Daughters Of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof is a delightful Christian historical adventure romance. It is the second book in the Blackbird Mountain series but can be read as a stand-alone. For maximum enjoyment, I recommend reading book one first.
I loved my return visit to Blackbird Mountain and meeting up with familiar faces. The characters are all wonderfully and realistically drawn. They have their flaws, imperfections and struggles and these serve to endear themselves to the reader. A lead character is deaf and it is refreshing to see him treated as ‘normal’ and leading a full life.
Life is a journey. It is mirrored on the journey on a ship. There are life’s ups and downs but with the correct navigation we will make it home if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
There is the theme of the Prodigal Son. “God wouldn’t want the likes of him.” Jesus came for everyone. Every sinner can have a fresh start and a future with Jesus – that has got to be good news for us all.
Our past may burden us down. We were meant to live in freedom, not bondage. “The bondage you keep yesself in… It been done paid long ago… by a man on a cross.” Jesus paid for all our sins. We need to receive His forgiveness and forgive ourselves.
The women are the nurturing ones. “Those thin, knobby hands… helped him see that there was hope in the world.” This is a rich picture. It speaks a thousand words.
We are to take a stand against evil. The KKK spreads fear and terror, attacking the innocent. Good men stand up for what is right.
Daughters Of Northern Shores is another cracking offering from Joanne Bischof that entertains whilst imparting godly wisdom and care.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Sometimes I read a book that’s so good it’s hard to know how to write a review, and this book is one of those. The setting is in 19th century Appalachia and in Norway. The author’s description of both settings is vivid and it’s easy to imagine even the small details she describes. The action in the storyline is intense at times, as the author delves into the mountain culture of alcohol and drug abuse and the havoc it raises for the family members. But even with all of that in the background of the story, there are themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption that make this storyline soar. The characters of Thor, Aven, and Haaken have great depth to them, and by the time you finish reading the book, you feel as if you’ve walked across the mountain with them. Although it’s not referred to in the book, the song “Amazing Grace” would be an appropriate theme for Haaken’s story. The ending of the book is heart-touching, and is just the ending this book needed.

Just a note: There are themes of alcohol and drug abuse; abuse of women; and violence in this book. It is all handled in a very appropriate way.
There’s no bad language or embarrassing scenes, and the theme of faith in God overrides all that happens in this book. But for the reasons mentioned here, I would not recommend this book for ages under the “young adult” category. Be sure and read it yourself before you pass it along to younger teenage daughter.

It would be helpful to have read “The Sons of Blackbird Mountain” to understand the back story to this book, but you can still enjoy this one if you read it first.

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

'If God would but grant him another mercy. Should the outcome be dire, he prayed that God would welcome him to peace.'

Oh my. Joanne Bischof never fails to move me deeply with her books. She writes what I like to call heart-deep books. Stories so full and rich that my heart is totally involved.

We first fell in love with Aven and Thor in Sons of Blackbird Mountain and four years have passed and we find them here, married and wonderfully happy and blessedly awaiting the birth of their first child. Then Thor falls gravely ill and with this illness, a weight so heavy upon him, it comes nigh to crushing his spirit, such is the depth of this malady. In the midst of all this, Haakon returns home to the mountain after realizing he cannot be away any longer, the burden of needing to pursue his family's forgiveness for one act causing him increasing pain with each year that passes.

Haakon finds his family in a tenuous situation, facing a decades long feud with neighbors who are evil personified threatening to destroy them all. Haakon has a cunning strength and he decides that this needs to end once and for all, even if the cost is indeed dire to him. But who will emerge the victor? And who will perish? Will this prodigal son find the restoration his heart craves? And Haakon is also finding himself drawn back to northern shores for another reason. If he can only survive this feud.

Bischof must of a certainty carefully and prayerfully craft these characters, bringing them so very much to life in the pages that they spill over into the reader's heart and linger long after the book is finished. I was so incredibly moved during the reading of this book that it was stunning! This is a powerful book of forgiveness, healing and restoration. Bischof shines! Highly recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Daughters of Northern Shores is the second book in Joanne Bischof’s Blackbird Mountain series. It can be read as a stand alone novel, but I recommend reading the series in order to get the backstory of the characters since it continues the story four years later after the first book ends. The story takes place in the late 19th century Appalachia and on the North Atlantic.

