I loved the faith element and seeing Worie discover God while working through her anger issues and resentment over her mother's death. I loved the mystery surrounding Calvin. I loved the ending. I loved how Worie fiercely loved and protected the children that were dropped in her lap as if they were her own. That kind of love is rare. But some inconsistencies drove me crazy. For example, how did Calvin know his mother was shot? Worie silently asks herself that question, but it is never addressed again. Why bring it up at all? If Calvin is central to the plot, why not make that part of it? How Momma died and why really threw me for a loop and seemed the wrong way to go. But maybe that's just me.

As for Pastor Jess - why did he talk like Worie? It is clear that Worie was uneducated, and that explains her language, but why would an educated man speak like that too? Again, it might just be me, but that bothered me right to the end of the book.

I loved Ely and Bess and their devotion to Worie and especially to God. Despite all the troubles they had been through, their steadfast faith in God was admirable.

While it sounds like I didn't like this book, I really did! And I do recommend it, but like Worie, I still have questions that beg to be answered. And maybe that is the point. God didn't give Worie all the answers she needed, but He gave her enough to place her trust in Him. In the end, what Momma left behind, was a lesson in faith for Worie. To trust in God even when things seem impossible. Something we all can take to heart during these trying times.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing/Revell, through NetGalley.
3 people found this helpful
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Norma Jo Christopher
5.0 out of 5 stars This book for me will forever be viewed as a gift from God
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am 67 years old and an avid reader since first grade. I am also a retired reading teacher and I have read thousand of books from all different genres in my lifetime. But never has a work of fiction touched my heart and settled my soul as the powerful truth hiding within the covers of this book. It is diamond in the rough. If you are reading this review...I pray you are moved to read this simple yet complex story. May it instruct you, may it soften your soul, and may you be blessed by its message . That when all is said and done.in our lives the only thing that matters as the Bibles teaches is our acceptance of the love freely given by God the Father , Jesus Christ His only Son and The Holy Spirit. Reminding me God does not expect perfection from those that follow Him....He expects us to follow him ...knowing we will stumble, we will fall and sometimes we may cause some one else to trip......all He ask that we keep our eyes on the Father, Son and Hot Ghost. Moving forward even if at times it is inch by inch. Like the song says no turning back, no turning back.
18 people found this helpful
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Ginny Cruz
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful!
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2022
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Rarely does a book leave an indelible mark on me. Cindy has written a book that is so deeply layered, it is timeless. The characters are real and flawed. So much so that I'll never forget their redemption stories. And, she did a masterful job capturing the Appalachian voice! Read this book.
One person found this helpful
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