The Weight of Beauty

Now available . . .

Fifty-nine-year-old widow Lilith Stewart believes she has outlived her usefulness— until a new family with a lonely little boy moves in across the street of her Summerville, South Carolina home. Then, out of the blue, her estranged daughter Madelyn drops five-year-old Scarlett on Lil’s front doorstep. Add a stray puppy to the mix, and within days of her lament, Lil concedes, “I have a dog, a boy, and now a little girl…a little girl who can cuss like nobody’s business!”

Scarlett and the neighbor boy Knox, along with the stray puppy, bring blessings and challenges in Lil’s life.

She finds a renewed passion for teaching art to her two young proteges, providing encouragement and guidance both are lacking. Along with the uncertainty of Madelyn’s return, Lilith’s difficulties in educating the precocious but socially challenged granddaughter are especially daunting. She confronts these problems with the support of her friend Henry, her prayer partner Tilly, and her faith in the sovereign goodness of God and His healing gift of beauty.

The story takes Scarlett and Knox through their growing years into young adulthood as they continually struggle with the emotional wounds inflicted by their parents. Through it all, Lil constantly points them toward the Creator from whom all true beauty originates. But when the grievous choices made by their parents culminate in ultimate betrayal, will the faith of both Scarlett and Knox be strong enough to survive?

The narrative is written in first person, and to enhance enjoyment, the author encourages the reader to mentally assume a southern accent.

Reviews and Ratings:

5 STARS: A MUST read for young and old…..

“With a contagious style L.M. Hopson depicts seasons for everything and a time for every matter in this family of multi-generations. The author brings beauty out of the good, bad and ugly and helps us evaluate life lived for a purpose. Absorbing storyteller. Delightful read.” Barbara Davis

5 stars: Heartwarming story that touches real world issues

“This book was a joy to read. It is well developed and touches on a few issues that many of us face. If you like southern reads, then this one is for you. It’s infused with just the right amount of emotion.” Elian Tyson

5 STARS: Excellent read, compelling story, real life situations and characters. Recommend this to others

“Good entertaining book.” Jeanne M. McArthur