On Viney’s Mountain by Joan Donaldson
Strangers have come to Viney’s mountain, and she is furious! The arrogant invaders are leveling acres of forest in her beloved home in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a Utopian democratic settlement in 1880, the dream of English writer and labor pioneer Thomas Hughes. Sixteen-year-old Viney Walker is determined to sabotage their plans,…
Strangers have come to Viney’s mountain, and she is furious! The arrogant invaders are leveling acres of forest in her beloved home in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee to establish a Utopian democratic settlement in 1880, the dream of English writer and labor pioneer Thomas Hughes. Sixteen-year-old Viney Walker is determined to sabotage their plans, but her sister Lizzie is thrilled, convinced that she will find a wealthy husband among the newcomers. Independent and uncompromising, Viney rails against the traditional fate of a mountain woman–marriage, children, unending drudgery–and prefers to focus on her true love and extraordinary talent–weaving. But Viney hasn’t reckoned on Charlie Breckenridge, a handsome Englishman who takes a fancy to her. When she feigns a relationship with Charlie to put an end to the pressure from her family to find a man, her plot backfires in surprising ways, changing Viney and her mountain forever.
“Learning to love and receive love”
Five Star Review on Amazon By Wanda
Ms. Donaldson has portrayed a young woman in early America who many women may connect with today. Strong, independent, vibrant, and gifted, Viney at 16 isn’t thinking about marriage or even looking at young men. She loves to weave, where she excells. Having been raised by relatives since her mother died and her father deserted the family after going to war, Viney has no parents to teach her how to become a young lady. She rejects the ways of her sister, Lizzie, who flirts with the young Englishmen and is always trying to catch a rich husband. But a young man, George, slowly, ever so slowly, begins to warm her heart as they work together and face difficulties in the growing community. Viney faces choices that many young women face today-love, marriage, work or a combination of all. We, too, can choose to receive love offered or travel down another road. See […] for more information about this community.
About the Author
I love stories and listen for stories when I share meals with friends, visit a new place, or walk outside and see that my goats have escaped one more time…writing is how I share stories with others and hopefully offer encouragement and insight into various situations. When not writing, I work on the organic blueberry farm that I share with my husband, John, or milk our goats, weed in my garden, play my harp, sew quilts and drink tea with friends. I live a blessed life and am thankful for editors, readers and reviewers who enjoy what I write.