Appalachian Song

Written 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Oct 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781496487070

Reviews for Appalachian Song

[Ann Bush · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved the story and the fact that God wants to adopt each of us into his family. The mountains becane alive in this narrative and the narrator did a wonderful job!

[Debbie Jayne Doolin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A rare gem of a story, Appalachian Song is gladly given one of the very few five star reviews I write! Here is a beautifully written novel that I'll be honored and delighted to have on my book shelf to read again and again through the years, and to share with beloved family and friends.

It reminds me a bit of Christy by Catherine Marshal, and touched my heart in some of the same ways.

The author handles themes of adoption, childbirth, loss, trusting in the Lord with patience, and hope, with exceptional care, and I grew and learned along with some of the characters along their way.

I enjoyed this unique tale immensely, had a terrible time turning my audio version off, (SOOOO beautifully read!!!), and can recommend it highly!!

You may want to have some tissues handy, but that makes the joyful ending all the better!

[travelado.nomad · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I personally have almost 500 audiobooks in my library and I rarely ever leave a review! But I had to leave one for this book! This is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever heard! Clean and heart warming and gives a very real look at life in the Appalachian mountains! I myself live here and always will! The author has done a wonderful job depicting life in these mountains and the people in them! A very good listen!!

[Shelia Ledbetter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read. You won't be disappointed. Loved how the writer told how the book was inspired.

[Cindy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has inspired me to want to take a trip to the Smokey Mts and see the Walker Sisters homestead. I was gripped by this story from beginning to end!

[Velma Hunsucker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Michelle Shocklee is a new favorite author. I loved this story.

[Connie Pettersen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this novel. Easy 5 stars. Adoption and sacrifice is the theme of this novel about a young teen who has to give up her baby. And 30 years later, her son seeks answers to where he came from. As an adoptive mom myself, I can’t imagine how difficult this would have been for the birth mothers of our two daughters. I am eternally grateful to them and to God for His plan for us to become their parents through this promise in His Word: “He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 113:9