Today I am pleased to be hosting a stop on the blog tour for Penelope Swithinbank’s new book, Scent of Water, published by Malcolm Down and Sarah Grace Publishing.
BLURB
When Penelope Swithinbank’s mother died tragically and suddenly as she watched the out-of-control car sweep her away, she plunged into deep depression. She found nothing that reached her dark soul of the night, nothing that helped her know that God was still with her. She was numbed by grief, frozen into solitude and nothing and no one seemed to be able to penetrate her protective walls. She found it very difficult to pray or to read the Bible. She couldn’t concentrate, nothing seemed to help, and she wished there was a specific daily devotional to help her to connect with the Lord in and through the grief. For a full two years she was there. When hugs rubbed her raw and consoling, well-meant clichés did not ring true. When God seemed far away. She was far away. She couldn’t read. Anything, let alone the Bible. When the depression and the blackness were all-consuming and life was barely worth living. Eventually, out of that experience, she wrote a daily devotional to help others going through the first six months of bereavement. Those who found it on her website and either used it themselves, or passed it on to others who were grieving the loss of a loved one, kept asking her to publish it so that it could be easily given to those who mourn. Maybe as a gift in their time of need. So here is A Scent of Water. Penelope hopes it will help others in times of bereavement and grief. Just a verse and a few thoughts for the times when mourning and grief mean that anything longer, anything deeper, is impossible.
My Review of the ARC:
I found this book beautifully presented and full of sensitive observations. It gives comfort to those who mourn, particularly in the early stages, and acts as a companion for the bereaved who may find themselves overwhelmed by conflicting feelings and unable to pray. I loved the structure of the book, especially the way it is divided into different sections for specific times like the first time the birthday comes round, or the first Christmas, or the first anniversary of the loss. The book is full of lovely photos of the natural world along with thoughts for every day of the week under each of these headings. It also includes common questions that the bereaved ask. There are helpful words too, for those who want to accompany and comfort the bereaved, to help them understand the best way to go about this.
Finally the book ends with the quote from the final page of The Last Battle by CS Lewis.
A highly recommended book, published 9th July 2021.
AUTHOR WEBSITE LINK
http://penelopeswithinbank.com/
The author and publisher both want to see and share your posts.
Please include the hashtag #SCENTOFWATER and the below social media handles when you are sharing your posts
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pjswithinbank (author)
Insta: @penelopeswithinbank
twitter: @minstriesbydsgn
Linkedin: Penelope Swithinbank
scskillman.com 
The book sounds beautiful and a great review of it, Sheila. Thanks.
Fabulous review. Of an inspiring and hopeful book.
Thank you Wendy.
Thank you for your lovely review! That is much appreciated.
You’re very welcome. The book will be a helpful and comforting resource for many.