The Heart of the Mountains

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Pub Date 01 Jul 2022 | Archive Date 31 Jul 2022
Barbour Publishing | Barbour Fiction

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Description

Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?
 
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.
 
Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.
 
Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart? 
 
Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?
 
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a...

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ISBN 9781636093253
PRICE $15.99 (USD)
PAGES 320

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Featured Reviews

Oh my gosh... even just thinking about this book is going to require a trip to the grocery store for more licorice. Since the hero smells like licorice and I love the hero, it's no wonder I consumed copious amounts of it while reading. I knew from the moment I first heard about Cora that I was going to adore her and I absolutely did. The two of them together with their lips itching had me glued to their story. I can only hope that Barbour contracts Kizzie's story so I can get another glimpse of this amazing setting and the wonderful characters! Pepper Basham excels at writing mountain stories. I should just pack my bags and head to the mountains with every book in that setting that she releases because I'm always left wanting to visit them while reading. This book felt like going home... even though it's historical. And like this book, home holds a special place in my heart.

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What a lovely feel good romance!! Jeb and Cora captured my heart from the very beginning of this book all the way to the end! Their romance was sweet and beautiful to see. I loved Jeb’s family as well, I wish I could somehow meet them and sit at their supper table!!

Even though both of the main characters had been in the war, it’s not dwelled upon too much. There may have been some shady characters, but the book is written in a very lighthearted manner, nothing terribly dark or sinister.

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The sequel to My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge; Laurel’s Dream, The Heart of the Mountains can be read as a stand alone, but I highly recommend book one as it will make book two much richer.

Author Pepper Basham writes a story that shows us the challenges of living in the Blue Ridge mountains, post WWI. The neglect and poverty are so sad but the fact that people find joy in the little things, not in accumulating stuff, will make you think. Wild and beautifully described, I’d love to visit.

Well developed characters draw you into the story as you watch Cora adjust to life in the mountains with the help of Jeb, who doesn’t want to help her, yet is compelled to. Both have a good sense of humor and are driven to help others, making them a joy to read about. The secondary characters are heart warming and I found myself pulling for them, especially Sam. And of course it wouldn’t be a Basham book without a sweet romance.

With God’s love and grace beautifully woven throughout, this is a wonderful story for anyone who enjoys historical inspirational fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

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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

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I really liked the first book in the series and was excited to read this new book. Pretty sure I enjoyed this one even more. Pepper Basham writes characters that feel real and are easy to connect with. Her stories flow easily, the writing very descriptive without getting bogged down. They are just a joy to read. The Heart of the Mountains is a sweet love story that quickly grows between the unlikely couple of Cora and Jeb. I loved Cora’s delightful spunk and Jeb’s integrity and their interaction with the community that surrounds them. It’s a story of heartache, faith, redemption and finding and using your God given purpose. I’ve grown fond of these characters and am really hoping the story will continue with another book in the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the chance to read for honest review.

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What caused Cora to flee to the Appalachian mountains was desperation; what caused her to stay was determination. Pepper Basham’s familiarity with the Appalachian culture and her family’s roots in the area the story is set brings richness to the characters and depth to their way of life.

Cora Taylor was an outsider (flatlander) and at first didn’t understand the ways of the mountain folk. But, she fell in love with the people, their fortitude, and their loyalty to each other. I admired her courage as she put aside her fears to help when she was needed. The opening scene of Cora riding a mule into the wilderness to find her uncle and her brother was both hilarious and hair-raising. I would have been tempted right then to go back to town, but I quickly realized that Cora doesn’t give up easily. She was one of my favorite characters for not only this reason, but her heart of compassion as she serves the people of Maple Springs and wins the hearts of many of them.

Jeb McAdams was a big-hearted man who ends up coming to Cora’s rescue again and again. Helping Cora tend the medical needs of the community comes at a great price to himself, but he puts aside his misgivings to do whatever she needs. He was a true treasure that I’d definitely want to be my friend.

Some favorite quotes of mine are:

“Adventure and danger are often thrust on a person here.”

“There is no fast thaw with these people. Slow and steady faithfulness and authenticity reach them.”

“Love’s worth being brave, Ain’t it? Brave again and again and again.”

I highly recommend this book. I would add it to your library as I am sure you will read it often.

