The Saints Of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart

Release: January 25th 2022
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Kensington Books
Source: Suzyapproved BookTours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo

In the dense pine forests of North Carolina, turpentiners labor, hacking into tree trunks to draw out the sticky sap that gives the Tar Heel State its nickname, and hauling the resin to stills to be refined. Among them is Rae Lynn Cobb and her husband, Warren, who run a small turpentine farm together.

Though the work is hard and often dangerous, Rae Lynn, who spent her childhood in an orphanage, is thankful for it—and for her kind if careless husband. When Warren falls victim to his own negligence, Rae Lynn undertakes a desperate act of mercy. To keep herself from jail, she disguises herself as a man named “Ray” and heads to the only place she can think of that might offer anonymity—a turpentine camp in Georgia named Swallow Hill.

Swallow Hill is no easy haven. The camp is isolated and squalid, and commissary owner Otis Riddle takes out his frustrations on his browbeaten wife, Cornelia. Although Rae Lynn works tirelessly, she becomes a target for Crow, the ever-watchful woods rider who checks each laborer’s tally. Delwood Reese, who’s come to Swallow Hill hoping for his own redemption, offers “Ray” a small measure of protection, and is determined to improve their conditions. As Rae Lynn forges a deeper friendship with both Del and Cornelia, she begins to envision a path out of the camp. But she will have to come to terms with her past, with all its pain and beauty, before she can open herself to a new life and seize the chance to begin again.

About the Author:

Donna Everhart is the USA Today bestselling author of Southern fiction with authenticity and grit, including the Southeastern Library Association Award-winning The Road to Bittersweet and her most recent novel, The Moonshiner’s Daughter.

Her fifth novel, The Saints of Swallow Hill, will be released in February 2022.

Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, she now lives with her husband in a small town in the Sandhills region, and is most likely working on her next novel.

She is a member of the Weymouth Center, North Carolina Writers’ Network, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

The Saints Of Swallow Hill Review:

“The Saints of Swallow Hill” gave me goosebumps. When I started reading the book, I had no idea how it would move me. This book is my favorite example of a historical novel with vibrant characters, a compelling story set in a historical backdrop, and where you learn something new.

Firstly, I loved how the author portrayed the tale and the characters. From the beginning, my heart went out to Ray and Del and how they strive for a better life. You become passionate with the main cast and root for them as they deal with people like Crow and Otis. Some scenes shocked me because of how vile these two are and how they treat people because of their racist nature. Frankly, I loved Del and Ray and found them strong characters. There were moments where I was on the edge of my seat, particularly in the second half when things set in motion.

Moreover, I loved how the author made the historical setting haunting and atmospheric. I always appreciate a book where I feel I learned something new, and the story did not disappoint. The author provides a rich history of North Carolina and its name as the Tar Heel Estate. The author also covers other topics like turpentine distilling and also makes the timeline of the Depression feel realistic. I was shocked, angry, moved, and satisfied as I read this book. It made me appreciate life and be thankful
for so many things.

Overall, “The Saints of Swallow Hill” is a beautiful historical novel that I would recommend to all. It is my first read by the author, but it certainly won’t be the last.