The Filling Station + Giveaway

Two sisters. One unassuming haven. Endless opportunities for grace.

During Jim Crow America, there was only one place Black Americans could safely refuel their vehicles along what would eventually become iconic Route 66. But more than just a place to refuel, it was a place to fill up the soul, build community, and find strength. For two sisters, the Threatt Filling Station became the safe haven they needed after escaping the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

After looking in the face of evil and leaving her whole world behind, Margaret Justice wants nothing more than to feel safe and hold tight to what she has left. Her sister, Evelyn, meanwhile, is a dreamer who longs for adventure and to follow her heart, even though she’s been told repeatedly to not dream too big.

As they both grapple with love, loss, and racism, Margaret and Evelyn realize that they can’t hide out at the filling station when Greenwood and their father’s legacy needs to be rebuilt. Going back will take strength they’re not sure they have. But for the love of Greenwood, they will risk it all and just may be the catalyst to bring Black Wall Street back to its former glory.

My Review:

I am really struggling to find the words to do justice to this novel. I’m still a chaotic mess of emotions and it’s been almost a week since I finished ‘The Filling Station.’ This is a story that has settled into my soul and will be remembered forever.

It’s a tough read. Miller doesn’t mince words when it comes to describing the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre. I felt the terror and keen sense of injustice and disbelief right along with Margaret and Evelyn. Seeing everything unfold through their eyes made for an emotional assault on my senses. But the author doesn’t abandon us there.

She shines a light on the resilience of a people who refuse to be beaten down. She infuses faith and hope in the midst of the impossible. It’s never easy. Everything isn’t all tied up in a bow by the end. Some gaping wounds are still festering while others have healed over. Margaret and Evelyn deal with their trauma and grief in very different ways and that means that sometimes they clash, but the bond of their sisterhood can never be severed. They are survivors and overcomes and their story, while fictional, represents the real life experience of hundreds of men and women.

And that’s what stops me cold. Because it seems so impossible. I should be reassured that the massacre happened a hundred years ago. And yet, I can’t help but feel like we are back sliding, losing ground in battles already won and it makes me so sad and mad and feeling helpless. But what gives me hope is that people like Margaret and Evelyn didn’t give up. They didn’t succumb to fear, exhaustion or despair. They focused on doing the next right thing, many placing their faith in a God others might think had forsaken them. So much to learn and admire about this kind of tenacity and courage.

And the people who stepped up to stand in the gap for them. There’s huge lessons to be learned about what it means to actively be the hands and feet of Christ. So many wonderful secondary characters, some based on real people, who give me hope for humanity. God isn’t finished with us yet.

‘The Filling Station’ is an absolute MUST READ as far as I’m concerned. And it would make an incredible book club selection because there are so many important talking points.

I was privileged to be able to listen to the audible edition narrated by Angel Pean who did a stupendous job conveying the depth of emotion in this story. And she really captured the unique personalities of both sisters and all the secondary characters as well. Would highly recommend the audio edition of ‘The Filling Station.’

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Filling Station, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 15 2025.

23 thoughts on “The Filling Station + Giveaway”

  2. Oh my what a review and what a story. I’m not sure I know the history around this story at all. I love it when authors bring to life history through stories like this.It really sounds like an emotional read. This one is going on my TBR list.

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    1. I just heart about it a few years back. Certainly not taught in schools — the kind of history that’s been suppressed but really needs to see the light so we can all understand what is at stake in our crazy world. And also, out of respect for the people who lost their lives and the survivors who kept on going despite impossible odds. Good luck, Becky!

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  3. I have never heard of this massacre and now you have my curiosity peaked so I will have to research. Sounds like a hard but interesting read. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. It’s a horrific story that we should all know about and remember. An entire town (well, I guess we’d call it a suburb of Tulsa these days) was demolished — literally burned to the ground, they even dropped fire bombs from planes on them, and gunned down the African American citizens as they fled. And no one was held accountable! Gah — do look it up. There are some great Oklahoma historical links and even a documentary. And, of course, books like this one. Good luck, Lucy!

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  5. Wow, sounds like a tremendous read, Kav — like you said, a must-read. I live just 75 miles from Tulsa and it’s my go-to place for lots of stuff so that gives it another layer of interest to me as well. Throw my name in the hat, please 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh, yes, it would bring it home for you. I wonder if they have any kind of historical commemoration around there? Or even a museum? It would be interesting to see that. Good luck, Cheryl!

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      1. Kav, I haven’t been but they do have a museum called Greenwood Rising. It would definitely be interesting to see it, especially if I get a chance to read the book. Bet it would be pretty sobering.

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  6. Once again, your review has left me speechless – and believe me that’s a major, rarely done event. THE FILLING STATION grabs me with the cover – letting me know exactly what decade the book plays in. It’s one I very much enjoy reading. With the world situations, in the United States in particular, it sounds like this is very much a story that everyone should read as a reminder of the past and how horrid it would be to go backwards to such things.

    Love a book that grabs both your mind and your heart and leave you to where you can’t and don’t want to turn the books loose. Part of it will remain with you forever. That is what this books sounds like. I’ve already added it to my TBR list and I thank you for that. I would love the opportunity to read and cherish it.

    Thank you for the fabulous chance to win a copy!

    Hope your day is as sunny an bright as ours. 🙂

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. I never thought about it, but yes, it’s set in the decade a lot of us say we’d like to see more of in our fiction. And yes, these stories are so important to remember so we don’t repeat history. It’s such an exceptional story, Kay, I hope you get a chance to read it. Good luck!

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    1. I really need to read more of her books now for sure. Such an amazing storyteller. The way she speaks truth into this story with grace and faith is phenomenal. Good luck, Sarah!

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  9. What a fantastic review, Kav! I’ve had my eye on this book for a while and would love to win a copy! I love reading historical fiction and learning about little slices of history that I didn’t know much about. Thanks for the lovely review!

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  10. This is an absolute must read…. I Love historical reads…. especially when I learn something new. Thanks Kav!
    angieadams306(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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