Still House Pond

The Kentucky Mountains #2

by Jan Watson

Lilly Gray Corbett loves living on Troublesome Creek, but she would much rather play with her best friend than watch her little brother and the twins. Her mama, Copper, is often gone helping to birth babies, and Lilly has to stay home. When Aunt Alice sends a note inviting her to visit in the city, Lilly is excited to go, and Copper reluctantly agrees to let her. Later, when they hear the news that the train crashed, Copper and her husband, John, rush to find out if their daughter is injured . . . or even alive.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Historical, Romance, Adult

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Jan Watson won the 2004 Christian Writers Guild Operation First Novel contest for her first novel, Troublesome Creek. Her other awards include a nomination for the Kentucky Literary Award in 2006 and second place in the 2006 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest sponsored by the Faith, Hope, and Love Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. Willow Springs and Torrent Falls are the sequels to Troublesome Creek. Jan was a registered nurse for 25 years at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. She incorporated her nursing experience in the hospital's mother/baby unit into her novels. Jan resides in Kentucky.

Reviews

[Shantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still enjoying reading about Copper, Lilly, and the rest! Don't miss this historical series, my friends!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the year 1896, Lily and her family live in a small country town of Troublesome creek. Her mother known throughout the novel as Copper, is the local nurse/midwife. Stillhouse Pond is part of a trilogy and focuses on two main storylines. The first storyline is of her mother's tale as a midwife and sets the tone for the story as she lets us on with the tale of her patients and their births -one in particular Adie Still.
The second part of the story focuses on eleven-year old Lily as her mother recieves a letter from her late husband's sister Alice. Alice's brother Simon was Copper's first husband and Lily's biological dad. Alice- a wealthy woman has requested to have Lily come to Lewiston and visit her on an all-expenses paid trip. Copper a tad anxious has second thoughts about sending Lily alone on the train. Is it just the train ride thats bothering Copper or is it something deeper ? With the persuasion of her current husband John, Copper reluctantly agrees. However danger awaits for Lily as on the way to the train , she is kidnapped by the Still family who blame her family for the death of their wife and mother. At the same time, the train Lily was supposed to be on is in an accident , so Copper and the family believing that Lily was on the train rushes forth to Four Corners. As they search the rubble of the train wreck, how long will it take them to realise Lily wasn't on the train but holed up right under their noses back home in an old stinky barn ?
Stillhouse Pond by Jan Watson is a novel that can either be read as part of the trilogy or a stand-alone .

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

STILL HOUSE POND by Jan Watson is an Inspirational Historical Fiction set in 1896 Troublesome Creek, Kentucky. It is a continuance of The Troublesome Creek series but can be read as a stand alone. It is well written with details and depth. The plot and characters are easy to follow.It has faith, pride, survival, family, community values, midwifery, mountain people, twists, turns, family, melodrama, and trust. It brings back characters from the other Troublesome Creek books. This story actually goes between Copper, Lily, and Mandia.Copper, the midwife,mother, doctor of sorts to the mountain people, educator of the people toward health issues and above all the wife and mother of four children. Lily, Copper's eldest daughter, who is eleven, her father died several years earlier.Lily seeks adventure, loves her step father as her own, rescues animals, gets into serious trouble by rescuing injured animals, wants to go to visit her wealthy aunt by train, and is finally allowed to by her parents. She misses the train, which happens to have a horrific train wreck. Her family is not aware she didn't get on the train, but is kidnapped by a neighbor. Her mother, and step father go in search for her, soon learns she isn't there and get a search party going. Mandia, the hired girl for the Pelfrey family, wants to fall in love and have a family of her own, is attracted to a traveling singer, who is trouble. Mandia doesn't listen to want people try to tell her about this man. She soon learns her lesson the hard way and must face the consequences of her actions. You will see several of the characters are have been in the other Troublesome Creek books. Overall this is a well written story about about the era and living in the mountains of Kentucky. It is a good Christian read showing family and community values. If you enjoy sweet, easy to read, easy to follow the plot and characters and good Christian fiction you will enjoy this one.I would recommend this book, I have also read the others in the series,although this one does not bring the story of Troublesome Creek to an end, it leaves questions. Just as Copper is pregnant again, what happens to Lily and Mandia. This answers will probably be in the next installment. This book was received for review from Tyndale Fiction and details can be found at My Book Addiction and More.

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still House Pond by Jan Watson
Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction
Format: Kindle
Timeframe: 1896
Location: Hills of Kentucky
Characters:
Copper Brown Pelfrey: Country nurse/midwife
Lilly Gray Corbett: Copper’s eldest daughter (11 years old)
John Pelfrey: Copper’s second husband
The Still family: Copper’s clannish neighbors,
Manda Whitt: Copper’s house helper; Darcy and Dance’s sister

Copper offered to take care of Addie Still who was on her last month of pregnancy and had scarlatina, an illness the county needed to quarantine. There was a little sick house on their property, so when Addie was going to be taken away anyway, Copper offered her to stay there. Addie’s husband Isa was angry and he placed that anger on Copper.

