Books like these are the reason I love Southern Fiction. Grass roots, found family stories that feel like campfire lore. Characters that work their way into your spirits and put a smile on your face. This book is a masterpiece.

I love Sean Dietrich, and love his stories. This book did not disappoint. I definitely look forward to reading more from him in the future.

The Great Depression caused people's true colors to be exposed. Some like Marigolds's father and the patrons of Cowikees showed black, but others like Vern and Paul were buffed into beautiful gold. This was more of a journey than a novel. I was surprised when it spanned 2 decades in the characters' lives. I love how their paths wound together at the end and made sense. This was like reading a history book and a couple diaries, rather than just a story. I would recommend this book to anyone 12 and up.

A book of hard life, hardships and even hope. This story will definitely pull at your heart. It’s set in three stories and I could not put it down. I loved it from the first page to the very last word.

Most of the characters I liked but there are always the few that drive you crazy. Why do they do the things they do. Well it would not be a good story without them would it. LOL I honestly loved this book.

I live in Alabama and was very curious about the setting. It to me was perfect. I enjoyed this book so much. It’s my first by this author but won’t be my last. I so highly recommend this one.

Thank you #NetGalley and #ThomasNelson for this book. This is my review of a great story.

A huge 5 stars for sure and a very high recommendation.

This was sitting way back on my NetGalley to-be-read shelf - one of the despised older than 3 month titles and I finally picked it up. So good. It took me a moment to fall into the rhythm of the writing, but it's beautiful. The individual stories with interesting characters and the eventual crossover between their lives. The picturesque description of life as people struggle through the dust storms and depression and snake oil religion dressed in a dynamically written novel.

My only "negative" to present is completely a personal perspective - I didn't understand Marigold's gift, though I could see how it was necessary to the story.

Overall this was a moving, easy-to-read page turner, both heartwarming and heart-rending at the same time.

My thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I was almost afraid to read this one, lest I became disillusioned. I’ve had a literary crush on Sean Dietrich for a few years now, which has amplified each time I’ve seen him perform. He’s a darn good singer and pianist, as well as an entertaining story teller.
Fortunately, I was not disappointed. The characters are all vaguely familiar, like cousins met years before at reunions, or whispered about on front porch swinging sessions. Set in Depression era 1930’s the cast of characters are struggling to survive hard scrabble rural life. Along a journey of despair, hope and renewal we meet a back woods preacher, the ladies of the local house of ill repute, two drifters who have become family, and the family they take in when they can even feed themselves.
It’s not just one hard knock story, it’s a series of down and out vignettes. Somehow Sean weaves them all together with a satisfying end to the journey. A true feel good story evoking simpler times, with complex emotions. Thank you to Sean Dietrich and NetGalley for the unforgettable story.

The Stars of Alabama tells the story of three sets of people during the Depression. The first story is that of a baby that is found in the forest and rescued by two migrant workers who raise her as their own. The second story centers around the mother of the baby that comes back to find her infant daughter gone and must live her life mourning her daughter as she discovers her own healing powers. The third story is of a child preacher that is abused and turns to a life of petty crime after escaping from his father. These stories are told in alternate chapters and spans many years until all three stories converge. The characters are well developed and the rising tension keeps the reader wanting to know what happens to each. Some of the dialogue could have been tightened up but the overall read was pleasant. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an opportunity to read and give an honest review.

3.75 - A sweet, emotionally charged story of hardship...but ultimately of hope. I truly enjoyed the author's writing style in this novel. It was so evocative of my upbringing in the south and I loved the feeling of 'home' I got while reading it! The characters were dimensional and easy to get attached to. I loved how the characters persevered, many times through extreme hardship, and held on to what was good to keep going. Recommended for those who enjoy novels by Catherine Ryan Hyde and Charles Martin, with more of a southern flair!

The kind of descriptive writing you'd expect from Sean of the South. He did his homework too, as this novel takes place during the Great Depression. The novel weaves in and out of various character's lives. It's amazing seeing the ways they connect.

The author allows readers to get emotionally invested in three groups of people. First up is Paul and his friend Vern, as their bloodhound helps them find a baby crying in the woods, then there is Marigold who is fifteen, living alone in the woods abandoned by her family after the birth of her child, last up is a preacher traveling across the plains holding tent meetings. As I read, I wondered if these characters would ever meet and if so, how it would take place. They didn’t live near each other. But all of them had the spirit to survive and help others along the way.