I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley and Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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I loved this book because the opening scene made me laugh but yet at the same time hold my breath too.
Pepper did such a great job with it that I couldn't imagine doing what Cora did and keeping my cool at the same time.
Then in another scene I definitely cackled because once again I "actually " could see it happening and the look on Cora's face was priceless.
I definitely think I have to say that this book was better than Laurel's story. Too much happening in this one!
I enjoyed every minute of this book and didn't want it to end. Pepper has such talent!
Cora was a stubborn one though. I was rooting for her the whole way through because I knew that she could tough it out so to speak.
I liked Jeb immediately too. He was pretty special in my book. You'll soon see why when y'all will pick up this book and read it.
Such a fun read! Of course, I finished it in one day once I settled down to read it. A whole evening passed but I was left feeling pretty happy about it.
I think my favorite part was learning about the mountain people and their beliefs.
Pepper's legacy so to speak. How awesome!
I'm highly recommending this book! I wish I could give this story more than 5 stars. It's more than deserving!
Thank you for a copy of this wonderful book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Pepper Basham’s The Heart of the Mountains is the story of Cora Taylor who leaves England to escape a forced marriage. She travels to the Maple Springs in search of her brother and uncle. On the way, she meets Jeb McAdams, a man who is like no other she has ever met. Cora unexpectedly finds a life in the mountains – one full of friendship, loyalty, purpose, hope, and even love. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this lovely, well-written, uplifting book that will stay with you long after you finish it. Pepper Basham has crafted a great story with a wonderful cast of characters. If you love historical fiction, this book is for you!

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It's 1919 and Cora Taylor has left England to head to the Blue Ridge Mountains to avoid an arranged marriage she wants no part of. Her doctor brother is in a small town in the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains and with her nursing skills from World War 1, she hopes to become his assistant. As an upper class English woman, Cora finds a whole new world in the Blue Ridge mountains and learns to adjust to it.

Lovely insight into the lives of the Blue Ridge people as well as their ways in this time period. It is based on Basham's own family history and pulls you in from the beginning to the end. The slowly developing relationship between Jeb and Cora was sweet and I loved the "lips itching" element as their relationship grew. This is a beautiful and heart tugging story that definitely made me want more books like this from the author.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

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"The Heart of the Mountains" is a Christian romance set in 1919 in the Appalachian Mountains. Cora served as a nurse in WWI, and Jeb McAdams served as a soldier. They experienced things that changed them but which also gave them a different perspective that laid a foundation for a friendship. Cora joined her uncle and brother in the mountains to avoid a marriage she didn't desire but also to help the locals with her nursing skills. Some locals weren't happy to have another outsider influencing people, though. Between handling medical crisis and learning to avoid the dangers of the mountains (both animal and certain unfriendly people), Cora's friendship with Jeb grew as they spent time together.

The characters were complex and reacted realistically to events. The historical and setting details immersed me into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. Cora felt that God had used some bad circumstances to prompt her to go to a place where she'd find happiness and contentment helping others. There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.

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The Heart of the mountains is a story of both the beauty and the brutality of life in the Appalachians in the early 1900s. A tale of long held mountain traditions meeting up with the outside world. When the two worlds collide for Cora and Jeb, each is reeling from the war in Europe. Cora discovers a place where she can be of service, and Jeb finds in this feisty, independent young woman, someone he can see himself with for the long haul, if she is brave enough to withstand life in his world. A wonderful story of faith and family, and perseverance in the midst of hardship.
I hope to read more from this author soon.
I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishers via Netgalley. I was under no obligation to give a review.

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What a tale! Pepper Basham tells the vivid story of an English nurses’ personal journey to find her life’s purpose in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Joining Cora on her journey of faith, family, and love was Jeb McAdams, a healing Great War veteran and mountain man.

Rich details bring to life a diverse cast of characters and thier, sometimes unforgiving, lives in the mountains. While there are deep plot points addressed, Basham’s style of writing balances out the darker times with light hearted, tender moments of love and friendship. The faith elements are present throughout but feel true to the time and well placed. Both characters have strong faiths, so religion and faith in God are mentioned enough to make this a true Christian romance for me. However, The pace was excellent, and the plot itself keeps the pages turning!

