A beautiful and evocative time slip novel set in the Smokey Mountains, that follows two women more than 80 years apart as they discover the meaning of roots, faith, and home.

Kieran Lucas had a troubled upbringing, and has just recently reconnected with her long-lost grandmother, who is suffering with dementia. She hopes to bring comfort to her grandmother, by recovering the lost family heirloom that she has been asking after, the only problem is that where it is buried is now part of the Smokey Mountain National Park. Will a handsome park ranger, thwart her plans to recover the heirloom?

Rosie McCauley is fighting to save her family's homestead from the encroaching offers from the government to buy her out and add the only she and her sister have ever known to the newly formed Smokey Mountain National Park. The arrival of a young ornithologist, Benton Fuller upends her simple way of life and has her asking questions about how deep her roots are tied to the land.

A stunning and emotional dual timeline novel, that delves into the rich history of the accumulation of the land the Smokey Mountain National Park sits on. It was a little slow to start for me as there are multiple characters that we follow, 4 in all, Kieran, Zach, Rosie, and Benton. But after getting acquainted with each of them, I was quickly pulled in.

A wonderful read, with complex characters that captured my heart. Kieran has had a complicated life, but she has big heart for others, evidenced by her job and care for her grandmother. Rosie loves her home, and will do anything to protect her sister, Lorna, who is considered slow. Lorna has a big heart, but the innocence of a child, and her ways aren't always understood by their neighbors. I loved how Benton embraces Lorna as part of Rosie's life, getting to know the sisters while studying the birds on their land. Zach is a rule follower, and he is intrigued by Kieran's quest to find the family heirloom, I liked his strong commitment to his faith, as well as his close-knit family.

Overall, a well done read that drew me in with its combination of a riveting plot, and complex characters. I loved the strong themes of faith, forgiveness, and family woven throughout. Well worth the read, and highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I could not put this book down. I loved this dual time story filled with love, grief and joy. I loved learning some about how Great Smoky Mountains National Park was formed. I feel that it was sad that they had to take land that was already occupied to build it. I laughed and cried. I loved Kieran and Rosie and Benton and Zach.

Karen Barnett is the queen of National Parks fiction. As a former park ranger she's the perfect author to write them. Each book is well researched which means the park itself becomes a character. When Stone Wings Fly is no different, the Smokies become a main character of the book. As well fall the dual time line of Rosie McCauley in the 1930s and 1940s with Benton Fuller the hero of the past. And Kieran Lucas in present day and Zach Jensen. This one for me was the hardest of Karen's books to read. It's not a bad book. Just for me it hits to close to home. Reading about Kieran and her grandma in the present was an emotional roller coaster but it's worth. The past setting was even harder as my own family lost family land for a National Park just not the smokies Mammoth Cave. But if you don't have that hanging over your head its a good read, and probably a quick read. It took me almost two months to read it because I kept needing to take a break to process my emotions that were heightened because of family history. Other readers won't have that problem.

Well written story of a family rooted in the Smoky Mountain Park. They were of the original families who lived there before the park took over their land. Goes back and forth between Rosie who lived there to Kiernan who was looking for her family's roots, especially the stone bird that her failing Gran wanted her to go there and find. Keeps you hooked as she uncovers their story. Deep love and excruciating pain for these people as it unfolds, for those in present day as well as the past. I was frustrated near the conclusion, but it all worked out ok. Some good wisdom, good Christian lessons from those who are looked at as "simple mountain folks." Hard lives, hard lessons.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#WhenStoneWingsFly #NetGalley #KarenBarnett #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #christianbooksandcoffee

When Stone Wings Fly is a dual-timeline novel set in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the present, and in the 1930s when the park is still being established. One of the first Christian novels I read was Christy by Catherine Marshall, which was set in the Great Smokies before it became a National Park (and I also enjoyed watching the TV series in the 1990s).

So I was keen to read another Christian romance in the same setting.
The historic story is about Rosie McCauley who doesn’t want to sell her family land, the land where she and her sister were born, and where her parents and grandparents are buried. She meets Benton Fuller, who is studying birdlife in the mountains. They form a friendship.

In the present, Kieran Lucas is trying to make ends meet while working two jobs and taking care of her grandmother in her spare time. After growing up in care, she wants to learn more about her family while there is still time. After Granny Mac tells Kieran about her early years in the Smokies, Kieran tries to find her grandmother’s childhood home with the aid of National Park Service guide Zach Jensen.

I’ve read a few of Karen Barnett’s earlier historical novels, although I haven’t read any of her previous books about America’s National Parks. I enjoyed the historic aspect of When Stone Wings Fly, particularly setting up the National Park. I was interested in how the park was set up—by buying the land from the legal residents, using money donated from everyone from schoolchildren to the Rockefeller family.

I liked the romances—both of them—and I thought the novel dealt with the problems of age and dementia in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

There were a couple of plot points that I didn’t think were necessary. Sure, they needed to happen to set up the novel’s climax, but I didn’t think events had to happen the way they happened. I don’t want to say so much because that would be a #spoiler but it’s like baking. It’s not great if you take the cake out of the over before it’s cooked, but you can always put it back in the oven to finish cooking. Don’t leave it sitting on the the table then complain it’s not cooked.

