This whole series has been sweet and fun to read. Pepper has a great way of describing things I can't wait to check out her other books.

Pepper! You've done it again! Captured me with eloquent writing, profound spiritual themes, and heart-stopping character development. But you left me with questions! I know you just finished this one, and it hasn't even been officially released (thanks, NetGalley for the sneak peek!), but I sure hope you're busy on the sequel! I need more!

Laurel and her family were flawed but likeable. Appalachia in the early 1900s isn't a setting I'm overly familiar with, but Basham paints a scene that is both breathtaking and heartbreaking.

I loved Laurel's lack of pretense as her friendship developed with Jonathan. And I loved watching more than a friendship develop between them. Basham is an expert at penning steamy kisses, and she doesn't disappoint with this book! She's also excellent at creating believable banter between the characters that leaves me giggling into the face of my Kindle.

This book started out a bit slow for me, but still earned a 5 star rating because once it got going, I couldn't put it down, and didn't want it to end. Not only does she craft a heart-rending romance, she also weaves in hard topics like alcoholism, abuse, and fear with grace and solid theology. This was one of my favorite quotes:

"Fear is easy. And anger. . . But really loving somebody? Really trying to do the right thing, to forgive and to help even when it's hard? That takes a whole lot of strength and courage." Preach it, Pepper!

Due to a trusted blogger's review, I will not be reading this book because of the kissieness that I find to be wrong.

Pepper Basham's books are always so sweet with engaging characters and a well formed plot, this one was no exception! She is definitely an author I will read in the future!

Sweet, faith-filled read

This was a sweet, faith-filled read that I enjoyed. This book not only explored what happens when comfort zones are left, but was a bit out of my comfort zone as well, as I hadn't read any historical fiction that take place in Appalachia. This was a sweet and clean read, I'd rate PG for kissing and details of drunkeness and a reference to a pregnancy out of wedlock.

Can outsider Jonathan find "Home" in Laurel's Blue Ridge Mtns?

God brings 2 completely different cultures together in 1918, in Pepper Basham's Historic, American, Christian Romance, "My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge: Laura's Dream". Laurel's a born storyteller, with a dream to become her North Carolina mountain community's Schoolteacher. "Citified, lowlander" Jonathan meets Laurel, as the Mission School's newest Schoolteacher. Laurel's family, helps Jonathan's transition, into the isolated community's hard life.

Jonathan & Laurel are drawn to each other, but face many obstacles to a lasting relationship. I Highly Recommend You Read this Wonderful, Engrossing, Inspiring, 💗-Touching Story, to find out how God brings Laurel & Jonathan to their Forever 💞! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ❤️📖

Wow! This was such a fun read. I'd heard a lot of good things about Pepper Basham's books before reading this one, so my expectations were high. I was not disappointed! From the unique characters to the amazing descriptions of the scenery to the beautiful romance and the historic setting... I loved everything about this book. 

I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Romance, and Romantic Comedies. 


(I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

I found this author to be a delight to read because she is SO funny!  I found myself laughing out loud at her comments.  The back-mountain life was painted realistically that you feel like you’re right there.  My favorite part was the pole cat AKA skunk unfortunate interactions that had you smelling it.  This author has a way with adjectives, drawing me into her characters and seeing the pure, lovely character of the main female.  I thought she matched well with the city-teacher.  A refreshing read that I recommend to you.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on Amazon, CBD, B&N

Laurel’s innocence is a rarity. She’s a simple mountain girl, a girl that takes everything at face value and expects others to do the same.

When they don’t, she’s quick to tell others to speak plain and ‘true’.

Her faith was also amazing. I think it’s because of the innocence she portrays, her faith is simple. Childlike. She walks in forgiveness toward her father who is a drunk 3 months of the year – through the winter only. Laurel chooses to remember the other 9 months, even when those 3 are unbearable.

