Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reece

 

Mel Smith learned two things growing up in foster care.  Don't get close to anyone and always be ready to leave.  She lets down her guard and forms a friendship with Sarah but life takes Sarah early.  Mel wants to leave the city where they were living but there's one thing she still has to do.  She needs to take Sarah home to her family.

Morgan Gap is a small town in the Appalachian Mountains.  Mel is surprised how attractive she finds the town and the people.  Sarah's family welcomes her immediately, especially Granny.  They have lived here for generations and the women are known for their ability to heal using the folk remedies and the gifts of the forest.  Mel is taken in and soon Granny has given her the use of a cabin.  Mel starts to think maybe she will stay a while.  There is a forest ranger who seems to be interested and she doesn't know what she thinks about that but otherwise the area gives peace and solace to her battered soul.

But all is not peace and love.  There is a cult in the area, ruled by men with hard faces who think women are only good for making babies and obeying every command.  They are opposed to the healing women and do whatever they can to make life difficult.  Mel starts to suspect that maybe they do more than that and that they bring violence with them.  Sarah's mother was killed years ago and the crime was never solved.  Is there a showdown coming?

This is a debut novel full of magic and healing.  The author's writing is full of lush descriptions and her characters are interesting enough to draw the reader in.  I listened to this novel and the narrator's ability to use the cadence and accent of the Appalachian Mountains was spot on.  This book is recommended for women's fiction readers.