Review + Tour GIVEAWAY: When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: When You Look at Me
(Pleasant Gap Romance #2)
Author: Pepper Basham
Publisher: Woven Words Publications
Release Date: October 25, 2018
Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

An unexpected mother-to-be
A romance-leery composer
And a forgotten melody from the past that holds the keys to their futures

When Julia Jenkins' great aunt dies and leaves her a Victorian mansion with decades of secrets, Julia never expects to unearth a World War 2 espionage mystery. Struggling with her own past since an assault left her pregnant, her future as a solo parent leaves her dreams uncertain. The inheritance from her great aunt gives Julia the ability to take a step back into her future, but also sends her into the discovery of a love story she’d never anticipated. As she goes through her aunt's treasured possessions, Julia uncovers some oddly written piano music with a musical code she can’t decipher on her own. Not to worry, introverted Englishman and composer, Henry Wright, is thrust on the scene by a pair of homespun matchmakers who know the ‘right’ man for Julia’s wounded heart.

Henry arrives in Pleasant Gap with the task of composing the soundtrack for his best mate’s newest film. The Jenkins’ family’s southern welcome and gregarious personalities set his reticent nature on edge, but he’s inexplicably drawn to his gentle and music-loving hostess, Julia. Uncertain how to build a friendship with the wounded woman, and rather hopeless in communicating well through words, the bond of music becomes a bridge between her uncertainty and his awkwardness.

But her broken past and his families’ expectations build a wall much greater than the cultures that separate them. As they work together to solve a musical mystery from the grave, will an unlikely romance from the past inspire their hearts to trust in a God who’s written the perfect melody for their lives?  

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon

MY THOUGHTS

When You Look at Me is so good that I hardly know where to begin. Pepper Basham excels at crafting stories that entertain and touch the heart, but there’s something very special and personal for me about this one. Those who have read the previous Just the Way You Are will enjoy seeing the story of Wes and Eisley continue, but this story easily stands alone.

Set in the hauntingly beautiful Appalachians, When You Look at Me is about turning to God for strength, trusting that His plans are better than anything we could devise. It’s about the love and support of family. Well written and laced with the most delightful humor, we see the Christian life lived out by imperfect people. Some of my favorite scenes are the initial meeting between Julia and Henry, interactions at Jenkins family meals, and Henry’s mountain walks outside the town of Pleasant Gap. And the fascinating historical storyline involving Julia’s Aunt Millie, a world-renown pianist, adds depth and richness.

In Julia and Henry, Basham has created two of my all-time favorite characters. Henry comes to Pleasant Gap to compose a musical score for Wes’s production, seeking inspiration by studying Appalachian culture and music. I have always been drawn to the Appalachian Mountains, sensing the “music of the mountains” along with Henry. Julia’s reticence in the company of men and Henry’s social awkwardness make them unlikely romantic leads, yet such appealing characters. I loved how Henry’s first meal with the family, when they held hands for prayer, awakened a longing for connection in him … “This place, these people, stirred his senses – his heart – to life in a way words fell short. And when words failed to comply, music swelled to the rescue.”

That I connected with Julia and Henry on a personal level is one reason why I loved this story so much. Julia and Henry are both musicians and introverts, as am I. When Henry uses music to speak where words have proved wholly inadequate, I see myself. When Julia plays the piano to wind down or convey emotions, again, I see myself. When Henry needs to retreat to a quiet place, away from a loud, glorious Jenkins family meal, I can relate. There’s such a sweet chemistry between these two, as the “something” that each senses in the other initially slowly grows into friendship and much more.

“Sometimes God uses what we least expect

to bring us what we need the most.”

- Sophie

Those words reflect the heart of When You Look at Me. Because of Julia’s past experience, two voices were fighting for control in her life – one of fear, the other of the God who says, “Fear not” – and that’s something to which most readers can relate.

I’ve enjoyed all that I’ve read by Pepper Basham so far, especially stories with Appalachian settings, and When You Look at Me just might be my favorite. The conclusion is delightfully satisfying, but with the promise of much more to come. “Best of the Best” for me!

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance novels with grace, humor, and culture clashes. She’s a Blue Ridge Mountain native and an anglophile who enjoys combining her two loves to create memorable stories of hope. Pepper is also a mom of five, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of Jesus and chocolate. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her family.  

