Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain (Blackbird Mountain #1)
Author: Joanne Bischof
Narrator: Amy Rubinate
Genre: Historical Romance
Audio Release: Thomas Nelson; July 3, 2018
Length: 10hrs 6 min
About the Book:
A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love
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 Review:
I listened to the audio version of this book and felt the narrator did a great job of creating unique voices for the different characters that reflected their heritages. The rest of the content is read without an accent (at least for an American). She spoke in an engaging manner to easily draw the listener in.
I’m a bit torn as to how much I liked the story because to be honest I struggled to connect with (and like) Thor or his brothers. I didn’t feel significantly empathetic towards them and I think that tainted my view on the rest of the story. Having said that though, I still consider it well written and I’m curious to see where the author goes with the story as the series continues. I really liked Aven’s character and connected with her on a heartfelt level hoping she would find the happiness and belonging she’d hoped for all of her life.
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