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

Feels like home.

I grew up in these hills. I cried reading this. I was born in the late 80s out of wedlock as the product of an affair. My grandmother was devastated. My mom loves me. My great-grandparents accepted and welcomed everyone. This is my story.

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.

Great story with interesting characters

The role adoption plays on the plot is well-developed and most of the characters are "fleshed out." The story moves quickly with a great plot, but tends to get very preachy. In a devotional book that's fine, but it felt more like page filler in this one.

Rich depth of characters

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

the voices

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