Broomstraw Ridge

by Betsy Reeder

In the 1870s, when Joseph Cook's closest friend is murdered by a man who escapes justice, Joseph quits his thirty-year railroad career and returns to the New River landscape of his youth, hoping to buy a farm, reunite with what's left of his family on Broomstraw Ridge, and find peace. An expert at bridge construction, Joseph finds the bridges he most wants to build surpass his skill, however. His goals are further thwarted by unexpected obstacles and dangers. In addition, a reunion with a childhood friend opens doors to shock, hurt, and possibility. Peace, home, and family have more to do with facing adversity and accepting what Joseph can't attain than staying true to the path he planned. Joseph Cook also learns that justice and love denied can become justice and love won, but delayed--letting go of their pursuit may not equate with giving up. The story is set in the lush mountains of a newly formed county and its burgeoning county seat, Hinton, West Virginia. It stands alone but also serves as a sequel to Madam's Creek, a novel of the Civil War era. Several of the Madam's Creek Lilly-family characters play pivotal roles.

242 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2019

Reviews

[Marilyn Perry]

I thought this book was really good. It was insightful in many ways and the underlying message is - family comes first. Read it, you will enjoy it. :)

[Mark]

I don’t give many 5 stars and this one is well deserved. I just finished this and have a feeling similar to school being out and not seeing my friends for the summer. At excellent story that drew me in and put me in a mindset that I wanted to what happens next but didn’t want the story to end. And isn’t that one sign of an excellent tale? This is book 2 in a trilogy. Madam’s Creek is the first and while I don’t think it’s absolutely critical that it be read first it does give a lot of background and context for the story of Broomstraw Ridge. Now on to book 3, Salt in Boiling Water.

[Barbara G. Graybill]

thank you!

Such a wonderful book. I am from the southern Ohio, eastern Kentucky area. This book provided a chance to feel the history of the Appalachians, to relive the stories of my grandmother’s family. Beautifully crafted, this book is not a fast paced page Turner; it is more like the Sunday smell of someone frying chicken. You want to savor each moment of this book.

[Winnice Walker]

Bad language, too convoluted.

[Colette Case]

Times surely were difficult and it really wasn't that long ago. A tale of friendship, growing up, racism and stereotypes of all kind that makes for a fast and lovely read.