Which is astounding to Jonathan, the community’s new teacher. He has been rejected by his own father his whole life. He has been led to believe that he has and will always come up short. But as Jonathan watches Laurel walk in forgiveness toward her father, he is challenged.

As for the love story side of this great read, I’m afraid I’ll give spoilers if I say too much! But I loved how these two became friends and they both had dreams. Even as Jonathan felt himself falling in love with Laurel, he chose to put her dream of becoming a teacher first… and his own dream of finishing medical school as well. Friendship was enough.

Until things are taken out of their hands.

A shotgun.

A drunken father…

Okay, that’s enough for spoilers, but I hope it’s enough of a teaser.

I give this book a 4.5 star, so I suppose I'll have to round up to 5. I can’t wait to read more from Pepper Basham!

“Regret don’t do nothin’ but steal your joy and cloud your eyes from seein’ the blessings.”
– Laurel’s mama, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge: Laurel’s Dream

I'm a new reader of Pepper Basham, and I am utterly delighted with My heart belongs in the Blue Ridge.  I will be seeking out more of her titles!   Appalachia has long intrigued me ever since I read Christy as a young girl, and this story carried me away into those mountains with it's quirky and unique characters.

Pepper writes beautifully, her characters loom large, and she has penned here a beautiful romance.   I can't recommend this book highly enough - it is an absolute must-read!  I am thankful to the publisher and to NetGalley for the joy of reading an ARC they furnished me.

Two hearts from different worlds, one shared dream...

I've heard quite a bit about Pepper Basham's books over the last few years but I hadn't read any of them yet. My Heart Belongs In The Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream was a lovely introduction to her writing. I've already been enjoying this series and through it have been introduced to several new-to-me authors.

This was another of the books that I never read the blurb before reading the book itself. I've been reading my way through the series with each new release anyway, so  My Heart Belongs In The Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream was next on my want-to-read list. I was quite pleasantly surprised by the characters and the story. If you've ever read Christy by Catherine Marshall you will see some familiar character types and situations but Pepper Basham has certainly penned a story that is all her own.

This book took on some tough issues that are just as valid, and poignant, today as they would have been a century ago when the story takes place. One of the biggest takeaways for me was that dreams are wonderful things but we shouldn't hold to them rigidly or we may miss out on the amazing things that God has planned for us. Dreams can change as our lives move forward, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Anyway,  My Heart Belongs In The Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream is a great book from author  Pepper Basham and is a nice addition to this series from Barbour.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own)

Oh My Goodness..... 
This book was absolutely amazing !!! I fell in love with the characters, they were such remarkable personalities. I don't ever reread a book but this one I will., I am actually buying this in hardback to add to my collection. 
Pepper Basham did a great job of telling a story about two people from completely different worlds working together to help a community overcome their fear of change. I hope that this book has more to the series as I loved this little mountain community and hope to learn more from them. Thanks for the great book.
I volunteered to read this book from Barbour Publishing in return for my honest feed back, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Laurel McAdams' dream is to leave her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains an go to college. Jonathan Taylor wants to serve people and prove to his father he's not useless.  When their worlds collide on the mountain will they find love? Can God show them the way to true love and through their obstacles of the differences and the family situations?

