Sons of Blackbird Mountain

GIVEAWAY

BISHCHOF, JOANNE
SONS OF BLACKBIRD MOUNTATION

When Aven Norgaard leaves Norway to serve as housekeeper to her late husband's cousins in Appalachia, she expects lads in need of care, not three grown men -- each in need of a wife and bound by a powerful brotherhood. As the men carve out a living by brewing artisan liquor, young Haakon's pursuit tempts Aven's lonely spirit...but it is his Deaf brother, Thor, whose silent strength shows her the depth of real love.

Unable to speak to any woman, Thor Norgaard never anticipates Aven will befriend him, let alone treat him as her safe harbor. Though hard cider is their livelihood, and his greatest talent, he fights his way to sobriety with Haakon's help, defying the bottle for Aven's hand -- only to face a battle of the heart that tests even the strongest bonds of brotherhood.

My Review:

On the brink of speechlessness here, having just finished reading Sons of Blackbird Mountain. This book is so big and deep and powerful and tender and absolutely heart-bruising! It hurts to breathe. The kind of story that forces you to settle into a stupor of literary fogginess as you try to process everything once you come to the end.

Bischof is skilled at writing the kind of rich descriptive prose that tantalizes a reader's senses until she slips into the pages as the story comes to life around her. And these characters! So complex and true to life -- raw and real and flawed. The family dynamics among the Norgaard brothers play an important role in the events that occur on Blackbird Mountain the late summer and fall of 1890. Each brother has unique talents and personal struggles though together they present a united front...until Aven comes and upsets the delicate balance of their lives.

Thor has to be one of the most compelling heroes I've ever met in the pages of a book! He's big and brawny and a little rough around the edges but for all that he's gentle and kind and tenderhearted too. His deafness has kept him apart from the world but that doesn't stop him from communicating with those he counts as family through a mix of Sign and lip-reading and note writing. And the way the author writes his conversations! He can say more with one glance than his hearing brothers can say in a torrent of words.

And there's Aven with her Irish lilt and a heart full of sorrows and a yearning for a place to belong.  This is a messy story. And hard to read in places. The author deals with tough topics including racism, abuse, alcoholism and depression. But she does so with grace and hope and healing. Even laughter. Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a brilliantly crafted work of art. Definitely a 2018 top pick.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Sons of Blackbird Mountain, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a 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 Sunday August 26 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.