CONNECT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• print copy of Just The Way You Are (Pleasant Gap Romance #1)
• print copy of When You Look at Me (Pleasant Gap Romance #2)
• a plaque which says: Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life.... love comes along and brings you a fairy tale

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 22, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 29, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. US addresses only. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Review: Christy

Christy
By Catherine Marshall
50th Anniversary Edition
Evergreen Farm, 2017


Summary

New edition of Catherine Marshall's inspirational classic!

The train taking nineteen-year-old teacher Christy Huddleston from her home in Asheville, North Carolina, might as well be transporting her to another world. The Smoky Mountain community of Cutter Gap feels suspended in time, trapped by poverty, superstitions, and century-old traditions.

But as Christy struggles to find acceptance in her new home, some see her - and her one-room school - as a threat to their way of life. Her faith is challenged and her heart is torn between two strong men with conflicting views about how to care for the families of the Cove.

Yearning to make a difference, will Christy's determination and devotion be enough?

Learn more, download a free map of Cutter Gap, and purchase a copy.


My thoughts

To say that Christy is a classic is true, but that really doesn’t do it justice. Christy is a masterpiece in which lyrical writing, vivid setting, and complex characters come together in a beautifully fascinating and compelling story that’s worth reading again and again – just as relevant today as when it was first written. The best books are life changing, and that’s the impact it had on me when first reading it as a teen. But now, reading it again through the lens of some 50 years of life experiences, this story resonates even more.

It was Christy that instilled in me a love for the mountains and people of Appalachia, which isn’t surprising because I’m the granddaughter of north Georgia mountain families. The dialect was refreshingly familiar. And the lyrical prose compelled me to read slowly, savoring every word …

There was something different about this wind. It was not a single note, but many notes playing up and down the scale, harmonizing at one moment, discordant the next, retreating, advancing. It caught at my nerves. And through it all, that sobbing sound. I wanted to shut it out, to flee.

This is a coming-of-age story, both physically and spiritually. Feeling God’s calling, 19-year-old Christy Huddleston leaves the comforts of home to teach in Cutters Gap, Tennessee – and it was her decision that made me examine God’s calling on my life all those years ago. Christy is pretty confident in her ability to make a difference, but instead becomes a student herself.

I don’t think anyone could do a better job at vividly conveying the Appalachia of Christy’s world, which included poverty, illiteracy, superstition, feuding clans, moonshine, typhoid fever – but also the rugged beauty of the mountains and friends/ students who live on in my heart, like Fairlight, Opal, Miss Alice, Little Burl and Lundy.

Christy is a story of God’s love for a people isolated from the rest of the world, and for us as well. As Christy learned of sacrifice, how to walk with others through their dark valleys, and the true meaning of faith, she discovered a timeless message that is relevant for all of us – that it is in life’s hardships that the most growth takes place.

Romance takes a secondary place in this story, but there’s a little bit of a love triangle – and I’ll just say that my guy won Christy’s hand. The final scene isn’t long or drawn out, but couldn’t have been more memorable.

Very highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/cmarshall

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Catherine Marshall (1914-1983), The New York Times best-selling author of 30 books, is best known for her novel Christy. Based on the life of her mother, Christy captured the hearts of millions and became a popular CBS television series. Around the kitchen table at Evergreen Farm, as her mother reminisced, Catherine probed for details and insights into the rugged lives of these Appalachian highlanders.

Catherine shared the story of her husband, Dr. Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the United States Senate, in A Man Called Peter. A decade after Dr. Marshall's untimely death, Catherine married Leonard LeSourd, Executive Editor of Guideposts, forging a dynamic writer-editor partnership.

A beloved inspirational writer and speaker, Catherine's enduring career spanned four decades and reached over 30 million readers.

Find out more about Catherine at http://gileadpublishing.com/christy/.

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): Charming the Troublemaker

About the Book

Title: Charming the Troublemaker  
Author: Pepper Basham  
Genre: Contemporary Romance  
Release Date: November 1, 2017

Troublemaking never looked so good… 

When Dr. Alex Murdock is demoted to a university in rural Virginia, the last thing he expects to find is a future. But country charm never looks as good as it does on Rainey Mitchell. 

Rainey Mitchell doesn’t need a high-class flirt in her wounded world, but trouble and temptations wafts off the new professor as strong as his sandalwood-scented cologne. 