But that’s a small issue overall. I liked all the characters – they were intelligent, hardworking, and willing to fight for what they wanted. The writing was excellent, and I was left feeling as though I knew the characters and had visited the Smokies, and seen the good and the bad.

Thanks to Kregel Publications and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

I just finished this book and it is phenomenal! What a beautiful story.

I love The Great Smoky Mountains since I live very close to and grew up in

the area. The book is a Christian historical romance. If you like this sort of book

I think that you would love this one. It was way better than I expected!

Wonderful dual time novel set in the Appalachia.. Rich in history about creating the national park. Loved the characters and the mystery surrounding Granny Mac and her sister. Quite a few twists along the way to keep the reader's interests. Readers will empathize with Kiernan in her search about her family. Highly recommended!

'When Stone Wings Fly' is a masterful work as Karen Barnett weaves a love story from the past within a mystery from the present. The reader discovers in the very beginning that a tragic death of a mother has ripped a family from their beloved home in the Smoky Mountains. The following pages contain two stories: one of a lovingly flawed heroine trying desperately to the mystery of her great-grandmother's death and the other containing the sweet love story that the reader knows will eventually end in violence.

While some works with multiple story lines become murky as the plot advances, Barnett's 'When Stone Wings Fly' is wonderfully written and its eventual conclusion, while bittersweet, is deeply satisfying up until the last page. With characters that are written with dignity and beautiful descriptions of one of the most magical places in the United States, this was definitely a book I would be happy to have on a shelf to read again and again.

This is a "Must Read" book! It's a dual timeline story that hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. I loved everything about this book; the characters, the setting, the emotions and the Christian theme. I highly recommend this excellent read to everyone.
I received a complimentary copy from Independent Publishers Group, Kregel Publications via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When Stone Wings Fly: A Smoky Mountains Novel is a great book by Karen Barnett. It was fun going back in time to the Smoky Mountains. Five stars.

I enjoyed this dual story about a family living in the Smokey Mountains. I particularly liked how it quickly answered the questions from present day to the past story so you found out as it went along.

All the women characters were strong and courageous even though living under some stressful circumstances.

Definitely recommend. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

⭐⭐⭐

I didn't realize when i requested this book that it was Christian Fiction. I don't think that was mentioned anywhere, but maybe I missed it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Christian Fiction isn't really my jam, but this one was pretty good. The first half of the book was stellar, then I found it got a bit too "preachy" for me. The last 10% I just didn't like at all. I couldn't stand Zach because I am not really a fan of black and white thinking. Sometimes the end justifies the mean, and Zach just came across SO uptight. I couldn't help but feel the whole "bird" thing that took place in the last 10%ish was eye rolling. That said, the setting and the character's were really the best part of this book, so based on that yours truly is giving it a solid thumbs up.

I enjoyed this time-slip story that showed the true meaning of family as well as trusting God to lead where He wants you. Both time periods kept me interested and wanting to know what would come next.

I love it when a novel grabs my attention from the very first sentence. Karen Barnett takes a peek into the lives of the people who populated the Smoky Mountains during the 1930s. The story revolves around Rosie, Lorna, and their lives in the mountains. But that's not all of the story--a parallel story involves Kieran and and her grandmother, Macauley, and a stone bird that had been carved by Kieran's great-great grandmother.

Kieran grew up in the foster care system and found her grandmother later in her life, after her grandmother had entered into the throes of dementia. The one thing that Granny Mac wants Kieran to find the stone bird that had been buried with her mother, because Kieran needs the connection to her family and her ancestry.

In writing this novel Karen tackles some hard issues. One of the characters, Lorna, is developmentally delayed, possibly starved of oxygen at birth. Rosie buried three babies, and from Karen's descriptions, the babies possibly died of Rh factor incompatibility. These are my speculations because medical science hadn't advanced to that point yet.

The culture of the mountain people adds to the richness of the plot Karen has woven. Secrets are unburied with the finding of more history of Granny Mac's family and only add to the poignancy of the story.

This is a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a carved stone bird family heirloom.

Kregel Publishing supplied the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

4.5 stars
This is a compelling story of finding family. And readers are presented with an interesting moral dilemma, which isn’t easily answered.
When Stone Wings Fly is a dual time story that follows Rosie and Keiren. Rosie lives in the Smoky Mountains at the time when the government was purchasing land to create the National Park. There are some fascinating details that are included in this story about the early beginnings of this particular park. Rosie is responsible for looking after her younger sister, who has Down Syndrome (though it wasn’t called that during the time period of this story in 1932). She’s young, tough, and more than capable of looking after them, though the work on their mountain farm is overwhelming.
Keiren has finally found her grandmother who is suffering from dementia. Determined to hold onto the only family she has left, Keiren would do anything to keep her grandmother in lucid moments. When her grandmother makes a request to find the stone bird her great grandmother had carved, Keiren sets off to find it in their ancestral home somewhere in the Smoky Mountains.
With park rules and federal laws in place, Keiren has a real dilemma. Though the stone bird is a family heirloom, it is hidden on federal land. What’s a person to do?
It presents an intriguing sub-plot involving a park historian who always does things by the book.
Great characters. Great storytelling. And a magnificent setting for this 2022 release.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Net Galley and Independent Publishing Group. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is such a good story! I have read other National Park stories by Karen Barnett, and I think they continue to get better and better. This story takes place in the Great Smokey Mountains and involves a mystery dealing with Granny Mac's mother. I really liked the way the author gradually connected the characters and let the reader know how they all fit together. This is a great story that will touch your emotions. I highly recommend it to all readers!

