The Heart of the Mountains

I can read adventures like this for the rest of my life! The characters, the setting in the beautiful but isolated Blue Ridge Mountains, the language of the mountain people and their beliefs, and the suspense that this adventure carries made me not want to put the book down until I had read it all. It is a fantastic sequel to the first book which set the tone for this story as the characters and places were continued. The book brought back memories of one of my all-time favorite, Christy, by Catherine Marshal. I think you will really enjoy this story!

It's hard to convey the many emotions that I felt while reading this book. I've read several of her stories before so I know the power of Pepper Basham's words but this story trumps them all. It's obvious that Basham loves the Blue Ridge Mountains: the people, the culture, and the inherent goodness that can be found there, and she also loves God. The Heart of the Mountains is a testament to all of these loves and we readers are gifted with a tale that we won't soon forget! I absolutely loved the characters! Cora Taylor, who is fleeing from an arranged marriage in England ends up in a mountain community in North Carolina. There she discovers a life she's never known, and she slowly adjusts, with the help of Preacher (her uncle Edward), Teacher Doctor (her brother Jonathan), and the war veteran who's trying to escape his tragic memories of World War I. Jeb McAdams helps Cora despite his initial reservations and proves to be one of the best fictional heroes ever. The Heart of the Mountains is filled with romance, faith, and the power of forgiveness, and I was deeply moved by the conversion story involving Jeb's father, Sam. This is historical Christian fiction at its best and I can't praise it enough! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

5 stars, Two wounded souls THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS (MY HEART BELONGS IN THE BLUE RIDGE #2) by Pepper Basham Jeb and Cora are suffering, they don't think anyone else feels the same way that they do, since they've survived the heartache of war. The book is set in 1919 in the Appalachian Mountains. Jeb has returned home after the war took some of his best friends in the world. Cora has fled there from England, after being pressured to marry an unsuitable man. Cora's brother-a doctor and teacher, and her uncle-a preacher have already called these mountains home for several years. I like Cora and Jeb the best, out of all of the characters. They both have big hearts and are willing to go above what anyone else would be willing to do, to help a person in need. Cora is a nurse, who hopes to use her skills to assist anyone who's willing to accept help from a "flatlander." Jeb works at a local sawmill, and he also has side projects that he keeps himself busy with, to escape his war memories when they start closing in on him. There are several other characters in the book, that are intriguing. I did not read book #1 in this series, LAUREL'S DREAM. This book, #2 is a stand-alone. There were a couple of unsettled areas for me in this book, but they may very well be solved, in future books. I liked the way the book is in the inspirational, Christian genres, but does not come across as preachy or condescending. Highly recommend. I received a complimentary copy of #theheartofthemountains by #pepperdbasham from #barbourpublishing I was under no obligation to post a review. #favoritebooks #inspyfiction #christianhistoricalfiction #coverlove #barbour

Another beautiful literary gem from gifted storyteller Pepper Basham! Set in 1919, this book features Jeb and Cora who are both searching for healing and hope after the experiences of war. This heartwarming, and at times heart-wrenching, romantic story held me captive for its entirety. The powerful, emotionally rich narrative brought chuckles, tears, and sometimes just contemplation. The endearing characters are so real I could feel their joys and sorrows, and they remained in my thoughts long after I finished the story. The relevant, inspiring faith messages throughout the story stirred my soul. The multi-layered, action-packed plot flows smoothly, with lots of surprising twists and turns, to a satisfying ending. In true Basham style, the Appalachian setting is beautifully sketched and brought to life. I especially love that the story is inspired by the author’s own family history. Although there is a carry-over of wonderful characters from a previous book, Laurel’s Dream, this book can be easily read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. I loved this book and highly recommend it! If you enjoy historical, romantic, inspiring reads; I encourage you to try this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

<i>“Love’s worth being brave, ain’t it? Brave again and again and again.”</i> If you enjoyed Laurel’s Dream, you’ll absolutely LOVE The Heart of the Mountains—it’s a stand alone, but you’ll get the most joy if you read them both. Jeb (Laurel’s brother) and Cora (Jonathan’s sister) have a story all of their own! It’s a slow burn, Blue Ridge Mountains slice of perfection, complete with #LipItching, intrigue, and some heart melting moments between friends, family, and God. It’s an unforgettable story that will whisk you away to 1919 in the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, fill your heart with sweetness, and show you about the amazing importance of forgiveness & persevering in difficult times. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was under no obligation to write a review.