BOOKS BY JOAN
DAISY'S HOPE FOR HER JOURNEY
The author grew up during the Great Depression. Born in 1931, she recalls many of the things that occurred during this period of time and in World War 11. Daisy Pate is a fictional character who is a young widow with four children to rear alone. She has inherited a 300 acre farm in North Carolina from her Grandfather. The story tells of her hope and hard work to keep the farm and her children from being victims of the hard times that all America experienced during what is known as the worst time in our history. Daisys journey is an account of many disappointments, yet joy, as she helps her children grow into women and men of respect, accountability and into what is now known as "The Greatest Generation". It is the experiences of life on a farm before electricity, telephones, and other conveniences came to rural North Carolina. The setting is a Quaker Community where life revolves around Daisys home and farm, the church and the public school. Readers of any age will see what life was like in the 1930's and early 40's on a farm.
DEPART FROM EVIL
The author, Joan Fields Long, wrote Depart From Evil in 1976-77. The setting is in a peaceful farming community in the South. When a new pastor is hired for the local church things begin to change. He and his wife and their dog are welcomed with open arms by dairy farmers, Jed and Jenny Bentley and their family. Something strange and mysterious begins to happen after their arrival. Attitudes and disruptions in the Bentley household and in lives of some of the church members and even the farm animals take place. There is an account in the Bible in Matthew
where Jesus cast out demons and they went into a herd of swine.
The Bible gives strict instructions against delving into what we now call the occult or having anything to do with evil spirits.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." KJV.
Readers of most any age will be able to relate to the characters and their life style of 40 years ago. When rural America moved at a slower pace and dairy farms were the livelihood of many people. The community and the local church were important parts of their everyday lives.
Proverbs 3:7 "Be not wise in thine own eyes, fear the Lord, and 'depart from evil.' " KJV.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Amazon Review
This work authored by Joan Long explores a time in history when life moved at a slower pace, a time of transition to the world we now know and are familiar with. In this work Long explores the intersection of small town life with an interruption by a new preacher and his mysterious wife. As the story unfolds, the main characters come to learn that all is not as it should be and this preacher's wife may be behind what is going on. With numerous plot twists and intriguing character stories we come to find a group of people unknowingly getting pulled into the world of the demonic and the occult. This work is also tied with references from Scripture that speak of God's love and warn about the occult. If you enjoy works of historical fiction that also tie other elements together including the spiritual, then I recommend taking this journey into a time in which life was different...but isn't it said that the more things change that the more they stay the same?
Amazon Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a fairly quick and easy read. I LOVED being reminded of the tales of “the old days” that I’ve heard from my ancestors. I also learned some new things! I enjoyed the positive aspect of the book that came through the characters, despite times of hardship. It was an encouragement!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2020
This is such a delightful book! You really get involved with the characters and feel like you are living with them. The title is perfect as the book is full of hope and fulfilled dreams. What a wonderful escape and it's very easy to read...but be prepared to do it in one sitting. I kept thinking I would read just one more chapter and all of a sudden, the book ended. The author is a perfect example of living one's dreams since she published this at age 83.
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Amazon Review
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a fairly quick and easy read. I LOVED being reminded of the tales of “the old days” that I’ve heard from my ancestors. I also learned some new things! I enjoyed the positive aspect of the book that came through the characters, despite times of hardship. It was an encouragement!