As for the romance between Cora and Jeb: 10/10. Honestly, the chemistry was there, yet the relationship was founded on trust and respect. They were made for each other, although they struggled to come to terms with the idea at first. Cora was an entertaining, strong and kind lead and I loved watching her character grow as she adapted to each situation and voiced her options, never coming off as unpleasant. And Jeb? Heart eyes for this man I tell you. Charming, kind, supportive, what wouldn’t you want in a hero?

The second installment in the blue ridge mountain series (the first being Laurel’s dream), you can read this one as a stand alone and not feel lost. The secondary characters were so endearing, I hope to see more additions in the future (please!).

Needless to say, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good historical, Christian romance!


I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me a chance to read this in exchange for my thoughts!

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Wonderful book! Many things touched my heart! I admired Cora Taylor who ran away from England where her father wanted to force her into a marriage she did not want. The Blue Ridge Mountains were different from anything she'd known but Cora was determined to use her nursing skills from WWI to help the mountain people! Delivering a baby was a new experience for her! After winning the respect of the mountain people, Cora became known as "Nurse Woman". Jeb McAdams fought memories from the war but was determined he would not end up like his alcoholic father. I liked when Jeb's mother told Cora "Prayin' is where we admit we ain't the lords of our own lives, nor of any lives, to be true. ...God uses prayin' to change my heart into what He's wantin' it to be in sun or rain, cause I'm trustin' his love and His plan." Although they are not part of a series, I recommend reading Laurel's Dream before The Heart of the Mountains. Both books make me think of Christy by Catherine Marshall--one of my favorite books! Pepper Basham is a talented author! I highly recommend The Heart of the Mountains to everyone! I received advance copies of the book from Barbour Publications and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion.

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As with the first book, this did not disappoint! The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham was as beautiful, heartfelt, faith filled and adventurous as the first one! 5 stars!

After reading Laurel’s Dream, I was so excited to dive back into the Blue Ridge Mountains to learn more about Cora Taylor and Jeb McAdams. Laurel’s Dream followed Jonathan Taylor and Laurel McAdams, so in this story we were blessed to see Laurel’s brother and Jonathan’s sister’s story unfold.

I live in Tennessee and love the Appalachian settings so much as it reminds me of back home in East Tennessee.

To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains to find her brother, who works as a mission teacher there. She hopes to find a place where she can use her nursing skills and as she continues her travels, she meets Jeb McAdams. Jeb is returning from World War I as he meets Cora. They start to become fast friends as they face many difficulties. The story takes off from here.

Jeb and Cora are beautiful characters who have such a grounded connection together. I loved every moment they were together. Pepper Basham writes AMAZING mountain stories.

I laughed, teared up, felt their feelings – the characters in this story are beautiful. This story is filled with action, love, faith, grace, mercy, romance, forgiveness, redemption, and a beautiful family. My favorite part in this was the ending. It was beautiful and action-packed. So many beautiful southern references and I love the way they talk – it reminds me of my grandparents’ time.

I am dying to know more about other family members, primarily the missing sister we continue to hear about. I hope the next story will be about her journey! I can’t wait.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for provide me with an Advanced Reader Copy to honestly read and review. I will be reading more of the Blue Ridge series in the future! I will also be posting a review to Amazon, Instagram and discussing on my YouTube channel, BookLoverAmanda.

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A wonderful story! I loved Cora and Jeb their characters were well written and had me wanting to know more of their story. The beginning of the book is stellar and sucks you into the pages with Cora coming to full understanding of how dangerous the mountain can be. She has backbone and is tenacious about using her nursing skills to work beside her brother to help the mountain people. The difficulties she faces and the chance at a romance completely upend her world takes the reader on quite the ride that leaves the heart strings being pulled and the love for the backwood characters resting upon your heart.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

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"But prayin' is where we admit we ain't lords of our own lives, nor of any lives, to be true. And, as I study on it, God uses prayin' to change my heart into what He's wantin' it to be in sun or rain, 'cause I'm trustin' in His love and His plan." ~Mama McAdams

Pepper Basham returns us to the Blue Ridge mountains and the families we met in Laural's Dream. In The Heart Of The Mountains. I really enjoyed visiting with the McAdams family. Pepper has a way of bringing her characters to life, giving them challenges and joys that keep one reading well past their bedtime. I think Jeb and Cora are two of my favorite mountain characters followed closely by Jeb's mama Caroline McAdams. So brew up a pitcher of sun tea and a stack of molasses cookies to enjoy while reading The Heart Of The Mountains.

