From Christy Award–winning author Joanne Bischof comes the sequel to her beautiful novel Sons of Blackbird Mountain.Aven Norgaard understands courage. Orphaned within an Irish workhouse, then widowed at just nineteen, she voyaged to America where she was wooed and wed by Thor Norgaard, a Deaf man in rural Appalachia. That the Lord saw her along the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s … the winding journey and that Aven now carries Thor’s child are blessings beyond measure. Yet while Thor holds her heart, it is his younger brother and rival who haunts her memories. Haakon—whose selfish choices shattered her trust in him.
Having fled the Norgaard orchard after trying to take Aven as his own, Haakon sails on the North Atlantic ice trade, where his soul is plagued with regrets that distance cannot heal. Not even the beautiful Norwegian woman he’s pursued can ease the torment. When the winds bear him home after four years away, Haakon finds the family on the brink of tragedy. A decades-old feud with the neighboring farm has wrenched them into the fiercest confrontation on Blackbird Mountain since the Civil War. Haakon’s cunning and strength hold the power to seal many fates, including Thor’s—which is already imperiled due to a grave illness brought to him at the first prick of warfare.
Now Haakon faces the hardest choice of his life. One that shapes a battlefield where pride must be broken enough to be restored, and where a prodigal son may finally know the healing peace of surrender and the boundless gift of forgiveness. And when it comes to the woman he left behind in Norway, he just might discover that while his heart belongs to a daughter of the north, she’s been awaiting him on shores more distant than the land he’s fighting for.
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The Daughters of Northern Shores is woven through with realism. A story of reconciliation and redemption, author Joanne Bischof novel proves that neither comes easily. Forgiveness — both giving and receiving it — can cost us much. Yes, there’s romance in this book, too, but Bischof also allows that to happen naturally, not quickly — and I appreciated that, too.
An excellent continuation! Someone, PLEASE make these books into a movie!
To say that my heart has been touched by these characters is not enough. I am changed by them.
The grace and forgiveness shown upon Haakon’s return to Blackbird Mountain are indescribable. He does have consequences that he must live with but the bonds of family love remain.
No spoilers from me and not many words to describe how much I loved this book.
Filled with drama, a long-time mountain feud between families, grace, forgiveness, and deep abiding love, this book draws you in and doesn’t let go. I will be thinking about these people for a long time.
Story after story, Bischof masterfully captures the work of the Maker’s hand in the essence of life’s fullness, depth, and frailty. No doubt about it, this Norgaard family has my heart!
While Jorgan amply fills the role of level-headed first-born, Thor and Haakon might as well be called thunder and lightning due to their deeply passionate and, at one time or another, achingly sorrowful dispositions. The author authentically portrays this family that extends beyond blood, multiple families living and working together on the same land and even under the same roof, and all the ups and downs that exist in that culture.
The Blackbird Mountain series is saturated with culture, knowledge, and awe-inspiring landscapes but it’s the heart of the stories that make these books unforgettable and precious. I cannot recommend these books highly enough.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Daughters of Northern Shores was a joy to read. It is well -written, capturing the time period of the 1800s of Northern Virginia and exposed me to the speech and dialect of that time. Well researched historical novel that made me feel as though I was right there with the main characters.
The characters were well-developed and had me drawn to them within the first few pages because of the conflict and backstory. The storyline is filled with conflict, intrigue, faith, and forgiveness.
A very heartfelt and inspirational story that stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Joanne Bischof is a master storyteller who never disappoints. I look forward to more of the Blackbird Mountain series and highly recommend it.
“While words were potent, a man’s caring ran through deeper waters. It dwelled right there in what he was willing to do.”
