Keepers of Blackbird Hill

by Lael Littke

After sixteen years in Hollywood, Jayda returns to Blackbird Hill determined to save her childhood home and protect her inheritance of the family property. Orphaned as a young girl, Jayda stands alone against her extended family who want to sell the land to real estate developers. But the developers want all of the property or nothing, and Jayda is convinced that the old house is a powerful symbol of the past and should be preserved. To prove her point, Jayda begins researching the history of the century-old home and her ancestors, whose lives and secrets turn out to be more dramatic than any Hollywood script. Her main ally is a lonely seven-year-old boy, Smoot Ferguson, who lives nearby with his reclusive uncle. Despite opposition, Jayda and Smoot work tirelessly to save the home from destruction until something happens that puts Smoot in jeopardy and forces Jayda to examine her true motives—is she protecting the past or hiding from the future?

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Lds

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Daughter of Frank George and Ada Geneva (Petersen) Jensen; married George C. Littke (a college professor), June 29, 1954; children: Lori S. Education: Utah State University, B.S., 1952; graduate study at City College (now City University of New York), 1955-59, and University of California--Los Angeles, 1968. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Hobbies and other interests: Travel. Memberships: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Council on Children's Literature. Agent: Jack Byrne, 3209 South Fifty-fifth St., Milwaukee, WI 53219-4433.

CAREER:

Gates Rubber Co., Denver, CO, secretary, 1952-54; Life Insurance Association of America, New York, NY, secretary, 1954-60; worked as a medical secretary for a physician in New York, NY, 1960-63; writer, 1963--. Taught writing classes in writers' programs at Pasadena City College and University of California--Los Angeles, 1978-88.

AWARDS:

Southern California Council on Children's Literature Award for notable work of fiction, 1992, for Blue Skye; Best Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library, 2003, for Lake of Secrets.

Reviews

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. It’s been on my (physical) bookshelf and I’ve never read it, so I decided it was time before we move…it won’t be moving with us though! I enjoyed it, but at the same time, I never felt like I couldn’t put it down.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't remember what prompted me to add this book to my "must-read" list. Perhaps it was because I had read the three novels Ms. Littke wrote with Carroll Morris and Nancy Anderson. This one was an easy read and I finished it in only a couple hours.

However... I was by turns annoyed and frustrated by this book. It really is only an average story. (Maybe writing with a couple other people brought out the strengths of all three of them.) I didn't really feel like any of the characters (except for maybe Belinda) were very well developed. Too much "hinting" at who might be the villain. Even Jane/Jayda wasn't very appealing. She just seemed so very immature. I had trouble with parts of the plot that were glossed over, rather than explained, as though it was too much trouble to keep the continuity going, so lets pretend it all makes sense. The real "villain" was so broadly broadcast from the start it wasn't even remotely a surprise.

The one appealing thing was the wall of drawers. Wow, a wall of nothing but 200 drawers. I'd love one of those!

But, try as I wanted to like this (and I didn't even skip any parts, tough as that was) my tendency is to just shrug it off and forget about it. Ho-hum.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayda hasn't been to the old house on Blackbird Hill since she left for Hollywood. Now, it's hers and saying "no" to pushy property developers falls on deaf ears. So,when all else fails, Jayda learns to fall back on what she knows and what she learns in the "Remembering Room". Calling upon her showbiz collegues, including ex-husband, the story of her ancestors coming to settle Blackbird Hill is set to music and rehearsals begin. Threatening notes will not lesson her resolve to keep her home and its surrounding.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. It was an easy read, but was kind of boring and the ending was too abrupt and left too many loose ends. I also got a little tired of Jayda being attracted to three men at once. But it was a clean book with no bad language or sex and a little mystery, and it was a good story.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 3 out of 5]

2016 read it was a good read.

[Jamille Parks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I bought this book; I think it was on clearance. I lost interest in it several times and I think the only reason why I finished it was because I felt guilty not finishing it.

[Dorry Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of a woman coming back home to save old family property that she had inherited. Lots of twists with so many wanted her to sell it.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy summer read

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jayda decides to save the family home from developers and run into trouble.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending seemed a bit rushed, but other than that, I enjoyed it.

[Patrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads Giveaways for bestowing this wonderful novel on me. .. I am kicking myself for not reading this as soon as I received it.

