This is a beautiful book about unexpected life changes becoming huge blessings. I loved following the characters, seeing them grow as a community, and enjoying each others friendships.

Circumstances conspire against Mira Dean. She loses her room for let and her teaching job within days of a crazy, out-of-the-blue proposal from an old acquaintance. Pastor Gordon Covington needs a wife to return to Appalachia with him and he feels strongly led by God to ask Mira to fill that role. The two are pushed into the bond and must navigate getting to know one another along with God’s bigger plan for them.

Since my husband is from the Appalachian region, I enjoy reading books that delve into it's history in various areas. I've thoroughly enjoyed some of Ann's other Appalachian based stories, and this one was no exception. It was an interesting take on a marriage of convenience, and a sudden one at that. But I've been in the position before of thinking my life was set, I had a plan of how things were going to go and work, but then God plopped HIS plan in my lap. I wasn't a fan, and tried to figure out how to continue making what I wanted work...and God kept closing those doors and opening the ones in the direction He was sending me. All that to say, that's is how Mira finds herself married to the mission preacher in the hills of Kentucky, and I had a few moments of "well, THAT sounds familiar", haha. It's a beautiful story of how God will work all things out for the good of those who love Him!

“‘Would you consider marriage, Miss Dean? To me’…He not only had said the words, he was implying the Lord wanted him to do so.”

*Sigh.* There is something so romantic about the turn of the century (early 1900s) and the people who lived in the hollers and mountains of Kentucky.

Ann H. Gabhart spins her tale, The Song of Sourwood Mountain, and soon you are caught up in its melodic web. The heart and soul of the people of that era rise hauntingly to the forefront of a hard life. The people are hard-working, fiercely independent, and suspicious of strangers who are “ brought in” from the outside. They rally around their own and protect secrets that shouldn’t escape the hills and hollers.

It is into this world that Mira Dean, a young teacher, enters, very reluctantly, as part of a marriage of convenience. Gordon Covington has started a church and a school. He is the pastor, but he desperately needs a teacher. And he thinks God is telling him Mira, a former acquaintance, is the one.

Mira tries to run away from the idea, but boy, does she resemble Jonah of the Bible as God places roadblock after roadblock in her path, until finally, as Mira consults her erstwhile landlady, Miss Ophelia, Mira tells the woman Gordon’s approach to the issue and faith in general: “He claims that sometimes the Lord expects a man to step onto a path that is thick with the fog of the unknown. A path where he has to simply take the next step without knowing if there is a firm path there.”

I enjoyed the stern, no-nonsense- approach to life of Miss Ophelia. Surprisingly, she provides several laughs!

What a not so propitious start to a marriage! Can Mira and Gordon make a go of this marriage, as Gordon believes?

“I can’t marry you. I don’t love you.” She looked directly into his eyes. “You don’t love me.” “But I love the Lord. You love the Lord. I believe he will honor that love, and with a common mission in both our hearts, the Lord will grow love between us as he did so many of those he brought together in the Bible.”

Ada June broke my heart and captured it at the same time. I wondered if I would have had the wisdom to deal with her many fears and her difficult past?
Don’t miss Joseph, Elsinore, and Bo! And the connections within the community were amazing! People are very complex in this novel, just as in real life, and a couple threw me for a loop!

Song… can be reminiscent of Catherine Marshall’s Christy, yet it is different. Making one’s heart desires those that please God is one of the main themes. God, in turn, gives us happiness in those desires. This beautiful novel is covered by a fantasticly colorful and appealing scene that begs you to read the book.

I received a copy of the book from Revell and Library Thing Early Readers via NetGalley. I also bought a pb copy for myself and one to give away. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Ours would be a mission school with our own rules for the position of teacher. A teacher chosen by the Lord.”

“When I see a bluebird, I can’t help but think of the love with which the Lord surely formed that first bird. Through that love, the Lord gifted us with joy and hope whenever our eyes delight in its sight. May this little bird help you remember not only my love but the Lord’s as well. A bluebird of happiness.”

“One doesn’t have to know everything about one’s destination when one begins a journey.”