What an incredibly powerful book! This is book 2 in the Blackbird Mountain series but it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone since the most pertinent events and key elements from book 1 are recapped without interrupting the flow of this book’s storyline. The author’s trademark of lyrical and masterful storytelling will pull you into an apple orchard full of love, laughter, familial loyalty, regrets, and grace in Blackbird Mountain, Virginia in 1895 and the beautifully crafted characters of the Norgaard family will steal and keep your heart and mind long after the last page of the book is finished. The theme of the prodigal son, along with the gentle reminder for true repentance and forgiveness sprinkled with grace and mercy, is prominent and at the forefront of this story and it’s told with deeply layered emotions and thought processes from Haakon, the prodigal son, and from Thor, his older brother, and his wife Aven, whom Haakon had gravely wronged before fleeing from their shared home. In the midst of this spiritual awakening and growth within the characters, there are other sobering themes like the struggle with addiction as well as fascinating themes like epidemic jaundice and the world of the deaf. There is quite a bit of suspense and action, too, as the Norgaard brothers defend their land and family from those who’d bring them harm. And, of course, there is heart-stuttering romance and steadfast love between Thor and Aven that will make you sigh every time they interact.
Indeed this book is a tapestry of words woven so majestically together to leave you in awe. Savor every word and sentence!
I received a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Loved, loved, loved it!! This sequel to Sons of Blackbird Mountain met all of my expectations. If you haven’t read Sons of Blackbird Mountain you’ll want to start there so that Daughters of Northern Shores is understandable. I promise, you’ll be glad you did. It’s also a fabulous book.
A captivating read, author Joanne Bischof does a great job of transporting the reader to Blackbird Mountain. You will feel the breeze and smell the apples. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed reading about their personal and spiritual growth during the telling of the story. It was wonderful to revisit!
Daughters of Northern Shores takes us on a difficult journey where you don’t know who will survive and who won’t. Emotions are raw as Haakon is forced into difficult decisions. Forgiveness is a common thread throughout the book and it changes the course of a family.
If you enjoy historical fiction I highly recommend this book.
It’s been way too long since I’ve finished a book that has left me as satisfied as Daughters of Northern Shores or one that made my writers heart cry out to the Lord wishing I could weave words as well as the author whose story I’d just finished. Daughters of Northern Shores is all that and more.
I’ll begin by stating that just like my last review, I hadn’t read the first installment in the series, Sons of Blackbird Mountain. That is a tragedy I intend to soon rectify. While you can easily pick up and enjoy Daughters of Northern Shores as a stand alone, I don’t recommend it. Not because you won’t be able to understand the plot or will struggle to familiarize yourself with the characters, but because I’m positive you will have cheated yourself out of a profoundly amazing reading experience.
I was completely enthralled with Bischoff’s characters. From the hearing impaired, Thor, to his younger brother, Haakon, the prodigal who has returned home seeking forgiveness and a new start with the family he left behind. I’ve never read a story with a deaf main character and wondered how that would work since he had no spoken dialogue. I have to say, Thor captured my heart with his wisdom, spiritual strength, and devoted heart for Aven. I was immediately drawn to Haakon and his courage to return home and face the mistakes he’d made and right the wrongs he’d committed against his family members. Nothing like a bad boy who turns his life around to win this romance reader’s heart.
The women in this story don’t take a back seat either. Aven, Thor’s wife, is as gentle as they come, yet she possesses a determined spirit that serves her well as she faces many challenges, including a contagious illness that threatens her unborn child. Ida and Cora, freedwomen who live on the Norgaard property, display profound courage when monstrous evil returns and places everyone on the Norgaard’s farm in imminent danger. It is Cora’s deep faith and her willingness to speak boldly that steers Haakon back to his faith.
Daughters of Northern Shores is so well-written that the Norgaard’s Appalachian farm comes to life with beautiful descriptions the reader can see and smell vividly. Filled with the type of rich historical details, my history-loving, nerd girl heart was filled to the brim. The author’s beautiful prose sing like the melody of a well-written symphony and will leave you desperately wanting more from this writer and the story world she has created for us.
I loved that Daughters of Northern Shores explored themes of forgiveness and grace. The prodigal Haakon encounters the consequences of breaking his brothers trust when he returns. While surprised to see him again after four years with no word of his whereabouts, all are cautiously optimistic and hope his arrival signals Haakon’s willingness to restore bonds with the family, not merely to collect his inheritance, a small plot of land on the Norgaard farm.
I like that Bischoff didn’t make the family too eager to welcome Haakon into their good graces, but instead made him earn their trust. Forgiveness and trust are not one in the same. As believers we are encouraged to give forgiveness as freely as Christ has given it to us, whether or not the offender seeks it or changes their behavior. It is an act of obedience between the believer and God. Trust however is earned over time through altered behavior and a determination by the offender to change their attitude and actions. Bischoff writes a beautifully believable transformation in Haakon, one that both the family and the reader can embrace as authentic.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Book hangovers are real my friends, and this story has left a lasting impression. I finished reading it (much to my dismay, as I didn’t want it to end) a couple days ago and have been trying to gather my thoughts into a coherent manner in which to do this fantastic story justice with my words. An impossible task!
This story picks up right where we left off and primarily follows Haakon. If summed up in one line, I’d have to say that it is Haakon’s redemption story. From heartache to abundant grace we see a beautiful story unfold. One that reminds us that we all sin and fall short, and are in desperate need of grace.
I enjoyed every moment spent with the dynamic characters of this story. Picking up the book was like stepping through a time portal and entering the world flawless depicted on the pages. If you haven’t yet, you will want to be sure and read Sons of Blackbird Mountain. Both of these stories will completely weave themselves around your heart!
(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)
I was so happy to return to Blackbird Mountain and the haven where Thor and Aven share such a tender and devoted love. Life isn’t perfect there- it’s full of peril with the Sorrels threatening trouble again and a mysterious sickness weakening Thor. I was glad that the story alternated to Haaken’s point of view as well, seeing his journey of redemption as his regrets compel him to return home after four years to make amends. The writing is beautiful and evocative, not flowery, but gently and subtly painting a picture of the setting, relationships, and growing tension as the Norgaard’s prepare again to fight for everything they hold dear. I loved seeing their family grow with the birth of Aven’s first child and Haaken’s unforgettable love. Highly recommend to fans of historical fiction and sweet romance!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions expressed in this review are my own)
Daughters of Northern Shores was nothing like I thought it would be and everything I wanted it to be! I was able to revisit old friends and meet brand new ones. I feel at home on Blackbird Mountain, and hope to visit there again. This story is full of forgiveness, sorrow, romantic love, adventure, loyalty, and love and commitment for the One True God. I dove head first into the first page and didn’t want to stop swimming- even after reading the last page. This book is one to savor, but also one you can’t read slowly. It is a conundrum for sure!
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.
I never doubted this was going to be a five-star read, though now that I’m done I know five stars don’t do it justice, so here are five hearts
I was intrigued about the journey I’d be taken through and how forgiveness and redemption would be won out and how many tears I would shed. I was also very much intrigued by the title of this book and wondered what a role it played.
For those who read the first book, we know forgiveness and redemption are key factors in this current season of the Norgaard family. How much these needed to be given caught me by surprise, but perhaps shouldn’t have. To me, this book highlighted how the story of the prodigal son is timeless for we all are prodigal. This familiar story expands on a Father overflowing with love and joy over the return of his wayward son; sentiments shown even before the son words out forgiveness. To the Norgaards, it might not be as easy, but the extent of their love for one another is undeniable.
“Thor shook his head, understanding an act of kindness when he saw one. It lived in a person’s eyes more than any words expressed” .
Thor Norgaard might not hear, but he sees and feels much more than other people. Be it the rumbling laughter of his nephews, the immense love in his wife’s eyes or the pride and the extent of the sacrifice of the woman who raised him. More so, he knows the depth of hurt left by his brother. Not just because of his actions towards Aven, but for leaving the family and never truly believing how much he was loved. If hurt can only be healed together and if the safety for such is to be found in family, can he extend all this to Haakon when he appears as suddenly as he left?
“So he would stay – on this restless sea- until he finally vanished from all their memories for good. Or until he grew enough of a backbone to step back onto his family’s farm and try to right what he had wronged”
Haakon Norgaard knows the deadly weight of regret, of living in cold hopelessness and despair. Nevertheless, he believes he deserves nothing less. How can a wrong me mended as to repair to brotherhood and camaraderie to what it once was? How can he show up to the ones who, unlike him, never acted for selfish gain, disregarding the other person? Haakon is sure he falls short of the Norgaard integrity and virtue, the Viking blood running through his vein is only good for making his cunning and ready for a battle – all the better he thinks as he discovers the challenges his family is facing when he finally returns home.
