I've only read one other of this author's books at this point, which was a historical and was a good read, but not one of my favorites. However, having grown up vacationing at the Smokies several years because it was not a great distance and getting a cabin for our family of 6 was a cheaper way to go, I knew I wanted to read this book when it came out. This one is a dual timeline, which is a favorite style of mine as well - I love reading about how the pasts influences the present. And combining those 2 elements - the favored way of storytelling along with the familiar setting, along with the author's lovely writing style and vast knowledge of national parks in general, this was a stellar read. I enjoyed learning more about the park's history (I had no idea that there had been people who'd lived in the mountains and were displaced by the park) as well as re-viewing it in modern day.

This book tells the story of Rosie McCauley in the past timeline, who lives with her mentally handicapped sister in the cabin that their dad built after her parents' deaths. When the park comes in to buy her land, she struggles with the decisions that come her way. Benton Fuller is an ornithologist in Ithaca, NY, and has come to Tennessee on behalf of the park to survey the bird wildlife. He falls in love with both the land and with Rosie. Their story is one fraught with hardships and love conquering all. In the modern timeline, their descendent Kieran who has recently discovered her grandma Mac seeks to find pieces from her Gran's past in order to help her have more lucid moments as dementia slowly claims what's left of Kieran's family. As Kieran travels to the Smokies to hopefully obtain the stone bird that her grandmother keeps asking for, she comes across Zach, who is both rigid in his rules and kind to her. Both story lines have great love and sorrow, a sweet romance and tensions, and a solid faith thread. This book included mysteries in the past that were solved in the present, along with beautiful character growth and development in both timelines. All in all, this was an excellent read that I would recommend to fans of all genres.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

When Stone Wings Fly is a dual timeline story set in the Smoky Mountains that will keep you turning pages! I sped through this one within a couple of days. The alternating storylines really help with the pacing and suspense as you start to piece together the story of a family shrouded in the mist of time.

Kieran Lucas is a young woman without roots--except for her recently discovered Granny Mac, a sweet older lady with a failing memory. As hazy stories seep out from years in the Smoky Mountains, Kieran finds herself eager to track down the names and places that shaped previous generations, hoping that it might bring some peace both to Granny Mac and herself. Along the way, she meets handsome historian Zach Jensen. He has access to the resources she needs, and their friendship shows signs of morphing into something deeper.

This novel has a lot to say about generational trauma, the importance of oral storytelling and documentation, and the uneasy relationship between the park service and the mountain residents whose land was swallowed up by the national park. There are points where it's a tough read, but it never ceases being compelling. If you're a fan of books like Christy by Catherine Marshall, you'll probably devour this one!

Easily one of my favorite reads this entire year, this book is a dual-timeline story that weaves history, romance, mystery, and some very tough situations into an eloquent read. The author spent some time visiting this place that I call home, and she really brought it to life on paper. The Appalachians and Smokies have a life of their own, and the author sees that and puts the reader there effectively. All of the characters have struggles to overcome, including some very difficult issues (I'm looking at you, dear Lorna), but the author does it in a beautiful way that humanizes every character and every situation. This is a must-read for everyone!