“What were the desires of her heart? She had a ready answer. To teach them. To let her light shine. Sometimes she would quote the next verse to them. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. That was her way of letting them know that the Lord would, as her mother always said, provide. He would plant the proper desires in their hearts and show them the way to reach those goals in life. Had she taught that and never truly believed it?”

“He isn’t my young man, and I haven’t received a call to be a missionary.” “Are you sure? I think that is why you ran away this morning. You are afraid of the call you are feeling. Fear has a way of paralyzing us, coloring our thoughts, making us want to believe we know more than God.”

“Do you want me to live out your dream?” “No.” Miss Ophelia shook her head. “I want you to live out your dream. One the Lord appears to be pushing you toward.”

“Don’t we all have choices?” “We do, but sometimes until we walk the same paths as others, we can’t understand the choices they make. It’s a hard life.”

“Pain on the outside helped her not feel the pain on the inside that never went away.”

“Do more than hope. Pray.”

“The Lord doesn’t limit our prayers. He’s ready to answer abundantly if it is in his will.”

“I’m not in the reforming business. Just the spreading the gospel business. I let the Lord do what reforming he thinks needs doing.”

“Sometimes niceness was just a coating like moss on a wet rock that was slippery if a body depended on stepping full on it.”

“We often think we know the best way and have a sure idea of what should happen, without considering if those ways we want to choose will delight the Lord. What we should do, what I feel the Lord wants us to do, is let him plant those desires in our hearts.”

The book was well done. The plot was. bit formulaic and the characters were not very dynamic. It was not a must read for me but it was good.

Oh, what a sweet, sweet story. I didn't want it to end. Ann H. Gabhart knows how to write historical fiction well! I loved the characters, Mira, pining for a family, Gordon, looking for a teacher for his mission school, and the people who live on Sourwood Mountain--people who become family and like family, have their strengths and faults! I loved the budding romance, Gordon's unconditional love!, Ada June, the 'wild child' and her dog, Bo, the faith in God portrayed as one steps out into the unknown. Readers who love the Appalachian mountain setting and a heartwarming love story will not want to miss this! I read a complimentary copy of the book through Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

I really loved this story! The characters were so compelling and seeing God move in their lives and in the community was beautifully told. The writing was captivating. I enjoyed the different points of view and felt that having Ada June's perspective really added to the story. Such a great story! Highly recommend!

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

This is a cozy read and I enjoyed it! The book does seem a little slow going after a compelling start but finished well. I appreciated the characters and grew to love Sourwood. It reminded me of the Christy series which I've always thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good book. I enjoyed it a lot!

This book to me was reminiscent of the book Christy by Catherine Marshall and I enjoyed reading it.

The author does a good job describing the various mountain folks with whom Mira comes in contact. Her marriage of convenience to Gordon eventually turns to love as Mira adjusts to her new environment.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Four stars.

This novel is so beautiful with wonderful message from Ann about unexpected blessings if we dare to live in the lead of the Lord. Hopefully I can live my life with obedience to God, just like what Mira Dean do.

Wonderful pushed all my buttons. Review to follow nap.
I love books that are like mail order bride/marriages of convenience. This being the second of those two.. It’s not a spoiler because it’s right out there.
The way the preacher’s new wife was accepted was heartwarming. Some scary and sad moments along the way, as is life.
I loved the backwoods setting and the only thing I didn’t reconcile was a few premature births. That was a thing during that time that most babies did not survive. But I loved the interaction between teacher and students, the bone chilling winter and of course the dog.
Ann Gabhart is one of my favorite authors and another of her books to mark as read , certainly read again.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Revell for the arc of this book that took me in from the start.
This book was my first dip into historical fiction pre 1940s, set in 1910.
The story of Mira a school teacher who receives a marriage proposal from an old school friend, Gordon totally out of the blue. She originally says no despite him telling her that it's meant to be.
When Mira finds herself without a job and having to give her room up, she relents and agrees to marry Gordon and move to the Kentucky mountain area.
The community is tight knit and she is greeted with mixed feelings.
The characters are well rounded and Mira is the kindest, nicest person, her empathy with the children who need schooling is touching and Gordon the paster absolutely adores her, it's beautiful.
The author has completely captured the era, the hardships and the friendships that are formed. It really transported me to the era and it was a real breath of fresh air to read a genteel and clean wholesome romance. There are areas that clutch your heart and make you sad for Mira but their belief and love carries them through.
Will I start reading more of this author's books, absolutely
Kerry Kennedy Author

