Moonfixer

Appalachian Journey #2

by C.C. Tillery, Caitlyn Hunter, Christy Tillery French

In the dawning years of the 20th century, Bessie Daniels leaves her home town of Hot Springs and travels east over the mountains to live with her new husband Fletcher Elliott in the Broad River section of North Carolina.Bess and Fletch stay with Fletcher’s parents for the first five years of their married life with Bessie teaching in a one-room schoolhouse and Fletcher working at the lumber mill in Old Fort while they save to buy property of their own on Stone Mountain.In 1906, they purchase 400 acres of the old Zachariah Solomon Plantation which includes a small house with a shack beside it, a branch of Cedar Creek and a row of dilapidated slave cabins...And ghosts.Thus begins Bessie’s next phase of life where the gift of sight she inherited from her Cherokee ancestors grows stronger, her healing abilities are put to the test, and she encounters a vicious secret society that tries to force her and Fletcher to turn their backs on a family sharecropping and living in one of the cabins.When Bessie and Fletch refuse to give in to their demands, the group strikes back, bringing pain and suffering to their once serene existence on Stone Mountain.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 20, 2013

Reviews

[Caroline]

Being a genealogist, I am really enjoying this series. I see so much of my family in these books. My family moved from the Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia area of the country to the Missouri Ozarks and the dialect is so familiar and comforting.

My mother's grandmother was Cherokee and their family didn't stay in Cherokee country but went to visit family in Iowa and stayed until they willingly moved to the Tri-State, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, area to work in the mines there. G-Grandma instilled a great pride in being Cherokee.

I am fascinated by the stories of the People and the usage of the herbs. I have also gotten so involved with the family that it's hard to put the book down so I can sleep. I have cried with Bess and laughed with her and gotten angry at the injustices done. The deaths and accidents, quite common in those days, are the hardest to read, especially the children.

I truly can't wait to finish "Beloved Woman" and to start the next one whenever it comes out.

[Sharon Anne Stanich]

Aunt Bess. A woman for the ages!!

Aunt Bess. A woman for the ages!!

I just finished reading moolnfixer. I have already finished reading the Whistling woman but moonfixerer is my favorite so far! I think it was because I fell in love with Bess and the outlook she had on her own life. She knew that she loved her man and that there was nothing that would stop it. The inclusion of George and Sadie's family was a very important part of the story. However how many tears of injustice must we cry over the horrible things that have happened. Please keep this family in your story I so wanted Bess and Fletcher to have some children of their own they would have been awesome parents. The threading of the Cherokee dream through out the books is lovely and it makes a very important part of the story to carry through. Keep up the good story writing I will always be here to read your next book

[Rhonda]

I am so in love with this series. My family is from Bryson City NC. The accent is on point in the audio. It definitely brings about some lost memories for me. You have to read this series.

[Susan]

'Moonfixer' is the sequel to 'The Whistling Woman' and there is to be another one soon (I hope) entitled 'Charming Gardeners'.

Moonfixer is a nickname Bessie is given in her new home place because she is so tall 'she could fix the moon. It covers about 10 years of her life with her husband Fletcher. They work and save their money to buy 400 acres of land which has a house and a shed and several slave houses on it. Bessie teaches school and Fletcher works for a wood mill.

The reader follows the daily lives of Bessie and Fletcher and all the people the deal with-- from friendly neighbors, to the Red Shirts( trouble makers) and at a distance even the KKK.

This is an easy read of events and the way life was just barely over a century ago!!. These books make me think of books by Ralph Moody.

[Patsy]

This is a sequel to 'Whistling Woman' it's best to read 'Whistling Woman' first. Moon-fixed is Besty' s nickname she got it for being so tall, it was said she could fix the moon. This is the memoirs about Aunt Bess' s life. In 1906 Besty Daniels leaves her home in Hot Spring to go with her husband to North Carolina. They purchase 400 acres on a plantations with a row of old slave houses. Betsy' s Aunt taught her to heal with herbs from their woods and she inherited an insight to see things in the future and to hear things in the past from her aunt.

This is a very charming book, very well written, holds your interest, a good read. There is another sequel to this that is being written.

[Billie Lester]

Sweet Read

I love the stories of the Appalachian Mountains. This author has a way of using the mountain language and terminology to bring you into the lives of the characters. By the end of the book you fall in love with the good and kind mountain folk and at the same time want to see justice for those who cause them pain. I'm already excited to begin reading threats book of this series. If I had one criticism it would be that the book didn't have a better ending. The end came without an actual climax. I didn't realize it had ended until I discovered I was reading about the next book to come. All in all, a very good read.

[Julie]

I'm really enjoying this series about family life in the Appalachians in the early 1900s. They are somewhat protected from the destruction the Civil War brought as well as other world events. However we soon fine out that racism is alive and well even in the friendly little mountain communities.

[kathy post]

Another good read!

Bess's marriage to Fletcher takes her away from her family. Early Appalachian life can be hard, but they are working together to succeed and are very happy together!

[Stormy]

Insightful look into the early 1900's. Well written story of various lives during this unsettled time of change.

Definitely looking forward to what comes next.

[Toni L.]

I'm sorry that I waited so long to read this series.
It is so good. Will recommend.

[Sue Adams]

Very enjoyable.

[RuthAnn Parker]

This is a wonderful series.

This book was every bit as good as book one. Both educational, Informative and a joy to read. Loved it.

