Appalachian Song + Giveaway

Forever within the memories of my heart.

Always remember, you are perfectly loved.

Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Out of all the mothers she’s tended, none affects her more than the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943. As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong. But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart.

Thirty years later, the day after his father’s funeral, Walker Wylie is stunned to learn he was adopted as an infant. The famous country singer enlists the help of adoption advocate Reese Chandler in the hopes of learning why he was abandoned by his birth parents. With the only clue he has in hand, Walker and Reese head deep into the Appalachian Mountains to track down Bertie Jenkins, the midwife who holds the secrets to Walker’s past.

For fans of historical and Southern fiction comes a poignant story of love and sacrifice set in the heart of Appalachia, from award-winning author Michelle Shocklee.

My Review:

“Livin’ life ain’t about seein’ and doin’. It’s about lovin’ and takin’ care of those who’ve been put in your path.” (p. 180)

Words to live by right there — and this book is full of like-minded wisdom so it’s the kind of read that requires savouring. Time to bask in bookish wonder and sit a spell with these characters. Especially Bertie and her sisters.

I was particularly drawn to the relationship that developed between Bertie and Songbird. Found family at it’s finest. But even as I devoured all that goodness, an ominous sense of foreboding hung over me. Because I didn’t know the whole story yet, but I knew it had to be heartbreaking since we meet Walker thirty years later in search of his past and then, well, whoooaaaa, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough despite the desire to linger over all the sweet moments.

Appalachian Song is a dual timeline story set in two historical eras and the author did an amazing job of intertwining both stories. Rich with history and emotion and inspiration. The kind of faith that gives a sensitive reader goosebumps and provides teary-eyed moments. Over and over again. Just…indescribably wonderful!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Appalachian Song, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday March 9 2024.

45 thoughts on “Appalachian Song + Giveaway”

  3. My sister read this and told me I would love it. I already had it on my wish list as I really enjoy this author. Thank you for sharing your review. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. I loved Appalachian Song too, as you said, “indescribably good”. It was my first Michelle Shocklee book and I’ll be reading others. It was also the first book to get a spot on my Best Books of 2024 list. 

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    1. Ooohhh you have a Best Books of 2024 list?! It definitely belongs there. The first book I read by Michelle Shocklee was Under the Tulip Tree and it’s also indescribably good! This author can write!

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      1. Oh yes, I always pick my top books throughout the year for a Best Books list, so far I have Appalachian Song,  One Wrong Move/Dani Pettrey, All My Secrets/Lynn Austin, Sandcastle Inn/Irene Hannon, The Roads we Follow/Nicole Deese, Rocky Road/Becky Wade and The Prophets Songbird/Roseanna White. I have 3 more that are 5 star but I’m undecided about making the list. I’ll have to see what the competition is going forward, lol. My own little book awards 😉

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      2. Waaaaaiiiiiiittttttt! YOU’VE READ SANDCASTLE INN?????????? Ahem…sorry…just…….I might be a wee bit jealous. 🙂 You already have seven books in your bestest list. Those poor dearies are going to be feeling all kinds of anxious as they wait to see if they are knocked off the Best in 24 pedestal by some newly read upstart. A year of angst for those poor books. tsk. tsk. I’d be a nervous wreck just trying to decide who belongs on the list…and how long said list should be. I’m having a mild panic attack on behalf of all your reads and to-be-reads. Bwahahaha!

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      3. You are so funny! First off you read 2.5 times more books than I do, so I don’t have as hard a time picking as you would. In 2023 I had 18 on my list, 2022 and 2021 both had 20 books each.

        I don’t have a set number that can be on the list, my list my rules haha. I just have gotten into the habit of when I book wows me to write it on the list so it’s not that hard by years end. If I don’t find as many books that fit the wow category as the months go on, then those other 3 will move up. They are not nervous as I haven’t revealed they are potentially a winner 😉

        Sandcastle Inn is on netgalley, but I can’t say about audio availability so you’ll have to check on that.

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      4. It would be neat if you had 24 besties in 2024. 🙂 You bookshelves must be buzzing with excitement by year’s end. Bwahahaha!

        There definitely aren’t as many audio books available on Net Galley as ebooks — at least in Christian Fiction. I got two great ones last week — The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay and Love Unscripted by Denise Hunter so that was exciting!

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  6. Oh, I do so love dual timeline stories! ”Appalachian Song” not only fits that bill, but sounds absolutely amazing. I might add that this book is already on my TBR list, but your review has me all a titter and so excited about the prospect of turning the pages. Gorgeous cover that would draw me in for sure. LOVE the quote! Words to live by for sure.

    Thank you so much for the fabulous chance to win a copy!

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  10. This one has been on my list for a while now, Kav, and your review makes me want to read it all the more. Thanks for offering it!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  11. I have this book checked out on Kindle Unlimited but I haven’t gotten to reading it yet! My library books on hold have been coming in too fast to keep up. Thanks for the review.

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  13. I love heartfelt emotional stories and this fits the bill. I have yet to discover this author but have heard nothing but positive things about her writing 😊

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  14. The Appalachian Mountains are close to my heart and I love stories that are set in them. I’m sure I would enjoy this book. Thank you, Kav, for offering it.

    Blessings…

    may_dayzee at yahoo dot com

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  15. Always enjoy reading your reviews and the comments by other readers. Really appreciated Tracey sharing her list! This sounds like it blends several interesting facets into the story. Decided to check and my library has nothing at all! Thanks!

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    1. Oooh, that’s so sad! I got my copy from my library and that’s pretty rare. They tend to get the really big name CF authors books in and a lot of Amish and nothing else. I was so happy to see this one on the new books shelf. Good luck, CC!

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  16. Oh I have wanted to try her for so very long! And this book sounds sooo good😍 and that cover is so good!! Thnx Kav😊

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  18. I have always wanted to go to the Appalachian Mountains. Since I won’t be going, the next best thing will be to read about it! Thanks!

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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