Anything by Pepper Basham is worth reading, and this book is just as worthy as any of her other books. Pepper is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, primarily because her writing is tight, compelling, engaging, and enjoyable. Her plots are easy to follow, but not always predictable. Her characters have a realism to them that make the reader engage with them. Okay, enough gush.
Cora needs to escape an unwanted marriage and does so by running away from England to North Carolina where her brother is a doctor and her uncle is a circuit-riding preacher. The area in North Carolina where Cora's brother lives is primitive in a way that hearkens back to a life style in a previous century. It is a bit of an adjustment for Cora to live in her new surroundings. She is hoping to be of assistance to her brother because of her nursing experience during World War I.
Jeb McAdams is a vet struggling with the demons he witnessed during the war, including losing his best friend. His friend left behind a widow and a child, and Jeb thinks he needs to marry her so that he can provide for her. The kink in the relationship is that he is attracted to Cora. After rescuing her from a fall that could have meant her sure demise, he finds her fascinating and her caring nature compels him even further.
Cora encounters the people of the mountains in trial-by-fire situations that call on all of her inner resources to help the people out. She comes across alcoholism, abuse, poverty, and folklore healings, and in each case, rises to the challenge with the help of Jeb, Granny Burcham, and others.
This was such a satisfying novel to read. The romance between Cora and Jeb was quiet and understated, but grew out of a respect and friendship. Other matches in the book were organic and natural as well. Definitely a Five Star, Two Thumbs Up, and acceptance by a people closed off to the outside world.
Barbour Books provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
No comments:
Post a Comment