The Red Ribbon

Another great book in the True Crime series and this one takes place in the Appalachian Mountains, a place I love reading about. In an era of time where there was a lot of moonshine/bootleggin going on, with all of the crimes that took place along with the operation. This book is based on the Courthouse Massacre that took place that has never been completely explained as to the who and why. A most interesting book where the heroine Ava saw her father killed over the doings from this illicit business. There is suspense and drama told by Basham that will keep you reading into the night.Also a beautiful love story. My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.

This is the first novel I have read by this author, and it will not be the last! It is also my favorite in Barbour’s exciting True Colors series so far. It is centered around true crimes that occurred in 1911 and 1912 Virginia. The two main characters are fictional and have the same kinds of fears and faith challenges that many readers have. There are elements that I enjoy, being a fan of Christian historical fiction and mysteries. The characters are engaging and well-defined, the history has been very well-researched, and the faith challenges are an encouragement to readers. Nestled in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains are Hillsville and Fancy Gap, Virginia, where running blockade liquor is a way of life for many. Ava, orphaned at age twelve, lives with and works for the Temples. She is a gifted seamstress who brings many clients in to the alterations shop to purchase new, custom-made dresses. She has had a close friend, Jeremiah, since school days. One who always looks for the silver lining in any situation, he has been in love with Ava for years. Because of her mother’s mental illness and her fear of having “bad blood”, Ava is determined to not marry, especially not someone as good and kind as Jeremiah. Yet Jeremiah only sees the good in her, the woman God created and loves. In these mountains are long-time feuds between various families, and young men willing to take risks to either support their families or get a few laughs. Joe Creed was a young man trying to take care of his mother and younger sister. After being arrested for stealing from Ava and discharging his gun when startled, Joe hung himself in jail. Another young man chose to kiss another young man’s girlfriend at a corn shucking, which gets fuels the flame between two families already up in arms against each other. When reading historical fiction or mysteries, whether they include romance is not a priority for me. In the case of this novel, I completely appreciated Ava and Jeremiah and absolutely rooted for them throughout. Ava’s faith struggles have mirrored some of mine. Circumstances may be different, but anyone who struggles with whether they have value, or if the Lord hears their prayers or even has a purpose for their life will appreciate this. The spiritual lessons and scriptures used (including the very beautiful Zephaniah 3:17) are a balm to the struggling soul. The author is a gifted wordsmith who offers excellent descriptions of both the physical and emotional landscapes. There are plot twists and turns, some from real life, and enough history to keep the story fascinating. Ava’s disappearance heightens the suspense, as does the violence against Jeremiah and others. With the reader in mind, violence that takes place is not described in detail, only enough information to understand what occurred. This is a very satisfying, inspirational read from beginning to end. I highly recommend it to those who appreciate well-written Christian historical fiction that includes real faith struggles, the Lord’s love and healing, mystery and true crime, and suspense. From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this novel from Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

If you’re going to change the world around you, make sure you’re not the one changing to fit - Jeremiah Don’t expect to put this one aside until you find out who or what is behind all the danger and killing that leads up to the Courthouse Massacre of 1912. The Appalachian hills hold a certain amount of mystery to all those who have not lived or visited there. It seems hard to believe that there would be such enmity between two families or clans that the feud would last for generations. Such was the situation in Caroll County, Virginia. The Thomas and Allen clans had been at odds for years and it finally came to a head in that courthouse. Could a simple kiss set the scene for murder?? Ava Burcham had seen her share of sorrow, losing her father and brother in violent deaths. Her job at the Temples Alteration Shop Allowed her to make a living with something she enjoyed - especially the beautiful ribbons. Never would she have guessed how important those red ribbons would become. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow romance that the author entwined into this story of illegal stills, danger and death. It showed the resiliency of the human spirit, especially when one puts their trust in God, knowing He will be there all the time - regardless of what you are going through. This ARC was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. All comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.