When circumstances thrust them together to save her tutoring clinic, can the troublemaker find the hero inside and encourage the reticent Rainey to open her heart again.

Click here to purchase!

My Thoughts

Yes, it’s entirely possible to fall in love with a fictional family, and that’s how I feel about the Mitchells. I am so glad that A Twist of Faith now has a sequel because this family just begs for more stories and time spent together, especially with Mama Mitchell. Here’s hoping for many more to come!

Pepper Basham is an excellent writer who knows how to spin an entertaining, moving story – and she has become one of my favorites. Charming the Troublemaker is filled with wit, charm, romantic chemistry, and even a little suspense – all beautifully wrapped up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Appalachia.

Although I live in the Atlanta suburbs, my heritage is the mountains of North Georgia, so I found the Appalachian setting especially appealing. Mama Mitchell feels like someone I’ve known all my life, and I believe she might have a little of my grandmother in her. Rainey and the whole Mitchell clan are so very appealing and real.

The attraction between Rainey and Alex is easily felt, yet to categorize this as a simple romance doesn’t come close to doing it justice. There’s a lot of complexity in these characters beneath the surface – and their past creates some rocky moments in their relationship. Take Rainey’s ex-husband, Gray, for instance … “If Granny’s saying about ‘pretty is as pretty does’ was true, Gray’s insides resembled what the cows left behind.” It’s easy to understand how the ultimate betrayal colored future relationships for Rainey.

Alex goes on my favorite leading men list, and his relationship with Rainey’s daughter, Sarah, is one of my favorite parts. Sarah simply steals the show – and this reader’s heart as well. I loved how the author incorporated such a wide variety of scenes and emotions: unbelievably funny scenes (watch for Underoos and you’ll know what I mean) … tension-filled scenes … and incredibly poignant scenes, like when Alex went to church and was challenged by a message about grace, as well as the Mitchell family singing.

There’s no other way to say it … I simply adored Rainey and Alex. Rainey with her determination to save the speech-language pathology center, and her reluctantly changing attitudes toward Alex. I loved the gradual peeling back of layers that exposed a good-hearted, caring and protective man of depth.

And then there’s the spiritual element. I admire Pepper Basham for creating a story where people not only live out their faith daily, but they talk about it. Faith is essential to their very being. Alex questions his relationship with God – Why would he think God would listen to some superficial failure from a broken family and a damaged present? – and through Alex’s struggles, we see the God who accepts us exactly as we are – sins, failings, shortcomings and all.

Mama Mitchell is a class act and I want to take her words to heart …

“A wise heart is brave enough to offer kindness, smart enough

to bypass jerks, and faithful enough to believe in possibilities.”

Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes novels inspired by her love for history and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her Penned in Time series has garnered recognition in the Inspys, Grace Awards, and the ACFW Carol Awards. Her contemporary romance novel, A Twist of Faith, received 4-stars from Romantic Times, and most recently, her newest release, The Thorn Healer, received a Top Pick from RT with 4 ½ stars. Her newest contemporary romance, Just the Way You Are, releases in April 2016. 

You can get to know Pepper on Facebook, or over at her group blog, The Writer’s Alley, or Instagram.

Guest Post from Pepper Basham

I have a thing for underdogs. 

Misfits. 

Lots souls who desperately need to find where they belong. 

I can’t help it! Call it a ‘fix-it’ mentality or an awareness that God rescued me and now I want to rescue other people…even fictional characters, but I’m definitely a softy for those characters that people are less likely to root for. Catherine from The Thorn Bearer/Keeper became my first rescue…and I just HAD to find another. 

I guess that’s how Charming the Troublemaker came into existence. 

Dr. Alex Murdock desperately needed to be rescued. 

In a bad way. 

If you’ve had a chance to read my first book in the Mitchell’s Crossroads series, A Twist of Faith, you’ll know that Alex doesn’t seem to be made up of much hero material. He’s a flirt, a little arrogant, and…well, kind of like a lost puppy. 

As book 1 grew and came to a close, I knew Alex and Rainey’s story would be next…but I immediately ran into a real problem. 

Who in the world was Alex Murdock? We really didn’t get to know him very much in book 1. He zoomed in a few times, ruffling feathers and then finally showing off some interesting kindness/compassion in the end, but…he was still a big-time flirt. 