Forgiveness and redemption are important themes throughout the book and dealt with issues that carried over from the first book in the series. Readers who fell in love with the Norgaard family in the first book in the series, Sons of Blackbird Mountain, will thoroughly enjoy revisiting all of their favorite characters and seeing the family reconcile in Daughters of Northern Shores.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Daughters of the Northern Shore is the sequel.to Sons of Blackbird Mountain. I enjoyed this book very much. If you havent read the first book, stop and read it now. These books are full of adventure. I love them both. Thanks to netgalley for providing the arc in exchange for my honest opinion

This is the continuation of the story of The Sons of Blackbird Mountain. The story switches back and forth between the family on the mountain and Haakon's travel aboard ship. When Haakon comes back home to the mountain things get intense. The book is about family, healing love and forgiveness. There is lots of action, some quite violent. Loved the ending.

Daughters of Northern Shores is the sequel to Sons of Blackbird Mountain. We highly recommend reading them in order! (Note: Book 1 spoilers included in this review! If you haven't read Book 1 - Stop, go read it, you'll be glad you did!)

Joanne writes beautifully with a depth that few can compete with. In this second book we fast forward four years from where we left off in Sons of Blackbird Mountain. Haakon has traveled far from home, yet he can’t seem to escape the daily shame and guilt he lives with. He knows he must travel home to make amends and seek forgiveness, but will he be received with open arms?

Aven, now happily married to Thor and carrying his child, is content with life, yet is still haunted by the past. When Haakon shows up, her heart longs for restoration. But she quickly begins to learn that restoration is much easier said than done; it can only be accomplished with help from the Lord.

The Norgaard brothers must come together again to fight off their enemies, the Sorrels. This time the fight must come to an end. Joanne keeps us on our toes as we join in on the feud that has been brewing for far too long.

The story ebbs and flows nicely as it pulls on so many different emotional heartstrings. We were in awe at how well Joanne tackles these tough situations with love and grace, writing in a way where you feel you are in the pages of this beautiful book.

It was such a pleasure to return to the Norgaard family in Daughters of Northern Shores, the second book of the Sons of Blackbird Mountain series. I fell in love with Thor, Haakon and Jorgan, their close friends and the women they love in that first book. My heart had also broken a little with the tearing of both friendship, trust and brotherly bonds, so it was with relief that I could continue this wonderful story, return to this little group - some now married, others with children and more on the way - and all with healing, justice and a future to live out.

Haakon has been away from his family and home for four years. Four years of traveling has yet to fill him with the peace he is searching for, so he reluctantly decides it is time to go home and make amends for the hurt he caused. On Blackbird Mountain, Aven and Thor have started their life together. Both face looming challenges of health, while the Sorrel men return from their exile and threaten the peace and safety that had fallen on the area in their absence.

I am so very in love - with this series, with these beloved characters and with Bischof’s writing. It is so easy to fall into this story and setting with her lyrical, almost poetic phrases that are unique and so aptly capture the feel and time of the book. It makes me want to use words such as harken and beloved. It makes Daughters of Northern Shores even more romantic, adventurous and charming.

While primarily a tale of family, forgiveness, love and friendship, Daughters of Northern Shores has ample amounts of adventure, nail-biting suspense, heart-breaking scenes and moments of peace and joy. It is perfectly well rounded and simply a delight to read. I cannot recommend this series highly enough and I think it is high time I track down copies of Bischof’s other titles.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Daughters of Northern Shore by Joanne Bischof
Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is Haakon—his younger brother and rival—who haunts her memories.
Having fled the Norgaard orchard after trying to take Aven as his own, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade, where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon’s cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor’s—which is already imperiled due to a grave illness brought to him at the first prick of warfare.
Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she’s been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he’s fighting for. – from the publisher.
This title is the second offering in the Blackbird Mountain series. This title can be read as a standalone, I have not read the first in the series. Ms. Bischof writes characters that you desire to root for their success. It is refreshing to read about a deaf character such as Thor. Learning about Thor’s world and his thoughts kept this reader engaged. Reading about Haakon, his struggles, redemption and ultimate forgiveness by his family kept me staying up late turning pages.
Who will enjoy this book? Readers of historical fiction will not be able to put the Daughters of Northern Shores down. Give this title to Fans of Lauraine Snelling’s series Red River of the North. They will feel like they have come home with this wonderful series. In fact, anyone who enjoys a book with strong characters, or struggles and likes family reads. This reader can’t wait until the next title in this series is released. Until then I will go back and read Sons of Blackbird Mountain.
I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.

This is actually a sequel and not having read the first book I was a little confused at first. I think it’s helpful to read the first book first. I did enjoy the plot, characters and the setting. I would like to read more books in this series. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This was a fantastic follow up to Sons of Blackbird Mountain. All my lingering questions were answered in this sequel, though not in ways I could predict (as Christian fiction tends to do too often).

