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Appalachian Journey #4
Wise Woman
In the mid 1920s, Bessie Elliott and her husband Fletcher take in their six-year-old nephew John. They are determined to give him a warm and secure home on Stone Mountain, a place where he will feel loved and know he is always welcome. Having a child brings many changes to their daily life and even more for John, but it isn’t long before he feels completely at home with his aunt and uncle. As he learns about the farm animals, the wildlife and plant life on the mountain, he grows into a young man Bessie and Fletch are proud to call their own. But their life is not without turmoil. Bessie’s healing skills are put to the test when she and Doc Widby deal with an unknown and mysterious illness, one they have no idea how to treat. While doing their best to heal their patient, they run up against a new doctor in Black Mountain who is involved with the Eugenics movement, a program Bessie fiercely opposes. And Bessie and Fletch, along with the rest of their neighbors, are torn apart by a foe threatening the natural beauty of Stone Mountain.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2015
493 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
October 19, 2016
The last book of the series, Bessie is finally blessed with a child. She is challenged to treat a disease no one can cure and a doctor spewing eugenics. Then comes the Great Depression. This was an enjoyable ride reading about Bessie's life which was based the authors' Great Aunt Bessie. She lived a simple life among the poor in the Appalachian mountains but she was rich in so many ways.
June 4, 2016
Very good read.
Enjoyed this as much as the others. Too bad the series had to come to an end. Very good read.
Enjoyed this as much as the others. Too bad the series had to come to an end. Very good read.
July 14, 2021
Crying as I write!
I am so sad to finish the 4th book of this series. Each book was truly a gem! So many places in the books brought back memorial of my own Great Grandparents whom I had the privilege of knowing. Many stories brought back memories of my Grandparents as well. Their stories, lives, histories were so similar to these books.I don't have many friends ( Baby Boomers) who attended a hog killin , could make jams jellies & syrups like I learned. Medicinal plants , bark, roots & leaves were well known and still used today. Mustard plaster anyone???
Our Pastor says we should not long for the past and the simple ways of life , but to live in the present. I don't think he I said his grandparents.
While it is true to live in the present, good memories are a healing thing in these days of turmoil! I cherish these 4 stories as I cherish my own.
I am so sad to finish the 4th book of this series. Each book was truly a gem! So many places in the books brought back memorial of my own Great Grandparents whom I had the privilege of knowing. Many stories brought back memories of my Grandparents as well. Their stories, lives, histories were so similar to these books.I don't have many friends ( Baby Boomers) who attended a hog killin , could make jams jellies & syrups like I learned. Medicinal plants , bark, roots & leaves were well known and still used today. Mustard plaster anyone???
Our Pastor says we should not long for the past and the simple ways of life , but to live in the present. I don't think he I said his grandparents.
While it is true to live in the present, good memories are a healing thing in these days of turmoil! I cherish these 4 stories as I cherish my own.
June 14, 2017
Heartwarming and Truly A Blessing!
As I finish this wonderful series I am at a loss for adequate words to describe what these books provided. To read these books brought laughter as well as tears at all of the things that Bessie and Fletcher faced during their lives together. What a truly entertaining and heartwarming these books were and I strongly recommend these books for everyone to read. They truly tell a love story that will survive for generations to come and will enlighten anyone reading these books about life on the mountain. Excellent work and an honor to be blessed by this wonderful story. Thank you!
As I finish this wonderful series I am at a loss for adequate words to describe what these books provided. To read these books brought laughter as well as tears at all of the things that Bessie and Fletcher faced during their lives together. What a truly entertaining and heartwarming these books were and I strongly recommend these books for everyone to read. They truly tell a love story that will survive for generations to come and will enlighten anyone reading these books about life on the mountain. Excellent work and an honor to be blessed by this wonderful story. Thank you!
February 26, 2018
Finished all 4 books of Appalachian Journey series
First off, I spent time in the mountains of NC summers when I was growing up. My Dads older sister and brother and their spouses both ran restaurants in Blowing Rock NC so I would go up and spend summers helping in the restaurants and have fun with my cousins. Good memories, and I really enjoy reading stories about life in the Appalachians.
