Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

From the publisher:

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 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.

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Joanne Biscof is a masterful writer.  Her writing places you into the Appalachia mountains and the farm of this family.  It is the way you feel the mist of the morning as she writes, or the smell of apples as they are pressed into cider.  The written becomes tangible in her beautiful writing.  

But it is the emotions and relationships that are really captured by Biscof's writing.  From the first scene with Aven the reader will feel the hope and crushing disappointment in what follows.  You will journey with her to adjust to a new family and watch as her heart is opened to love again.  The softness of her character and yet strength is easy to appreciate.  

The three brothers each have strengths and weaknesses that you get to know through the book.  At first glance you can make judgements but as you continue to read Biscof shows that there is more than meets the eye.  

It was fascinating to see how Thor's thoughts, words, and actions were portrayed.  I loved reading a book about a deaf and mute character.  Bringing this into a main character and the struggles and triumphs associated were amazing. It was brilliant the way Biscof chose to incorporate this.

There were more relationships, with secondary characters, that were also of great interest to me.  The African American families, the KKK...all of it was very well written.

There are a few intense scenes in the book, so just to make readers aware.  I can't wait to read the second book in the series when it comes out!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.