Without revealing any spoilers, the circumstances on Blackbird Mountain are bittersweet, and the characters reflect that with both rich depth and complexity. It feels like real life struggles unfolding across the page as favorite characters grapple with how to respond. It would be a fantastic book to read during a biblical study of suffering to provoke discussion, or alongside a suffering friend over coffee dates, as Joanne Bischof continually points to Christ-centered hope and truth.

Classic Joanne Bischof...she is a must read author for me. I love her work...I'm sure you will too. Experience this story yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amish books such as Daughters of Northern Shores are very popular with our patrons and we are mostly on the search for new and upcoming ones that we can add to our collection. This book really demonstrated and reflected what it means to have true family values with Aven and Thor's relationship despite having the disability of being deaf. Then with the trials and struggles of the youngest Norgaard brother Haakon and the choices he has to make to save his family when he finds out everyone is in grave danger. I absolutely love books that have strong themes and will leave you on the edge of your seat, dying to know what happens next.

We will consider adding this to our Amish/Christian Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

A fantastic historical romance. Loved the plot, characters and the setting. I anticipate reading more books in this series. I received an arc from Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Y'all! This book! I can't even think of the words to describe how I feel right now. This book is amazing. I love those Norgaard men! If I could be any fictional character, it would be Aven. Why? Thor! Swoon! I love these characters. This book with the back drop of the Appalachian mountains in 1895 has romance, action and a beautiful story of redemption. I loved Sons of Blackbird Mountain and I love this book too. I don't know if there will be any more after this book, but I certainly hope so. These characters have a place in my heart. I found myself laughing out loud and crying. This book has all the feels. Do yourself a favor and click that one button to buy. You won't regret it.
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers. I was not under any obligation to leave a review. This is my honest to goodness opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed the merging of the Northern Shores to the Appalachians. Thor and Aven return, along with Haakon, Jorgan and Fay and many other characters we fell in love with in Blackbird Mountain. Life has moved on since we last read about our beloved friends. There are many blessings and points of redemption, despite the return of the Sorrels who threaten it all. The struggles they all face are very genuine and well depicted. Some twists and turns kept me engaged until the end and true to form for Joanne Bischof, the grace of Jesus was ever present.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Joanne Bischoff writes what is described as multilayered fiction. Daughters of the Northern Shore is the second book of the Blackbird Mountain series. There are many substories within this novel.

Haakon has taken to the seas for the last four years, not thinking that Aven could have forgiven him--especially since he has not forgiven himself.

Thor has been invited to participate in a study about people born deaf. The study requires a blood draw, only Thor's has been taken with a contaminated needle giving him a case of Epidemic Jaundice (otherwise known as Hepatitis A). It takes several weeks to get over the illness and that really messes with Thor since his Aven is expecting their first baby.

The Sorrels are still out to get the Norgaards since Haakon burned their barn holding a fair amount of hard cider. The Norgaards and Sorrels are on opposite sides of a fence built during the war between the states, and that adds to the animosity between the two families.

To complete Haakon's story is Kjiersti, a widow with five young children living in Norway and eking out a living with what little vegetables her garden will produce. Even though his cabin has been burned down, he still wants to bring her to Blackbird Mountain.

Joyce has done an excellent job of bringing all these characters and substories together into one cohesive novel that reads like a biographical narrative. This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a place of refuge for the whole family.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Daughters of the Northern Shores is the second installment from the Blackbird Mountain series. Joanne Bischof has done it again by creating a story that will tug on the reader’s heart. I enjoyed catching up with the Norgaard family and find out what has gone on with them in the four years after Sons of Blackbird Mountain ended. I grew to love Thor and Aven even more. I just adore those two. I was not sure what to think about Haakon at first, but he did start to grow on me, also.
Daughters of the Northern Shores is a powerful story of forgiveness and grace. It is full of faith and inspiration. I know so many readers will relate to the characters and will find that it is okay to forgive yourself and move on.
I am Daughters of the Northern Shores a well deserved five plus stars. I am so hoping there will be a third installment in this series. I am not ready to let this family go.
Highly highly recommended.

Another winner. Joanne can do no wrong in my eyes and her writing style is perfect! I love this era, the characters, and I love how she makes you feel as though you lived in that time period!!

Oh my goodness! As always, Joanne Bischof nailed it!! I have read all of her books and loved each and every one of them. This book is well written and edited and I loved the story. I couldn't read the book fast enough and I didn't want it to end. I'm so hoping there's a third book in this series.