The integrity of this family is shown in how they stand against wrong, and the hope that this integrity includes Haakon is shown in how well he loves and cares despite his mistake, and because running away was never enough. And a hope for the faith shared in the Norgaard family to be found in him is there too in the amount of dread Haakon feels for his mistake. The question is, will he take the path towards light or remain in the darkness?
“The freedom that marks a soul from the inside out ain’t got a cost that you can pay. It been paid long ago for you and for me by a man on a cross”
Humility is a hard lesson, for even when others accuse wrongly, you should bow and not defend. It’s in every day that you prove you’ve changed. If Haakon can only hold tight to this hope for redemption, reconciliation, and peace. If he can only believe that his brothers see the person he can be and wants him to surrender to that hope without the shackles of past mistakes holding him back.
There is love stamped on every page, so it was impossible for tears to be held tight – tears of sorrow and many many joys. The endearing and solemn tone of this book reflects the ones previously written by Joanne. I have to say this portrays more than a craftsmanship, but the character of the writer. And therefore I couldn’t recommend (and may I dare say advocate fiercely) them enough!
This book took many twists and turns and I never really knew for sure what was going to happen. I like to be kept guessing. I don’t like predicable. This book did take me a bit more time to get involved with the story. But I’m glad I stuck with it because I was rewarded with a wonderful story of redemption. There was a lot of action, life and death. It’s a lovely story. Make sure you read the Epilogue and the authors notes.
Daughters of Northern Shores #2 Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof (audio book, narrator Amy Rubinate)
I have not read the first book in this series, Sons of Blackbird Mountain yet, but was able to follow the story-line; I hope to read it soon. My favorite characters are Aven Norgaard and her husband Thor Norgaard. Thor is deaf but he doesn’t let being deaf keep him from living a full life. I enjoyed the description of how he communicated with his family using hand signs. I took ASL (American Sign Language) years ago and found this part of the story very interesting and happy to see it included in the story-line. As a retired RN, I enjoy reading the medical practices of the 1800’s and found the mysterious illness Thor has interesting. From one portion of the story I had an idea of how and where he contracted the illness, which later is revealed. Aven is a strong woman of faith and character and I love her heart and concern for her family. She too has suffered many heartbreaking challenges in her young life.
The story is set in Eagle Rock, Virginia 1894 and Botetourt County, Virginia; which is near Roanoke, Virginia where I was born. I could picture the areas as I listened to the narrator read the story. The narrator, Amy Rubinate, did an excellent job reading and putting different inflections that portrayed each character. Danger, mysterious illness, restoration, forgiveness, love and faith and a decades-old feud bring the reader into the story-line amidst the characters. A heartwarming story now on my favorite shelf.
Daughters of the Northern Shore is a satisfying continuation of the characters in Sons of Blackbird Mountains. In fact, it’s really about the three Norgaard brothers. The youngest brother Haakon fled Blackbird Mountain, as well he should have, but life circumstances on the high seas and seaports bring him around. But when he returns to Blackbird Mountain, hoping to make amends, he arrive in the middle of a strange medical crisis for another brother. The medical crisis had been arranged by enemies, which eventually leads to a shootout.
A fascinating Note From the Author confesses how different both novels became from what the author had envisioned. There are thoughtful Discussion Questions at the end.
Joanne Bischof really stunned me with Sons of Blackbird Mountain, and I could not wait to catch up with the Norgaard family. Daughters of Northern Shores takes place several years after the events of the first book and the family is starting to settle into their new life. Then, their peace is rocked by several unexpected events: familiar yet unexplained sickness, the reignition of an old feud and the return of the wayward Haakon.
Bischof’s writing and her character work are as beautiful as ever and I loved every minute of this read. My only complaint is that I wish more of Haakon’s story before he returned to Blackbird Mountain had been explored, although I wouldn’t change a thing about Aven and Thor’s story.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This story captured me from the first page and grabbed my heart throughout. Readers who have not read Book One, Sons of Blackbird Mountain, should consider reading that before tackling this. The characters will have you cheering from the sidelines. But I think I enjoyed it even more because I already knew the histories of the family from Book One. I didn’t believe Thor, Jorgan, and Haakon Norgaard could become any more complex than they had been, but Bischof proved me wrong. Another wonderful story that you won’t be able to put down. Trust me.
I fell in love with book 1, Sons of Blackbird Mountains. My favourite character was Thor Norgaard. I disliked Haakon Norgaard the last of the brothers.
The book 2, Daughters of Northern Shores was much more captivating and heart warming. I loved their close knitted family. Even in dire life circumstances they still stood together. When tragedy struck I loved the unfolding story of the strength of standing untied as a family and not just standing but having God as an anchor.
I loved the quiet and gentle spirit of Thor’s wife Aven and how she took everything to prayers and her forgiving heart when she had every reason to stay angry and bitter. Her forgiveness opened the way to beautiful things happening in their family. Her love story with Thor is one of the most captivating love stories I have ever read. Even when horrible circumstances befell them, their strength together even in silence was awesome and worth emulating.
They say you don’t know what you have until it is gone, that for me summarises Haakon’s voyage away from his family and ultimately what brought him back home. The fact that we find love in strange and odd places seem to summarise part of the things that happened to him along the way. He was unworthy, far and away but forgiveness was extended to him and the story of his acceptance and forgiveness was heartwarming. The price had been paid for a very long time ago and all he needed to do was accept it. His time away from home changed him for the good.
Their long standing strife with their neighbours went a long way to buttress the fact that family are not just people bounded by blood but by the truth and choice. Their defeat of their enemies even though painful and the peace afterwards was one of the highlight of this book for me.
The most precious part of this book for me was the strength of family together under God and His truth.
I was provided a copy of this book by the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Maybe it’s because this storyline touched me at a time when I needed it the most (God does some crazy things y’all), maybe it’s the characters, maybe it’s the cover….
But this was one of my favorite books. Possibly EVER. Honestly, what Joanne did to Thor, to Aven, to Haakan…..I was sobbing. SOBBING. Not just tears. Like have-to-put-the-book-down-cuz-I’m-bawling. WOW. Just wow.
The tenderness of love and grace, the showing of emotion from the men, THOR just in general, HAAKAN….how the women in all of these men’s lives treated them with such tenderness and respect ….wow.
Also, be sure to read the author’s note. That really had me sobbing. I thought I was done crying, but NOPE. (In a very good way.)
Wow! What an amazing sequel to the first book in this series. The author brought forth such powerful emotions, which isn’t my normal preference, but she coupled it with good action and a bit of suspense to keep me reading. Add in the beautiful redemptive themes, and this will not be a novel I’ll forget soon. (Note: This is probably not a series you want to read out of order, so pick up Sons of Blackbird Mountain first.)
Daughters of Northern Shores is the second in the Blackbird Mountain series by Joanne Bischof. I was so looking forward to reading it and was not in the least disappointed. Although one could read this as a stand-alone story as the author does a good job filling in the back story, I would suggest being sure to read Sons of Blackbird Mountain for a more full experience with these characters. Despite the past difficulties Aven and Thor are building their new life together, with a wee one on the way, when a debilitating disease threatens their happiness. How did it happen and what will be the outcome? Thor’s brother, Haakon, who fled the mountain home four years prior has now made a difficult decision to return and ‘face the music’ so to speak. How will he be received? Has he really changed enough to be accepted back into the family fold? The characters are well-defined, well rounded with attributes and flaws and depicted with deep-set emotions as they learn to cope with the struggles that come their way in the story. And the struggles–retaliation from a neighbor bent on evil revenge, severe illness, forgiveness, and restoration–were very real and the author expertly dealt with these gritty subjects. The descriptive writing style, original use of language and imagery vividly paint a realistic portrait of life in the mountains of Virginia in the 1890s, as well as life at sea on a trading ship. Daughters of Northern Shores is a story that, although it comes to a satisfactory ending, sadly does end. I wish there were more to come in the story of the Norgaard family as they trust God to provide and to heal, physically, emotionally and relationally. Readers who love stories of redemption and second chances and historical fiction with a bit of romance will not want to miss this story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.