Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain
Author: Joanne Bischof
Genre: Historical Romance
After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.
But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.
As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?
A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.
Click here to purchase your copy!
My Thoughts:
Sons of Blackbird
Mountain is my favorite kind of story to read. Passionately and beautifully
told, author Bischof takes us to the Appalachia and gives us the story of three
brothers whose bond is strong, their love is fierce, and their hate can be
palpable. They are children of Norwegian immigrants and the story takes place
in 1890 where race tensions are still high and neighbors are not too friendly. Their names are Jorgan, Thor, and Haakon.
There is so much depth to this story that I am afraid my
review will be sorely lacking. As a mother of boys, I really enjoyed the bond
these men had with each other. They were at once wild, kind, loyal, and innocent-to
a degree. Their profession was one of making liquor. This was their income;
this is what their apple orchards produced. Enter Aven, who now a widow was
married to their cousin Benn and now has come to live in America.
She came under mistaken assumptions, but fell in love with
the land and its people instead. She is a heroine who has lived a rough life,
many disappointments and sadness from her childhood to her marriage with Benn.
She does not like how these brothers who are very kind to her make their
living. However, she seeks to make the best of her circumstances anyway.
This book does not shy away from tough subjects, but tells
things like it is. One of the main subjects of this story is alcoholism and its
effect on the alcoholic and those around them. This was written realistically
and with heart.
Another topic was deafness. Thor is deaf and mute but he is
very much alive in his silent world. I liked watching how those around him
communicated with him and how ultimately Aven begins to be a part of his world.
There is so much to this story. It ties in the number one
slot as a favorite this year with another book that took me away and I still
think about from time to time. This, to my shame, is the first book I have read
by author Bischof (even though I own all her books minus one), and I just knew
she would be an author that I would enjoy reading. I am looking forward to book
two.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. I was not
required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
JOANNE BISCHOF is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children. Visit her online at JoanneBischof.com, Facebook: Author, JoanneBischof, Instagram: @JoanneBischof.
Guest Video from Joanne Bischof
Blog Stops
Genesis 5020, July 5
Carpe Diem, July 5
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 5
All-of-a-kind Mom, July 6
The Power of Words, July 6
Among the Reads, July 6
Fiction Aficionado, July 7
A Baker’s Perspective, July 7
History, Mystery & Faith, July 8
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, July 8
Luv’N Lambert Life, July 8
Cordially Barbara, July 9
Kathleen Denly, July 9
Reading Is My SuperPower, July 9
Faithfully Bookish, July 10
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, July 10
Simple Harvest Reads, July 10 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Novels corner, July 11
Inklings and notions, July 11
Just Commonly, July 11
Two Points of Interest, July 11
Maureen’s Musings, July 12
Book by Book, July 12
To Everything A Season, July 12
Inspiration Clothesline, July 13
With a Joyful Noise, July 13
Pause for Tales, July 13
Radiant Light, July 13
The Christian Fiction Girl, July 14
Remembrancy, July 14
proud to be an autism mom, July 14
Just the Write Escape, July 15
Bibliophile Reviews, July 15
Vicky sluiter, July 15
By The Book, July 16
Texas Book-aholic, July 16
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 16
Janices book reviews, July 17
Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 17
Bigreadersite, July 17
Connie’s History Classroom, July 18
amandainpa, July 18
Seasons of Opportunities, July 18
Reader’s cozy corner, July 18
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Joanne is giving away
Grand prize of a country crate, a jar of apple butter, a bag of gummy berries, journal, bath salts, honey spoons, copper earrings, and a blackbird sign!!
Click below to enter.
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