Review: "Sons of Blackbird Mountain" by Joanne Bischof

Earlier this year, I read Joanne Bischof's The Lady and the Lionheart, and I was simply entranced. So when Bishof's newest book came up for review, I knew I wanted to get my hands on it.

I wasn't disappointed.

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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.

Genre: Historical romance
Release date: July 3, 2018

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Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a beautifully written, deep, compelling novel. Set in Appalachia in the late 1800's, the novel deftly deals with familial conflict, racism, disabilities, and addiction through the story of three Norwegian brothers and the woman who comes to live with them.

The story is told in alternating perspectives between Thor and Aven (as well as a small portion near the end from Haakon's perspective), and my heart ached for them as they navigated Thor's addiction, conflict with Ku Klux Klan members, and the tension between Thor and Haakon.

While this is a weighty novel, it also features such a sweet romance. I loved the way that Thor, a Deaf man, and Aven connected, and Bischof portrayed their interactions beautifully.

Sons of Blackbird Mountain is one of those novels that will stick with me for a long time. Achingly beautiful, this story of redemption and love is well worth the read. 5 stars.

Buy the book.

Follow the blog tour:
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
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, 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 to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/d140/sons-of-blackbird-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway

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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.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."