THE PRAYER CHEST
AUGUST GOLD AND JOEL FOTINOS
ISBN # 978-0-385-520-23-2
October 23, 2007
Doubleday, an imprint of Random House, Inc
1745 Broadway New York, NY 10019
Hardcover
$15.95
160 pages
Fiction
Rating: 4 cups

Joseph Hutchinson is a strong man who knows about his family’s curse. He accepts that he may not live for very long since that is how things have always been for the men in his family. Joseph enjoys everyday to the fullest even though it may mean sacrificing other things along the way. His life changes when he finds the Prayer Chest and learns how to use it. Will Joseph seek out the help he needs?

Grace Brown has helped Joseph through a lot of different things and they consider each other true friends. She keeps him busy with things to do as well as always being a good friend. Grace loves having him near her and is thrilled for him when he finds his one true love. She knows there is more under the surface but wonders if she will ever be able to express what she feels. Still she understands that timing is everything and that each person's timeline is different.

Joseph, a widower must find a way to support his children. Things seem to go from bad to worse when his farm is on the brink of being foreclosed. His dreams are going up in smoke and he questions everything around him. He has nowhere to turn until he finds the Prayer Chest and he shares this discovery with his children. They learn together what the secrets are and what they need to do for their prayers to be answered. Although they know it may not turn out the way they want they all agree to give it a try. It takes a leap of faith to get through the tough time in life that they are experiencing. Joseph is given the opportunity to start to make money but that is only the beginning. He will have to learn to work, not only with his children, but also with the kindness of strangers.

Ms. Gold and Mr. Fotinos have written a story to uplift your heart and teach you to learn to accept your surroundings. Even though prayers may not be answered in the way one would hope, one learns that God does know best. Life is a journey everyone must figure out on his or her own and is well worth it. Joseph, with the help of his children, not only heals his wounds but also stretches his faith to the limits. It is a growing experience that will change your ideas of prayer for the good. I was truly pleased and could see a way I could use this in my everyday life. It is just one of the ways we can learn to trust others and accept what is given to us.

Krista
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books