This is a beautifully written historical romance that completely captivated me from start to finish. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the early 1900s, the story follows Cora Taylor, an Englishwoman fleeing an unwanted marriage, and Jeb McAdams, a rugged but kind-hearted mountain man who helps her find safety and a sense of belonging. Basham’s vivid descriptions of the mountain setting and the close-knit community create an immersive atmosphere that pulls you right into the heart of the story.

Cora and Jeb’s relationship develops in such a heartfelt and authentic way. Cora’s strength and determination to adapt to her new life, combined with Jeb’s quiet protectiveness and gentle spirit, make their romance feel genuine and deeply moving. The emotional depth of their connection is balanced beautifully with moments of tenderness and humor, and the way they support each other through personal challenges adds to the richness of the story. The supporting cast of mountain folk also brings warmth and charm, making the community feel like a character of its own.

Pepper Basham masterfully blends romance, faith, and personal growth in The Heart of the Mountains. The themes of finding home and healing through love are woven throughout the story in a way that feels both natural and inspiring. This is a book that stays with you long after you turn the last page, leaving you with a sense of comfort and hope.

I enjoyed this story. I liked the characters especially Jeb and Cora. The struggles that Cora faced trying to fit in with the folks in the mountain was relatable. Pepper Basham does a wonderful job bringing her characters to life and draws the reader into the the story.
If you enjoyed Christy by Catherine Marshall, you will love this book.
I recommend this book to my family and friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I very much enjoyed this Christian romance that reminded me of one of my all time favorites Christy by Catherine Marshall.
Cora follows her brother to the Appalachian Mountains after the Great War in Europe to escape an arranged marriage. There she meets an array of characters, some who trust her nursing skills and some who don’t.
She also meets a man who steals her heart!
A lovely read.

If you are a fan of historical fiction and historical romance, then Pepper Basham is the author for you and her latest, The Heart of the Mountains, will have you hooked from the beginning.

I connected with the two main characters early on and felt like I needed their lives to turn out okay after all they had been through before the book even started and then went through during the book.

There was non-stop action and a variety of interesting characters which transformed what could have been a simple run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter inspirational romance a book into a novel with depth, complexity and heartfelt tenderness.

There were quite a few side characters in this two-person point of view book. Crisis after crisis popped up involving each of the side characters, which could have been a bit confusing at times, but wasn’t because it kept the booking moving along at a speed just fast enough to hold my interest but not too fast to make my head spin in confusion. Basham kept the characters straight for the readers like a true professional, balancing subplots like a well-trained literary juggler.

Sometimes you think your world needed to be busy and active, proving yourself every second. But definitions and needs changed. Everything changed when one rested in the confidence of being loved well and in walking in the calling God had placed upon one's life. Troubles come and are sure to come but the truth of being held by God's loving hands somehow will steady the heart.

Cora Taylor was running from an arranged marriage and the horrors of World War I. Her arrival in the Blue Ridge mountains starts with life and death dangers of living in the wild. She meets up with a Jeb McAdams who is also running from the war and his disappointments. Jeb saves Cora and brings her to missionary uncle. Her brother also lives in the area as a traveling doctor and Cora hopes to help him with the medical care. The mountain people are very wary of her but Jeb sees the good and leads the way for the people to accept her.

Their story reflects the life of faith, superstition, and the old and the new way of doing things. The progression of Cora's affection for the beauty of the mountains, the people and the brokenness of the people Cora is learning to love.

A special thank you to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

While I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the first one in the series. I set loved the characters and the setting. Pepper Basham does indeed to know how to bring the Blue Ridge Mountains to life. As well as making it it's own character in the story.

This book disappeared before I could read it, so I can't give an honest review. I'm sorry I can't be of more help with this one. On to the next one. Working on Cairo Curse, by the same author, now.