I am a huge fan of Ann H Gabhart's books and was excited to have the opportunity to get my hands on her newest release, The Song of Sourwood Mountain. I believe it is among my favorites that I have read by her to date. I adored Mira and Gordon's story. I instantly felt a connection to Mira from the start. I understood the thoughts and feelings she was going through. I enjoyed the chemistry between Mira and Gordon and wanted to see how it would end for them. A beautiful heartwarming tale to read. I loved it.

I am giving The Song of Sourwood Mountain a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean historical fiction, particularly early twentieth century Appalachian era. As always, I will be looking forward to more releases from Ann H Gabhart in the future.

I received a paperback copy of Ann H Gabhart's The Song of Sourwood Mountain from the author, but was not required to write a review, nor a positive one. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

The Song of Sourwood Mountain was my first read from Ann H. Gabhart. It was a great Christian historical romance. The characters were charming, and I loved the focus on trusting in God. The setting in the Appalachian mountains was different for me but was well written. I could imagine the mountains and the little details the author included.

There were so many things to enjoy with this book. Strong characters who must trust in God and the path that He has for them. Gordon and Mira's desire to do good and bless their community is inspiring. Their marriage of convenience blossoms in a beautiful way, and I loved the patience they both have for one another. The strong Christian themes were beautifully written and shared throughout the book.

The Song of Sourwood Mountain is a great read for any Christian historical fiction readers.

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Goodreads Rating: 4 out of 5

Rating Breakdown
Plot: 3 out of 5
Characters: 4 out of 5
Writing Style: 4 out of 5
Personal Enjoyment: 3 out of 5

This very touching story was a bit out of my typical comfort zone as a historical romance, but it is one that I am so glad I read. Throughout the many struggles of the main characters, the song of their faith in God’s provision and direction was constant—and a great reminder for contemporary times.

What I Loved
My favorite—and most important—aspect of this story was the focus on relying on God to provide direction and for their needs. Mira, Gordon, and Ava June each had strong desires that seemed impossible in their current trying circumstances. Despite many difficulties and closed doors to those dreams, each one learned and chose to trust in God. Their faith in a period I can’t hope to understand is an inspiring reminder when I am discouraged by the challenges I face.

Although I would have loved to get to know them even better, I enjoyed the first-person perspectives from Mira, Gordon, and Ava June. I had a deeper understanding of each character that made me feel for their struggles—and want to see that their desires are met. The unique ways God answered their deepest prayers in this story were very satisfying and heart-warming. It was also a refreshing reminder that our requests are not always answered how we would choose, but God knows best what we truly need. The resilience of hope and faith, in the face of many struggles, is something that will stay with me for a long time.

What I Didn’t Love
As with many of the books I read, my main disappointment with “The Song of Sourwood Mountain” is that I wanted more to read. I certainly wanted to hear more from each of our main characters, and with all of the build-up at the beginning, their respective story resolutions seemed somewhat short-ended. I was also somewhat uncomfortable with the way Mira seemed coerced into a new role as teacher and wife without much time or choice. I do understand that this represents a different time, and did appreciate that she chose to move forward herself in faith. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this story and will be looking forward to others by Ann H. Gabhart.

Read if You Love
Historical Fiction
Faith-Filled Stories
God-Created Families

Disclaimer: I received this book as part of the Revell Reads program in order to write a review. The statements of the review are entirely my own, honest opinion of the book.

A captivating story filled with trust and new beginnings.

Ann Gabhart’s book The Song of Sourwood Mountain is one of those novels that pulls the reader in right from the beginning and leaves a lasting impression by the time the reader is done. This is a sweet novel that begs one to ask an internal question: Will you go where God has called you to go?