So the question emerged: Can a flirt be a hero? 

What is Alex hiding behind that ready smile and sense of humor? Why does he seem so lost? 

The answers were surprising!! Just wait. 

The Mitchell family draw him right in, as they did with Dee, and his world is forever changed. 

And then there’s Rainey. Strong-willed and independent, she is deeply wounded by her ex-husband’s betrayal. Though she gives off all these ‘confident’ vibes, she hides her insecurities behind a tough exterior in a desire to keep people at a distance – well, everyone except her family. 

Alex rocks her world with his ready charm. 

And she sees beyond the plastic grin to recognize another wounded soul. 

Throwing them together into a book has been a hilarious and heart-stirring adventure, I wasn’t prepared to encounter. They’re so much fun! 

AND…he’s ADORKABLE!! Seriously!! He is SUCH a dork, but makes me grin. And…he looks like Armie Hammer 😉 

Let me just give you a hint to some of my favorite scenes: 

Anything with Sarah! 

Underoos 

All of the scenes in Rainey’s house 

And those in Mama Mitchell’s 

Okay, I like the WHOLE STORY…and I can’t wait to see what you think too.

Blog Stops

By The Book, November 14

Just the Write Escape, November 14

Avid Reader Book Reviews, November 15

Reading Is My SuperPower, November 15

Moments Dipped in Ink, November 15

Fiction Aficionado, November 16

autism mom, November 16

Fiction, Faith, and Fun, November 17

Inklings and Notions, November 17

Faithfully Bookish, November 18

Radiant Light, November 18

Reflections From My Bookshelves, November 19

The Power of Words, November 19

Cordially Barbara, November 20

Red Headed Book Lady, November 20

Smiling Book Reviews, November 20

Kat’s Corner Books, November 21

A Greater Yes, November 21

100 Pages per Hour, November 22

Splashes of Joy, November 22

Carpe Diem, November 23

Bookworm Mama, November 23

A Baker’s Perspective, November 24

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, November 24

Daysong Reflections, November 25

Rachel Scott McDaniel, November 25

Remembrancy, November 26

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 26

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, November 27

Karen Sue Hadley, November 27

Giveaway

Please help spread the word by clicking on this link and sharing my Facebook post, then leave a comment here. Thank you!

To celebrate her tour, Pepper is giving away a grand prize of a paper copy of A Twist of Faith, a mug from the Blue Ridge Parkway, one driftwood scented candle, one mango scented candle, and a Troublemaker snickers 😉 highly appropriate. Chocolate with a nutty personality :)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!

https://promosimple.com/ps/c1f1

Review: Liar's Winter

Liar’s Winter
By Cindy K. Sproles
Kregel, 2017


Summary

Lochiel Ogle was born with a red-wine birthmark--and it put her life in jeopardy from the moment she entered the world. Mountain folks called it "the mark of the devil," and for all the evil that has plagued her nineteen-year existence, Lochiel is ready to believe that is true. And the evil surely took control of the mind of the boy who stole her as an infant, bringing her home for his mother to raise.

Abused and abandoned by the only people she knows as family, Lochiel is rescued by a peddler and given the first glimpse of love she has ever known. The truth of her past is gradually revealed as is the fact that she is still hunted by a brother driven to see her dead. Unsure if there's anyone she can truly trust, Lochiel is faced with a series of choices: Will she continue to run for escape or will she face her past and accept the heartbreaking secrets it reveals? Which will truly free her?

Set in the wild and beautiful Appalachian Mountains of nineteenth-century East Tennessee, Liar's Winter is an unflinching yet inspirational exploration of prejudice and choice.


My thoughts

Liar’s Winter is a powerful story written by an equally powerful storyteller. Cindy K. Sproles writes with a fresh voice in Christian fiction and spins a mesmerizing, character-driven tale as hauntingly beautiful as its Smoky Mountain setting.

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Liar’s winter:  the time when the mountain

fights with winter and spring, not knowin whether

to warm the ground or chill a body to the bone.

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From the time in my youth when I read Catherine Marshall’s Christy, I’ve been drawn to Appalachian settings, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a combination of elements ... for instance, the raw beauty of an untamed land – isolated, an area unto itself – and the naiveté, superstition and innocence of its people. The lyrical voice of Sproles captures the essence of late nineteenth-century Appalachia and its people in this story of faith and redemption. The dialect and ungrammatical language of the mountain people is easy to follow, even bringing back memories of my own north Georgia ancestry.

