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Laine's Beech Mountain Story #5
The Yellow Brick Road
323 pages (print edition), 104,888 words, Historical fiction novel, Mountain family life, Appalachian cultural heritage
In addition to coping with her husband, raising her children, and running her farm, Laine must deal with her sister’s insanity.
From Chapter 11:
Susie felt a surge of anger shoot through her. How dare what she wanted be sold? It was meant to be her mountain. She deserved a mountain. “Was the mountain sold too?”
“The man thought not. It still belongs to his heirs. He said there was over seven thousand acres that Wilder owned.”
Seven thousand acres. She couldn’t bring herself to imagine what seven thousand acres would look like. It was certainly more than Laine claimed to own. It didn’t matter if the hotel was gone. She had money enough to build back a house that was fancier than the hotel. She didn’t want to live in a hotel anyway.
“Don’t just sit there like a stupid bump on a log. Start driving this thing. You need to find a nice place to spend the night.”
“Want me to stop at a house so you can ask to spend the night? That man seemed like the friendly sort.”
Susie thought about it. A soft bed would be good, as would a decent meal. “We’ll stop at a house once it gets dark. I want to get as close to the top of the mountain as we can.
Nate said no more. It was evident he didn’t care if they stopped or not. It was also evident that he was starting to get restless. She had to figure out a way to keep him from taking off until her need for him ended. She had to find out what was on top of that mountain before she’d know to what extent she would need him.
In addition to coping with her husband, raising her children, and running her farm, Laine must deal with her sister’s insanity.
From Chapter 11:
Susie felt a surge of anger shoot through her. How dare what she wanted be sold? It was meant to be her mountain. She deserved a mountain. “Was the mountain sold too?”
“The man thought not. It still belongs to his heirs. He said there was over seven thousand acres that Wilder owned.”
Seven thousand acres. She couldn’t bring herself to imagine what seven thousand acres would look like. It was certainly more than Laine claimed to own. It didn’t matter if the hotel was gone. She had money enough to build back a house that was fancier than the hotel. She didn’t want to live in a hotel anyway.
“Don’t just sit there like a stupid bump on a log. Start driving this thing. You need to find a nice place to spend the night.”
“Want me to stop at a house so you can ask to spend the night? That man seemed like the friendly sort.”
Susie thought about it. A soft bed would be good, as would a decent meal. “We’ll stop at a house once it gets dark. I want to get as close to the top of the mountain as we can.
Nate said no more. It was evident he didn’t care if they stopped or not. It was also evident that he was starting to get restless. She had to figure out a way to keep him from taking off until her need for him ended. She had to find out what was on top of that mountain before she’d know to what extent she would need him.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2016
109 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Peggy Poe Stern
53 books42 followersPeggy grew up on small farm in the Appalachians near Jefferson, NC; married young; finished school; made handcrafted folk toys; established her own farm on Grandfather Mountain near Boone; raised six children in a single-wide while growing burley tobacco, Christmas trees, and small fruits; built a house; raised small animals – all – while helping her husband do land surveying. Still farming, she enjoys her grand and great-grandchildren while creating novels sprinkled with the flavor of her mountain heritage. Since 2003 she has been writing about three books a year.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 31, 2021
Laine's Last Story
What a ride. Growing with Laine and all the life dramas she endured. There was never a time that I was not cheering her on, hating her demons and loving her paper angels!
Ms Peggy created Laine as a woman with man friends. That was unheard of in Laine times. In all the books Laine missed and remembered her Dad.
The amount of mental health issues in the characters were evident. I believe the lack of food and a steady diet plus inbreeding, lack of Dr.s care, no dental care and sickness played a huge part in the health and mental issues. Poverty contributes 100 percent!
My one issue is the author skipping decades of Laine's life. One chapter ended with Laine and all 7 children under 5 years of age-- to Laine an old old woman thinking about her life and her death!
Please Ms Peggy... rewrite the ending and fill in the blanks for us. There are plenty of years and Family on Beech Mountain to write about!!
#PickThisBook
#ReadThisSeries
#TeamPearl
#SusieAbeMert
What a ride. Growing with Laine and all the life dramas she endured. There was never a time that I was not cheering her on, hating her demons and loving her paper angels!
Ms Peggy created Laine as a woman with man friends. That was unheard of in Laine times. In all the books Laine missed and remembered her Dad.
The amount of mental health issues in the characters were evident. I believe the lack of food and a steady diet plus inbreeding, lack of Dr.s care, no dental care and sickness played a huge part in the health and mental issues. Poverty contributes 100 percent!