I was given a copy of The Heart Of The Mountains by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

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I started reading The Heart of the Mountains and instantly fell in love with the story, the setting and the characters. I realized it started sounding familiar, so I did a little research and realized it is the second book in Mountain Dream Catchers series, which I also loved. Cora and Jeb are one of the sweetest and most innocent couples. The setting . is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and things are not easy for the families who live there. It is filled with one adventure after another, which makes for a fast read. If you haven't read the first book Laurel''s Dream, start there, you won't be disappointed. I want to thank Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read and review this great book. The comments in this review are my own.

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Finally!! I have finally read my first Pepper Basham book and THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS blew me away. Pepper knows how to engage the reader and had me feeling as if I was right there on the trails with Cora and Jeb.

I was pulled into THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS from the first page and I stayed that way until the very last page. The twists and turns keep coming and I had to know how it was going to end! Every time I thought I knew where this story was going, a few pages later, Pepper Basham threw me for a loop and I knew I was wrong!

THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS is a quick read and unputdownable! There were quite a few times when reading it that I wanted to reach into the pages and hug a few of these people with what they were feeling and what they were going through. I found myself laughing one second and then tearing up the next. If you are looking for a beautiful story to pull you out of your book slump, you can’t go wrong with THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS. Pepper Basham is now an author I want to read more of.

The twists and turns in THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS are going to keep you up late into the night trying to figure it out. One minute you believe you know where Cora is going with her life and the next you are sitting there shaking your head, wondering what the heck just happened. I had my ideas, I had it all figured out, or so I thought, and BAM…….wrong again! Many of the people Cora came in contact with are broken. The conditions they deal with in the mountains will break your heart over and over again. But they are strong people and know how to persevere. Once you start reading, trust me, you aren’t going to be able to stop! When everything is finally revealed, well, you won’t believe it!

THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS begins with Cora facing many life changes. She has just run away from England where her father was arranging for her to be married to a horrible human being. I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAINS. I loved the banter between Cora and Jeb. It is heart warming, but also a harsh reality of the situations the mountain people dealt with and it is filled with so many different emotions. There is so much going on in this story, but Pepper Basham does a wonderful job of weaving all the pieces together. All of the characters will have you feeling sad and then giggling on the same page. More than once I wanted to be there with my new found friends! Once you finish devouring this story, you are going to want to tell everyone you know about this awesome book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through JustRead Publicity Tours. All opinions are my own.

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Basham certainly has a way with words. The Heart of the Mountains paints word pictures that make the characters come alive. The characters are strong and believable and I loved reading about their speech and way of doing things. Also their superstitions and the local scenery of the mountains. Pepper Basham has nailed this Appalachian story. Set in 1919, Basham writes a most interesting novel about the mountains, and the people of the mountains. I love the way Cora the "nurse woman" tries to learn the ways of the mountain people. Then there is Jeb, who is fighting his own devils caused by the war and feeling this educated woman would never have any romantic feelings for him, a lowly mountain man. Woven through out is faith in God and learning to trust Him. I highly recommend this book. I was given an e-copy from the publisher and I am glad to leave my review. Thanks Barbour for such an interesting book.

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The Heart of the Mountains is Book 2 in author Pepper D. Basham’s series My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge. This is a heartwarming, faith filled, historical Christian book that swept me away to the mountains in another time. Even though it is the second book in a series, it easily is read as a stand alone. However, the first book, Laurel’s Dream, is captivating, as is this one.

The is the story of spunky English nurse, Cora. She travels to America’s Blue Ridge Mountain to see her family that has gone there to help the people. It is also the tale of woodcrafter, Jeb. He is such a good man but has a few issues. He and Cora found something in common and began a beautiful friendship that bloomed into something more.

The author did a marvelous job portraying life in the mountains. She mixed mountain lore and distrust of newcomers with gratitude and eventual acceptance. With her deft pen she had me immediately invested in the story and feeling the characters’ emotions. More than once I had tears in my eyes or chuckled.

