Beyond These Hills

by Sandra Robbins
Harvest House Publishers

It's 1935, and Laurel Jackson fears the life she's always known is about to become a memory. The government is purchasing property to establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and nearly all the families in Cades Cove have decided to sell. Laurel is determined to save the land her family has lived on for a hundred years.

Andrew Brady, the son of a wealthy Virginia congressman, arrives in the Cove to convince the remaining landowners to sell. Sparks fly when he meets Laurel, the outspoken young woman who is determined to thwart his every effort. Will they ever be able to put aside their differences and accept what their hearts already know?

In the third and final book in the Smoky Mountain Dreams series, acclaimed author Sandra Robbins brings a dramatic conclusion to the story of the families of Cades Cove.

My Review:

While a romance between opposite sides of a war, religion or culture is a very common theme, I found Robbins's fresh look at this scenario very refreshing indeed. This novel is a continuation of a series that started with Laurel's grandmother in Angel of the Cove, and Laurel's mother in Mountain Homecoming. There were enough twists and turns in the story to keep it exciting, and I really loved how the family is so closely knit.

I have yet to read the first two books, but I'm sure that would have added to my reading enjoyment. Now I really want to backtrack and find out their stories for myself, as I enjoyed Laurel's story immensely. I am not very familiar with the Smoky Mountains, but I really got into the setting of this novel. I really appreciated how Robbins pulls you into the story by giving us characters we can really admire and look up to, and I look forward to more excellent work from this author. 

This book was provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.