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

Well told story

I enjoyed listening to Appalachian Song. It's a beautiful story with great characters and narration. Adoption is a part of my life so the emotions so well told in this story spoke to me. Also the part of a birthmoms' love for their child needs telling and understanding. And a little love story woven in is sweet. I appreciate that the book is clean of bad language and inappropriate romance. Definitely recommend.

You Just Have to Read This Story!

I believe that this quote from the book is its theme: “Family don’t always mean blood kin.” ~Bertie Jenkins

This beautifully written adoption story left me needing several days to contemplate all that this heart-wrenching story taught me. A dual-time novel, Shocklee takes you from the 1943 mountain folk of east Tennessee to Nashville and the mountain life of 1973. The characters and storyline are so endearing. They speak to family (good, bad and taken in) and wreck your heart along the way. The timelines and characters are woven seamlessly throughout the book, making the story easy to read.

This book has a beautiful spiritual thread including the sharing of the gospel and a Christian worldview. The prologue includes a young woman giving herself to a man (she plans to marry) before her family moves away. There is not a description of this scene and it is later discussed from a Biblical perspective. So, don’t let this keep you from reading this book. The prologue lays the foundation for the rest of the story.

Caroline Hewitt truly gives the audiobook its voice as she crafts representative roles for the broad array of characters in this tale. From the mountain folk of 1943 to the contemporary phrases of 1973, Hewitt’s narration is distinct, believable and just stellar and that’s saying a lot from this born and raised southern girl who cringes when a non-southerner tries to fake a southern accent.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this ebook from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review. I also purchased the audiobook version of this title.

A touching story of tragedy and redemption

Loved the story of the sisters and their connection to each other and their home. The lack of judgement from Bertie.

Powerful

This book has such a powerful story, so well written and the audio book brings it to life! This story will stick with you ❤️

Inspiring story

Probably one of the best books I’ve listened to. It’s a great story line and being from the area around the Smokey’s I immediately recognized the family the author had patterned the story line from. I was also a home health nurse in this area and can visualize how people lived in the area.

Well written, likable characters

Loved the book and how faith is interwoven in the tale of strong, confident generations of women.

Captivating story, beautiful witness of God’s love

Well written And performed. I felt like I was right there with the sisters and Reece as the story unfolded. Can’t wait to read more