The Story Keeper (A Carolina Heirlooms Novel)

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The story is heartfelt, intriguing, compelling and will find its way into any heart that dares read it. The characters were flawed and relatable. The setting is vibrant and beautiful. I probably would liked to have known who placed that manuscript on Jennia Beth’s desk, but alas I will have to allow the author her secrets.

It has been a long time since I've read a book that I could not put down. The Story Keeper kept me up at night and made me return late from my break at work. It grabbed me right from the start and didn't let me go. This is my first Lisa Wingate novel but it will not be my last. First of all, I loved the setting. While I live in the northern Appalachian mountains in New England, I could totally feel the mountains of North Carolina. Ms. Wingate really brought the area to life. It was also fascinating to glimpse a way of life that was alien to me--the poor mountain people I last encountered in Catherine Marshall's "Christy". I really felt for Jen and for her sisters and the awful upbringing they had.I especially felt for Jen. She pulled herself up by her boot straps and made something of her life. But, although her family has nothing but disdain for her they sure have no problem asking her for money, to the point that she has gotten herself in debt trying to keep them afloat. And do they appreciate that? No. When she finally has to turn them down, one sister in particular turns on her with a vengeance accusing her of being selfish. Instead of being welcomed back into the family fold she is viewed with suspicion and hostility. I also enjoyed the history of the secondary storyline--which is the manuscript of "The Story Keepers". If I had any critique for the book it would be that I did not feel Evan, the writer of the Story Keepers was fleshed out well. Yes he had become a recluse due to the popularity of his Time Shifter novels, which, by the way, I found myself LONGING to read, but why did he stop writing altogether? And since he wasn't writing, what had he been doing with his life? And how did he move from being so nasty to Jen to so accepting. It seemed like the middle part of his transition was missing. For the first time in a long time I did not want a novel to end, and, after finishing this one, I popped on to Amazon to look for more Wingate novels. I was thrilled to see there were a lot more but disappointed to see that none seemed to be set in the Appalachians. I did find that there is a sequel to the Story Keepers and downloaded that one and I will try out some of the coastal NC books she has written, but I do hope she writes some more in the Appalachians.

Liked it

I love this book the story of a woman from Appalachia, left her family and moved to New York to be an editor. Your story is very touching and so is the manuscript she discovers. This is a story within a story. I can’t recommend it enough. It is the best book I have read in a long time. I will be reading more books from this author.

THE STORY KEEPER is about Jennia Beth Gibbs who is a book editor who just started her new job at Vida House, a publishing company. She grew up in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina but wanted so much more for her life. She left the Carolinas far behind her when she graduated from Clemson and moved to New York to start a new life. Jen has a manuscript put on her desk, unsolicited and she realizes it is from "slush mountain" (the books they never get to read). The manuscript is about a Melungeon (a group of people of mixed Indian, White, and Black ancestry known to be in the Appalachian mountains of eastern Tennessee) female and her life. It brings up memories for Jen as it is from the same area that she grew up in. It also has a haunting quality as if she should know who wrote it. Jen and her friend, Jaime, attempt to find out who the author is. She is pretty sure it's the same author as the one who wrote the Time Shifters series, Evan Hall. Problem is he is a loner and doesn't do interviews. The big boss wants to know the answers and sends her back to Looking Glass Gap to find out who the author is for certain. In town she gets to talk to one of Evan Hall's relatives and when she returns to the cabin she finds a few more of the chapters of the book, "The Story Keepers". The woman she plans to meet with is Evans Aunt and Jen hopes that will lead to a meeting with Evan . I had no trouble with the book going back and forth from Jen and her life and the story of the female that lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was very surprised to find out the true author of the manuscript. The description of the mountains and the ways of the people of Appalachia were so intriguing I could not stop reading. But then I love all things from the Carolinas and the Cherokee (I am part Cherokee). I must say a word in defense of mixed blood people. They are a truly sad group. They are not excepted by anyone other than other mixed bloods. No wonder they keep to themselves but that does not make them mysterious or "of the devil". Another superb Lisa Wingate novel. 5+ stars and highly recommend.

There’s a reason I follow this author I discovered only a few months ago. The stories. They teach me history but also let me inside as I experience the lives of characters from another time and place. Her writing is a rare gift and I am an appreciative receiver.

This is the kind of book that engulfs me. I start reading and the world falls away. I feel “as if I an under that cabin with Sarra.”

Brilliant from beginning to end ! A story within a story I thoroughly enjoyed both, a great read and escape.

Fantastic story that weaves a current timeline with another one from a century before. I have read quite a few of Lisa Wingate's books and this one incorporates characters from previous books. It makes the story feel both familiar and new.

I am quickly becoming a Lisa Wingate fan. This story, and the one nested within it, are gripping, intriguing and inspirational. Lisa’s work is far more than just entertainment - reading her books takes the reader to another fascinating place, but we return better and more hopeful than when we left. Masterful.

As always, Lisa Wingate writes with a deep understanding of human nature and interpersonal dynamics. Her characters are well developed and it's heartening to see growth and improvement in the family she writes about. Any book by this author is worth the time spent in reading.

Absolutely brilliant. I saw this book advertised in a magazine during a recent trip to the Blue Ridge mountains and am so pleased I bought it. What a great story teller! I couldn't put it down.