Ihre ersten Eindrücke lassen Cora Taylor an ihrer Entscheidung zweifeln, aber der Gedanke, an den ihr in England von ihrem Vater zugedachten Ehemann treibt sie weiter voran. Zunächst muss sie erfahren, dass sie am falschen Haltepunkt gestrandet ist und der nächste Zug erst in zwei Tagen geht. Ihr Bruder weiß noch gar nichts von ihrer überstürzten Flucht bei Nacht und Nebel. Alternativ kann sie sich mit einem geliehenen Esel auf den Weg machen. Aber unerfahren, wie sie ist kommt es schnell zu einem Unglück und der zufällig anwesende Jeb McAdams kann sie gerade noch so retten.
Sie haben keinen guten Start, er sortiert sie gleich in die Kategorie unfähige und schwache Frau ein, für die Wildnis nicht gemacht, auch wenn sie dann entdecken, dass beide im Krieg in Einsatz waren, ist es besser, dass ihr Onkel gar nicht so weit weg wohnt und er sie schnell hinbringen kann.
Mithilfe der vielfältigen Beschreibungen fühlt man sich schnell in die Umgebung und die Umstände versetzt. Cora ist einem schnell sympathisch wogegen Jeb zunächst mehr Ecken und Kanten zeigt. Ihre Handlungen und Motivation sind nachvollziehbar.
Bald ist sie schon in das nächste Abenteuer verwickelt und wieder muss er sie retten. Es gibt immer wieder kleine humorvolle Szenen. Ein Abenteuer reiht sich an das andere und immer ist er nicht weit, so dass sich ihre Pfade immer wieder kreuzen. Mit ihren Kenntnissen als Krankenschwester möchte sie den Menschen in ihrem harten Leben helfen, aber manche möchten sie nicht akzeptieren. Beide reflektieren viel über die Prüfungen, die sie und andere erleben, deren Sinn und Gottes Werk. Aber auch über das Schöne der Welt das man in ganz unerwarteten Momenten oder Plätzen finden kann. Es ist sehr spannend ihnen auf diesen Weg zu folgen, es reißt einen beim Lesen mit.

Socialite Cora Taylor runs away from London to the Appalachians to thwart her father's attempt to marry her off without her consent. Her brother (physican) and uncle (pastor) live at the receiving end in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so she expects a safe harbor for her journey. A nurse by training, with World War I battlefield nursing experience, Cora is quite able to handle medical issues in the mountains. And, the mountain folks are always in need of a healer.

Jeb McAdams has returned to the mountains after WWI, bruised by the experience and tempted by self-soothing with alcohol. He needs to sort out his troubles and find a path forward.

The locals don't take kindly to Cora, or any outsider. Though she is able as a healer to provide much0-needed care, she must overcome their superstitions to be accepted as a helper.

I loved this book just as much as Laurel's Dream! If there was ten books in this series it would make me happy 😄. I loved the romance and humor in this story, mixed with powerful faith messages and heartwrenching moments. Loved it!

*thank you to #netgalley for a previous copy of this book to read and review.

“Running away from an arranged marriage to the wilds of the Blue Ridge hadn’t gone as Cora Taylor expected.”

So much heart to this book about life in the historical settling of Appalachia. Basham brings this time period to life through imagery and such realism, I felt a part with the characters and setting. Though this is the second book in a series, “The Heart of The Mountains” can be read as a standalone.

“Everything changed when one rested in the confidence of being loved well and in walking in the calling God”

A beautiful story filled with rich history, family, and faith. Cora’s story leaps off the pages filled with adventure, romance, and belonging. The sense of adventure in the midst of the trials of mountain life was intriguing.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher three NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and are given honestly.

Following WWI a volunteer nurse from England makes her way to the Appalachian mountains to meet up with her brother and preacher uncle. Her brother's story is told in book 1 of this series (which I did not read). I really enjoyed the writing style of Pepper Basham in this book and would say it is the best I have read by her. The first 3/4 of the book were 5 stars, my only complaint was that it wrapped up a little to neatly and the ending felt rushed. I do like a story where the ends are all tied off but this one felt a little to tidy. I do look forward to reading more by her in the future.