Laurel's quiet place isn't so quiet when her mother and their neighbors come to the barn and start talking about the new teacher coming to the mountain. After their meeting her mother sends Laurel to bring the teacher to to stay with them while his home is fixed up. There is an immediate kinship between them. Jonathan is smitten from the beginning with Laurel, but figures their differences are too great to lead any where, since he's leaving in a year. Jonathan is surprised by what he finds on his missionary teaching sojourn.  Incidents with Laurel and her family shows his determination to the McAdams clan. Laurel and her brother Isom are his guides to his students' families so he can get to know them. As Laurel and Jonathan spend more time together their friendship starts and they get to know each other and their backgrounds. Revealing their dreams to each other. The seasons pass and Jonathan comes up with a plan to help the mountain residence to make some money. There is resistance to Jonathan's teaching and ideas and a fire destroys student resources. The McAdams stand with him along with his preacher uncle. He gets to see how the mountain people live and celebrate the coming fall. As fall starts to turn into winter Laurel's father makes preparations for his family. When Jonathan is told about what happens during the winter to Laurel's father he doesn't believe it until he witnesses the situation first hand. Laurel takes him and her siblings to their save place. Laurel shows her cooking talent by teaching Jonathan to cook and making a couple of  English dishes. Jonathan's feelings get stronger the more he knows about her as does Laurel. They hide their feelings because of him leaving and her wanting to go to college. At the annual corn shucking event a boy has an allergic reaction to bee stings and Jonathan's medical training comes in handy and changes some mines. When an outbreak of the plague comes near by his uncle and the doctor go to help. Jonathan must pitch in when Laurel's older married sister goes into labor during a snow storm. While they head back down the mountain a snow ball fight results in Laurel being injured badly. Taking her to the nearest source of medical supplies leads them to Jonathan's house. When some unexpected visitors show up a wedding takes place. Jonathan had promised himself he would come back for Laurel after he finished becoming a doctor. The shock and realization of broken dreams & guilt has them keeping to themselves after their visitors leave. Jonathan vows to make Laurel's dreams come true. Laurel's surprised by some mail. They're just adjusting to their new lives when Jonathan's uncle brings him bad news. He makes a trip home to England. A confrontation with his father has him returning to what he now considers his home and the woman who's shown him what love and his life should be. All Laurel can do while he's gone is do the teaching job he asked her do in his absence and miss him more and realize that maybe her dreams can come true. While finishing up before the school break and thinking of Jonathan she's surprised by the man she loves. Their true feelings are revealed.

Pepper D. Basham weaves a story of life in the North Carolina mountains in 1918 during WWI. How family and friendship can change a life for the better. That opposites attract and God's hand guides you the way he wants your life to go even if you don't see it. That dreams can come true in time as long as you have faith. Courage can be gained by new experiences and people influencing your life. The My Heart Belongs series is always an emotional read.

Laurel dreams of attending college and becoming a teacher. Life in the Blue Ridge mountains, in a mountain family, means money is tight and dreams must wait. Laurel works very hard to earn and save toward her dream. Into her world comes the new schoolteacher, Jonathan. He is escaping a life in London where his father directs his every step. Jonathan comes to the Blue Ridge to seek out his pastor uncle and get his life on track. With a dream of medical school, Jonathan, like Laurel, needs to save and prepare. A series of interactions between Jonathan and the mountain people leads him to consider his true calling.

This is my first book by Pepper Basham, but after reading this, I look forward to reading more of her works. I was drawn into this story set in 1918 in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved both Laurel and Jonathan's stories and how two seemingly opposite people from two very different backgrounds were drawn together. I loved how the dialect worked with the setting making it more authentic. To me, this book was reminiscent of Catherine Marshall's classic, Christy.

I received this book via NetGalley for my honest review.

This is my first book of Pepper Basham, I didn't know what to expect when I start reading it. I truly enjoy reading this book.  From chapter one I was laughing out loud about Laurel thoughts. As a teacher and book lover since a young age, I can totally related to that need of looking for a quiet place to read. Laurel is honest, funny, a good daughter and she has this big dream of becoming a teacher and help the people of the that live on the Appalachian mountain. In the other hand, we have Jonathan, who is a young man from England who is broken and trying to find a purpose in his life which he is trying to do accepting one year job as a teacher in the mission school his uncle start. Another thing I like about this book was the beautiful descriptions of the Appalachian mountain and the scenery makes you want to be there.  

I like how Pepper Basham takes Laurel and Jonathan through the book, how they grow. And most important challenge you to examine you and to trust God's love for you. And to live with no regrets. 

I recommend this book why:

It has it all, like a good piece of good cake: good characters and story, faith,  several funny situations, friendship, unexpected twists. But most of all a lovely end. 

I'm looking forward to reading more of Pepper Basham. :)

Thanks, Netgalley!

Sometimes a sweet and innocent romance is just what I need. This book caught my eye over at NetGalley because of the title. I happen to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. This historical novel set during WW1 takes place in the same mountain range but in North Carolina. I was hoping for gentle romance and a glimpse of the special place  I call home.

First, thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Books for letting me read the ARC of this romance novel. I have never read any of Pepper Basham’s books before, but I will again.

My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge by Pepper Basham tells the story of two young people from two different walks of life: innocent mountain girl Laurel McAdams who loves her family and God and who wants to better herself and attend college some day and Jonathan Taylor, a teacher from England, who feels like he failed his family because he wasn’t able to fight in the war (WW1). Mr. Taylor arrives in the tiny mountain town of Maple Springs in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to teach the rural children the basics.

In addition to the culture shock of learning what it is like to live and survive in the harsh mountains, he has to adapt to teaching the children and adults of an insular community that is suspicious of outsiders and set in their backwards ways. He is fascinated by the warmth and love of the McAdams family who supports his efforts, especially Laurel. He also has his brother, preacher Anderson who also lives there, to help him adjust to life there and strengthens his love of God and for Laurel.

Laurel is struggling with family issues and tragedy does occur which only proves her faith is strong and resilient. She helps Jonathan survive and overcome his obstacles and the two find together they can reach their dreams.

I didn’t mind the religion in this book, but for readers who don’t like Christian quotes or ideas, be aware this is definitely Christian romance. This is a ‘clean’ romance; no sex, no swearing. There are ‘adult’ family issues such as drinking and unwed mothers, but they are referred to and not explicit. There is killing of animals (this is the mountains, of course) and the author does address rural living challenges.

The one thing I wish the author had done was use less mountain dialect. It did seem accurate to me but a little overdone and sometimes annoying to read.

Did the author capture the spirit of the mountains? I think she did. I didn’t find anything too outrageous. The author treats the mountain people with dignity, which I greatly appreciated. They are not all ‘Deliverance’ types of people. The mountain people I have met are wary, but once you get their trust, they are funny, warm, and intelligent in a different way from ‘book smarts’.

I rate this Christian historical romance 4 out of 5 stars, one star off for overdone dialect.

Laurel’s heart belongs in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  I understand completely.  No matter where I go on this planet, my heart is always in Appalachia (in eastern Kentucky, to be precise).  Portraying the culture of Appalachia with all of its complexity is not an easy feat but this novel pulls it off beautifully, capturing the tough and tender spirit of the mountains with authenticity and respect.

This novel uses quite a bit of colloquial dialogue, which I enjoyed immensely because it’s really well written.  Occasionally, the colloquial speech had some inconsistencies, which was a bit distracting but didn’t lessen my enjoyment of the novel (for example, a character used the words helpin’ and hurting in the same sentence, instead of helpin’ and hurtin’).

Our bookish hero and heroine are so relatable and genuine and the secondary characters are equally delightful.  I recommend this novel to anyone who loves “Christy” by Catherine Marshall and/or the “Christy” TV mini-series, and to anyone who enjoys a sweet and beautifully written love story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for a digital advance review copy.  Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was my first introduction to Pepper Basham and it will NOT be my last. This book has it all: humor, great characters, an interesting setting  and an enjoyable storyline. Early in the book it had several super funny lines and I was instantly hooked. I will be looking in to other works by Pepper very soon! Utterly charming read!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

I loved it! This book was amazing. I found that I didn't want the story to end, but when it did, what a satisfying ending! I really liked that the author told the reader that we would be hearing more about the sibling that was mentioned but didn't meet in this story. That is the sort of "teasing" I can tolerate in a book. No leading you along to make you purchase the next book just to finish a story.

I love Pepper Basham's books! They are on my must read list, and this does not disappoint! I will be reading this one over and over again.