Lily was Copper’s 11-year old daughter from her late husband Simon. She was adventurous, kind, deeply believed in God’s goodness and pondered His will.

Manda was Dance’s sister (from Sweetwater Run). She was an 18-year old hired by Copper to help out with the house and children so she could travel with Remy on midwife duties around the county. Manda had her head in the clouds and wanted more than her lot in life and more than the simple unexciting boy who was interested in her. She wanted “romance”. But the process of finding it leads her into an unwelcome incident with tragic side effects. While this incident was occurring Manda was unaware that Lily walked off to help a frantic dog, resulting in a tragedy of her own.

This was a creative story. One thing lead to another thing, and the snowball page-turner assault/abduction/train crash/frantic search was very well written. The lessons learned were poignant. Although their faith was challenged, spiritual and character growth was a natural outcome.

I will definitely finish this series! Apparently I read the next in the series years ago, but I’m not opposed to reading it again.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, even though at first is was difficult to follow along with the many cast of characters. Cooper, who is Lily's mother, was a very interesting character, who gets into many interesting situations while delivering babies all over town. The family's faith is tested time and again through many difficult situations of Cooper's. Also, during the time that they are all searching for Lily who is feared dead in the train wreckage. During the time the family is searching for Lily, she is locked up in a old building on the property of Isa Still, who is the owner of the pond where Lily had taken a walk to instead of boarding the train. During this time of being locked up, Lily begins to discover things about herself. She was able to reflect and ponder and it helped her realize a few things that she didn't really know. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, because it is during times of trials in my own life, that I tend to "discover" things about myself and begin to make changes for the better.

[Barbara Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an ideal bedtime read: not so interesting that I would think about it after lights out, but not so boring that it put me to sleep. The story line was fairly interesting. I found parts of it inconsistent, however. I know there are “Godly” people like those portrayed in the book in Eastern Kentucky, but I find it annoying how they thank God for blessings but never blame him for the bad things. Was it God’s will that Lilly would be kidnapped? Sounds odd. Was it also God’s will that Manda would be assaulted? Again, odd. And why didn’t Copper and John recognize any of the passengers on the train while they looked for Lilly? Why would Copper need to scrub stubborn eggs from a cast iron skillet? Most are well seasoned and nothing sticks. Just a lot of things that made me go hm.

[Janie R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the themes in this story was about letting go of our past and moving on, forgiveness, and giving it to God. As was also in the story where an incident occurred, where a child was missing, sometimes we forget that no matter what happens in their lives, we have to learn to let go of our children, because they do not solely belong to us while here on earth.

[Dana Mcgowan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was a good book until too many unfortunate events took place. An almost rape scene, Lilly sneaking off instead of waiting for Manda ? Then to be abducted, only then for John and Cooper to receive a telegraph about the train detailing that Lilly never made it too? And then Tern just walking her home?

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A little better than book one, Sweetwater Run...both books have very slow-moving plots. This one seemed to be a little more interesting from the get-go, with the last third of the book being the best. The title is a tad unusual, but reveals it's meaning toward the end.

[Justine Inductivo]

DNFed

[Brenda L Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetwater Run stepped away from story of Copper and her family to visit a couple of lesser characters from Troublesome Creek.. Still House Pond brings us back to Copper, John, Lily Gray and the other children and Remy.. Really loving these stories.. a lot of memories of my growing up are coming out in them.. the foods... soup beans and cornbread, wilted lettuce salad and such.. the phrased used to describe things ie: a hole big enough to toss a cat through.. catching lightening bugs in a glass jar, getting fresh cold water from the pump outside the back door or if we were at my grandma's from her well by dropping the bucket down and pulling it back up.... However... I am oh so glad for all of my modern conveniences!! I don't know if I could live the way the women in the story lived now or not.. and I don't think I'd want to. Outdoor privy... been there done that.. no thanks!!!

[henry smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good inspirational novel by mrs Watson. Mountain family in Kentucky who face hardship and an abducted daughter. They never loose their faith in God plus the mountain neighbors always come together in a time of need. Don’t matter if they even know each other. Word travels fast by word of mouth and the mountain people band together. Was like that in this area when I was young. Most people didn’t have a telephone but if a family was in need most of the community was there with help food or moral support. Not like tat at all these days. One of the great things that we as a society have lost. Jan Watson always portrays the way things were and should be. God is an after thought probably one of the biggest reasons that people don’t support each other. A major loss to American tradition. There were no such things as strangers. We were a Christian country. Especially the mountain people.

[Jane Combs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating,

The stories flowed together well. Demonstrating the strengths of Lilly, at 11 she learned the most important lesson of memorizing bible verses that she could pull from memory in times of trials. Manda learned that taking your own direction and not following God’s plan brought on much heartache, not just for but to others as well. Mor lessons throughout, a must read for any age!

