Sons of Blackbird Mountain: book review, a favorite

Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof was interesting, inspiring and I just couldn’t put it down. First, I will say that it is an absolutely dynamic story and is filled with challenging relationships, life’s hardships, and loaded with hope. I will also say that the storyline is not a thriller, but it’s ebbs an flows and steady progression both in storyline and in the character development left me wanting more every time I put it down, and yearning for more time to read in the moments in between.

I am not sure if I realized the book had American Sign Language and deaf culture laced into it when I asked to join the tour, but within the first two pages of the book in the author’s note on American Sign Language I was riveted. I studied ASL in high school and think that maybe someday I will go back to get an interpreter’s certificate so to say I had a personal interest in that part of the story would be true. That being said I found it so extra intriguing how Bischof really educates the reader about ASL, deaf culture, and the people behind it. You don’t need to have any exposure to the language or culture to appreciate it in the story and in fact I would love to see many people read the book just for this aspect of the story. Behind that I loved how Bischof used the narrator to help us hear all the voices in the story including the silent one of Thor, who is deaf. I felt like I got to know him as well, maybe even better, than other characters and knew his heart and his voice well.

I found the character Aven Norgaard to be particularly inspiring. As the story unfolds and you find out the details of her history in the twist and turns of the present storyline you realize just how deep of a woman she is, a survivor who is filled with hope, not given to quitting, and individual with a strong sense of self despite all she has faced, and a woman with an unwavering commitment to God and her faith.

She didn’t know what to make of all this, but it landed in her heart in that lonesome place called bitter and sweet.

The story itself is a romance, deals with challenging family relationships, and also social issues like racism and discrimination. The historical elements are strong without overpowering the personal stories being told. Reading the story of Avent and the Norgaard brothers I was captivated. I hope you will consider reading the book and sharing your thoughts with me. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a while!

I took it everywhere with me! And it really inspired me to keep reading, trying new books and authors and was the perfect summer read. Sons of Blackbird Mountain just became available on July 3, 2018 and I’m already waiting for a sequel with baited breath! Read more about Joann Bischof an award winning author below or on her website here. I will for sure be picking up some other books by her very soon!

I was given a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

 

 

About the Book

sons of blackbird mountain

Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain

Author: Joanne Bischof

Genre:Historical Romance

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.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Bischof JoanneJOANNE 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.

 

 

 

Guest Video from Joanne Bischof

Blog Stops

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

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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 below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d140/sons-of-blackbird-mountain-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

 

 

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