Former Park Ranger and Naturalist, Karen Barnett is back with another historical national park novel similar to her prior books: The Road to Paradise (Mount Rainier); Where the Fire Falls (Yosemite) and Ever Faithful (Yellowstone). But, this time the book is set in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the book has a modern timeline as well as the historical one, which I really enjoyed.

In the early 1930s, Rosie McCauley is caring for disabled sister while eking out an existence in a remote part of the Smoky Mountains. The new National Park offers her a lifetime lease and critical cash in exchange for giving up her family home after her death. Shortly thereafter, she meets Benton Fuller, a traveling scientist working in the Park who initially she distrusts but grows to love.

In the alternative timeline, Kieran Lucas searches for information about her family history from the ambiguous clues shared by her Granny Mac who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. During a visit to the Park, Kieran befriends park ranger Zach in her quest to put together the fragmented pieces of the story told by Granny Mac and find the old homestead and solve the mystery of what happened to Rosie and her sister before time runs out.

It is not necessary to read the other books prior to this one as the books all have different characters, but all books are great and worth checking out. The books have a Christian themes that the reader should be aware of going into them. I would give this book 4 stars for a very compelling read.

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced review copy in exchange for a honest review of this book.

I would give When Stone Wings Fly by Karen Barnett many more stars than five if I could. It is just that incredible of a story. In the center is Kieran Lucas's grandmother who is also Rosie McCauley's daughter. Effortlessly the writer takes the reader back and forth to the 1930’s Smoky Mountains then to the present. I found the story to be one that kept me turning the pages reading much further into the night than I had planned. Both times were intriguing with me being as eager as Kieran to uncover the truth of what had happened eighty years ago to Granny Mac’s mother.

More than a story of the mountain people it is a history being insightful into what them tick. Fierce, stubborn, not all good and not all bad people who found themselves in the middle of change. Tied to the land that they were to lose was much like Kieran Lucas's life as she was losing her grandmother. Being adrift was nothing new to Kieran so heading back to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to find answers made sense to me. Perhaps finding those answers would help her as well as Granny Mac. In all God’s hand is seen.

Rosie, Lorna, Granny and Kieran are unforgettable women. Karen Barnett paints portraits of these women with her words. Then she beautifully paints the Smoky Mountain landscapes as she writes of the place that I have visit several times but never able to describe as she has. This is the first book I have read by this author but by no means the last.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

When Stone Wings Fly is a delightful novel that scratches my itch to see a region and part of history that I don’t know well. I was attracted to this book because of the gorgeous cover and I’m happy to report that the story inside is just as beautiful. The present day and historical storylines are both engaging and the stories of found family are so satisfying. This book made me really want to go to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in Tennessee. And I also want to check out the other books with national park settings by this author. I would love to see a follow up story that tells us more about the sister in this book during the years that we missed.

Thanks to Kregel Publications and NetGalley for the copy to read and review. This book released in June 2022 and is available now.

"When Stone Wings Fly" is a Christian historical romance, a split-time story set in 1932-42 and in present day. When the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission starts to forcefully buy up the land to create a national park, Rosie refuses to leave. Her family's roots are in this land, and her simple-minded sister wouldn't handle moving very well. Even when a kind, handsome bird watcher captures her heart, she refuses to leave--he'll have to leave his prime job as a university professor and join her on her dirt-poor farm if he wants her. Her refusal to loosen her grip and trust that God could provide a good life outside of her land brings about a series of tragic events leading ultimately to her death.

In the present day, Kieran's broken family meant that she spent years in foster care, but she's finally found family: Granny Mac. Mac talks about her mother, Rosie, and a stone bird she had, but her memories are muddled due to dementia and being so young when she left Rosie's land. Kieran hopes to find the old homestead and dig up the bird to help Mac (and herself) reconnect with the past. Park historian Zach kindly spends extra effort helping her uncover the past, but digging up the bird is illegal and he's very by-the-rules. Granny warns Kieran that she also holds on to things too tightly (by following her own way to keep happiness). Will Kieran be able to choose a way that will finally break the string of tragedies in her family?

In both timelines, the characters were likable, complex, and reacted in realistic ways. Historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. Suspense came from the lurking danger from a growing feud with a neighbor. Both couples became friends before moving into deeper caring and romance. The Christian element was trusting God enough to let go of the things that provide (sometimes false) security. There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical.