In an exploration of the influences that bind us to people and place, to conviction and dream, Cathy Rigg’s That Which Binds Us makes a tumultuous journey from 1854 to 1866. Set in the mountains of southwestern Virginia and told from the perspective of five first-person characters, the novel rings with intimacy and authenticity, deftly […]
“Shattered Sanctuary” by Nancy Mehl
September 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Nancy Mehl’s Shattered Sanctuary (Bethany House 2025) is a Christian mystery novel for anyone who enjoys suspense, crime dramas, psychology, or all the above. The story begins with ex-police officer turned novelist Erin Delaney going on vacation to a cabin in the small town of Sanctuary, Tennessee, at her friend’s request. Her friend, Kaely Quinn-Hunter, […]
“Peace Like A River” by Scott Gould
September 1, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Scott Gould can be forgiven for plot structures that are a little too on the nose and convenient. The events that unfold in his book, Peace Like A River (Regal 2025), are neatly stacked, making the story feel a bit contrived. He can also be forgiven for being a trifle too liberal with endowing […]
“Not Till We Are Lost” by William Homestead
August 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Not Till We Are Lost: Thoreau, Education, and Climate Crisis (Mercer University Press 2024) by William Homestead is a blend of memoir, philosophy, and literary analysis. It weaves together the author’s college teaching experiences, his personal journey of self-examination, and an academic exploration of Transcendentalist thought, drawing from figures like Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo […]
“Turtle on a Post” by Carl Parker as told to Jim Sanderson
August 12, 2025 by 1 Comment
Turtle on a Post (Lamar University Press, 2024) is a memoir that transforms what Jim Sanderson describes as “bits and pieces of anecdotes” into a compelling narrative of Carl Parker’s life. The story traces Parker’s journey from his childhood in East Texas to a distinguished career in public service. It follows him from his early […]
“The Devil’s Pulpit & Other Mostly True Scottish Misadventures” by E. J. Wade and Karen Spears Zacharias
August 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Ellen Wade and Karen Spears Zacharias, two seasoned women with family roots in the American South, take us along as they leave their families behind and enter a graduate program in Scotland, where they have months to study the connection between Scotland and Appalachia while exploring their own Celtic roots. The book’s title, The Devil’s Pulpit […]