Hennie Comfort is eighty-six and has lived in the mountains of Middle Swan, Colorado since before it was Colorado. Nit Spindle is just seventeen and newly married. She and her husband have just moved to the high country in search of work. It's 1936 and the depression has ravaged the country and Nit and her husband have suffered greatly. Hennie notices the young woman loitering near the old sign outside of her house that promises "Prayers For Sale". Hennie doesn't sell prayers, never has, but there's something about the young woman that she's drawn to. The harsh conditions of life that each have endured create an instant bond and an unlikely friendship is formed, one in which the deepest of hardships are shared and the darkest of secrets are confessed. Sandra Dallas has created an unforgettable tale of a friendship between two women, one with surprising twists and turns, and one that is ultimately a revelation of the finest parts of the human spirit.
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"Perhaps my favorite Sandra Dallas book yet. I liked the return of a couple characters from previous books. I loved the main character and all her storytelling, and I thought the book had a beautiful message. This makes me not want to give up on Sandra Dallas books just yet!"
— Lora (4 out of 5 stars)
Reed has a lovely way with the voices of the men and women of the town, especially young Nit and the elderly, dignified but never staid Hennie.
— Providence Journal Bulletin“The listener is treated to a beautiful portrayal of female lives in a challenging time and place.
— AudioFileDallas is gifted at creating characters that will make you laugh, cry, and sneer in distaste. Told in the regional dialect of the period, you will find yourself drawn into their world, and marveling at the amount of pain the human spirit can withstand while still retainin gthe ability to forgive.
— Create & Decorate" 170 pages into this and all I can say is, dull. I'm disappointed because I loved The Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas. I won't be finishing this one, I'm ready to move on to something better. "
— Sanz, 2/20/2014" This book had potential, but I found the author's similes incredibly trite, and her use of foreshadowing about the "event she has to take care of" mentioned in every chapter was way over-done. And the main story that connected all the short stories wasn't well-developed. Very disappointing. "
— Jenalyn, 2/19/2014" I really liked Hennie, the "storyteller" of the book. Mountain life was hard and the stories are sad, but noone is exempt from difficulties and it's good to read how people whether them and grow stronger. I recommend this book! "
— Lacey, 2/18/2014" Sweet tale about life in the mountains at the turn of the century. Men working in gold mines, dangerous work, and women buildingcommunity "
— Leslie, 2/15/2014" I would like to give this book 3 1/2 stars. It took me a bit to get into the story. The best part of the book were the stories that the main character tells throughout the book. "
— Angie, 2/13/2014" charming, cute characters....and lovely tie ins in the end. Overall joyful, but not really introspective. "
— Abby, 2/6/2014" I really enjoyed this book, which came as a surprise to me. It lingers with you, always a good sign. "
— Shaunna, 2/2/2014" No one will mistake this book for earth-shattering "literature", but I absolutely enjoyed every page. I like the simple, homespun life in the mountains described in this book. I felt happy reading it. "
— Shanda, 1/30/2014" Sandra Dallas writes such wonderful stories. I loved Alice's Tulips and The Persian Pickle Club and I love this one just as much! "
— Roz, 1/20/2014" loved it. The ending was sort of abrupt. I turned the page expecting a next chapter but it was THE END "
— Katie, 1/16/2014" I loved this book. Simple but honest story telling. For anyone that's loved and lost, felt sadness and joy, and experienced the process of pain and forgiveness this will touch you. I'm glad to read a book that reflects life. "
— Natalie, 1/14/2014" Story of an older woman helping a younger woman deal with hard life of a Colorado mining town. "
— Dee, 1/5/2014" Prayers for sale......just my kind of book. Women connecting in a beautiful way. "
— Ketti, 1/3/2014" Easy read. Sweet story. "
— Laura, 12/30/2013" Loved it! My bookclub gave it mixed reviews, but overall favorable. I love Sandra Dallas' characters "
— Rcknoebel3729, 12/19/2013" I loved the idea of someone having so many blessings that they have "Prayers for Sale." Added bonus of this novel of strung-together stories of a Colorado mining town was meeting a character from a previous novel. "
— Sharon, 12/15/2013" Wonderful book . I enjoyed it "
— Dorothy, 12/3/2013" I liked this book. Nancy, quilting plays a big part in this book and I think you would really like it as you Mom did so much quilting. It is a good read. "
— Ruth, 10/24/2013" sweet simple story about generous mountain ppl taking care of each other after the Civil War through the 1930's. quaint dialect but some expressions lost me. especially enjoyed all of the stories of mountain life & the townsppl the main character told. story ended well, tying up loose ends nicely. "
— Tamara, 9/14/2013" A wonderful story of friendship. "
— Kathleen, 6/6/2013" really enjoyed this audio book - loved the main character and her ability to be the "story teller" "
— Janeene, 3/22/2013" An easy, entertaining read about the early days of Breckinridge, CO. I bought this book because I've enjoyed other books by Sandra Dallas, and learning about the daily life in the early years of America. "
— Debbie, 9/29/2012" Probably more of a 3 and a half stars, but since it was quick and I liked it I will give it a 4. "
— Dawn, 7/26/2012" A book I could not put down. The story of Hennie Comfort and her tales are so captivating. The author clearly depicts the hardships and brutality of life in depression era mining towns. "
— Tara, 6/25/2012" Great storytelling but it was so predictable... And obviously trying not to be. "
— Megan, 5/16/2012" Really this novel is a compilation of short stories told by "Hennie". But they are interesting stories and really likable characters. The ending is somewhat predictable, but it's a happy ending. "
— Jeanne, 4/22/2012" Once again I wish there were half stars. I would give it 3 1/2 stars. I loved the ending! "
— Danielle, 4/11/2012" I liked this book more at the end than I thought I would at the beginning. Some of the stories Hennie tells are sad, but all have an element of goodness in them. I loved the ending! "
— Charlotte, 2/7/2012" Loved this story- a very easy read. "
— Kimberly, 1/22/2012" A sweet story. It didn't hold my attention very well, but it did have a good story. "
— Mary, 12/19/2011" I really liked this book. This one had to do with dredge mining but unlike my last book it was more about the characters than the "mining". That was mere background and it provided a wonderful setting for these rich characters. I kind of wish it was a little longer and we learned more about them. "
— Kady24, 10/29/2011" Finished this book two months ago and still find myself thinking about the setting, the characters. Like old friends. Good read. "
— Cindy, 10/15/2011" Really charming read. If you are not the "charming read" type, don't read it. I enjoyed the rough but beautiful life style of earlier Americans. Much in the style of "These Is My Words". "
— Nicole, 8/25/2011" A good story. Alittle sad, happy, this book was worthy of it's title. "
— Pat, 5/19/2011" I loved it. Sandra Dallas knows how to keep your interest from the beginning to the end. I always hate to see her books end. "
— Mary, 5/15/2011" Really a great audio book!!! "
— Kelly, 5/13/2011" Loved some of the characters and the setting. The ending was a little too predictable, but the stories and twists throughout the book more than made up for that. Having traveled to Breckenridge, CO many times made it come alive for me. "
— Ann, 5/9/2011" Sweet book about friendship and faith. Set in the mountains of Colorado - a big bonus for me. :) "
— Christine, 5/8/2011" Really enjoyed this book. Good story line and interesting characters. "
— Brensum1, 5/7/2011" I am a Sandra Dallas fan, especially her earlier books. I haven't been super impressed with her last couple, but I really enjoyed this one. A definite feel-good book! "
— Amanda, 5/4/2011" I really enjoyed this book. It was slow moving at first...it isn't really plot driven, but more relationship driven. I liked the relationships formed, life challenges shared, and the take home message. "
— Amy, 5/3/2011" I really enjoyed this book! "
— Marykay, 5/2/2011" I enjoyed the book . She has alot of insights into peolples lives that one can relate to. "
— Wayne, 5/1/2011" I loved this book- didn't want it to end. Main character is an elderly widow in a gold mining town. she tells stories of her life and the lives of the people of the town. "
— Jet, 4/30/2011" Select Editions Vol 5, 2009 "
— Cactuskid2, 4/30/2011" Good story, but it just wasn't super exciting. <br/> "
— Brooke, 4/29/2011" Especially good if you've read The Persian Pickle Club, The Diary of Mattie Spenser, and Alice's Tulips. The author brings in characters from each of her past books. "
— Mimiprice, 4/29/2011" I loved this book....wonderful historical ficition..interesting characters that love to quilt! "
— Heather, 4/25/2011Sandra Dallas, dubbed “a quintessential American voice” in Vogue magazine, is the author of over a dozen novels, including Prayers for Sale, a New York Times bestseller, and Tallgrass, many translated into a dozen languages and optioned for films. She is a six-time winner of the Willa Award and four-time winner of the Spur Award. She was a Business Week reporter for twenty-five years, covering the Rocky Mountain region, and began writing fiction in 1990.
Maggi-Meg Reed has performed as an actress and singer both on and off-Broadway. She is a narrator of many popular audiobooks, including A Very Long Engagement and The Time Traveler’s Wife. She is the winner of several AudioFile Earphones Awards.