First off I can not say enough good things about this book, There was everything you want a strong female character, a love story a little mystery. Every character was so cleverly written and developed it made me feel like I was really getting to know them . It all starts out when Cora left her home to escape an unwanted marriage and lands her self in a super small town. Her first couple hours in town she already is dealing with her first mishap Jeb had just returned from the war and is settling back into small town mountain life when he discovers Cora in an unexplainable situation , The two of them create this beautiful relation ship ! I could go on and on but i will spoil the book ! 10/10 for me !

"Woodwork soothed him some. Prayer too. And these mountains."

An English nurse and Appalachian woodworker find a common bond in the way participation in the Great War changed them, resulting in a sweet love growing between them. Heart of the Mountains is a meandering story that reads like a love letter to the people of the Appalachians. I realized quickly after picking it up that it is the sequel to Laurel's Dream, which I have but haven't read yet. I decided to continue reading this one first so I could see how it did on its own. It did just fine, although it did make me want to read Jonathan and Laurel's story.
This book talks a lot about the challenges and beauty living among mountain people. I imagine every culture has its own challenges and beauty, but you do enjoy reading about it from someone who has obvious respect for the people and place. You get a feel in this book for the variety of mindsets you'd find in Appalachian culture, escaping stereotyping.
The action really picked up at the 94% mark, but the story kept moving enough throughout the book that I wasn't bored. And as usual, I love Pepper for her strong and meaningful messages.

"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."

I am grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The first few scenes in this book were so humorous, they had me chuckling. For some reason, they reminded me of Jane being rescued by Tarzan as she perched precariously on tree branches in the well known cartoon.

I liked the storyline and the two main characters in the Heart of the Mountain, but the writing style just did not grab me. I know the author has a lot of fans and that they will undoubtedly fully enjoy this book. For me, I look for a certain kind of narrative that I am still trying to figure out.

This is the sequel to Laurel’s Dream, which originally was published as one of the books in the “My Heart Belongs in...” series. You definitely want to read Laurel’s Dream first, as you’ll meet most of the characters from that book in this one, since it tells the story of Laurel’s brother Jeb and Jonathan’s sister Cora. Several of the story threads of Laurel’s Dream continue to weave together in this book. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the Blue Ridge mountains and the special people who lived there in the early 20th century – some steeped in superstition and age old traditions, and others open to learning about the world “outside”. I liked the insights into death of a Christian, prayer, and how to accept a hard life.

I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book with no obligation to post a review
#TheHeartoftheMountains #NetGalley

Set just after WWI, up in the Appalachian hills, this is a story of faith, redemption, and a hardscrabble way of life. Both Jeb and Cora have had difficult experiences with the war, and are facing down their demons and troubles in its aftermath, but they never imagine they'd end up together. This is one of my favorite settings, as it reminds me of visiting my grandparents' home in the hills...the vivid descriptions, the people, and the vernacular bring it all back to life! And just like anywhere, there are good people and bad, hard workers and muckarounds, and people who are set in their ways. There's a bit of mystery, some romance to untangle, and an opening for another segment to this story. There was also a beautiful section about prayer and how it truly works that I think it an excellent segment to pull out and discuss with folks who might be facing a hard time, too.

'Prayin' is where we admit we ain't the lord of our own lives.'

Where do I begin to leave a review adequate enough to convey my thoughts on what a powerful story this was? Pepper Basham is always good; I've never read a bad book by her, or even a mediocre one. But this. This wonderful story of the Appalachian people in the time period immediately after the Great War is so full of grace, forgiveness, and the mercies of God, that I found myself crying through parts of it, gasping at others, laughing some, too.

The story takes place in Maple Springs where Basham set another book earlier and this one features some of the same folks but can totally be read as a stand alone. It was so good to read how these folks lived, their way of life, their superstitions and love. There were times the reading hurt, because people don't always do the right thing, but Basham handles it so well.

The hero of this story, Jebediah McAdams, is perfect. I totally fell in love with his sweet heart and concern for others. And I loved his 'itchin' lips'. You'll have to read the story to get that one. I promise you'll like it, too. Jeb is totally unprepared for the English woman who literally falls into his arms when she runs away from home to escape an arranged marriage. And Cora is determined to be a help to these precious people as 'Nurse Woman'. Having served at the Front during the Great War, she is sure she can provide help to them. IF she can get these backward and leery folk to trust her.

Set in a simpler time in a beautiful place, this story will stay with you long after you read the last word. It will be a treasure for any keeper shelf. I know it will mine. Basham's descriptions of the mountains will have you longing to see them for yourself. This was a powerfully moving book and I adored every minute. It's the kind of book that, when you read the last word, you want to flip to the beginning and start over again. It's that good. Well done!

My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review and the opinion expressed here is entirely my own.

Oh, this is such a sweet story. I loved returning to this mountain and these backwoods people.
It was fun catching up with Jonathan and laurel again…. But this is Cora and Jeb’s story.
Cora leaves her home in England quite unexpectedly, due to the fact that her father has plans of marrying her off to some noble gentleman, and Cora has no say in the matter. So, without telling her brother Jonathan of her intentions, she arrives unexpectedly there at his new home, in the Appalachian mountains. The people are not sure what to think of her at first. They view her with suspicions. All except for Jeb, who is still suffering from his own trauma at being in the war.
Cora had also been to the front, so it seems they have some things in common.
This is a romance, and so some things were expected, and yes, welcomed. :) But the discovery of how it all happens along the way, well that is the beauty of this book.
If you enjoy historical fiction, you won't want to miss it!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255