If a character has ever stolen my heart, it’s Lochiel. With her horrifying background of abuse, brokenness and abandonment, concepts of love, trust, tenderness and caring are unimaginable to her. Liar’s Winter is raw and gritty, just like Lochiel’s life. But contrasted with that is Lochiel’s moving response to honesty, compassion, and grace.

I’m more of a fan of drama than suspense and adventure; but although those elements are present, they fit the storyline. Strong secondary characters like Walton, Edna and Silas also captured my heart. Liar’s Winter is a story of prejudice and choices; it's not a light read, but a compelling and memorable one.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a free copy of this book from Kregel Publications. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Cindy Sproles is an author and speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries and the cowriter of the popular He Said, She Said Devotions written with her cofounder, Eddie Jones. She is a novelist and best-selling author.

Cindy’s devotions and articles are published in Christian newspapers across the eastern seaboard, including having been used to represent legislature for protection of the elderly. She is a speaker to women’s conferences addressing not only the heart of women, but also their biblical responsibilities to their families.

As a teacher and speaker for Christian Writers Conferences, Cindy teaches writing skills and how to write placing God in the forefront. She is a contributing author to CBN.com and is the Executive Editor for www.christiandevotions.us and the Managing Editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas’ imprints: SonRise Devotionals and Straight Street Books. She is a certified life coach and mentor, an eldercare specialist and a special needs advocate.

Her book, New Sheets – Thirty Days to Refine You Into the Woman You Can Be is being used to help raise funds for Hope House, an abortion crisis center and her novel, Mercy’s Rain, is giving a voice to children who suffer sexual child abuse. Cindy is also the coauthor of He Said, She Said – A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion.

She is the mother of four adult sons and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her husband.

Website

Review: A Twist of Faith

A Twist of Faith
By Pepper Basham
Mitchell’s Crossroads, #1
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, 2016
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Number of pages: 308


Summary

A witty, sweet romance with memorable, honest characters. Love does not have an accent . . .

Dr. Adelina Roseland has worked ten years in research as an accent reduction specialist to attain her dream job. But a secret wager to transform Appalachian cattle farmer Reese Mitchell into corporate material challenges Adelina in ways she never expected, threatening her new position.

For one, Adelina didn't plan for the faith and friction of Reese, or the unexpected influence of his chaotic family. Now, drawn into a culture she'd tried to forget, Adelina finds the warmth of family, the hope of faith, and the joy of love melting away the deep wounds of her past.

But when Reese discovers that he's a pawn in her climb up the academic ladder, will he forgive Adelina s deceit or will their miscommunication end in two broken lives?

Amazon purchase link: http://amzn.to/1Tf0nDF


My thoughts

A Twist of Faith is a fantastic story! Whether you look upon it as shades of My Fair Lady with a modern Appalachian twist, or just a moving, poignant story with lots of heart, you are sure to be entertained as you fall in love with this Virginia setting and wonderfully real characters.

I can’t explain what it is about Appalachia, but ever since reading Catherine Marshall’s Christy many years ago, I’ve been drawn to stories with this setting. Pepper has done a beautiful job conveying the essence of the Blue Ridge mountain community and the people that inhabit it. A Twist of Faith is laced with humorous situations and dialogue, a swoon-worthy hero, and delightful chemistry between Reese and Dee, but at its very heart are the elements that define true Christian fiction:  faith, family, redemption.

While I’ve always been crazy about the Rogers & Hammerstein musicals, My Fair Lady has never been my favorite because I know that one person’s motives aren’t pure and the other person is going to get hurt. And that’s the case with Reese and Dee, but Pepper weaves everything together in a way that I loved. The idea of Dee working to improve Reese’s language skills was fascinating because my family ancestry is that of the north Georgia mountains, so I grew up hearing people talk this way.

The characters of Mitchell’s Crossing are the type of people you’d want for your friends in real life, and they are well drawn and complex. Secondary characters are so rich that they often stole the show, and they beg for future development in this series. I’m a cat person myself, but I fell in love with a dog named Haus. I don’t know if dogs can actually grin, but Haus seemed to have that endearing ability.

