The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham

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1919 – North Carolina

Can True Love Weather a World of Differences?

To escape marriage, Cora Taylor runs away from her home in England to join her brother in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, but not even her time as a nurse in the Great War prepares her for the hard landscape and even harder lives of the mountain people. With the help of Jeb McAdams, a quiet woodcarver, who carries his own battle scars, she fashions a place for herself among these unique people. But the past refuses to let go, and with dangers from within and without, can hearts bruised by war find healing within the wilds of the mountains?

One Comment

“Time had a strange way of stealing and giving, and there was not a way to predict which way it would go. Only God knew. And there was comfort in that.”
Ms. Basham paints a beautiful picture of the Appalachian Mountains that she knows so well. She crafts her characters with a realism that makes you root for them. Cora Taylor has fled England and an unwanted arranged marriage to join her Uncle and brother but does not realize what she is getting into among the mountain families, not to mention the wildlife. “In these mountains, we live strong or we die young. Ain’t no in between.” But she finds a champion in Jeb McAdams.
Told in a folksy way, the story is full of faith and life lessons, while not short on the excitement and danger. As always Ms. Basham gives us plenty of humorous relief along with a sweet romance. “Love certainly was worth being brave… with a little crazy thrown in.” Jeb has “itchy lips” toward Cora. But he was a man of integrity and promised to take care of his dead friend’s widow. He needed to seek God to find the answer of whether to honor Amos’s wish or venture into a new relationship with Cora.
A favorite character was Granny Burcham with her quaint ways and knowledge of healing.
I highly recommend this book along with the companion book Laurel’s Dream which features some of the same characters and gives a bit more background.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

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The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham