Two handsome brothers. An age-old Appalachian feud. And a love that may tear the Norgaard family apart. After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins–three brothers who make a living by brewing … brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.
But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where–and whether–to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.
As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?
A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.
“Beloved author Joanne Bischof doesn’t disappoint with her latest beautifully written, heartrending tale . . . a quick favorite for historical romance readers.” –Elizabeth Byler Younts, author of The Solace of Water
“Bischof (The Lady and the Lionheart) transports readers to late 19th-century Appalachian Virginia in this moving historical romance . . . With fine historical details and stark prose that fits the story, Bischof skillfully weaves a tale of love and redemption in rough Appalachia.” –Publishers Weekly
“Christy- and Carol Award-winning author Bischof (The Lady and the Lionheart) creates endearing characters and a heartwarming story line in this unforgettable novel about the power of family, love, and the true meaning of home. Fans of Kristy Cambron, Julie Klassen, and Susan Meissner will love this one.” –Library Journal
“Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a quiet gem of a historical romance. Refreshingly real and honest in its depiction of flawed but lovable individuals, it introduces characters readers will want to meet again.” –CBA Market magazine
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Love, Love, LOVED this book!! But no surprise — it’s Joanne Bischof!!
Loved this dive into the world of a family of men on Blackbird Mountain, and how the arrival of one woman radically changed them, and them, her. Bischof is an extremely talented writer. Looking forward to the next!
I really enjoyed meeting Joanne’s latest characters – all so authentic and heartwarming. I was engaged in this special story from the first to the last page, and I’m looking forward to the rest of this series!
The Sons of Blackbird Mountain is wonderful. It’s captivating and highly engaging. I absolutely love Aven and Thor — they are such wonderfully written characters and I will miss them as I move on to my next read. I especially love the subordinate characters in this novel — Ida, Cora, Al, Georgie, Tess, Jorgan, Haakon — because together they create such a wonderful and unique family. Truly, The Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a really great book.
Addiction is a mean beast, and Mrs. Bischof did an excellent and very realistic job of portraying this in her story. Thor is a wonderful hero, but he is plagued with a terrible addiction to alcohol. I won’t tell you why he suffers from this addiction because I don’t want to ruin any part of this story, but I will say that trauma, especially trauma in the earlier years of peoples’ lives, can really wreak havoc. When trauma strikes we all have our unique ways to deal. Mine is to run away. I love to get in my car and escape. For a small amount of time, I pretend like the trauma isn’t happening. If I don’t do this, I get very overwhelmed and shut down in a way that makes me virtually useless.
Unfortunately for many, dealing with trauma means escaping through a bottle or a pill or a needle. My middle brother (I have three) began drinking when he was in his teens in high school. He mostly drank at parties on the weekend, and seemed to be your typical teenage stereotype. In his early 20s, my brother became engaged to a lovely young lady. She actually became a wonderful friend of mine, too! Unfortunately, she died in a car accident. It was absolutely devastating and it destroyed my brother. He turned to the bottle hard and became a very angry drunk. My brother is 5’10, and at that time was playing soccer like every single day. He was STRONG. When he got angry drunk he was terrifying to be around. It felt like in his worst, angriest, drunkest moments he became taller and stronger — like the Hulk. It feels this way with Thor in The Sons of Blackbird Mountain. I’m not going to lie, I had some serious flashbacks while reading this book. If Thor didn’t get clean in this novel, I would have had to put the book down for good. Mrs. Bischof’s very realistic portrayal of alcohol addiction came painfully close to home for me! BUT, I applaud her for her truth telling. I applaud her for not covering it up or making it less of a deal than it actually is.
I also applaud Mrs. Bischof for choosing to make her hero deaf. It is a unique perspective that I don’t see too often in any literature. Thor is kind, caring, honest, and hardworking, but he is also struggling and broken. I very much love his need to do the right thing, especially by Aven. This made me fall for him quite a bit! My heart broke for Thor a few times, particularly as he deals with his addiction, but also in those moments when he feels less than because of his deafness and muteness. A few times, I wanted to reach in to the book and give him a hug, tell him everything was going to be okay!
I was fascinated by the use of sign language within this story, and I had no idea about the boarding schools for deaf/mute kids. Thor’s flashbacks to his boarding school reminded me a bit of Jane Eyre and Jane’s time at Lowood Institute. Another aspect I had never considered is the frustration of nighttime to a deaf person, especially a deaf person from the late 1800s when night-time light consisted of a candle or the moon. How annoying it would be to be cut out of a conversation simply because it’s dark and you can’t see faces clearly enough to read their lips. I truly had no idea, and I appreciate that Mrs. Bischof has brought this topic to my awareness. It’s an excellent reminder that humans are not one-size-fits-all, and that we need to be a bit more mindful of what others may be going through.
The Sons of Blackbird Mountain is an exquisite story that I HIGHLY recommend. If you are looking for a novel to escape into that’s fast-paced, highly engaging, well-written, eye-opening, and poignant than The Sons of Blackbird Mountain is the book for you.
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author via NetGalley and Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Another wonderful read by this author. I was drawn in right away and the journey of each character held my attention throughout. A heart warming story of unexpected love with the grace and redemption of our loving Father woven throughout. I highly recommend this book.
Aven was born in Ireland, married from the workhouse, widowed in Norway, and has now arrived in Blackbird Mountain, Virginia, to the only family she has left—even though it’s a distant link. She to find Aunt Dorothe is dead and “the boys”—Dorothea’s beloved nephews—are full grown men. Jorgan, the oldest, is betrothed. Thor, the middle brother, is Deaf. And Haakon, the youngest is full of fun. These are the three Sons of Blackbird Mountain.
The brothers invite Aven to stay—although she doesn’t have many options. She wonders if she’s made the right decision after the family receives a late-night visit from the neighbours. It appears the Klan don’t like Thor’s habit of hiring Negroes, even if they are the hardest workers. Despite the neighbours, Aven is becoming attached to the family, and especially to Thor.
One of the most interesting aspects of Sons of Blackbird Mountain was the character of Thor. Thor has been Deaf since birth. He reads lips, and communicates through American Sign Language (ASL), and through writing notes. It’s fascinating to read this insight into Deaf life and culture in a time gone by. Thor is interesting for another reason: he’s in charge of the family cidery, brewing beverages that keep the family in fine style.
And he’s an alcoholic. That’s an issue for Aven, because her late husband was an alcoholic, and it killed him. She’s initially afraid of Thor, but soon learns to trust him. But not completely. Not while he’s dependent on alcohol.
So Sons of Blackbird Mountain has plenty of conflict, and plenty of issues for the characters to deal with. It’s a gripping read with fascinating and original characters, and plenty of emotion. The writing is strong, although Bischof does have this weird habit of using odd sentence fragments—something I love in contemporary fiction, but which feels out of place in a historical novel. But that’s a minor niggle in an otherwise strong novel.
Overall, I recommend Sons of Blackbird Mountain for historical fiction lovers, especially those who like reading about small mountain communities.
Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
Another fantastic book from Joanne Bischof! I’m looking forward to reading this entire series.
I’m a fan of Joanne Bischof’s books and she did not disappoint with the Sons of Blackbird Mountain. I was intrigued by the characters and how one of the brothers could only communicate using sign language. The story was compelling with an emotional ending.
This was a story that captured me and drew me in from the very first page. I loved this makeshift family and getting to know them and the journeys they are on. This is one of those books and series that I am fully invested in and I will be making sure I don’t miss any of their stories. It’s full of beauty and redemption from the setting to the characters to the story. Ms. Bischof is queen of the book hangover in my opinion–after each of her books that I’ve read, I’ve had to take a break after reading it. I was so invested in the characters and their stories that I just did not want it to end and when it did, I needed time before I could move on to another story. This family will draw you into their home and into their lives. I highly recommend it!
This book is currently sitting at the top of my 2018 favorites. I LOVE this book. I LOVE the characters, the setting, and EVERY BIT of it. 🙂
Oh, wow! I had noticed rave reviews on this book; everywhere I looked Sons of Blackbird Mountain appeared…Facebook; Twitter; Amazon.
I had not read any of Joanne Bischof’s works previously; now I am wondering what took me so long to discover this fabulous storyteller! If I could, I’d give this book far more than just five stars.
Three strong and very different brothers, Thor; Jorgan, and Haakon. Each have very specific parts to play on the farm in Appalachia. It is the 1870’s.
Aven, young, travels across the sea at the behest of her aunt to take care of the three “boys”. She has no idea that those boys are actually grown men.
These people captured my heart. I awoke thinking of them. I went to sleep thinking of them. For 3 days, they became part of my world.
Thor, especially, captured my heart. He was deaf. Deaf during a time when society and scholars decided that sign language was banned in deaf school. Oralism was enforced and forever; those who did not measure up were considered oral failures. Thor was considered an oral failure but he communicated so beautifully with sign language and his heart.
Over thirty years ago, I became a member of a family with numerous members who are genetically hearing impaired and deaf. In these years, I have learned to look at the person I am speaking to so my lips can be read. I’ve learned the things I take for granted like the sounds of nature such as birds twittering or tree frogs singing, are not always heard even with the best of hearing aids. I’ve spoken to a friend who driving home after receiving her first pair of hearing aids, was startled by the sound of a dog barking outside her car.
It is hard for me to digest that there was a time that deaf people were discouraged and disparaged so strongly for using sign language as to be considered failures. The imposed silencing of the deaf in those days truly saddens me. It astonished me to learn that Alexander Graham Bell was a strong proponent of deaf oralism; a man known for his work on the telephone. Ever wonder why someone like Bell was so interested in communication? It seems Mr. Bell’s mother was herself deaf.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Anxious for book two in the series.
This book deserves all of the five stars I can give it, plus more. I highly recommend adding it to your To Be Read pile!
Author Joanne Bischof has done her homework. The research for this book is spot on, including her use of ASL for a character that is deaf. He is written so well that you totally understand his thoughts and what he is feeling. In fact, he, as well as the other characters, are so well written that you come to know them as if they are friends to visit with.
The description of the area where this book takes place is very authentic. I want to go visit Blackbird Mountain!
This book has all the emotions; despair, fear, brokenness, caring, forgiveness, and sweet love. It’s a journey full of ups and downs, but so worth taking. I can’t wait for book 2!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review. All thoughts are my own.
Sons of Blackbird Mountain is actually the first full-length novel by Joanne Bischof that I have read and I am totally hooked. I’ve read her novellas in different collections and loved her beautiful writing and memorable stories…but this book. This. Book. From the first page of the story, the sweet tenderness and sorrow wrapped up in beautiful lyrical writing gripped my heart. The story is a family saga set in 1890s Virginia – not something that will end in this book but a legacy that will span years and several books (I hope). The characters are incredible and unforgettable. The plot is well-crafted and carries the story at a good pace. The theme of freedom in Christ and love, grace, forgiveness, and redemption is deftly woven into the plot and into each of the characters. The author addresses difficult issues like racism, prejudice against those different, chains of addiction, and the complicated and murky bond of a family with poise and understanding.
Thor is the middle child of the Norgaard family now making a living off the apple orchards by distilling liquor from their apples. He is deaf and mute, yet his brothers and those close to him communicate via ASL and his intelligence is reflected in the profitable business he establishes, his ability to read and write two languages, and his ability to lip read. Thor is loyal, so achingly sweet and tender despite his brute force, innocent, sensitive, thoughtful and loving. He’s been through so much heartache in his life and doesn’t know how to cope with it. Aven is the widow of the Norgaard’s cousin who sails to America, hoping to start a new life. She brings hope, sweetness, tenderness, and love to the Virginian Norgaard brothers yet they, as a family, have much to endure. Jorgan is the steadfast, kind, and generous older brother and Haakon is the impulsive, bold, passionate, and immature younger brother. This family, along with the hired help who are more like blood relatives, will burrow into your heart and keep residence there long after you’ve put the book away.
The family’s losses are heart-wrenching, their victories so triumphant, their love and bond always tangible. Sons of Blackbird Mountain is an incredible journey and you will not be the same person after reading this book. The second book in the series promises a continuation of the exquisite story the author has created and I’m waiting anxiously for it to be available.
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher through Celebrate Lit Tour and was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Joanne Bischof always has an amazing way of transporting you to another time and place so completely you feel like her stories are real. Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a heart-tugging tale, and one I throughly enjoyed. The characters are unique and memorable and the writing is lyrical and lovely! I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy well-written historical romance.
This book was so good I have recommended to everyone in my family who loves to read good books! It is in my top three books of 2021 and I am on book 72!
This novel touched my heart. Learning more about the deaf and how hard it is to live among the hearing was very enlightening. Reading about the Norgaard family and their struggles within themselves, their neighbors, and a newcomer…Aven Norgaard.
This book is set in the late 1800s in the hills of Virginia with all the beauty of the land, the horrors of racism, the struggles of a deaf man, the love of God that brought them together and held them throughout many trials and dangers.
I enjoyed this book and am starting the sequel Daughters of Northern Shores.
Noticed Joanne Bischof has a new book coming out. This is one of her past ones and a top all-time favorite. Enjoy!
Sons of Blackbird Mountain #1 Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof (audio book, narrator Amy Rubinate)
I read the second book of the series, Daughters of the Northern Shores, first and knew I had to read the first book too. I love this series! Each book I have read remains with me long after I finish the book. I love that the setting is in Virginia; 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.
One thing (of many) I love is how the reader is “placed inside” Thor’s head; all he is thinking and why he reacts and does things, into his very life as a deaf mute. Thor is a complex character (one of many complex characters), who struggles with alcoholism in addition to being deaf. The topic of alcoholism is portrayed realistically and sensitively done. I enjoyed the description of how he communicates 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.
Two of my favorite characters are Aven Norgaard and Thor Norgaard. I love their spirit in the midst of tragedy and hardships and how those very hardships help mold them into who they become. And how Aven is true to her heart and convictions. I appreciate the spiritual elements woven within the story-line and how their faith is central to who they are. I didn’t care for Haakon and his dark streak, but perhaps he is hiding hurts inside that no one knows about.
A captivating story filled with danger, forgiveness, struggles, redemption, new beginnings, love and faith; bringing the reader into the story-line amidst the characters. A heartwarming story that joins book two on my favorite shelf.
Sons of Blackbird Mountain is one of my favorite historical romances. The narrative and characters are unique and the story was built up of a lot different elements and historical details that made it impossible to put down.
Great book. My book club enjoyed it immensely.