This is the story of Jayda, a disillusioned Hollywood starlet coming “home” to heal after her divorce. Her hometown and the surrounding hills are being bought up by a foreign investor that wants to develop the area and build single-family homes. Jayda’s homestead is the “crowning jewel” to the new development but, her Aunt Leora has left it to her and she has to find a way to save it. The house was built by the first Jorgensens, Jayda’s ancestor’s, that settled the area and the town of Blackbird Hill. Jayda was Jane, and four years-old, when she came to live in Blackbird Hill, after an accident took the lives of her parents. She went to Hollywood in her late teens to escape from what she felt was the oppressive history of her family. In trying to find a way to keep the home she grew up in, Jayda embarks on a journey of discovery of herself and her family. She has helpers along the way, an old friend returned injured from the war, a 7-year-old boy, Smoot, a young girl named Bug, her ex-husband and their “Hollywood” friends, and other town-folk and cousins. But, someone is leaving threatening notes and trying to scare Jayda into selling the property. Who could it be? Jayda tries to unravel the mystery and save the house.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a good break from the angst and rage that seem to predominate in some of my latest reading. Jayda (aka Jane) returns to her hometown after a divorce and a lackluster acting career to claim the old family home she inherited and figure out who she is and what she wants. A developer wants to buy the land, tear down the house, build more houses. Other family members want to sell. Jayda isn't sure, turns to the artifacts in the 200-drawer wall of the "remembering room" for information and connection. There are men: the smooth-talking developer's agent, the ex-husband who flies in to organize a pageant, the old high-school boyfriend with (body and mind) wounds. Plus an (almost) orphan, a dog, a horse, a gossipy hairdresser. If it's not deep and profound, it is a good read.

[Christine Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has some very interesting elements. Jayda has returned to Blackbird Hill after the breakup of her marriage, to save the family home. Along her journey she discovers a feud similar to the Hatfields and McCoys that exists between her family and another in the area. She is also reunited with her longtime friend (who could have been more) Lee, who is fighting his own daemons. When Jayda begins to receive increasingly violent threats, she becomes more and more determined to save her home.

It was cute and I enjoyed reading it. I liked the small town setting (as I grew up in a small town) and the emphasis on family history. I did have a hard time picturing Jayda in Hollywood. Her personality seemed sweet, and not toughened, from the start, as one expects from those in Hollywood.

[Linnae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jayda returns home to the family estate (of which she is now the owner! gulp) and must reconcile the driven, rebellious teenager she used to be with who she is now. Oh, and save the property from developers who want to make into condos and such.

Slow moving story about family loyalty, the importance of family history, and choosing a family to love from those around you. Although it was quite a long buildup, the ending was never really in doubt and the suspense was minor. And I have to say, although you could see it coming miles away, she wrapped it all up quite abruptly at the end. I remember being about 30 pages from the end and wondering how she was going to get it done.

Good read for rainy day and a quiet afternoon.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jayda(Jane) comes home to Blackbird Hill from Hollywood. Her Aunt Leora has deeded the family home to her. Developers want to buy the house and land and put in a development. Jayda doesn't want to sell. Her cousins want to sell. Someone leaves threatening notes, takes Tarzan (Jayda's dog), and saws through wood supports for an extension of the deck - causing a broken leg. Ethan, Jayda's ex-husband comes to help create a pageant about the history of the town.
An old friend Lee is there and is taking care of Smoot, his nephew.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast read, just one day. It was very enjoyable and fun. I think that a real novel (instead of just a story) could have been made, if the author had fleshed out all of the subplots. I wanted more, it seemed that some things were glossed over to get to the ending. Also, some of the plot lines weren't tied up by the end of the story leaving me to wonder if the author is planning on more.

[Malyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just ok. Very slow start for me, the relationships built in the story were very good, I really loved the characters, I just didn't feel like it came to a real climax. A lot of "fake" building.

[Cherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jayda, who used to be Jane, finally comes back to Blackbird Hill to figure out who she is. Attempts to buy the house are refused, but there is someone not content to just offer big money, they offer threats. Jayda has to find the courage of her ancestors to deal with the challenge.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book in the sense that it was an easy read & clean. The plot was interesting & did keep me wondering, but it definately wasn't a can't wait to see what happens page turner. The characters were likable enough. Recommend if you want something light & easy to read. Good & wholesome.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lael Littke has been a favorite author of mine since grade school. This was a fun read with enjoyable characters.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much middle, not enough ending.

[Lewestover · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little romance, a little mystery and intrigue, a lot of searching for roots, and the desire to know where one really fits in this life...not a bad story.

[Lacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. It was really boring & I never really got hooked on the story. I was disappointed.

[Stephanie]

Very enjoyable.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. You didn't know who was the bad guy until the end. There were many story lines that all tied in together. I really liked this book.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

"...you could never know who you are until you found out who you were." pg 9

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to have my own "remembering room" someday. What a great way to cherish your ancestors.

[Michelle Stokes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a fun, interesting, easy read!

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got this for a quarter at my library book sale. Seriously one of the most boring books. Just couldn't get into anything or anyone. Supposed to be suspenseful and that was boring too.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the family history theme of the book. Not super mysterious or too much action. A little slow but at same time a very quick read.