Blackbird Mountain

Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! In Sons of Blackbird Mountain, Joanne Bischof does a marvelous job of demonstrating both the bonds of brotherhood and the horrible travesties of alcohol. Bischof also shows the impact of a deep-seated hatred. The book is well-written and engaging. As soon as you finish, you will want to pick up the sequel.

Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Daughters of Northern Shores, the second book in Joanne Bischof's Blackbird Mountain series, focuses more fully, but not exclusively, on younger brother Haakon. Reading the first book, Sons of Blackbird Mountain, is imperative to understanding much of what happens in this book. During the course of the book, the hate which previously played a prominent role continues to drive the story as the Norgaard family with the nearby Sorrell family. Love and the bonds of family and friends are tested through sickness and in health and with the return of the black sheep of the family who becomes the Prodigal Son.

Daughters of Northern Shores is a much darker story than the first in the series yet the story cannot be fully told without that aspect. As such, it is not cheerful pioneer romance. That said, it does end on a happy note and leaves the reader eager to read the hopefully forthcoming third volume in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book Daughters of Northern Shores from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.