[Susan C. O'Neal]

Another wonderful story!

Reading this series reminds me of my childhood with my Great Aunts. One was a healer & seer! We went to the woods to gather roots, leaves & bark for the many home remedies she made. She was also an amazing artist. The other was a wonderful cook and put up jam, jellies, vegetables and meats for the winter. Her sour kraut was amazing! We played in the creek, helped with the garden & tending the animals. What a precious , sweet time it was in my life. These stories bring back so many wonderful memories! If you love a clean, well written story with characters you wish were your neighbors, this series is for you.

[Cindy]

SO SO SO SO GOOD!!!!! Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about the books! The characters, setting, stories told-just everything. I love this series of books more than any that I have read a long long time.

Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about the books! The characters, setting, stories told-just everything. I love this series of books more than any that I have read a long long time.

[Lisa]

Great book

I enjoyed book 2 as much as book one and can't wait to read book 3. Thank you for sharing your family history with us. Your so lucky to have all of these story. I feel as if I've known Bess. And she has become like family. ................ ............ ☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺😊😊😊😊☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊☺☺☺..................😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😁😁😁😁😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😁😀😀😀😀😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 thank you again for sharing........,.,............

[Bylinda A McCabe]

Moonfixer's Journey

This is the 3rd book in this series. I read the 4th book first not realizing there were 4 books. I was hooked after reading the last book first. So interesting and informative. My house work has suffered.
Thank you for your stories. They. Remind
me of my family in lots of ways. Please read this series.

[Nancy barrett]

I enjoyed this book as much as the first one. New characters and new setting. I was a little disappointed that Bessie didn’t share more information about the family she left behind in Hot Springs, she mentioned letters shared back and forth but no details.

[Laurie]

A very enjoyable continuation in the series. I am awestruck by the strong character depicted. Highly recommend this series.

[Rita]

Great Series, based on the Great Aunt Bessie of the authors.

[Donna]

Another good read from the Tillery sisters.

[Martha]

It is very interesting to read this fictionalized account of the families that lived in our area in the early 20th century

[Pam McCallister]

Great book

[Charlotte]

Although I didn't like this book as well as the first in the series, I am still glad I read it; and I am starting to read Beloved Woman, the third book in the series this evening. Some of the expressions in the book are familiar to me, but I am trying to remember which of my grandmothers said, "Well, I swan." Both of my grandmothers lived in the foothills of the Appalachians.
This series of books interests me especially because of the language. I want to learn more about the Appalachian culture as part of my fascination with genealogy. I find the Cherokee stories and remedies interesting although I am not aware of any Cherokee blood in my ancestry.

[Glenda Lynne]

This book is a sequel to "The Whistling Woman", and unlike many sequels, it was equally as enjoyable as the first book. There is something so inviting about these characters. I really like them. I want them to be my friends. They feel very authentic and are going to remain in my memory for a long time. I also love the story, the way it gently moves through each aspect of life at that time and place. There is a striking realism about it. It unfolds and grows in ways that are rich and rewarding. I can't wait to read the next one!

[Pamela]

Very interesting story! I love stories from this time period in history, especially when they are based on real people and places. The events and characters in this series are fascinating to me and really caught my imagination.

I suspect a lot of people would enjoy the Cherokee stories but personally (maybe just because I have different religious beliefs) they were probably my least favorite parts of the book.

Enjoyed reading it immensely. It was hard to put down and I always wanted to know what happened next.

[Vanda]

Bessie ve věku 25 let, na polosamotě v Appalačských horách. Tady mi došlo, že když se tehdy k domu přiblížil kdokoli s jakýmikoli úmysly, valnou většinou tu našel jen ženu, případně ženu a děti, protože muži pracovali někde v lese/na poli/na pile atp. Nebyla to sranda, přijít mohl opravdu kdokoli. Druhý díl byl rozhodně lepší než první, jedna zajímavá historka za druhou, spoustu příkladů, jak se tehdy žilo, jak se lidé na sebe vzájemně spoléhali, ale i jak bezprávná doba to pro mnohé ještě byla.

[Myla C Dalton]

Beautiful sequel

If you enjoyed The Whistling Woman like I did, you will enjoy Moonfixer too! The story of Bessie picks up where it left off. Her life continues to unfold with the same wonderful blend of humor, heartache, and triumph. I love how the writers bring the characters and scenery to life and with sights, sounds, colors, and even smells! A wonderful read. I can't wait to begin the next one!

[lynda]

Light easy reading as Bessie's story continues...

I was surprised when this book ended, but then I remembered there is a third volume! Yay! Enjoyed especially the Cherokee legends and the insights into living with the mountain people. There is a simple and beautiful love story woven through the first two volumes, life and death on the mountain provide just enough excitement to keep things interesting.

[Debbi]

"Moonfixer" is the second of four books in C.C. Tillery's "Appalachian Journey" series. Bessie gets married in this story and moves away from her family deeper into the mountains. She doesn't have the material comforts she grew up with and this displeases her father who is unhappy with Bessie's choice of a husband. She becomes the school teacher she's always wanted to be but death seems to follow her.

[Ann]

This is the sequel to "Whistling Woman" and it picks up where that story left off. I hope the authors finish the telling of Aunt Bess's life. This memoir of her remarkable life in the Appalachian mountain community is riveting. I think there is at least one more book needed to finish the narrative.

Looking forward to the next book.