My one issue is the author skipping decades of Laine's life. One chapter ended with Laine and all 7 children under 5 years of age-- to Laine an old old woman thinking about her life and her death!
Please Ms Peggy... rewrite the ending and fill in the blanks for us. There are plenty of years and Family on Beech Mountain to write about!!
#PickThisBook
#ReadThisSeries
#TeamPearl
#SusieAbeMert
December 1, 2022
This book series by Peggy Poe Stern was a series that kept me wanting to read her next one. Lanie's mountain home sounded so peaceful and beautiful to have seen. I got married at the age of 15 and had a child at 16 so i was able to relate to her. She always put family first, although she questioned herself time, and time again. I love how she took to Barnabas and his family as her own. Plus the way she cared for the little Munson girl as if she was her own. I would love to see a TV short series made from made from her story
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2017
What a great ending to Laine's mountain story! Each book was just as riveting as the previous. I love these stories especially because there is a lot of truth to them. Peggy is an incredible writer!!!
October 3, 2021
A very satisfying read
Reading the struggles of our people trying to make a life for themselves is a fascinating story! I place myself right there with Laine, trying to raise her children in a better way than she was raised.
Reading the struggles of our people trying to make a life for themselves is a fascinating story! I place myself right there with Laine, trying to raise her children in a better way than she was raised.
November 4, 2021
Wonderful series if books!
I have loved reading this series of Laine's Beech Mountain books. I found myself looking forward to my evening reading to see what was going to happen to Laine. I do wish that Jonas had been a better husband but you can't have everything! Thank you Mrs. Poe!
I have loved reading this series of Laine's Beech Mountain books. I found myself looking forward to my evening reading to see what was going to happen to Laine. I do wish that Jonas had been a better husband but you can't have everything! Thank you Mrs. Poe!
January 26, 2022
mountain lover
This whole series is great. I love the mountains in west Tennessee but have visited much in North Carlin’s or Virginia. I put myself in the people’s place , imagining how hard their lives were. Not many appreciate the land like Laine did.
This whole series is great. I love the mountains in west Tennessee but have visited much in North Carlin’s or Virginia. I put myself in the people’s place , imagining how hard their lives were. Not many appreciate the land like Laine did.
February 18, 2022
very interesting book #5
Read the last book #5!
The story was a good read through all 5 books.
Sorry to say I read through all and was never disappointed!
Bravo for keeping the entire story worth endless reading!!
Enjoy!
Read the last book #5!
The story was a good read through all 5 books.
Sorry to say I read through all and was never disappointed!
Bravo for keeping the entire story worth endless reading!!
Enjoy!
May 18, 2023
Bad ending
I think there should have been another chapter before the last one she just old! Like about getting Susie to hospital and money she had. More details of children’s life! I loved reading all 5 books!
I think there should have been another chapter before the last one she just old! Like about getting Susie to hospital and money she had. More details of children’s life! I loved reading all 5 books!
November 5, 2023
Loved except...
Series was overall entertaining. My issue was the ending. Left a gaping hole with me wondering about her hired hands who were, to me, more family than her family was. They were also a major part of this series.
Series was overall entertaining. My issue was the ending. Left a gaping hole with me wondering about her hired hands who were, to me, more family than her family was. They were also a major part of this series.
October 26, 2025
Disappointing
This has been a good series, and the 1st book was wonderful. But this one was not. The author rewrote history, for instance, Laine now cares about her sister! Nope. Several other things like that, and it just didn't ring true, like the earlier books did.
This has been a good series, and the 1st book was wonderful. But this one was not. The author rewrote history, for instance, Laine now cares about her sister! Nope. Several other things like that, and it just didn't ring true, like the earlier books did.
October 12, 2020
What an amazing end to this series of books.
May 25, 2021
Laines saga
Thank you or your 5 wonderful books. Keep me entralled and could not put iPad down. Please continue writing so I ca have something good to read.
Thank you or your 5 wonderful books. Keep me entralled and could not put iPad down. Please continue writing so I ca have something good to read.
August 22, 2021
Great Series
I hope you have found the adventure, history, hardships and stubborn never-give-up attitude of Laine as refreshing as I did!
I hope you have found the adventure, history, hardships and stubborn never-give-up attitude of Laine as refreshing as I did!
October 1, 2021
Laines Legacy
I read books 1-5..Ms Stern is an awesome Appalachian writer..Bringing Laines Life full circle..While allowing a glimpse into Hard Mountain Life..
I read books 1-5..Ms Stern is an awesome Appalachian writer..Bringing Laines Life full circle..While allowing a glimpse into Hard Mountain Life..
October 9, 2021
Loved this series
Sorry to see it end. I felt it ended too soon without explaining some parts of the story but still a wonderful story.
