Reviews
“This is such a heartwarming and at times, heartbreaking book. It takes you back to an innocent time, where life was simple and families stayed together, worked together, laughed and cried and never stopped loving through the good times and the bad times. Please read this book! I can't say enough wonderful things about it.”
—Denise
“Carolina Sugar Cane, a poignant historical novel by John W. Luton, transports readers to the rural landscapes of early 20th-century North Carolina, weaving a story of family bonds, rural traditions, and the challenges of change during a transformative era. Through the eyes of young Myrtie Luton, the novel captures the spirit of a vanishing way of life, offering a deeply moving exploration of heritage, resilience, and the inevitable passage of time.”
—David
“Through Luton’s warm, nostalgic prose, Carolina Sugar Cane paints a rich, immersive portrait of a time and place, capturing both its humor and its heartache. The author’s evocative use of dialect, detailed imagery, and strong sense of place transports readers to a world where community, family, and faith are at the center of life.”
—Cindy
“Just finished all 3 books in the Carolina Sugar Cane series. I highly recommend them. Easy read, very descriptive, and brings a sense of family many may have never experienced.”
—Teresa
“This book is beautifully written! It’s hard to imagine how difficult it was for couples to put their lives on hold while the men were sent off to fight in World War I. The story of Myrtie and Willis makes this struggle very real to me, even though these events happened more than 100 years ago. This book drives home the truth that, while the times may be radically different from today, people are basically the same, having the same hopes and dreams for the future. I can’t wait to read Luton’s next book in the series, The Child of My Dreams.”
- Julia
“I thought Carolina Sugar Cane was the best book I had ever read—until I read The Child of My Dreams! Don’t get me wrong, I still love Carolina Sugar Cane, but The Child of My Dreams just brings Myrtie’s story all together in a powerful and very emotional way. This is truly a story of how the love of family can indeed transcend the limits of time. It gave me a greater appreciation for my own family.”
- Jaysen
“Bluebird in Belgium is a heartwarming and inspirational story based on the love of family, childhood innocence, and a young man's search for the real meaning of life. It is also a story of joyful encounters and painful separations. It evokes memories of a simpler place in time, the "good old days" in all of our lives. The book offers readers a real lesson in the culture of "country folk" who lived simply, honestly and lovingly as they dealt with the vicissitudes of daily life. In doing so, they left their children a legacy of sound values that would not only shape their lives but impact generations to come.”
- Barbara