Night Bird Calling

How does one go about writing a review for the best book they've read this year.<br />This book is so rich and full!<br />Overflowing with goodness during harsh circumstances and times.<br />Taking place mostly in Appalachia during 1941 the people are used to hard times.<br />A lot of the men run moonshine or have been locked away in jail for other backwoods activities.<br />The women are used to fending for themselves and their children, with their men being away it has made them strong. The creeks,herbs and hollers of Appalachia hold many secrets but of course people talk just like they do in areas where gossip will destroy you. Wether it's true or not doesn't seem to matter especially when race is involved and the rumors spread like wildfire. <br />Some may not want to read this as it deals with a lot of tough subjects such as race,rape,abuse,KKK.<br />I thought the book was excellent and should be made into a movie.<br />When you let go and let God you will find peace and well being of the mind and soul. <br />Highly recommended!<br /><br />Published 05 Jan 2021<br />I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.<br />All opinions expressed are my own.

Early 1940s.<br />Lilliana Swope lost her only source of love and comfort upon the death of her mother. When she overhears her abusive husband and cruel father plotting against her, she flees to her beloved Aunt Hyacinth's home in rural West Virginia. Her aunt's love and kindness are a balm for Lilliana's soul, and the pastor of the local church opens up an enlightened view of God and his multiple forms of grace. But not all in town welcome Lilliana with open arms. Times are tough for many, moonshine is a way of life, and "justice" is found in the wrath of the Ku Klux Klan. Yet God's love shines through in some of those whose hearts are full and not blinded by prejudice.<br />Filed with a diverse and well developed cast of characters the story delves into some difficult topics with sensitivity and offers valuable lessons still valid in today's society.

When Lilliana Swope’s mother passes away, she over hears her father talking to her husband Gerald and she’s had enough. Not only did her father abuse her mother, her husband is abusive, he now wants to lock her up in an insane asylum and she flees to No Creek, North Carolina. <br /><br />Hyacinth Belvidere lives in No Creek, she last saw her great niece Lilliana when she was five; her aunt opens up her home and heart to her. Her aunt Hyacinth's lives alone, she has many friends in the mountain community and including the Percy family. They decide to open up Hyacinth’s house as a public library, over the years her family has collected a large selection of books and they will be available to everyone to borrow.<br /><br />Lilliana's concerned about Gerald, Hyacinth assures her she’s safe in her home and she has nothing to worry about? Despite the constant threat of Gerald arriving, Lilliana makes friends with Reverend Jesse Willard, Celia Percy and Ruby lynne Wishon. She’s concerned about Ruby’s safety, she notices signs of abuse and she's very worried it will escalate. Unfortunately the area has ties to the Ku Klux Klan, with the library being available to colored folks, it creates tension in the town of No Creek and it gets nasty. <br /><br />Night Bird Calling is a story about Lilliana trying to escape domestic violence, her wanting to help other women and girls caught in the same terrible situation and changing the stigma around abuse. It’s also about Lilliana's relationship with her great aunt Hyacinth, making new friends, feeling part of a community, her standing up against racism and discovering not all men are as nasty as her father and husband. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, thanks to Edelweiss for my copy and four stars from me. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/">https://karrenreadsbooks.blogspot.com/</a>

1941 Philadelphia &amp; North Carolina<br /><br />Lilliana Swopes is a young married woman that grew up with an abusive father and married a man that treated her poorly. At the beginning of the novel, she has just lost her mother, which is the only love in her life. She takes a risk and runs away to No Creek, North Carolina to seek refuge with her aunt.<br /><br />No Creek is filled with a number of wonderful characters and some villains too. It's a beautiful and tragic tale including both hate and love. The ending was especially well done.

Night Bird Calling is a powerful story that will touch your heart and make you think deeply about what is most important in life. I loved the characters and the wonderful setting of No Creek, North Carolina. Cathy Gohlke always has a way of bringing her characters to life. Her writing is lyrical, and her themes bring truth to light in beautiful ways. I highly recommend this story to all who enjoy well written historical novels.

