This sequel is set 1920s Appalachia. Where Emerald Ashby’s story leaves off, in The Whispering of the Willows, younger Ashby sister’s story begins. Coral determines to visit the family’s nemesis, Charlie, now in prison. When Mercy re-enters brother Ernest’s life, he has already found a new attraction in his elder brother’s widow, Charlotte (Lottie).
Thank you Prism and Tanya Jewel Blessing for a gifted copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Melody Of The Mulberries
Big Creek Series #2
By: Tanya Jewel Blessing
REVIEW
“Folklore was an important part of Appalachian culture. Stories passed down from generation to generation carried facts, truth and other tidbits about the lifestyle.”
I didn’t grow up in West Virginia, but I did grow up, and remain, in the deep South. These characters remind me of my grandparents and their generation. They have all passed on, taking their stories, beliefs and culture with them. The Melody Of The Mulberries embraces the quirks, oddities and eccentricities of a people and a way of life rarely seen now. Ernest, Mercy, Coral and the rest are authentically rendered for 1920’s Appalachia. From the dialogue that, at times, was almost incomprehensible to the untrained ear, to the songs and hymns, to the bedrock of faith upon which everything was built, I took an unexpected, but welcome, time trip while reading this book. I cherish the genuine voices found here more than any other aspect of the story, which is excellent by the way. I found it interesting that the reader gets a good dose of the inner dialogue of several characters. I would like to read more stories written this way. This story is a tale of everyday life of a few residents in the region as they toil, celebrate, struggle and love. Some folks are indecisive and leaning on faith, some make bad decisions, and some are exemplary people. There is a parallel to modern times because these people experienced the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, and in the story, they face another.
“Officials kept telling residents the tumult was nothing like the pandemic of 1918. Citizens were quick to remember the dishonesty of the government regarding the dire consequences of the previous outbreak.”
I guess some things never change. Bits of the story spoke to me, such as Tin Lizzie and those screeching cicadas. When I hear them, I always think of heat. Chapters are headed by various Appalachian folk beliefs, like, “If you whistle before breakfast, you will cry before dusk.” I have heard most of them my entire life. If you have any interest in the Appalachian region of West Virginia or the old ways of living, this book is for you. Tanya Jewel Blessing has crafted a clean, truth telling, warm hearted, entertaining work of historical fiction that comes alive with its authentic characters and lifestyle. A must read for lovers of historical fiction!
This is book two in the Big Creek series and although I was able to catch up I wish I had read book one to get more of the backstory. Each chapter begins with an Appalachian Folk Belief and a drawing of mulberries. Being born and raised in WV I have heard several of the Folk beliefs, but many were new to me. I found the dialect to be spot on for the era and people from the more remote regions. I admired Ernest and how he stood up for his Christian beliefs against the spiritualism that is sometimes prevalent in the Appalachians. This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it and how the characters developed and grew. I felt the ending was rushed and would have liked it to be more in detail. I admired the character of Coral and how she followed her heart to do God’s will. The author tackles some diverse topics and does it well. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
My Thoughts on The Melody of the Mulberries:
I started out reading this book without reading the first book in the series. And then I went and bought book one because I was so lost. Helplessly lost. Maybe you wouldn’t be, but I was having too hard a time trying to figure out where I was supposed to be versus who was who and it was exhausting. I knew that I was missing parts of the story and I didn’t want to miss a thing because it was really good and captivating even if I was lost!
So read book one. Then read book two. This is one of those series where that might make all the difference.
Back to book two, The Melody of the Mulberries, this is a wonderful book. It’s definitely written in a different way. The author wants you to think you are really there in Big Creek and she writes that way. You won’t find proper grammar in this book so if you have issues reading things like they would have been spoken it might not be the book for you.
I personally love this type of writing and read it like it’s a play happening in front of me. Once I read the first book, keeping up with the people and facts in this book became much easier.
Coral is so sweet and innocent. I loved getting to know her character and immediately fell in love with her. You just know you have to pray for her and be on pins and needles that everything will be okay.
This book brings you God but also a darker side which is very much present in these remote locations both in fiction and in real life. Give it a read and you’re going to fall in love!!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
The melody of the Mulberries
For some reason I had a hard time getting into this book. I do see though the book has a lot of good reviews. Just because I didn’t get into the book doesn’t mean someone else won’t. I am not sure if it is part of series or not.
I did enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter. It states the quotes are Appalachian Folk Belief. Some of the quotes were “ It’s bad luck to cut your fingernails on Friday or Sunday.” And a another is “ If the bottom of your right foot itches, you are going on a trip.”