Amidst all the humor, sweet romance and electrifying chemistry is the beauty of Dee’s transformation – such as watching her laugh for the first time in years and experience a forgiveness that had no requirements. A Twist of Faith was hard to put down and I eagerly await all that is to come in this series. Highly recommended.

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Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus, and proud AlleyCat over at a group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley.

Her debut historical romance novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015, with the second arriving in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in April 2016.

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTERST

AMAZON | WEBSITE

Thank you to Pepper Basham and Singing Librarian Tours for providing a PDF copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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GIVEAWAY

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Review: This Quiet Sky

This Quiet Sky
By Joanne Bischof
Prequel to the Cadence of Grace Series
Mason Jar Books, 2014


Summary

There is nothing extraordinary about Tucker O’Shay’s dreams. Go to college. Become president. Fall in love. And pretend like he has enough time to get it all done.

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Miller doesn’t expect anything out of the ordinary when she begins her first day at the one-room-school house in her new hometown of Rocky Knob. But when she meets seventeen-year-old Tucker O’Shay—the boy with the fatal illness who volunteers to tutor her in algebra—she finds herself swept up in a friendship that changes the way she sees the world and a love that changes her life.


My thoughts

I read This Quiet Sky last week, pondered for a while about what to say in my review, then decided to read it a second time instead. However, I'm still no closer to finding adequate words to do justice to this heartfelt and memorable story.

First, the tangibles. This Quiet Sky is a poignantly beautiful novella, exquisite in its simplicity, and a prequel to Be Still My Soul, book #1 in the Cadence of Grace series. It's a tender, bittersweet story of the young, but enduring, love between Lonnie's Aunt Sarah and Tucker O'Shay. And it's penned by a master at crafting imagery, rich characters, emotions, and invaluable life lessons. In Joanne's capable hands, a story of love that would seem hopeless on the surface is transformed into a heartwarming portrait of the hope that only comes from above.

Tucker and Sarah are so very real and easy to relate to - from Tucker's vulnerability, intellect, self confidence, and sense of humor, to Sarah's journey from friendship into a relationship which led her to the putting of another's needs first. This Quiet Sky reflects life, the realities of which are voiced in Tucker's words, "Sometimes an entirely different equation than you expect is staring you in the face." And there's just the right injection of humor with great scenes, such as Tucker's conjugation of Latin verbs and the favorite "Tucker stories" shared at a family birthday party.

Now for the intangibles . . . I am so glad that Joanne told the story that was on her heart, and I believe it is a story that had to be told. This Quiet Sky is in a class all by itself, for I can't think of another story to which it could be compared. The best stories entertain, but in addition to that, they challenge you, make you change or grow in some way - and that's what This Quiet Sky did for me. These are just a few thoughts that quickly come to mind as I reflect on Sarah and Tucker's story . . .

• That we don't really "fall" into love, but rather it is a choice we make
• Many things that I used to think were important have kind of faded away now
• There is strength in weakness, and the world really has no true concept of what a hero is
• That it's important to live in the moment, making the time we've been given count
• A determination to never let illness define who I am
• To reflect agape love, a selfless love that puts others first
• That there is always hope, because God is faithful to us, no matter the circumstances

I want to be like Sarah when I grow up - to be able to see the person, not the illness; to risk; to love selflessly and grow in the ways that she did. I wish I could have reached out and embraced Sarah when she realized, "It's now I who will be brave for him."

Joanne ends with an epilogue that takes place several years later, giving beautiful closure to the story. Another character that I'm drawn to is Benjamin, Tucker's brother, and I hope that Joanne will someday return to Rocky Knob, Virginia, with more stories from these families. I also encourage you to check out the beautiful Pinterest board that Joanne has put together for this story.

This Quiet Sky is a story that lives on in my heart and I am a better person for having read it. Very highly recommended.

Please click on these titles to see my reviews of the Cadence of Grace series:
Be Still My Soul
Though My Heart Is Torn
My Hope Is Found

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Christy Award-finalist and author of Be Still My Soul and Though My Heart is Torn, Joanne Bischof has a deep passion for Appalachian culture and writing stories that shine light on God’s grace and goodness. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her husband and their three children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, folk music, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life.

Connect with Joanne online at Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Thank you to Joanne for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.