I really loved these stories, or actually it was one long story broken into 4 parts. Bessie and Fletcher were remarkable people. Wonderful reading. Highly recommended if you have a love for the mountains of NC and those folks.
First off, I spent time in the mountains of NC summers when I was growing up. My Dads older sister and brother and their spouses both ran restaurants in Blowing Rock NC so I would go up and spend summers helping in the restaurants and have fun with my cousins. Good memories, and I really enjoy reading stories about life in the Appalachians.
I really loved these stories, or actually it was one long story broken into 4 parts. Bessie and Fletcher were remarkable people. Wonderful reading. Highly recommended if you have a love for the mountains of NC and those folks.
March 12, 2021
LOVED!!!!!!!!! Start with the first book in the series. Each book just flows seamlessly into the next. I fell in love with sweet Bessie as a young girl in the first book, Whistling Woman, and loved following her over her lifetime. Growing up in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, I was raised around these strong, good, old fashioned mountain women! And Bessie was just extra special...a woman with the “sight” and a healer, she had a fierce love for her family and neighbors and anyone in need. She lived an amazing life! I only wish there were more books in the series!!! Thank you Tillery Ladies for writing an amazing series on your family!!! What a legacy!!
April 19, 2021
Wonderful wonderful story
Learning about the mountain people, with all their good and bad people, their loves and ideas and superstitions was a joy to behold.
Pretty much isolated from the world these people were always there for each other helping in any way they could. It gives you a warm feeling to know life isn’t about give and take, take take and caring good people still roam the earth.
Learning about the mountain people, with all their good and bad people, their loves and ideas and superstitions was a joy to behold.
Pretty much isolated from the world these people were always there for each other helping in any way they could. It gives you a warm feeling to know life isn’t about give and take, take take and caring good people still roam the earth.
February 1, 2022
A well written book
I enjoyed Bessie’s story from her teen age years on. It brought to mind my own strong Grandmother who lived through the same time frame. I have shared many of the small Cherokee stories with different family members during the reading. My heartfelt thanks to the authors for their thoughtful writing; Im sure Bessie would be proud of their sharing of her legacy.
I enjoyed Bessie’s story from her teen age years on. It brought to mind my own strong Grandmother who lived through the same time frame. I have shared many of the small Cherokee stories with different family members during the reading. My heartfelt thanks to the authors for their thoughtful writing; Im sure Bessie would be proud of their sharing of her legacy.
June 26, 2017
Moonfixer, mother to the people on Stone Mountain.
This series has moved me deeply. I hate to see its end. The love between Fletcher and Bessie was what I would have wished for myself. I am happy to know this book is based on a real family and thank you for sharing it with us.
This series has moved me deeply. I hate to see its end. The love between Fletcher and Bessie was what I would have wished for myself. I am happy to know this book is based on a real family and thank you for sharing it with us.
September 4, 2017
Full box of kleenex
This story of a family and their lives is so full of love and hope and determination. Prosperity and loss. Well written. Every now and again I have to remember it's a true story. I used a half box of Kleenex in the 2-3rd book but a full box on the last. Will be in my thoughts for some time to come.
This story of a family and their lives is so full of love and hope and determination. Prosperity and loss. Well written. Every now and again I have to remember it's a true story. I used a half box of Kleenex in the 2-3rd book but a full box on the last. Will be in my thoughts for some time to come.
April 20, 2018
Great Read
I finally finished the series. When I started with Bk. 1, I was afraid that there was going to be too much folklore and fantasy for me as I'm not a fan of this genre. As it turned out, there was just enough to add a little more interest to the books. He sure to read the books in order.
I finally finished the series. When I started with Bk. 1, I was afraid that there was going to be too much folklore and fantasy for me as I'm not a fan of this genre. As it turned out, there was just enough to add a little more interest to the books. He sure to read the books in order.
April 11, 2021
I really loved this Appalachian Mountain series. I'm usually a fan of mysteries and thrillers, but really needed a change from the same old, same old. These books hit the spot. Just interesting stories of life in Appalachia.
If you are in need of a change, try this series. You won't be disappointed.
If you are in need of a change, try this series. You won't be disappointed.
August 28, 2022
I enjoyed this series so much. Some of the funniest lines and southern sayings are in these books. What made this series even more interesting is its about the authors kinfolk. Loved all the stories that were passed down from generation to generation. Aunt Bessie led a very interesting life. Would loved to have met her.
May 5, 2020
Enjoyed these books so much!
I read all four books and was sad when I reached the last page. I'm so grateful for the Tillery sisters for sharing their family history with us. Your ancestors must make you so proud, and I'm certain they are proud of the two of you.
I read all four books and was sad when I reached the last page. I'm so grateful for the Tillery sisters for sharing their family history with us. Your ancestors must make you so proud, and I'm certain they are proud of the two of you.
August 9, 2020
My parents lived in the Stone Mountain area. This series of books is some of my most Loved. I will pass them to my Grand Daughter to read. If your finished reading this series, try the Brown Mountain Lights series by the same authors.
November 1, 2020
Great book
I have totally enjoyed reading these books. I've laughed and cried. I feel as if I've made new friends and homer the fact I've been welcomed into this family with open arms. Thank you for sharing your family with me.
I have totally enjoyed reading these books. I've laughed and cried. I feel as if I've made new friends and homer the fact I've been welcomed into this family with open arms. Thank you for sharing your family with me.
January 4, 2021
Enjoyed
Enjoyed the whole series. I love Cades Cove in the Smokies and pictured these books taking place there. Covered many years with supplying a lot of history information. A hard life-but fulfilling.
Enjoyed the whole series. I love Cades Cove in the Smokies and pictured these books taking place there. Covered many years with supplying a lot of history information. A hard life-but fulfilling.
September 16, 2022
I enjoy reading books by Appalachian authors.
Books written by CCTillery are among my favorite Appalachian authors. One of the things I appreciated was that the writer was talented enough to use the correct Appalachian dialect.
Books written by CCTillery are among my favorite Appalachian authors. One of the things I appreciated was that the writer was talented enough to use the correct Appalachian dialect.
February 18, 2023
loved
I loved this book as well as the ones before it in this wonderfully informative and interesting series! I thank these women and their families for sharing their stories and thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent reading these!
I loved this book as well as the ones before it in this wonderfully informative and interesting series! I thank these women and their families for sharing their stories and thoroughly enjoyed every minute spent reading these!
February 8, 2017
Best series ever
Thank you for these for wonderful books. Wonderful stories and memories. I felt like I was there. I only wish the stories could continue.
Thank you for these for wonderful books. Wonderful stories and memories. I felt like I was there. I only wish the stories could continue.
July 9, 2017
Wonderful!
A great final tribute to this series! I loved these books from the first page. I wish I had also known Aunt Bessie and Uncle Fletch!
A great final tribute to this series! I loved these books from the first page. I wish I had also known Aunt Bessie and Uncle Fletch!
July 13, 2017
Touching
I enjoyed this series so much. The final Book 4 is my favorite. Bessie Elliott was an amazing woman. I deeply admire her.
I enjoyed this series so much. The final Book 4 is my favorite. Bessie Elliott was an amazing woman. I deeply admire her.
July 26, 2017
The series was well written and I found myself laughing out loud at the anecdotal portrayal from Bessie's perspective. The final book brought home the old fashion feeling of love, faith, & family.
August 7, 2017
I loved this series.
My connection to the main character grew stronger with each book.
The stories painted a clear picture of her life in my mind.
My connection to the main character grew stronger with each book.
The stories painted a clear picture of her life in my mind.
March 6, 2018
Like everything the Tillery sisters write. Appalachian folk thru and thru.
April 8, 2018
The ending was sad and I felt it ended abruptly.
September 27, 2018
This series keeps you reading
Great series! I love series books and this was one of my favorites. Great history lots of fun stories a must read.
Great series! I love series books and this was one of my favorites. Great history lots of fun stories a must read.
December 8, 2018
Interesting
A good story about lives and the effect a place as the mountains has upon them.Was an interesting and simple story.
A good story about lives and the effect a place as the mountains has upon them.Was an interesting and simple story.
June 6, 2019
An excellent series, really enjoyed it. Highly recommend.
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September 24, 2019A great woman's life journey
Enjoyed all three books and the historical time line a out how women evolved over the years. Education, women's plz s in so it
Enjoyed all three books and the historical time line a out how women evolved over the years. Education, women's plz s in so it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews