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Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Kentucky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label U.S. Settings: Kentucky. Show all posts
Monday, September 13, 2021
Wholesome Historical Romance a Warm, Uplifting Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With her father away from home to find work, 20-year-old Tansy Calhoun must pitch in even more than usual to help her family. Not only does she help her mother take care of the home and care for her younger siblings, but Tansy also works as a packhorse librarian. Delivering books to the folks nestled high in the Appalachian Mountains is the highlight of her long days. She loves the freedom, the land, and the people. While there's satisfaction in the simplicity of her life, Tansy can't help but long for the kinds of magical romances she reads about in books. Is it too much to hope for a Prince Charming of her own?
After working out of state with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), 26-year-old Caleb Barton has returned to Kentucky to help his mother after the death of his brother. He's surprised to learn that Tansy—the girl he's been in love with since childhood—remains unmarried. When a smooth-talking writer comes into town looking for stories for the Federal Writers' Project, his sights land on the pretty librarian as well. Can Caleb wrestle up the courage to finally confess his feelings for Tansy before it's too late?
Crochety spinster Perdita Sweet may still be embittered over her own lost love, but she's not about to let Tansy make a poor choice. Can her meddling persuade her starry-eyed cousin to stop looking for love inside the pages of a novel and see that the perfect man is right in front of her? Or will Tansy break all their hearts by falling for the fancy city slicker?
That being said, Along a Storied Trail really is a warm, uplifting story. The characters aren't overly original or memorable, but they're good, kind-hearted people. It's impossible not to like them. The Appalachian setting is vivid and colorful, a backdrop that feels authentic. As I mentioned, the novel doesn't have a lot of plot, so it does get a little dull here and there. There was enough going on in the tale to keep me reading, but it did take me a few days to get through this one (whereas I can speed through an engrossing thriller in a matter of hours). I don't always love Christian novels because they can get preachy and heavy-handed, but Gabhart handles the religious elements in Along a Storied Trail well. She makes faith feel natural, as if it's just a normal, daily thing for the story's hill people. I love that! All these things considered, then, I ended up enjoying this novel. It's the first I've read by Gabhart, but it won't be the last. When I'm looking for another clean, uplifting historical novel, I'll definitely look for other titles by her.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for scenes of peril and scary situations
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Along a Storied Trail from the generous folks at Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, May 28, 2020
Luminous and Lovely, The Last Blue Captures Both My Interest and My Heart
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"At her expense, readers will snatch up magazines and entertain themselves, using her as a measure against their own deficiencies, as a consolation for their incredible fortune of being ordinary" (161*).
Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize for a photograph depicting the grimness of The Great Depression, 32-year-old photographer Clay Havens is feeling uninspired. His creative juices have turned to sludge and he's fairly sure his newest assignment isn't going to provide the spark to get them flowing again. As part of President Roosevelt's plan to sell his country on his New Deal, he's sending journalists into Appalachia to "capture the rugged, steadfast nature of hill people, whether they possess it or not, and to portray their hardship in a way that will make the public sympathetic to their plight and ready to cast their votes accordingly" (14*). Feeling more like a propagandist than a photographer, Havens nevertheless travels to eastern Kentucky with his reporter friend, Ulys Massey. Another prize-winning photo may not be hiding in the hollers, but at least the assignment will keep Havens and Massey out of the breadline.
When the pair arrives in Chance, an offhand remark from one of the small town's more unsavory residents piques their curiosity. Rumors of a scorned family of people with blue skin send them traipsing through the woods to Spooklight Holler. Havens is immediately entranced when he and Massey come across a skittish young woman with skin the color of a robin's egg. A deadly snakebite lands Havens in the extended care of the woman's family. As he and Massey spend more time with the infamous Blues, they become fascinated by their way of life and horrified by how the family has been treated by their White neighbors. While Havens spends his time wooing kind, gentle Jubilee, Massey's itching to sell the Blues' remarkable story to the highest bidder. Reluctant to oust the already hunted people who have been so good to him, Havens searches frantically for a way to stop his partner from causing more trouble for Jubilee and her family. The city slickers' presence has already prompted violence locally; what will happen if Jubilee's beautiful blue face is splashed across the cover of Time? Caught between duty and love, Havens scrambles frantically for a solution that will stop Massey, protect the Blues, and convince Jubilee to give him a chance with her fragile heart. With Chance's White population already whipped into a heated frenzy against the Blues, Havens' time is rapidly running out ...
Earlier this year, I read and adored The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, which featured the Blue people of Kentucky. So, when Isla Morley contacted me about reviewing her newest novel, which was inspired by the same fascinating clan, I jumped at the chance to grab myself an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) of The Last Blue. I'm so glad I did because just as The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek did, this one immediately captured not just my interest but also my heart. I loved everything about it, from its engaging heroine to its atmospheric setting to its tender love story to the ending that almost undid me entirely. While the book touches on issues of prejudice, fear, exposure vs. exploitation, identity, family, and self-discovery, at its heart, it's really about love in all its messy, life-changing glory. If you, too, are intrigued by the Blue people, or if you just enjoy rich, immersive historical fiction, I absolutely recommend picking up a copy of this luminous, lovely novel.
Intrigued? Good. Learn more by checking out this interview with Isla Morley:
(Readalikes: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson and Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, disturbing subject matter, scenes of peril, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of The Last Blue from the always generous Isla Morley. Thank you!
Monday, May 11, 2020
Book Woman an Atmospheric, Evocative Novel About the Transformative Power of Reading
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Cussy Mary Carter is a woman who stands out for many reasons, not just because she's the last of her kind. The 19-year-old is one of Kentucky's famous Blue people, the only one still living. It's not just her blue-tinged skin that sets her apart, however. She's also one of the few women courageous enough to venture into the rugged mountains and deep hollers of Appalachia to deliver books to folks living in the most remote areas of her community. As a rider for the Pack Horse Library Initiative, Cussy braves everything from nasty weather to ill-tempered recluses to snooty, prejudiced society women to bring the joy of reading to her far-flung neighbors. Scorned by those who think hers is not a job suitable for a lady, let alone a Blue, Cussy perseveres. Although she's already experienced more than her fair share of violence and fear, Cussy will battle every snowstorm, every fist shook in her face, every filthy name hurled in her direction, every haint whistling through the holler, and every tumble off her horse to bring the magic of books to those who need it most ...
Sometimes you can tell just by the title of a book that it's one you're going to love. Add in an evocative cover and an intriguing plot summary and that's it, you're a goner. Such is the case with me and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson. I love everything about this lush, touching novel. The setting is so atmospheric that I could see, hear, smell, and touch the Appalachians and her people in all their glorious beauty and impoverished desperation. Cussy, herself, is so well-drawn that I felt instantly for her, even while admiring her kindness, humility and determination. As heartbreaking as this novel is, it tells a beautiful, touching story that has stayed with me even though it's been months since I read it. If you love historical fiction or tales of Appalachia or books about the transformative power of reading or any combination of the three, you absolutely must pick up this book. It might just be my favorite read of the year so far!
(Readalikes: I'm guessing The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and The Last Blue by Isla Morley are similar, but I've yet to read either [although both are on my TBR mountain chain].)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Another One?
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Jesse Lachlin has always felt a deep, almost otherworldly connection to his family's land. All the 17-year-old wants is to cultivate it, work it, and breathe it in every day for the rest of his life. When the grandmother who raised him dies, the land should go to Jesse. The only problem is the will, in which Jesse's deceased guardian insists that he must prove his ability to care for the land for a year. After that, a three-person tribunal will vote on whether or not he can keep it. Angry but determined, Jesse will do whatever it takes to prove himself.
Scarlett Copeland is shocked when Jesse Lachlin, the boy-next-door and the person she used to run to whenever she needed comfort, suddenly wants to be friends again. They haven't spoken since he shut her out, then humiliated her at school. Scarlett is shocked when he informs her that she is one of the people his grandmother selected for the tribunal and that, in exchange for her vote, he will aid her in escaping her father's strict hold on her so that she can attend the college of her choice. Despite her reservations, Scarlett agrees.
As the two work together to get what they both want, they find themselves rediscovering each other and the relationship that once meant the world to them both. Will their tentative reconnection last? Will either of them get what they really want? Or will they both end up stuck in place instead of on the way to achieving their longed-for dreams?
Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry is another heavy, dramatic two-broken-kids-come-together-and-heal-each-other story, the likes of which can be found in almost every contemporary YA novel on the market. This one brings nothing new or fresh to the genre, but it is a compelling tale featuring two sympathetic characters who are easy to root for. Neither Jesse nor Scarlett act or talk like real teens, even old-souled ones, and their situation seems implausible and overly dramatic. Despite all this, I did like the novel overall. I can't say I loved it, but it was an a-little-bit-better-than-average read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson and a million other similar YA novels)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Only a Breath Apart from the generous folks at Tor for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
Monday, November 05, 2018
I've Yet to Meet an Armstrong Thriller That Didn't Completely Suck Me In ...
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
No one stays in the tiny dead-end town of Reeve's End, Kentucky. Winter Crane doesn't plan to be the exception. The minute she finishes high school, the 17-year-old will run far away to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Her drunken father might miss his human punching bag, but Winter can't wait to be rid of him.
In the meantime, Winter finds refuge in the lush forest surrounding her home. Her temporary peace is interrupted when she finds Lennon Bishop, a teenage boy who's been badly beaten, in her woods. He's evasive about what happened to him and before long, he's disappeared from Reeve's End. When Lennon's older brother, Jude, comes to town looking for answers, he heads straight for Winter. She has no idea why kids keep vanishing from town, but when she reluctantly joins Jude's quest for the truth, she's shocked to find that things in her hometown are not what they seem. Not at all ...
Kelley Armstrong's thrillers never fail to engross me, be they geared toward adults or teens. Missing is another YA offering from the prolific author. Like her other novels, this one features a propulsive plot, tough but sympathetic characters, and strong, immersive prose. I loved tough, capable Winter and definitely cared what was going to happen to her. Because of all these elements, I couldn't stop reading Missing. It's a riveting thriller that kept me zooming through pages until I got to the book's satisfying conclusion. I've yet to meet an Armstrong thriller that didn't completely suck me in and this one is definitely no exception.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, August 28, 2015
Let Me Die in His Footsteps a Tantalizing, Southern Gothic Mystery
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Myth and superstition swirl through the Kentucky hills, adding a sinister bewitchment to the daily lives of those who live there. Especially folks like Annie Holleran, who've been blessed/cursed with the "know-how," which "floats just above the lavender bushes, trickles from the moss hanging in the oaks, drifts like a fallen leaf down the Lone Fork River, just waiting for someone ... to scoop it or snatch it or pluck it from the air" (2). Like her mother before her, Annie "feels things that aren't hers to feel" (13-14), a spooky skill that makes even the silliest of mountain rituals seem heavy with meaning. Naturally, then, Annie's a little apprehensive about what she's about to do. When girls in Hayden County reach their ascension day (exactly halfway between their 15th and 16th birthdays), it's time to gather at the nearest well. According to legend, when they gaze into its depths, at precisely midnight—the face of their future husband will be revealed. It's ridiculous, of course, and yet, Annie can't resist this bit of foolish fortune-seeking.
The nearest well to Annie's home lies in a place she's forbidden to go. Hollerans do not cross the lavender fields, don't dare to step onto Baine property. Not since Juna Crowley, Annie's mother, came of age 16 years ago and used her particular mountain magic to ensnare the best of the Baine boys. Ignoring every warning, Annie heads for the well. What she discovers there is not the identity of her intended, but a dead body. The corpse of a Baine.
Annie's grisly discovery stirs up an old mystery that cuts to the heart of the Holleran/Baine feud. As the lavender harvest nears and the past comes calling, she knows trouble isn't far behind. Terrified that Juna will return to cause even more damage, Annie waits with dread. Somehow, she must save her family and her community from the witch who cursed them all, but how can Annie do that when she carries her own horrifying secret fear—that she is just like her mother, the infamous Juna Crowley.
Atmospheric and haunting, Let Me Die in His Footsteps by Lori Roy is a tantalizing Southern Gothic mystery. With a vivid, evocative setting; authentic, interesting characters; and plenty of complex, compelling family drama, if offers a tense, suspenseful story. Overall, its a sad story, almost overwhelmingly depressing. That, plus the sometimes confusing back-and-forth-in-time narration, made the novel difficult to read at times. In the end, I found Let Me Die in His Footsteps intriguing, but not as enjoyable as other books I've read in this genre.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of American Ghost by Janis Owens)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild sexual content
Monday, June 03, 2013
It Made Me Laugh, It Made Me Think, It Made Me Curse, It Made Me Cry ...
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Isabelle McAllister and Dorrie Curtis aren't family, nor are they exactly bosom buddies. But, when the 89-year-old widow finds herself in need of a favor—a very big favor—Dorrie's the only person she can think of to ask. Despite their differences, the two women have grown close over the years and yet, there's plenty they don't know about each other. Isabelle's not sure she's ready to spill all her secrets; still, she knows she can't do what she needs to do without Dorrie by her side.
Dorrie's grown fond of Isabelle during the years she's been styling the old woman's hair. Still, Dorrie's dumbfounded by her client's strange request. She knows Isabelle's too elderly to drive herself from their home in Texas all the way to Cincinatti. She also knows she'd do anything for Miss Isabelle, even if the woman won't divulge the reason for the trip. What Dorrie doesn't know is why Isabelle chose her for this task, or what awaits them in Ohio. Truth is, it doesn't matter. Dorrie could use a little vacay—all that time on the road will give her time to ponder her own troubles, while learning more about the enigmatic Isabelle McAllister.
The women make a strange pair—Isabelle's an elderly white widow, Dorrie's a black, single mom in her 30s. But, as the pair drive across the country, they discover they have more in common than not. And, as Dorrie hears the story of Isabelle's forbidden romance with the son of her family's black housekeeper during the early 1940s in a Kentucky town African-Americans weren't even allowed to step foot in after dark, she realizes that a little of Isabelle's courage might be just the thing she needs to conquer her own fears.
One glance at the cover of Calling Me Home, a debut novel by Julie Kibler, is all it took to convince me I needed to read this book. The plot summary just intrigued me more. It was the author's bio, though, that really sealed the deal. Why? Because, it explains that Isabelle's story grew out of a bit of Kibler family lore. How irresistible is that? Very. Even better, Calling Me Home lives up to its gorgeous cover and beguiling premise. It's warm, tender, vibrant, heart-breaking—everything a great story should be. Some of the plot "surprises" weren't all that surprising but still, this novel made me laugh, made me think, made me curse, made me cry. I loved it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of The Help by Kathryn Stockett and Jericho Walls by Kristi Collier)
Grade: A-
If this were a movie, it would be rated: PG-13 for language (no F-bombs), racial epithets, violence, and mild sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
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