Sarah's Story

Life on Bays Mountain #3

by Barbara Arnold Linkous

Sarah’s Story
A heartwarming Southern Historical Fiction, Sarah’s Story is Book Three in the Life on Bays Mountain Series and can be enjoyed as a standalone book.
The day dawned with promise, but a dark cloud of tragedy shattered that hope into a million pieces.
A young soldier's wife watched a departing train, never imagining what lay ahead for the couple and their unborn child, Sarah. Witness the beginning of Sarah’s family’s struggle to find a footing after World War One.
A family crisis compels young Sarah’s family to return to Bays Mountain. There, they grapple with changes brought on by a rapidly evolving outside world. No longer isolated, the people of the mountain must change to survive the Great Depression.
Join Sarah Barrett Gilbert as she reminisces about her childhood and coming of age during one of the most challenging times in American history.
Sarah’s Story represents the lives of many during the Depression Era. Throughout the United States, people held the hope of a better life. With hard work, unwavering faith in God, and a deep love for her family, Sarah faces numerous obstacles. Will she overcome? Will Victory be her reward?
Filled with adventure, despair, hope, and a dash of romance, Sarah’s Story is a captivating journey that will warm the readers’ hearts.

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

About the author

Barbara Arnold Linkous creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors' lives in the Appalachian Mountains.

Reviews

[Sarah Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of heart and history

This is Book 3 in the Bays Mountain series, although i havent read the previous two, this was perfectly fine to read as a standalone.
It was a sweet and wonderfully written historical story set in the Appalcian region of Bays Mountain. It tells the story in a memoir fashion of Sarah, and her family through retold stories from her parents and then her own memoirs, their ups and downs after the war and during the depression. It shows the stength and resilience of a family as they struggle with life's ups and downs and was a pleasant and at times emotional read. I liked how the historical elements of post war and depression added a sense of realism and struggle to the story. 🙂

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah's Story
Life on Bays Mountain Series, Book Three
By: Barbara Arnold Linkous
Narrated by: Sarah Wadsley

Life in Bays Mountain proves to be an amazing listen! From the point of view of Sarah, it starts out even before she is born. How her parents started out, the tragedies they dealt with, but learned to overcome and their venture back to Bay's Mountain. She tells the story of her life, and it's not an easy one. Once settled in Bay's Mountain, her family faces the Great Depression, a time that is hard for everyone. I truly enjoyed this story.Sarah is faced with many obstacles, and with her faith and her growing love for Vic. She found her calling, and loved helping others. Barbara Arnold Linkous captured the time period, giving the feel of what it was like growing up during that time. This coming of age story is one to enjoy and reflect on.

Sarah Wadsley narrates this story, and she is the perfect person to be Sarah. From young to old, she gives the feelings Sarah has in each stage of her childhood and young adulthood. It's full of emotions and truths, and Wadsley captures the true meaning in her voice. I enjoyed her narration.

[BrendaLee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this audiobook! The narrator and the story. It started out with a tragedy and before Sarah was even born. I enjoyed learning about Sarah’s childhood and all the way to adulthood. Her family and the rest of the people in her world had a hard time. Matter of fact the Great Depression Era was hard on most everyone. They had to learn to survive and the Mountain people knew how better than most. I love historical fiction books and the ones that are true or based on truth are even better. A little sadness, a lot of struggles, and a whole lot of faith in God got them through the hard times. It’s such a blessing when people that have been through so much can still be faithful to God and family. Oh and let’s not forget the lesson in forgiveness in this story. It was amazing. If you like historical fiction you will probably enjoy this book. I recommend it.
I received a copy of this audiobook from the author but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[James Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heartwarming Young Adult Story!
Young innocent love, a wife watching her soldier husband depart for war, a tragic train accident, and months of agonizing recovery, yet this tragic tale is filled with love and family values.
I did not read the first two books in the Bay Mountain Series, but I thoroughly enjoyed this wholesome historical fiction story. The plot is filled with desperation in the post-WWI depression era, but it is balanced with hope and adventure as well, as Sarah and her husband return to Bays Mountain to help with a family crisis.
The story unfolds beautifully and flows well, and it depicts wonderful examples of perseverance during and following the Great Depression years. It was an enjoyable read and I recommend it.

[John Hinchliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 3rd book in the Bays Mountain series is a great book. More of the history of Bays Mountain and the story of Sarah’s journey and the hardships faced as she grew up during firstly the rapid economic expansion and prosperity during the 1920's, and following the stock market crash in 1929 the hardships of the great depression of the 1930's in America. A really good listen and I would highly recommend. Sarah Wadsley does a brilliant job of the narration.

[C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Historical Romance

The ending makes me second guess if this was fiction or a family story passed down, but either way, it's a special look into the life before during and after the Great Depression! I enjoyed learning about what led up to the GI Bill that I have benefited from.
I enjoyed the narrator's soft spoken country voice! I felt that was missing in Murriel's story.

[Josephine Wrightson · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing

This is the first book I’ve read from this author, and not my usual read. However, I was intrigued from the start and found myself wanting to know what happened next. It’s well written, flows and is full of genuine heart, love, growth and how people pull together to overcome. I enjoyed the story.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life story of Sarah was very interesting and reflected not only life on the Bays Mountain but also life in general during that period of time. It was interesting historically. This book was different for me in its first person approach and a life story. I enjoyed it very much.

[Marcia Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the other books in this series but the novel worked well as a standalone. The story explores the changing times after World War 1 and the Depression era. An interesting book interwoven with history and I enjoyed it.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listening to Sarah's Story is a trip back in time. Sarah and her family live through much with the Great Depression and their lives on Bays Mountain. The struggles they endured and their faith kept them alive.
I was given a copy of the book by the author for an honest review.