Sorry to see it end. I felt it ended too soon without explaining some parts of the story but still a wonderful story.
December 2, 2023
Worth the Read
It continues the story of Laine and concludes it for the most part satisfactorily. It seems at the end the author was just finished, lol.
It continues the story of Laine and concludes it for the most part satisfactorily. It seems at the end the author was just finished, lol.
August 7, 2024
Wonderful book to end the series. Wish it went more in depth about her life getting older but I loved the ending. Beautiful book by a wonderful writer. ❤️
March 25, 2025
Too repetitve. I would have prefered to know more about the fates of all the characters. Many things were left unsolved or unkwon. I read it just to finish the series, which was good.
September 27, 2022
This series is totally awesome and Dow right amazing. A great group of books by a very good writer that has used a lot of historical facts to create reading material that just baffles the mind. Plus I have to say it’s totally CRAZY in ways that a person can not keep from thinking about. lol forward to reading more of her bucks from a region that’s not far from my home and spent many years traveling. A lot of great history that we will never see again except in books.
September 10, 2016
Enjoyed this series.
I loved this story and read the entire series within 2 weeks. Laine was my favorite character and when she was happy or sad I felt all of her happiness or sorrowful moments within my soul. I only wish the author would have continued the series until Laine grew old and not make the story end so abruptly. At times, there were too many scenes repeated throughout the series and at the beginning of each book which I found annoying and didn't think needed to be done.
There were many humorous saying's by the mountain people that I really found funny to the point of lol! I just may keep a few for myself!
Will read more by this author.
I loved this story and read the entire series within 2 weeks. Laine was my favorite character and when she was happy or sad I felt all of her happiness or sorrowful moments within my soul. I only wish the author would have continued the series until Laine grew old and not make the story end so abruptly. At times, there were too many scenes repeated throughout the series and at the beginning of each book which I found annoying and didn't think needed to be done.
There were many humorous saying's by the mountain people that I really found funny to the point of lol! I just may keep a few for myself!
Will read more by this author.
January 1, 2017
Once I read the first book in Lainy Beeche's seried I couldn't stop. The need poYoucan't review just the last book in the ssries of 5books. The entire series was a wonderful look at the life and times i n Apilacia at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century and on to the present day.Anabsolutely great read.
to see what further adventures and trials befell this family
on their moutain was too strong. It only ended when the
story ended after all
five books. I loved them all. a
a
to see what further adventures and trials befell this family
on their moutain was too strong. It only ended when the
story ended after all
five books. I loved them all. a
a
August 17, 2016
Interesting series of books.
A book, or series of books must be extremely great to get five star ratings from me. This series comes close, however I almost never give five stars to any of my ratings. I enjoyed immensely reading these. They are spell binding and hard to put down. Makes one wonder what new adventures the characters will get into next. Good reads for anyone interested in bygone eras.
A book, or series of books must be extremely great to get five star ratings from me. This series comes close, however I almost never give five stars to any of my ratings. I enjoyed immensely reading these. They are spell binding and hard to put down. Makes one wonder what new adventures the characters will get into next. Good reads for anyone interested in bygone eras.
May 7, 2016
Another fantastic rread
Another wonderful book by Peggy Poe Stern. I can recommend this book highly . I would suggest that you read the first four books also in this series . I have read every book Peggy has ever written and I have never been disappointed . I would recommend this to anybody
Another wonderful book by Peggy Poe Stern. I can recommend this book highly . I would suggest that you read the first four books also in this series . I have read every book Peggy has ever written and I have never been disappointed . I would recommend this to anybody
May 12, 2016
Loved this book as much as the rest. Peggy Poe Stern is a brilliant writer! I have read every book she has written. Can't wait for the next one!!!
I have read every book that Peggy Poe Stern has written! She is a brilliant writer. I loved this book just as much!! Can't wait for the next one!!!!
I have read every book that Peggy Poe Stern has written! She is a brilliant writer. I loved this book just as much!! Can't wait for the next one!!!!
July 25, 2016
Cannot put these books down
I don't know how this author does it but I've never been so glued to any book like hers. This whole series was like that. Great story telling. I'm on my way to reading all her books.
I don't know how this author does it but I've never been so glued to any book like hers. This whole series was like that. Great story telling. I'm on my way to reading all her books.
June 6, 2016
Fascinating
Intriguing story born of tales nearly 200 years old, history and story tied together to make an interesting tale. This book keeps the reader fascinated.
Intriguing story born of tales nearly 200 years old, history and story tied together to make an interesting tale. This book keeps the reader fascinated.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews