Mt. Moriah's Wake: A Novel

(Paperback)

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Mt. Moriahs Wakeis an eloquent novel in which a woman experiences a spiritual homecoming and embraces love. Foreword Clarion Reviews

Orphaned at age eight, JoAnna Wilson was raised by her eccentric aunt in the bucolic southern community of Mt. Moriah. Now a twenty-six-year old would-be writer, JoAnna faces several crossroads: in her marriage, in her career, and in her faith. She left home for Chicago in 1997 immediately following the murder of her best friend, Grace. Now she comes back to Mt. Moriah for the first time in four years to attend her aunts funeraland realizes that she must confront both the profound sorrow she feels over Graces death and the mysterious guilt she carries. She must finally grieve.

A hauntingly sweet story of love and loss that alternates between JoAnnas childhood in Mt. Moriah, her life in Chicago and her present encounters upon returning home, Mt. Moriahs Wake ponders deep questions: When we experience unspeakable tragedy, do we see ourselves as victim or survivor Is it possible to regain happiness in the face of such And how do we find our faith again, once it is lost

As her past and present worlds collide, JoAnna grapples with these questionsand her journey moves toward an unexpected conclusion.

Reviews

2022 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Womens Fiction
2022 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Inspirational (Fiction)
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in New Adult Fiction
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Women's Fiction
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Southern Fiction
2021 Firebird Book Awards Winner in Religion/Fiction
2021 Best Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Inspirational
2021 Readers' Favorite Book Awards Honorable Mention in Fiction - Southern

Mt. Moriahs Wake is phenomenal. There are no other words to describe such a rich and well-crafted story.
READERS FAVORITE 5-star review

A wonderful, uplifting book that covers weighty topics from death, to love, to faith and all with the nuance they deserve.
REEDSY, 5 stars

. . . will charm and inspire."
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY

. . . an absolute must-read.
NASHVILLE LIFESTYLES

With rich descriptions and ample southern wit and wisdom, Carro has created a place of respite, healing, and community. The Inn at Mt. Moriah will remain in my heart as inspiration for my own welcoming table.
AMY GRANT, Grammy Awardwinning artist

The authors emotional astuteness and the depth of her characters remain impressive . . .
KIRKUS REVIEWS

Mt. Moriahs Wake is an eloquent novel in which a woman experiences a spiritual homecoming and embraces love.
FOREWORD CLARION REVIEWS

Carro has written a stunning debut. The story unfolds masterfully, alternating timelines in a way that had me eagerly reading on to the final, most satisfying plot twist.
JEANNE MCWILLIAMS BLASBERG, author of Eden and The Nine

Carro has created a moving portrait of a woman that will resonate with most women in some way. . . . This is a deep, endearing novel that explores strong emotions and powerful life choices.
READER VIEWS

A captivating writer who immediately drew me into her compelling story of mystery, love, and resilience.
ANDREA JARRELL, author of Im the One Who Got Away

Author Bio

A native southerner, Melissa Norton Carro has over twenty years of experience in marketing and communications, including her own business, Norton Carro Communications. She has edited textbooks and been a non-fiction ghostwriter, as well as a regular copyeditor for Gannett Publishing. She received her Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, from Vanderbilt University, where she currently works. Carro was a closet fiction writer for years while raising three daughters, and Mt. Moriahs Wake is her first novel. She writes a weekly blog, In the Middle, about life in the sandwich generation and is currently working on another novel, Bagels at Nine. She lives in Nashville with her husband and blue heeler mutt.