Appalachian Song

By: Michelle Shocklee

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt

Forever within the memories of my heart.

Always remember, you are perfectly loved.

Bertie Jenkins has spent forty years serving as a midwife for her community in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Out of all the mothers she’s tended, none affects her more than the young teenager who shows up on her doorstep, injured, afraid, and expecting, one warm June day in 1943. As Bertie and her four sisters tenderly nurture Songbird back to health, the bond between the childless midwife and the motherless teen grows strong. But soon Songbird is forced to make a heartbreaking decision that will tear this little family apart.

Thirty years later, the day after his father’s funeral, Walker Wylie is stunned to learn he was adopted as an infant. The famous country singer enlists the help of adoption advocate Reese Chandler in the hopes of learning why he was abandoned by his birth parents. With the only clue he has in hand, Walker and Reese head deep into the Appalachian Mountains to track down Bertie Jenkins, the midwife who holds the secrets to Walker’s past.

©2023 Michelle Shocklee (P)2023 One Audiobooks

Loved the story

I loved the story, I wish the accents would have been authentic. Coming from the Appalachians, the narration sounded so fake. Otherwise, I loved it!

Where I come from.

Oh My Goodness! I loved , loved, loved this book! The words remind of me of so many good things and bad things. And some things I ran away from.
Michelle, you are grand and vivid storyteller.

a mother's love

I enjoyed this book very much. I enjoyed that it was written more or less after a family that was brought up in Appalachia

Rich depth of characters

Sweet story about a very touch childhood experienced in 1940s Appalachia. Woven beautifully & a feel good read.

Heartbreaking & heartwarming

Great portrayal of deep mountain life. Characters well developed. Insightful interpretation of emotions surrounding adoption, adoptees & adopted children/adults. Great narration. The only thing that bothered me was the wording give your baby away, rather than arranging an adoption, but back then that's the way it was said. Granted, I'm speaking as an L&D RN, who also assisted many homebirths of mothers who were well screened.

the voices

the story was good but the whiny voices got on my nerves. overall it was okay

Beautiful story with Faith interwoven

I’m not sure what expected, but this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! Great story. Weaves in faith in Gods plan, not ours. Loved it!
Looking for more from this author!

Beautiful story of redemption and love

I loved this well written and well acted book! Speaks to this of us who has broken families and reminds we are chosen by God even when it appears we were a mistake. Thank you for this rich history of the Tennessee area too. Highly recommend reading and listening to!

Very sweet story

This is a beautiful story. The narrator was fantastic.
Much of the book was predictable but it was a story of love, sacrifice, and a reminder that there is a Master plan for all of us.

Captures the Heart of God

Some may think this is Christian fluff at first, but the story has depth and in my own experience, captures the way in which God meets suffering with his amazing ability to bring multi-dimensional healing, restoration, and wholeness. Worth the listen, especially for anyone recovering from loss or sorrow and need a reminder of God's mysterious plans to help get them through..