Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain
Author: Joanne Bischof
First published July 1, 2018
339 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780718099107 (ISBN10: 0718099109)
Rating: 4.29
Overview
Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a poignant story of love, loyalty, and family bonds. After the loss of her husband, Aven Norgaard travels from Norway to the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia to work as a housekeeper for her late husband’s cousins.
The three brothers make their living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm, and Aven hopes to find solace in this tight-knit family. However, her arrival disrupts the brothers’ bond, and she finds herself caught in a love triangle between the two younger brothers.
As the apple harvest season approaches, tensions rise, and Aven must make a heart-wrenching decision that could tear apart the family. But amidst the struggle and pain, Aven finds a new sense of belonging and hope in this remote and unfamiliar place.
With its raw and evocative portrayal of human emotions, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a touching tribute to the power of love and the resilience of the human spirit.
About the Author
Joanne Bischof is a talented author who has won both the ECPA Christy Award and the ACFW Carol Award. Her writing is deep and emotional, touching the hearts of readers.
Her novel from 2016, THE LADY AND THE LIONHEART, has received high praise, including a 5-star TOP PICK! rating from Romantic Times Book Reviews. Joanne’s love for romance and theology is evident in her work, and she finds the two to be a perfect match.
She resides in the beautiful mountains of southern California with her three children and is represented by Sandra Bishop of Transatlantic Literary Agency.
Editoral Review
In her novel Sons of Blackbird Mountain, Joanne Bischof weaves a captivating tale of family, love, and loss set in the beautiful backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Published on July 1, 2018, Bischof transports readers back to the late 1800s, where she masterfully incorporates historical elements and cultural significance into her story.
At the heart of the novel are brothers Thor and Haakon Norgaard, who struggle to reconcile their past and present as they navigate their way through difficult family dynamics, romance, and danger. Thor, the elder brother, is deaf and harbors a deep sadness over the loss of his beloved wife.
Haakon, on the other hand, is a restless and impetuous man who has been away at sea for years and is seeking to make amends with his family. Bischof’s writing is poetic and vivid, painting a beautiful and atmospheric picture of life on the farm in the late 1800s.
Her novel is a compelling melding of romance, drama, and history, all set in the glittering world of a bygone era. Sons of Blackbird Mountain stands out for its character development and its ability to create rich and complex characters.
Bischof’s characters are unforgettable, each with their own unique struggles and quirks. The pacing of the plot is slow but steady, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the story and get acquainted with the characters.
Bischof’s exploration of the bonds of brotherhood, the complexities of love, and the power of forgiveness is masterfully woven into the plot. While Thor’s disability has ostracized him from his family and peers, Haakon is a kind of lovable rogue whose fiery personality is matched only by his hazy morals.
One of the shortcomings of the novel is that the story is somewhat predictable and lacks the element of surprise. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall quality of the work.
Sons of Blackbird Mountain is an exquisite novel, full of interesting characters and captivating scenery. It is a romance novel with a unique twist that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.
Bischof’s writing is poetic and cinematic, making Sons of Blackbird Mountain such a pleasure to read. I would recommend Bischof’s novel to anyone who appreciates a well-crafted and atmospheric novel filled with nuanced characters, exquisite writing, and an engaging story.
Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a heartwarming tale that enchants the reader from beginning to end, garnering a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.