A hard-hitting novel set in the Appalachians of North Carolina. This one covers all sorts of difficult topics, but mostly racial tensions and abusive relationships. There are a lot of POV characters but the deft touch in writing POV switches kept it clear and easy to follow. I love the setting and the characters, especially savvy young Celia and sweet, aching Liliana.<br /><br />This wasn't a quick read. It's a deep story that needs a few days to digest properly (and if you gulped it down fast, put it on your reread list to get another layer of story the next time through). The characters have real concerns and pains and they need a whole lot more than just a happy ending in the future--they have to find healing for the past and safety in the present.<br /><br />The story isn't an easy one and you will feel many of the emotions and dangers of the characters. It's also not a romance, but more of a human-interest or women's literature sort of story. Highly recommended.<br /><br />Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

Cathy Gohlke has written another masterful story, diving deep into the secrets of small-town Appalachia. The authentic characters and their real struggles touched my heart and made me cheer them on. This story breaks through to address some hard topics, including domestic abuse, racial injustice, and church leadership abuse, and I appreciate Cathy's bravery in going to these places and shining light and hope.<br /><br />My own heart was touched by not only the story, but by the writings of Oswald and Bitty Chambers contained within the novel. With the tenderness that only a well-written story can bring, Night Bird Calling peeled back the sin of my own heart in many areas and reminded me of the truth and beauty that comes from God. Definitely recommend this one!

This had to be the top book I read all year. I would say besides the absolutely amazing writing, the story pulled you into each character's world, cheering for them, standing beside them and learning with them. The racism, the domestic violence and other hard topics made this a heavier book, but it was dealt with aplomb and lack of graphic violence. There were light moments throughout and you just wanted more. I am looking forward to the sequel.

No Creek, North Carolina<br />1941 <br /><u>Characters</u>:<br /><b>Lilliana Grace</b>: Abused woman escaping husband and father<br /><b>Miz Hyacinth Belvidere</b>: Lilliana's great aunt<br /><b>Reverend Jesse Willard</b>: Young pastor of No Creek<br /><b>Celia Percy</b>: Eleven year-old full of personality<br /><b>Gladys Percy</b>: Celia's mother and Miz Hyacinth's good friend<br /><b>Chester</b>: Celia's eight year-old brother<br /><b>Gerald</b>: Lilliana's abusive husband <br /><b>Dr. Vishnevsky</b>: Extremely caring German Jewish doctor<br /><br />Before her mother's death, Lilliana was given two directives: <br />One, to take care of herself, no matter the cost to her reputation. <br />Two, to hand deliver a ruby ring to her great aunt Hyacinth in No Creek, North Carolina. <br /><br />On the evening of her mother's funeral Lilliana overheard a plot against her. She couldn’t stay. This was the only time she could escape both her unloving father and abusive husband, seek sanctuary with her aunt, and fulfill her mother's wish. <br /><br />Little did she know what she would face in her ancestor's little southern town.<br /><br />Racists, domestic abusers, moonshiners, KKK, haters and heroes all made up the cast of characters in this amazing book. I would call it gritty, true to life in the rural 1940s, yet inspiring. Not a romance, but full of love. Hard subjects to face, but the growth and healing in so many characters was a thing to behold.<br /><br />So much to take in, so much to love and so much to abhor, yet so well written I feel delighted to include this in my <i>favorite books list</i> of 2021.

What a wonderful day to spend a Sunday. Liliana passes away and she mourns not only for her but for the abusive relationship with her Father and her own husband. When she hear that both main plaining to put her in a mental home she runs to her Aunt. There she learns to love herself and trust others. The story is of her safe relationships he makes there and for her to learn to love herself again. I loved the story of Liliana her journey while living in North Carolina before WWll. She is face with the race wars to her relationship eleven year old Celia and her family. Abuse doesn't have to forever and Liliana, with the help of these wonderful friends, learns this with all the help with the community. I just loved the stories told here. I do think the story is a little long and could have be cut down some but in general the story is amazing. I recommend this wonderful book to all who love to see courage and strength when you are faced with hardship and what the trust in God can do for you when you believe!