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
The story is an intriguing look at Appalachian people and their culture. They sure do have some very interesting folk lores. I enjoyed reading them and appreciate the author including one at the top of each chapter. At first I was a bit lost in the story but was able to quickly pick up what was going on. It would be helpful to read the first book in the series, but you can still enjoy this one without reading the first.
I thought the author did a good job of showing the struggle that Coral had about seeing someone in prison. She wanted to share God with this person and knew God had called her to do this. This was a great example of showing forgiveness to someone who had hurt her and her family. Coral was a great character and I admired her determination to follow God.
Ernest has his hands full with being in love with one woman while another one wants him to help raise her baby. The birth of the child was written very well and you could feel a sense of love as a new life was brought into the world. The people sure did have opinions about what Ernest should do since he helped deliver the baby. There were some tense moments when Ernest was confronted by a man who demanded he marry Mercy, the mother of the child he delivered.
The author gives us a look into history during the 1920’s and I loved reading about the Hatfields and McCoys. Who can forget these two families and their feud that started so long ago? Now Ernest is in a similar situation and needs to figure a way out. I loved that he was a teacher and how much he enjoyed being around children watching them absorb information.
The character named Granny was interesting and also a little scary at times. She sees things that others can’t understand and she is a little deceitful at times. I don’t think I would want to meet her at all. The story follows an outbreak of influenza that take many lives. I remember reading about this and how helpless doctors felt as they saw patients succumb to the illness. A few key characters will face this illness and I liked how realistic the author wrote about their fight to overcome something that was dangerous to many.
The story is well written and I enjoyed reading about Coral and Ernest. Their journey is filled with danger, secrets, hope and forgiveness. It has a good faith element throughout the story with scriptures and characters that weren’t afraid to share their love of God. I loved the ending and with the authors help was able to feel part of the story of two people searching for love and hope.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
What I think you should know:
The Melody of the Mulberries is the sequel to The Wind in the Willows by Tonya Jewel Blessing, Although The Melody of the Mullberries is a sequel is gives enough explanation of past events that it can be read as a standalone novel. The book continues to follow the Ashby family and life in Big Creek Holler, It is set in the 1920’s in the mountains of West Virginia.
What I think you need to know:
This book does include “Granny Witches” and similar darkness.
What I think about this book:
I will be honest I did not read The Wind in the Willows, so it took a little bit to get into the book, however once it caught my attention, I could not put it down. I loved the little folklore at the beginnings of the chapters, some of them I knew and some I had never heard of. While many parts of the book seem worlds away from the culture that is prevalent today some parts still ring true in mountain communities. I loved Ernest, he was such a dynamic character he exhibited strength, kindness and was willing to cross social barriers for the best of his “learners”. Blessing also did a wonderful of representing Christianity and Forgiveness through Coral. I hope that I can learn from this book to have Coral’s forgiving spirit and willingness to represent Christ even to those who have hurt me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
The Melody of the Mulberries by author Tonya Jewel Blessing is a Christian Historical Southern Romance. It is the second book in author Blessing’s Big Creek Series. The story continues in Appalachia in the 1920’s.
Having not read the first book, I was a bit lost. It felt like I was walking into a movie at a halfway point. I really enjoyed the setting, characters, and author’s style of writing. All of those drew me in and kept me reading. In fact I am going to get the first book now.
The author has done a wonderful job making realistic, well rounded characters. Her tale is well thought and very well written. It deals with topics of grief, unwed mothers, family, love, consequences, and prison. All are relevant today.
I was surprised at times. The author included twists and turns to keep readers on their toes. Her story is whimsical and draws readers into the West Virginia world of that time. The folklore and beliefs she wove into her story made it very interesting. Many I had heard but I learned some new ones.
Sprinkled with faith, humor, inspiration, and drama is a story that will tug on your heartstrings. It stayed with me long after I finished reading about Coral, Ernest, Charlotte, Mercy, and others. I would recommend this book but please read the first one. It receives a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. Celebrate Lit provided a copy but these are my own, honest words.
As a child, one of my favorite books was Cynthia Rylant’s “When I Was Young in the Mountains.” Growing up in rural Ohio, near the border of West Virginia, my home is considered part of Appalachia. I’ve always been drawn to folk music and the backcountry. I remember watching the television adaptation of Catherine Marshall’s “Christy” when I was younger. There is just something fascinating about living off the grid, regardless of the time period: creating a unique community that is self-sustaining and learning what makes it flourish and what holds it together. Set in late 1920s in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, Tonya Jewel Blessings’ “The Melody of the Mulberries” presents a wonderful glimpse into this experience.
“The mulberry tree that shaded her from the afternoon sun sang a melody of obedience. It grew, blossomed, and bore fruit in submission to God. All flora and fauna flourished in Big Creek through obedience to the Maker of All Things.”
Despite not having read the previous book, I decided to take a chance and read “The Melody of the Mulberries” anyway, and I am glad that I did. If possible, I would recommend reading “The Whispering of the Willows” first to set the foundation for this sequel, but it is not a prerequisite. I was a bit confused for the first chapter or so; my main problem was keeping the characters straight and remembering who was who, but then again I’m terrible with names, so that could have just been my personal issue. As the story progresses, the main events from the first book receive mention, which helps establish the plot of this second book.
My favorite element was the presentation of beliefs, the amalgamation of Christianity and folklore, and how Ernest in particular does his best to disenchant others from superstitions and lead them instead to Christ. As a teacher, “Ernest thought that education was one of the best ways to combat mountain mysticism.” His wisdom in both book knowledge and spiritual matters reveals his altruistic nature: “He had choices to make. He could choose to let others dictate his life, choose to direct his own life, or make the right choice and allow God to dominate his thoughts and actions.” Two of the other main characters include his sister Coral, 16, and his fellow teacher, Lottie. Although young, Coral is attuned to the voice of God and determined to follow where He leads her, even if it means leaving home to visit a convicted felon who harmed her family. I loved her conviction! Lottie doesn’t take center stage, but her actions prove her to be an encourager and supporter. Something that stood out to me throughout the narrative was how the characters use hymns and songs to talk to God and to minister to others. So often when I am praying or when I read a Scripture verse a Christian praise song or hymn comes to mind, and they can be such a beautiful part of worship!
“The Melody of the Mulberries” does not shy away from tough subjects. It deals with wedlock, race relations, and other issues that continue to be prevalent today, but it is a clean read. Each chapter begins with an epigraph that states an Appalachian folk belief and has an image of a black raspberry branch, with a leaf image used to divide the sections of each chapter. The author’s affinity for alliteration made me smile while reading. It took a few chapters for me to become accustomed to the Appalachian dialect, more so because I was reading it instead of listening to it, but I appreciated its inclusion in the characters’ dialogue because it enhanced the story’s authenticity. As such, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mountain life, godly living, evangelizing, and tackling challenging topics.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
There are some books that are part of a series and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the previous titles but I wish that I had read Whispering of the Willows first. It is the first book in the Big Creek series and I found myself sometimes faltering with this second book, The Melody of the Mulberries. I do, however, think that ‘Melody’ is well-written and that author Tonya Jewel Blessing has successfully captured the culture of Appalachia in the 1920s. Her characters speak with true Appalachian dialect, there are many references to West Virginia history, and I enjoyed the Appalachian Folk Beliefs that she shares at the beginning of each chapter. I also loved how she uses familiar hymns throughout her story!
The Melody of the Mulberries centers around 16 year old Coral Ashby and her family as they deal with several controversial topics. There are instances of superstition and spiritualism; inter-racial relationships and bigotry; unwed mothers; and the problems of life in general. Blessings shows their effects but she stresses that forgiveness is necessary and redemption is always possible.
This book is Christian historical fiction and it will be appealing for people who enjoy reading about Appalachian culture.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. A positive review was not required and these are my honest opinions.
‘Different shades ain’t always about color.’
There are many different shades in the history of the Appalachian Mountains. Some of them refer to the topography but many refer to the people that spent their lives in this lovely area of 1920’s West Virginia. This is the background of the story of the Mulberry tree. They give off a beautiful smell, have delicious fruit and can be used medicinally as well. The wind through the leaves and flowers brings a melody not soon forgotten.
Book 2 in the Big Creek series allows us to get to know several new characters. Even though I have not yet read book 1, I had no trouble following the fascinating story line. There were many twists and turns, with some humor and a little romance thrown in between. The feelings of grief were realistic and hopeful. I loved the different hymns and how the author brought the faith of these people into the forefront. They leaned heavily on the authority and power of God – something that was a good reminder for me.
This ARC was received through NetGalley, Capture books and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions stated are my own and were in no way solicited.
Have Faith
I love the style of writing, the folk beliefs and the songs and hymns. The characters are so realistic. I love the parrot. Coral made some poor choices and some good choices. In the end good won out over bad.
It seems a struggle in some of the remote towns in the Appalachian mountains between the rituals of the devil and the goodness of God. It tales people like Ernest, Charlotte, Carol, and now Thomas to teach them about Jesus.
I can see a third book coming. I am thinking there will be some weddings, Ernest and Charlotte, Coral and Kenneth, and maybe Thomas and Mercy. There might even be some romance for Minnie.
I am enjoying these clean reading books and the trials and triumphs of the mountain people. I hope there are a few more books coming. I would recommend these books to anyone.