Set in 1910, Almira ‘Mira’ Dean is a young, orphaned woman living a contented life in Louisville, Kentucky. Her structured life is upended when a childhood acquaintance, Gordon Covington, makes an outrageous offer of marriage and to be a teacher at a remote place in the same state called Sourwood. Mira initially refuses the offer, but like an eaglet being forced to learn how to fly, she is left with no choice when all the things she holds dear are stripped from her. Thus begins her journey from a single woman to a married woman and learning to start life afresh. I loved Mira’s gradual transition to a preacher’s wife and a teacher. Her insecurities and fears about marriage and relocating were relatable.

Ada June was another character with whom I fell in love right away. I hope Ann Gabhart will write a sequel about her. Like Mira, Ada June is an orphan who is loved by very few people in Sourwood. Her best friend is her dog, Bo. Mira yearns to be a mother, while Ada June, who has no permanent place to call home, yearns for a mother. Gordon yearns for his bride to love him. Can Sourwood be the place where God will meet the needs of these three people? The answer lies in reading this beautiful novel.

I really love this book. The themes of hope, trust in God, new beginnings, and fear of the unknown really tugged at my heart. This is one of the best novels I have read from Ann Gabhart, and I will recommend it to anyone who wants to be challenged out of their comfort zone.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley and Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this story. I haven’t read any books by this author before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was happily surprised to be drawn into a wonderful story with engaging and lovable characters. I loved how we saw Mira find her calling and follow the Lord’s leading even when it wasn’t what she expected. I found myself wanting to be friends with the characters in this story and I couldn’t help but love them. I also loved how the author gave us a glimpse into history and what it would have been like in the hollers of Kentucky at the turn of the 20th century. Overall, I really liked the books and will pick up more books by this author in the future.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I've enjoyed reading many of the author's books over the years, but I do believe I have a new favorite.
The book is so realistic that I could have been watching a movie as I imagined all in my mind while reading this.
I absolutely love books taking place in Appalachia and the people represented there. The book just captured my heart and soul. A Christian book but not preachy or overbearing. The Appalachian people are special, considered slow and behind the times by some, they're not. They just have their own way of thinking and doing things passed down from generation to generation. They have their own way of speaking and are very wary of outsiders and you can't blame them. If outsiders come in they can change everything about the landscape of the area and make them just like everyone else. They enjoy living in the hollers, doing things their way and sticking amongst themselves. When a preacher man comes in with his new wife, they are wary of them both but the longer they are there the more assimilated they become. I really liked the character, Ada June a young half wild girl child living mainly in the forest after her mother's death. Preacher's wife, Mira has had so many trials in her life, from losing her intended fiancée to being made redundant at her teaching job but God made her a strong resilient woman and her new opportunity at life sees her shining as a preacher's wife while teaching at a mission school in rural Kentucky.
I loved this book so much and can't wait to see what the author has out next.

I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

5 stars, Bluebird of Happiness

THE SONG OF SOURWOOD MOUNTAIN
by Ann H. Gabhart

One of the reasons I love books by Ann H. Gabhart, is that each book is a complete story. I get tired of all of the series' that a lot of other authors produce. I like the way Ms. Gabhart allows you to get to know her characters and what makes them tick.

This is the story of Mira Dean and Gordon Covington, not starting out as a romance, but instead as a proposed marriage of convenience. Mira is instantly turned off, she has always wanted a true marriage with love and children.

Gordon believes that a wife would be a helpmeet in his mountain community. Since they are basically strangers, a marriage of convenience could be the answer.

I like the mention of Mira's Bluebird of Happiness. I have one also, made of blown, blue glass. For me, it is a reminder of the love of our family. I have given another one to my husband's grandmother, because she is a special friend to me.

I received a complimentary copy of #TheSongOfSourwoodMountain from #RevellBooks #NetGalley #AnnHGabhart I was under no obligation to post a review.

#ChristianHistoricalFiction #historicalfiction #inspyfic #Inspirational #Kentucky #blessings #BakerPublishingGroup #BluebirdOfHappiness #marriageofconvenience