About The Homecoming of Samuel Lake
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Random House (July 12, 2011)
Every first Sunday in June, members of the colorful Moses clan gather for their annual reunion at “the old home place,” a sprawling hundred-acre farm in Arkansas. Samuel Lake, a handsome young preacher with a huge heart and strong convictions, has brought his wife, Willadee Moses, and their three young children to the festivities. For the children it’s a time to vacation away from the prying eyes of their father’s congregation, and for Willadee it’s a chance to be with her beloved mother and father. But tragedy strikes, jolting the family to their core and setting the stage for a summer of crisis and profound change.
Samuel soon learns that he has lost his parish back in Louisiana, so he and his family take up temporary residence on the farm. Everyone is drawn to Samuel’s eleven-year-old daughter, Swan, with her outspoken questions and mischievous spirit. Swan, in turn, is fascinated by her powerful, secretive Uncle Toy, a war veteran, and his sultry wife, Bernice, an old girlfriend of Samuel’s whose desire to win back her old beau is a bit too obvious. But when Blade Ballenger, an eight-year-old neighbor, comes into Swan’s life, she focuses all her fierce energy on keeping him safe from his terrifying father, never realizing the possible dangers to herself and to those she loves.
With characters who come to life like members of one’s own family, Jenny Wingfield’s THE HOMECOMING OF SAMUEL LAKE is a novel with the universal reach of the most memorable and lasting works of fiction.
“Jenny Wingfield has given us a spectacular novel with The Homecoming of Samuel Lake. This ensemble of unforgettable characters will make you laugh out loud one minute, hold your breath in the next and weep when you least expect it. I didn’t just love this book; I adored it.”
–Dorothea Benton Frank, New York Times bestselling author of Lowcountry Summer
“Jenny Wingfield’s richly detailed account of good and evil in 1950s Arkansas will captivate anyone who treasures the values of faith and honesty that are a part of America’s rural past. Wingfield’s sense of people and place is uncanny. After reading The Homecoming of Samuel Lake, you too, will believe in miracles.”
— Sandra Dallas, New York Times best-selling author of Prayers for Sale and Whiter Than Snow
About Jenny Wingfield
Jenny Wingfield lives in Texas with her rescued dogs, cats, and horses. Her screenplay credits include The Man in the Moon and The Outsider. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake is her first novel.
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Jenny Wingfield’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:
Friday, July 22nd: Life in Review
Wednesday, July 27th: Chaotic Compendiums
Thursday, July 28th: 1330V
Thursday, July 28th: Book Reviews by Molly
Saturday, July 31st: Reviews from the Heart
Tuesday, August 2nd: Rundpinne
Thursday, August 4th: Unabridged Chick
Tuesday, August 9th: Caribousmom
Thursday, August 11th: Life in the Thumb
Monday, August 15th: Well Read Wife – book spotlight
Wednesday, August 17th: Stiletto Storytime
Wednesday, August 24th: Jenn’s Bookshelves
Friday, August 26th: Peeking Between the Pages
gretna smith-hopkins says
Jenny I have just finished the Homecoming of Samual Lake and wanted teell tell you I have never enjoyed a book anymore than this on, you left it with my son last year in Watertown tn. I would hAVE READ IT SOONER BUT I FELT SINCE YOU HAD SIGNED IT FOR HIM i MIGHT BE IMPOSING , i Spent the night this week and since i read all the ttime I picked up your book and could hardly lay it down .Loved The Man in The moon thats always been one of my favorite movies sad but fun also.Keep up the good wrrk and i will wait for your next book . I told my son bobby he had a famos person in his home and had not even told me.wish you had of bought a place nearby..great place for a novelest to write.
Jenny Wingfield says
Hi, Gretna — I just found this post by accident, and it made my week. I remember your son. Such a really nice man. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. Find me on Face Book, and message me your address, and I’ll send you your own signed copy. Thanks for making me smile when I should have gone to bed hours ago! (Glad I didn’t. Your comments were worth staying up late for!)
All my best,
Jenny Wingfield
dan phillips says
I was raised in a family such as you described with 2 brothers and one sister. I experienced some of the same church factions you described. Our family raised a garden,had chickens and a milk cow. Bernice could easily have been my aunt! I am connected with the Baptist, but nothing like you described in your novel. It’s time for you to write an another novel as wholesome as “The Homecoming”
Elaine Bright says
I just finished reading The Homecoming of Samuel Lake. I almost couldn’t finish it because I didn’t want anything bad to happen. It’s the best book I have read in a long time. I laughed , I cried and have been thinking of your characters ever since. I am so looking forward to your next book. Thank you!!!!!