Elaine Smith lived in the small coastal town of Sabal Palms long enough to know when to worry about a squall and when to simply close the windows and wait for it to pass. This one would be significant. It would be significant in terms of damage, but that was to be expected. What no one expected was the profound effect it would have on the lives of people from the Texas coast to New York City. Positive qualities of humanity are often displayed during times of natural disaster. But a supernatural power had attached to this storm and subsequently worked within the hearts of the most needy, the most lonely, and the most sinister. The lives of four delightful women, a homeless teen, a rebellious son, a grieving lover who is at the bottom, a son who lost his faith, and a hired murderer, are all intertwined in the aftereffects of a Category 3 hurricane thanks to a few passages written by one determined woman. Review #1: Review by Edith Wairimu Reviewed By: Edith Wairimu Review Rating: 5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review! Reviewed By Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton is an uplifting novel about four friends whose bond develops as they help each other through tragic times. Elaine is an aspiring writer who hopes to publish more of her writing even though her friends, Mary and Bonnie, do not believe in her work. As a storm approaches their coastal town which lies along the Texas coast, they all gather in Mary's home together with their friend, Adriana, the newest member of the group. While they wait for the storm to pass, they recount their best and worst experiences. The category three tropical storm leaves overwhelming destruction in its wake. The friends once again turn to each other for strength and support. Elaine's writing reaches others whose lives are changed through her faith-inspiring devotionals. The splendid characterization of the characters in Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall and its heartening themes, which include hope and healing, make the novel an outstanding piece of Christian fiction. I felt as though I knew the four friends as I read through the book. I also loved their humorous conversations, their individual eccentric characters, and their close bond. I also liked how Elaine's faith touched the lives of so many and instilled hope that healing is possible. Other encouraging themes are also skilfully explored as the friends help each other recover and move forward from the storm's destruction. Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall by Terry Overton is a heart-warming read about friendship and faith's life-changing ability. It includes lovely, authentic characters and hope-filled scenes. Reviewed by Chelsy Scherba for Reader Views (07/2022) Sabal Palms and the Southern Squall" is the first book in the Sabal Palms Series by Terry Overton. Elaine Smith is a widow who lives in a beautiful seaside town. She has always had a gift for writing, but even her friends doubt that the Christian devotional content Elaine prefers will ever earn her any money or recognition. As Elaine and her friends hunker down for a category three hurricane, they have no idea just how much this storm is about to supernaturally impact their lives and the lives of people all across the United States. As unforeseen connections, spiritual healing, and miracles take place in the wake of the storm, so too does the peace and encouragement that one can only find in the midst of such devastation. I found this book to be simply enchanting. If you've ever had any bizarre coincidences happen to you that can only be explained as pertaining to God, then you will enjoy this book as much as I did. Elaine and her friends are retirees that each have distinct personalities and challenges to overcome. I enjoyed the realistic banter between the women and the ways they came together to help each other alongside others in their community. It was a very positive picture of the goodness that can come from humanity when faced with the challenges of overcoming a bad storm. I also really enjoyed the preparations for the hurricane and what it was described like to go through a category three storm. It was scary and interesting to experience the aftermath with the characters, especially since I've never been through a hurricane myself. As the storm system moves through different states, it was fun to meet new characters like Cara, a runaway teen, and Billy, a struggling musician, among others, and see how the storm impacted their lives as well. In the end, this book manages to bring a realistic spin to the supernatural in ways that I've certainly experienced, and that I'm sure other believers can say they've experienced as well. The story left me with a lot of inspiration and positive feelings. I'd also like to say I just loved the ending. It was surprising and fun and changed my perspective on the entire book. Although the book is supposed to be Christian Fiction, the endin