This story weaves a tale of people facing unthinkable, horrific situations during the Great Depression. The people have endured great loss. Their drama and struggle will tug at your heart strings as these flawed believable characters face life’s gritty challenges in an honest, soul searching, hopeful way. Each seeks to do their best to stick to their values, see the good in others, themselves and God.

Time passes quickly in this story that starts in the dust bowl, then moves to the depression and then a few chapters go by and the author mentions WWII. I enjoyed the relationship between Paul and Vern. It was an endearing, unlikely friendship. These guys helped others with what little they had. They gave the richest gift anyone could receive that of genuine love (not asking anything in return) and then there was precious laughter. The motto going around the land at the time was “Fear Everyone. Trust No One.” There were desperate people doing desperate unthinkable things. and there were those who learned to live, survive and thrive the best they could. It’s an amazing look at this time period. It’s a hard gritty read I was compelled to finish. The author tactfully deals with incest, child abuse, drifters, and church revivals gone haywire.

It’s funny some people look back at these times and think they a simpler, gentler, kinder place. This author does an incredible job of allowing the reader to walk in these larger than live characters shoes for a little while. There is nothing simpler about it. This is a heartbreaking yet hopeful read that would work great for your next book club pick. This is the first book I’ve read by this author it won’t be the last. Sean Dietrich is a well-known columnist, pod-caster, speaker, and is known for his commentary on life in the American South.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Catalogue front page www.bookfun.org

4 ☆ Stars of Alabama is set during the Great Depression-era leading up to WWll. It follows three colorful main characters each with separate stories. A homeless mother in search of her missing baby, a child prodigy searching for a loving and trusting family, and a tent revival preacher with a baseball past.. with all three coming together in surprising ways. Sean Dietrich has written a heartfelt story of friendship, love of family that isn’t always blood, and finding hope through the darkest of times. It’s a wonderful feel-good southern story that will make you smile!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Stars of Alabama by Sean Dietrich

I loved so many things about this book! The setting allowed me to learn about an unfamiliar time in our nation’s history. The characters were quirky and multi-layered. The plot kept me reading to determine how the three story lines were going to converge. And his use of the supernatural was ironic. The author also handled gritty subjects gracefully and appropriately.

I enjoyed reading about a time period in American history that I knew little about—the dust bowl and into World War 2 on the home front. The author captured the hardships that families experienced and gave me an appreciation for that part of our history.

I fell in love with the characters and was sorry to see the book end. I felt as if I had watched them grow up over a period of years and knew them like family members. They were very well-written and realistic.
I couldn’t anticipate how the plot threads would come together, but it was very satisfying when they did! Of course the author knew how to use suspense to keep my interest. The ending was one that made me sigh contentedly.

I thought his inclusion of the supernatural was interesting—especially set against the backdrop of charlatan preachers and in contrast with the house of prostitutes. This book reminded me a bit of Billy Coffey’s books, which also contain some supernatural elements.

This story contained examples of incest, murder, racism, poverty, death, and religious chicanery. However, the author handled it in a tactful way and always laced a thread of hope through the darkest situation.

I highly recommend this book. Southern fiction fans will find much to enjoy. I intend to read more of Sean Dietrich’s books. I am grateful to the publisher for the free copy of this book in exchange for this, my honest review.

I unfortunately did not connecting with this story and ended up DNFing it at about 30%. I just couldn't get into it.

This was my first time reading a book by Sean Dietrich, and it was a very good read.
I loved that the story was told through the lenses of so many different characters and points of view. I wish that the book had expounded more on the relationship between Vern and Ruth's relationship since he was the one that wanted to keep her, but I do appreciate the author for not trying to tell his full story, especially during those times.

Sean Dietrich, sporting a rich beard and a southern drawl, is a storyteller. He spins his narratives, filled with humor and compassion, of the world, and especially the South, as he sees it through columns, podcasts, speeches and novels. His latest novel, “Stars of Alabama,” has the same feel of authenticity that Dietrich fans so enjoy.

This time, Dietrich takes us back in time to the Depression years to show the struggles, and especially the strengths, which helped strangers come together and survive the times in rural Alabama. Due to the author’s skilled craftsmanship, the characters come to life, and readers feel for each and every one, cheering for the good guys and booing for the bad.

We’re first introduced to Paul Foldger, known for breeding and training hunting dogs, and his gentle friend, Vern. They’re scraping out a living doing odd jobs. No family or ties, except for Paul’s dog. It’s not an easy life, but it’s maintainable. At least it was until Vern finds an abandoned baby in the wood.

Despite Paul’s objections, and efforts to find the momma, the two men taking to raising the infant girl as best they can.

Flip to another chapter and we learn the baby was left in the woods while her young momma tried to steal food for them. Marigold, faint with hunger, was kept overnight in jail, and when she returned to her campsite, the baby was gone.

Then we read about Coot, a 14-year-old boy forced to participate in traveling revivals, performing as a miracle-working child preacher helping a crooked preacher trick the audience out of meager offerings. The old cheat beats Coot when he doesn’t bring in enough cash.

After introducing to the main cast and revealing their back stories, Dietrich begins in intertwine their lives, showing us how one action leads to another. Their paths, though varied and often littered by both past and present, are destined to converge at some point as sure as the stars shine and the sun rises. And along the way, there are more folks who wander in and out of the story, leaving their own marks in myriad ways on the main cast.

“Stars of Alabama” is a gentle story about rough times. Dietrich draws out his character’s lives simply without tricks or twists. He relies on the characters, their surroundings and descriptions to bring readers into their life and times. Struggles are plenty, but the will to succeed, to live, never dims.

Violence and sex are downplayed, replaced by the feelings and emotions of the characters. Despite the circumstances, they aim to make the best of their situations, often finding reassurance in the stars that shine brightly in the Alabama skies.

This book has an unusual storyline, and the characters are also unique. This is a well-written story and flows beautifully. . Sean Dietrich is definitely a talented author.

But this story just was not for me. That’s not the fault of the author, as I should have read a book description a little more closely. I imagine, though, that many will love this story.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Set in the South during the Great Depression, three families entine together in a heartwarming, inspirational tale. This is a lovely read. Beautifully written. The characters were all unique and well crafted along with the descriptive setting that draws you in.

I would first like to thank Net Galley, the publisher and author for the ARC. This was my first time reading anything by this author so I had no expectations. I was curious as so many are avid fans. I enjoyed the setting, Alabama during the great depression. The tale revolves around a 15 year old pregnant girl who gets thrown out of her house after the baby is born. Slowly we are introduced to a motley group of characters. Just as slowly the tale just dragged on for me. It would have been easy to put the book down but I wanted to give the author a chance. While I enjoyed the story for the most part there were some elements that I felt detracted from the greater enjoyment. Primarily the story was told by multi9ple characters in way too many short, choppy chapters making continuity difficult. Some parts were just too good to be true and it all ended a bit too predictably and neat for me.
3.5

This book follows several characters throughout the south during the Great Depression. Marigold, along and pregnant, leaves her baby in the woods while she searches for food. She is arrested, spends the night and jail and is near delirious from hunger when released. When she is finally able to return to the woods, her baby is missing. Paul and Vern, migrant workers, following screams into the woods where they find a baby with violet eyes. Despite putting an ad in the local paper, no one comes forth to claim her. Coot, a child preacher in the revival circuit, runs away after stealing thousands of dollars from his father, and the leader of the revival. Years pass, Marigold discovers that she has a talent for healing. Paul and Vern pick up a family abandoned by the road. Coot falls in with a tramp and struggles with the morality of a con-artist life.

I had some issues with the book. The characters seemed very stereotypical and weak. The women in particular seemed off - they were either Madonna's or Magdalene's, which is pretty frustrating. Everything came together in the end in a pretty predictable way. Overall, not a book I would re-read or recommend.

Sean Dietrich should be declared a National or, at the very least, a Southern treasure. He captures a time and place with such detail I felt like I had been transported back in time to a simpler but certainly not gentler world. For those of you who think the worries of our world are too much to handle, imagine the Great Depression with no safety net. Think of a time when life was so insular that tent revivals provided one of the few hopes you had for a better life. Then consider the men and women, boys and girls that Dietrich fashions for us, folks with little education or money but enormous hearts. This story will make your heart grow too. If you read and enjoyed Where the Heart Is, about the baby born at Walmart, you will love this story about decent people succeeded through luck, faith and love.