[GJ S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good clean christian historical novel

I loved this continuing story of Coppers life and her children and family and friends. This series has been so enjoyable. Especially how each character loved the Lord in different ways and honored Him. I recommend this book and series as well as the author.

[Inisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't one of my favorites. I think a big part was I had not read the first book and apparently there was another series before it. If I had read those then I'd have a better understanding maybe of the storylines I didn't feel were full. With that, my viewpoint might have been different. So I'd suggest reading the others before you read this one.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those girls!

What trouble Lili doesn't get into, Manda brings on herself! It's always something with them two. And Copper has her hands full taking care of her own family and the extended ones, her patients and birthing babies! Then tragedy strikes! Prayers start pouring in!

[Sonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightful dialogue, although at times bogged action by descriptions of someone talking.
"Head-bobbing" was common in scenes and hard to find whose perspective was the main one.
Nice change from just a predictable romance...more about family and how they work things out.

[Dana McReynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of suspense in this one. Glad to see Copper back as a main character. She’s the best. Lilly Gray is also becoming a much loved character as she grows up. I thought the author did a good job with the different POVs of Copper, Lilly Gray, and Manda.

[Robin Lundblade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love the simple story and how it transports you back to a simpler time. But not without its challenges. I love stories of faith and forgiveness. I enjoyed it very much.

[Sherri Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series!

[Kathy McClanahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

A good book all the way around. I love Christian books. So much of what you read or watch on TV is filthy language and had morals. It is so nice to find good clean books.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jan Watson's books are so good

[Susan Schnackenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story.

This book was both enlightening and informative in a non-preaching way. A clear look at another time and with a healthy example of gentle patience.

[Rhonda Parkhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Troublesome Creek Series

I. Pull not put it down. You could feel the love of God thru this book. This would be great for a book club.

[Patricia Krohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Great

Loved this authors storyline,true to the roots of mountain people. Love of God,family,their mountain home and true sense of community and independence

[Pam McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Midge · Rating 4 out of 5]

2nd in series and just as good. More about life in Kentucky Mountains in late 1800s.

[Venesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

it's...boring
DNF

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilly Corbett Gray, loves pretty things, and animals. Always on the lookout to rescue a hurting animal or to spring some evil traps, Lilly is a little girl with a big heart. However that rescue mode is what leads Lilly into the biggest mess of her life.

Excited about her month long visit to her Aunt Alice in the city, she is anxious to go. Waiting for Manda the hired girl to finish her chores, and walk her to the coach, that will take her to the train, Lilly hears a dog who is hurting. Unable to leave it be, she goes to investigate and finds her neighbor throwing a sack of puppies into a pond, and the crying she heard was the mama dog frantic with worry for the pups. While rescuing the pups, the neighbor catches her and locks her up in a moonshine shed.

Finding Lilly gone, Manda figures she just walked to the coach alone. And Manda has her own troubles, the no good middling man from the band at the barn dance, has tried to take advantage of her in the barn and has beat her up pretty good. Manda runs away to her sisters, not wanting anyone to see her like this.

The train that was supposed to be taking Lilly to her aunts, has a horrible crash, killing and injuring many people and sending Lilly's family and friends into a frenzied panic of worry. Will they find Lilly in time? Will they discover she isn't on the train and find her in the shed? What will happen to Lilly Corbett Gray?

This story, set in the late 1890's is a great story. I missed the first of the Copper series (this is number 2 in that series), but I totally loved these characters. Copper, Lilly's mother would be a woman I would love to have known, you could totally feel her character leap off the pages. I enjoyed the writing style and the story very much. A great afternoon read. Due to release from Tyndale in August 2010. 376 pages US $12.99 4 stars.

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

About halfway through the book, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to rate this book: I just didn’t feel a pull towards the plot and there didn’t seem to be any direction to the story. But, persevering on, the story began to get better and, by the time I was two thirds of the way through, I didn’t need to make myself read it anymore.

In my honest opinion, I think this book is a nice, somewhat adventurous, one-time read, so I am giving it 3 stars. If you like a book that is about a typical family living in the back of the woods, then I think you will enjoy this one; it just didn’t appeal to me that much. It was hard to get into the book. The characters felt real enough – if you ignored their interesting names! – but the story just took a very long time to get going. The main part of the story plot, which was the climax of the book, began two thirds of the way into the story.

Another part that I felt was a little interesting was the character of the middling man and Manda’s involvement/interest in him. I thought it was a bit fake to believe that she would act that way just because he happened to catch her eye at a dance. The way she acted didn’t seem very natural to me, unless she was a girl with little brains – and that was not the way Watson portrayed Manda. She seemed like a sensible, hardworking girl.

So, all in all, if you hold on until you are well into the book, the last half of the book is an easy read that will hold your attention in some degree. For me, it was a nice one-time read, but for others, it might be a very enjoyable read about the people living in the backwoods of Kentucky in 1896.

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers for sending me a complimentary copy to read and review