Synopsis:~

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.

My take:~

Prepare yourself, friends. Picking up a Bischof novel is going to mess with your emotions, in the best way…eventually! There’s a depth and tenderness to Joanne Bischof’s writing that surpasses my ability to describe with any justice. This tale is wrought from the heart of a true storyteller, whose delicate prose, beautifully robust characterisation, and immersive descriptions plunge you into the essence of the Appalachian Mountains and the strong arms and stalwart hearts of the Norgaard brothers. This story plumbs the emotions of characters and reader alike as Thor’s silent courage, his  gentleness and compassion lie at odds with his dependence on the cider he creates and profits from. Haakon’s passionate impetuousness and devotion to the newly arrived Aven places her in the grievous position of having to make a choice that will render the bond of brotherhood the Norgaards so value asunder. While the ending wrapped up a little quickly than I anticipated, my enthusiasm and love for this story did not wane. Gripping and evocative page after page, Sons of Blackbird Mountain will resonate in your heart and soul, leaving you nothing short of desperate, yet also a little afraid, for the sequel, Daughters of the Northern Shore.

With thanks to Thomas Nelson for my review copy. My thoughts remain my own.

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Buy from Amazon: Sons of Blackbird Mountain or Koorong