This is the second book in the My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge with the first being Laurel's Dream.
I absolutely love this author's work! The books are down to earth and you feel so comfortable and at home.
The way the author describes the Blue Ridge Mountain area and it's people is so authentic , you really feel as if you are there right in the story with these people . It's obvious how much she loves this area and it's people.
The challenges of living in the Appalachian area are obvious with it's poverty,alcoholism, and neglect are so sad. I have visited the area many times and even married in this area. It is truly a wild and beautiful place.
The characters feel so real and very easy to connect with. I loved Cora's gentle manner and how Jeb helped her acclimate to life in the mountains.
The book is so well written and uplifting. A whole evening went by as I read this but I was so engrossed that I didn't even notice.
Trust and faith in God is woven into this story making it my favorite I have read by this author.
I recommend this historical novel to all.

Pub Date 01 Jul 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I really liked this book. I thought the author did a great job of bringing the characters to life. I thought she did a great job of capturing the culture of the Appalachian people. I liked the romance between Cora and Jeb. I also liked how Cora learned to fit in with the people even when it was a rough beginning.

Just like she did in the first in the series, Laurel's Dream, Basham takes the reader into the heart and soul of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's soon after WW1, and Cora Taylor escapes her London home and a pre-arranged marriage. Even though her brother, Jonathan, has shared much about life in the mountains in his letters, little does Cora know what she will find on her arrival.

I particularly appreciated how Basham gives the reader a first hand experience of life in Maple Springs. It's a really tough life and not everyone is cut out for it and there were many times I felt uncomfortable at what Cora was having to experience. And the dialect. Basham handles this with aplomb as well as the very particular 'ways of life' that everyone living in the mountains was used to.

Enter Jeb McAdams, a survivor from the war. He's still adjusting to life having seen so much loss including his best friend, Amos. He comforts himself with being busy, building a new house, and establishing a little craft business while doing shifts at the local mill.

Jeb is a wonderful character. He's chivalrous, and in a world of very old-fashioned male domination, is respectful, encouraging and willing to be challenged by Cora. Cora is feisty and charming, willing to let go of so much of the niceties of her home life and learn the mountain way.

There are some wonderful scenes, some of which took my breath away and often had me on the edge of my seat and/or teary eyed. There is a strong faith element which runs through the story which isn't intrusive but flows well. Basham has such a heart for her Blue Ridge Mountains and this is evident in her storytelling, and redemptive compassion for her characters. It's beautiful to read.

I feel very blessed having received an early ebook copy of the story from Barbour via NetGalley with no expectation of a favourable review.

This takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cora has arrived here to find her brother and hopes to start a new life. I knew in the first pages this was going to be a delightful and fun read! Yes, the superstitions and poverty of this mountain area were sometimes hard to fathom, it just made this story all the better. This is one that will draw you in and maybe touch your heart, make you laugh and enjoy the unexpected romance that develops between the main characters. I was gifted a copy by the publishers through NetGalley, my review and opinion are voluntary.

Pepper Basham's signature style of capturing the Appalachian spirit and the coziness of family shine in this book! Pepper is now one of my top favorite, auto-preorder authors! Highly recommend to fans of Christie!

This book was so heart warming and a great way to get a glimpse of what life in the Blue Ridge Mountains was like. I confess I didn’t read Laurel’s Dream yet but after reading this I will! The book hooked me from the very beginning and I was off on an adventure.

Great story. I enjoy reading stories by author Pepper Basham. Each time I read one of her stories, I am drawn into the scenes and am right there with the characters. The attention to detail and the way Pepper brings the reader along with the story is amazing.

This may be one of my favorite books by this author. I was moved by this story, The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham, as I read through the book. I loved the characters in this story so much that I didn't want the book to end. It's a charming story set in the mountains with an eye-opener of what life is like living in the Appalachia. As you read through this book, you will encounter love, twist and turns, romance, and friendships like no other. I'm looking forward to more books by Pepper!



*Thank you to NetGalley & Barbour Publishing for an e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion!