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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

3 Reasons I Have Nothing but High Praise for This Book

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

“Mom… there’s this guy at church. His name is Kevin HAVOC!!! Can you believe it? His poor wife.”

“Mom! Remember Kevin Havoc? The quiet, shy guy at church? Guess what his nickname is? Mayhem! Isn’t that like calling a giant of a dude, ‘tiny?’”

The day eventually came. “Hey, Mom. Kevin Havoc? Yeah. It’s not Havoc. It’s HAVE-ig. What a let down.”

That was late 1987.

A year and a half later, I walked in to meet my new obstetrician, not happy to need a new one, by the way, and in came Dr. Sweet. Seriously. That was his name. Full red beard and a smile to reassure any teen mom that life was going to be okay. *note: that was sarcasm. Beards were not my friend.

He glanced at his clipboard and said, “Havig. That’s Norwegian, right?”

I blinked. People usually thought it was Haah-VEEG. Middle Eastern. “Yeah.”

“You know, there were two Havig families in Norway. They lived on each side of a lake. One was wealthy… the other not so much. But they intermarried and eventually came to the US. Settled in Iowa and Minnesota.”

I blinked. Again. I’d never heard any of that. And this was long before the days of the internet and “the Google” (as my mom calls it).

But when I went out to tell my husband what had happened, he nodded. “Yeah. That’s right. Wonder how he knew?”

To this day, I don’t know how.

Because, well, I never thought to ask. I know… I know…

About five or six years later, Lauraine Snelling began writing the Red River Valley series. Mrs. Snelling lives not far from me, you know. I digress. Anyway, she wrote about Norwegians in North Dakota. I loved those books. I loved learning more about my husband’s heritage… ish.

So, with all that behind us, it shouldn’t be any wonder that when I read the synopsis of Sons of Blackbird Mountain, I’d be eager to read it. In fact, a couple of people said, “Oh, well your grandkids call you ‘bestemor.’ Of course, you want to read a book about Norwegian immigrants.”

But, that’s not why I requested a review copy. No, I was eager to read about the deaf alcoholic and his use of sign language long before it was “cool.” (Most of my kids have taken ASL at our community college).

Can I just say I’m glad I did?

Sons of Blackbird Mountain- 3 reasons I have nothing but high praise for this book

Links may be affiliates that provide me with a small commission–costs you nothing extra, though. Also, I requested a review copy of this book from Celebrate Lit.

I’ve never read anything by Joanne Bischof, but I’ll be reading a lot more from now on!

Reviewing this book is crazy hard because it’s difficult to put into words the kinds of emotions this book evokes.

With delicate, artistic strokes, Bischof paints a picture of Appalachia that makes me ache for those hills and mountains I love so much. I can feel the crunch of leaves under my feet, smell the sweet, fresh scent of apple in the air, breathe the dew-dampened morning air… And all without a single extraneous word.

The story begins, and the brush strokes change. I feel Thor’s pain and self-loathing for his weaknesses, see the love he has to offer, understand his reticence. And the strokes deepen, strengthen, and slash across the canvas to create harsh lines.

Then comes Haaken with his boldness. Vivid colors add visual interest, but a broken little boy hovers beneath the surface. You see him hiding there as fine, pale lines beneath the vibrant larger strokes.

Beneath it all, Dorothea and Jorgan link hands to form a strong frame that holds it all together.

My heart aches with the beauty of it.

And amid all that richness, is a tale woven with an unusual premise for the time.

No one has ever accused me of being politically correct, environmentally conscious, or a champion for diversity in anything. It isn’t that I am pro or anti-any of these things in theory. I just tend not to latch on to anything that might further divide people. And sometimes our solutions do just that.

But definitely, the deaf hero aspect of this book is one of its strengths. You can tell that Ms. Bischof is either a part of deaf culture in some way, or she has done some phenomenal homework. The history behind sign language and deaf culture shown in this book is, from what I know of it, spot on.

And Bischof did something particularly well with it.

I didn’t catch her “preaching” too much. Yes, you can see her personal bias in what she showed and how she did it. However, I didn’t feel like I was getting a sermon on the evils of Alexander Graham Bell. One often does. Trust me.

But even all that isn’t why I so strongly recommend Sons of Blackbird Mountain. It goes deeper.

3 Reasons I Have Nothing but High Praise for This Book

There was the alcohol abuse.

As one who grew up with more drunkenness displayed than most Christians see in a lifetime, I loved that she showed it… and with compassion. Too often we either ignore it or demonize those trapped by it. Bischof showed the horrors while demonstrating love for those who sought freedom from it. I’ve never seen it done so well.

Or how about the racial issues.

This book takes place in 1890 in Virginia. This is a quarter of a century after the War Between the States. Some people are still embittered and angry. But what Bischof did that is so phenomenal is that she didn’t overemphasize it so that it took over the story. She showed that there were those who weren’t bitter, too. She showed the ugliness of bitterness and hatred without spreading it to all but one or two characters. So often, that’s what we see in fiction set in Southern regions.

Look, I don’t want to pretend there weren’t ridiculous attitudes—ungodly ones at that. There are today. And there will be in another 100 years. Another 500 years. Some group of people will always look down on another one. Always. It’s called sin.

But because this is a problem, sometimes it becomes emphasized in the wrong books. And it loses its punch. What Bischof did was acknowledge it, show it for the hideousness that it is, and leave it there. She let it do its job without ramming it down our throats.

Because that wasn’t the primary story she had to tell. It might be in another book. And then, it should be emphasized. I just loved that beautiful balance of “Here. This is ugliness. It happened. And look what it did to so many people.” And “Here. This is ugliness. It happened. And look what it did to so many people.” Drunkenness and hate. Two ugly diseases. And she showed them for what they are without apology. Bravo.

If those weren’t enough, then how about just plain old sin?

Yep, I’m cheering the sin, folks! You see, I can’t handle some things in my reading. Gore. Nope. Sex. Nope. Kissing… not really. But one thing will make me shut a book faster than any of it.

Rape.

Somehow, Joanne Bischof wrote an attempted rape scene with discretion while still showing the horrors of it. She wrote it in a way I could actually read, and because of where it came in the book when I saw it coming, I didn’t shut it. I took a chance. Kept reading.

I’m so glad I did. Because not only did she write it well (and it was “only” attempted), but she wrote it with achingly beautiful compassion. If I was a crier, I would have bawled right there.

In fact, not once in this whole book did Ms. Bischof ever wink at sin.

But neither did she ever throw it out there with a self-righteous condemnation.

Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a brilliant combination of writing skill, storytelling ability, and Christian compassion.

I can’t wait for the next.

Sometimes Kindle books cost as much as some paperbacks. This is one of those. And this is one of the rare ones I think is worth it if you can’t wait to start reading, or you don’t want a paper copy. I won’t be getting rid of mine… ever.

Oh, and there’s more to the “Havig” story. Stay tuned for that in next week’s BLOG POST.

About the Book

Title: Sons of Blackbird Mountain

Author: Joanne Bischof

Genre: Historical Romance

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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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
byChautona Havig

Nothing says good, Southern women’s fiction like a feisty granny or a family secret, and Robin W. Pearson’s got you covered on both fronts. Stir in a pot of faith, and well… you’re bound to find a story you’ll never forget. And isn’t that a blessing? Award-winning, bestselling, and aspiring yodler on the other side of the Rockies, Robin writes stories of faith, family, and it sounds like some seriously delicious food.

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What’s Better Than a Great Women’s Fiction Novel on a Summer’s Day?

New-to-me (or she was!) women’s fiction author, Robin W. Pearson writes God-centered, family-focused fiction. Robin is a delightful homeschooling mom of seven and if that wasn’t job enough, her debut novel won a Christy award! I mean, that takes some serious skills! Not to mention, it has a killer kick-off synopsis on Amazon. I was hooked from the first paragraph.

Robin says she wants people to see love in her books–how to love well even when we don’t know how. How to see each other as God does.  I think that sounds pretty amazing.

Her debut novel, A Long Time Coming, is more than just a great-sounding book, it really deals with family issues and I’ll just say I fell in love with the narrator of the audio.

The next book, Till I Want No More, rips your heart out with the synopsis, stomps on it, and says, “There. Now what’ll you do about that?  Well, I don’t know what I’ll do, other than read it of course!

And her latest novel?  Oh, my gravy. It released just last week and it’s amazing.  Well, the part I’ve read already is. Walking in Tall Weeds promises to keep your heart on tenterhooks as it takes you through a family’s pain and trauma.  And what more could you want?

Walking in Tall Weeds by Robin W. Pearson

From award-winning author Robin W. Pearson comes a new Southern family drama about one family who discovers their history is only skin-deep and that God’s love is the only family tie that binds.

Paulette and Fred Baldwin find themselves wading through a new season of life in Hickory Grove, North Carolina. Their only son, McKinley, now works hundreds of miles away, and the distance between the husband and wife feels even farther. When their son returns home, his visit dredges up even more conflict between Fred and Paulette.

McKinley makes it no secret that he doesn’t intend to follow in his father’s footsteps at George & Company Fine Furnishings or otherwise. Fred can’t quite bring himself to accept all his son’s choices, yet Paulette is determined McKinley will want for nothing, least of all a mother’s love and attention—which her own skin color cost her as a child. But all her striving leaves Fred on the outside looking in.

Paulette suspects McKinley and Fred are hiding something that could change the whole family. Soon, she’s facing a whirlwind she never saw coming, and the three of them must dig deep to confront the truth. Maybe then they’ll discover that their history is only skin-deep while their faith can take them right to the heart of things.

You can learn more about Robin W. Pearson on her WEBSITE.

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Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
Episode 161: A Chat with Christian Women's Fiction Robin W. Pearson
July 26, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 160: A Chat with Liz Johnson about The Last Way Home
July 22, 2022
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Episode 159: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Mesu Andrews
July 19, 2022
Chautona Havig
A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Stephanie Landsem
July 12, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 157: A Chat with Historical Christian Fiction Author, Lynn Austin
July 8, 2022
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Episode 156: The Fragrance of Violets by Susan K. Beatty
July 5, 2022
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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
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Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
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Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
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