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12 January 2019

Review & Giveaway of My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge by Pepper Basham


My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream by Pepper Basham

(Barbour, January 2019)

   Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 where Laurel McAdams endures the challenges of a hard life while dreaming things can eventually improve. But trouble arrives in the form of an outsider. Having failed his British father again, Jonathan Taylor joins is uncle’s missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse. Laurel feels compelled to protect the tenderhearted teacher from the harsh realities of Appalachian life, even while his stories of life outside the mountains pull at Laurel’s imagination. Faced with angry parents over teaching methods, Laurel’s father’s drunken rages, and bad news from England, will Jonathan leave and never return, or will he stay and let love bloom?

 Andrea's thoughts.
This beautiful book wrapped itself around my heart and stayed there. From the first page to the last, I could not help loving Laurel McAdams and Jonathan Taylor. She has such a sweet, strong spirit despite the hardships of daily living in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains.  He has a special kindness about him.
Jonathan is set to prove he isn't the “useless invalid” his father believes him to be. He learns to see things in a different way, with a new idea of what happiness and beauty truly are.
They share a love of books too, as described while looking over the globe in the schoolroom; “The world is a fascinating place.”... “Well, I ain't seen a whole lot of it, but I sure like visiting through books.” “One of the best ways to travel.”  

The friendship that develops between Laurel and Jonathan is very memorable. I loved how protective Laurel was of “Teacher” as Jonathan is called. She knows he will be good for the children. I also loved how he came to care for and learn from the mountain people.

Pepper Basham has a wonderful way of describing her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains and the people that live there, I felt as if I was sitting on the hillside watching their lives unfold in front of me.  The message of trusting God's love is gently woven throughout the book, leaving a warm spot on this readers heart.

I hope everyone will pick up this book and visit 1918's Maple Springs. Jonathan's introduction to life in the mountains is not to be missed. You also don't want to miss the Autumn leaf rainbow or the corn shuckin'.  It's a whole lot of fun!

I have highlighted so many things in this book it has become its own rainbow.
 I'll leave you with these words of wisdom from Laurel's mama...
”Regret don't do nothin' but steal your joy and cloud your eyes from seein' the blessings.”

*I purchased a copy of this book after reading the first few pages of the e-book provided to me by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. I was so excited the day it came, I sat and read it from cover to cover.

Check out ALL the My Heart Belongs series books from Barbour! (click here)

Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge  

65 comments:

  1. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about Pepper Basham's books, but I have yet to have the opportunity to read one. This sounds like an amazing story!

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    1. This is a good book to start with. She has a couple of great contemporary books as well.
      Thanks for coming by!

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  2. I’ve really like the “My Heart Belongs” series. I haven’t gad the privilege of reading this one. Sounds wonderful!

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    1. I think this is the last "My Heart Belongs" book. It just released January 1st! I thought it was wonderful.
      Blessings!

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  3. I love the "My Heart Belongs" series and have heard great things about this story. I can't wait to read it!

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    1. I have loved reading and reviewing this series. This story is has many elements to it.
      I hope you get to read it soon!
      Thanks for coming by.

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  4. Andrea!!! I love your review!!! Thank you so much!!!

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    1. Thank you, Pepper! I love this book and happily encourage other people to read it.

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  5. This has been a great series and this book doesn't sound like it will disappoint either. I lived near the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Sylva, NC area for 8 years. My heart is truly in love with that area. I miss it the most of the places that we have lived. I'm looking forward to getting this book and reading it. Thank you for sharing your review.

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    1. Hi, Joy! Pepper's descriptions are beautiful!
      Thanks for coming by.

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    2. Joy, Sylva isn't that far from Asheville :-)

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  6. The book sounds very interesting. I’m not sure I’ve read anything by Pepper Bashsm, but I want to! I like historical Christian fiction.

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    1. Hi, Linda! This book has lots of interesting layers. I love Pepper Basham books. She writes some of the best kissing scenes, keeping everything clean of course.
      Thanks for coming by!

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  7. Oh, I would love to read this!!! Historical Fiction is my absolute favorite genre.
    I would like to have this whole series.
    Linda Marie Finn
    Faithful Acres Books
    http://faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com

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    1. Linda, I hope you get to read this book soon! I own all but one of these books in one format or another and have loved them.
      Thanks for coming by!

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    2. So far I only have Murray's Book, so I have many to get yet.
      but I will work toward that goal !
      Linda Marie

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  8. I am wanting to read this especially since I live in the blue ridge mountains.

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    1. You should read it! I think you will appreciate the scenery and the people.
      Thank you for coming by, Wilani!

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    2. Wilani, it's a great place to live, isn't it?

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  9. Can’t go wrong with a book by Pepper! I would love to read this one.

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    1. You are correct Patty! I'm never disappointed when I read one of Pepper's books. I loved this one. I'm sure you will too.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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  10. I'd love to read this! I've heard lots of great things about Pepper Basham. :)
    Thanks for the great review!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Jenn!
      I love Pepper Basham books, they always touch my heart somehow, and make me laugh.

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  11. A book in the My Heart Belongs series & it's by Pepper Basham! Win-win!!! Thanks for sharing!
    rw620 AT aol DOT com

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    1. Hi, Robin! You are correct it is a Win-win! Pepper Basham's heart belongs in the Blue Ridge and it shows in this book.
      Thanks for coming by.

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  12. I love Pepper’s writing , whether contemporary or historical! I’m reading When you Look at Me. Her descriptions are beautiful in either genre. I have read almost all of this series and was hoping to win this one! Thanks for the chance!
    paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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    1. Hi Paula! I loved "When You Look at Me."
      This series has been fun to read and review.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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  13. Though I haven't yet read any of Pepper's historical novels, I've read her contemporary books and have really enjoyed them. Her characters seem so real and her descriptions make it seem like you are really there. Thanks for the chance to win My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge, Laurel's Dream.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Pam, if you've enjoyed Pepper's contemporary novels, you will like this one as well, maybe even more.

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  14. This is on my wish list, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. Wendy, it's a good book to have on a wish list.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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    2. Wendy Newcomb you are our OWG winner of Pepper Basham's new novel My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge Mountains, reviewed by Andrea Stephens! Congrats!

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    3. Congratulations Wendy! Enjoy the book!

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  15. Thanks for a chance to win this book! I have several of the MHB but not this one.
    grandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. This book just released January 1st, Brenda. I have loved the MHB series so much.
      Thanks for coming by!

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  16. This looks exceptionally good. I appreciate the opportunity to win!

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    1. It is very good in my opinion. Thank you for stopping by.
      Good Luck!

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  17. This sounds like such a wonderful read.

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    1. I thought it was a wonderful read. So much so that I read it again.
      Thanks for coming by, Mary.

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  18. Thank you for a terrific review! I have heard wonderful things about Pepper Basham’s books, but I haven’t had the opportunity to read one yet. I do enjoy the My Heart Belongs series.
    perrianne(DOT)askew(At)me(DOT)com
    Perrianne Askew

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    1. Hi Perrianne! I hope you get to read a Pepper Basham book soon. Her love of the Blue Ridge Mountains shines in this book. Much like Carrie's love of Mackinac Island shines in her My Heart Belongs book.
      Thanks for coming by.

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  21. Would love to win a print copy of any books by Pepper, as she is a new author to me. Thanks for the opportunity to enter a giveaway! Appreciate it very much:) krautter12ATbresnanDOTnet

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    1. This book and all the other "My Heart Belongs" books are beautiful in print.
      Thank you for stopping by.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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  22. Thank you for a great review of this book by Pepper. I am looking forward to reading it. Thank you for the giveaway.

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    1. Thank you, June. I have been so blessed to share my reviews of this series here.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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  23. Thanks for this opportunity! It sounds like a wonderful book!

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    1. Hi Jan! I thought it was a wonderful book.
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  24. Wonderful review Andrea.
    I am enjoying the My Heart Belongs in...series. I have not read this one yet, but hope to very soon.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. I have enjoyed each book in this series, Tina. I hope you get a chance to read this one soon.
      Thanks for coming by!
      Blessings to you!

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  25. Awesome review, Andrea!!! I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and I want to read this book sooooo badly!! :-)

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    1. Aww, Thank you Anne! You really should read this book! I love Pepper's depiction of rural, mountain life, mountain people and their attitudes about "flat-landers."
      I think you will love this book too!

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  26. I have loved the books in this series. This sounds like a good one also.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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    1. I think Barbour did a wonderful job putting this series together. My only wish is that there would be more!
      Thanks for stopping by, Susan!

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  27. This book has such a lovely cover and I have been seeing it everywhere! Definitely on my want-to-read list!

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    1. Diana, I have loved the covers on this series. They are so pretty!
      I hope you get a chance to read this book soon.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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  28. This is the kind of book I'd love to read!
    My email is writer61 (AT) Yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Hi Patricia!
      This was a book that I looked forward to from the time it was announced.
      Good luck in the giveaway!

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  29. Wonderful review, Andrea! I'm enjoying the My Heart Belongs series! Pepper is one of my must read authors!

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    1. Hi Caryl! Pepper is one of my must read authors too. I think you will really enjoy this book.
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  30. Beautiful review! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thank YOU for coming by, Natalya! I've enjoyed reading and reviewing this series.

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