The characters are brilliant. They jumped from the page and into my heart. I found them believable and well rounded. The conversations were realistic.

There is so much in this book. Mystery, action, danger, romance, drama, are all wrapped up nicely in this novel. At times I was surprised by a twist that was thrown in, and other times laughing by the antics of a character. So many life and spiritual lessons are woven throughout the book from beginning to end.

I highly recommend this riveting novel. It is a page turning delight. Any book club would enjoy this as a selection. There is a lot to discuss. This gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, but these are my honest words.

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When this author pens a story I always know it’s going to be excellent and in my opinion I think this one is her best one yet! I love the Blue Ridge Mountains and these characters from 1919 Appalachia had my heart. It was the end of WWI and there were more internal scars for Jeb who fought in it and Cora who nursed sick and dying soldiers than external ones.
Cora is hiding from her father in England who has betrothed her to a man she cannot stand. Her brother and uncle both live in this mountain community and she escapes hoping to find refuge with one or both of them. The mountain people have some strange and backwards traditions that Cora has a hard time understanding. She makes a handful of friends including Jeb and tries to nurse those brought to her as best she can. Alcoholism, guns, wild animals and wild and mean humans are just some of the things she has to get used to and deal with. And the way the author wrote the language of these mountain people just as they would have said it was so interesting and realistic. Being from the south I recognized some of the words these Appalachians used that I’d heard my grandparents use while I was growing up. Simpler times with no electricity but lots of mountain music, bluegrass style, and dancing kept them happy and entertained some of the time. I would have enjoyed spending time with some of these folks for real, but alas will have to visit again and again through these pages.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

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First off, I would recommend reading Laurel's Dream before picking this book up, though I still enjoyed the story without having read it first. This is a wonderful story of two cultures colliding.

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My Thoughts:
The Heart of the Mountains is one I had been looking forward to since I heard it was being written. I absolutely adored the first book. You can read this one as a standalone, but why read one great book when you can read two great books?
As with any of her Appalachian stories, it was rich in setting. It’s not overly descriptive, but the mountains come to life on the page. And her characters are amazing!
But even greater than these things are the Christian elements. There’s a beautiful salvation scene tucked away in here. And the story itself is one of healing and is remarkably done.

Rating and Recommendations: I’m giving it 5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Romance or those looking for an Appalachian setting.

~ I received a copy from NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review or required to give a favorable one. All thoughts are my own.

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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!

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My goodness. Pepper Basham is one talented storyteller! Her books draw me in and always leave me feeling like I just arrived home from visiting my friends in the mountains.

The Heart of the Mountains is the sequel to Laurel's Dream. This time, we get to meet Jonathan Taylor's sister, Cora, and Laurel's brother, Jeb McAdams. Shortly after the World War II, Cora has journeyed from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in an attempt to avoid an unwanted arranged marriage. She's only looking for a peaceful place to lay low, spend time with her brother and new sister-in-law, and use her medical skills to help in her new home. Jeb McAdams has also returned from war and has taken up residence in his new much-too-big-for-one-person home in the mountains. Guilt plagues him after losing a friend in the war, and alcohol is the only thing that seems to quiet his nightmares, but with a seasonly-drunk father, Jeb has seen what it can do to a family, and he wants nothing to do with it anymore. When Cora arrives, he finds himself drawn to the interesting flatlander, but he's convinced he still needs to do the right thing by marrying his friend's widow.

Every page of The Heart of the Mountains is filled with reminders of God's love, mercy, and grace neatly. woven alongside a beautiful storyline. As always, Basham's characters are well-developed, with a realistic and heart-wrenching yet heart-tugging story. I immediately fell in love with Cora and Jeb and found myself laughing and crying alongside them. They both have hearts of gold, and live to serve. I especially loved some of the side characters in this novel, and enjoyed reading about some of the superstitions and beliefs held by the mountain people.

The Heart of the Mountains gets a solid 5/5 stars from me. I loved this novel, and not-so-secretly hope that Basham will continue the series...maybe with long-lost Kizzie's story?

*I received a complimentary copy of The Heart of the Mountains through the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. My positive review is not required.

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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.

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