The Peacemaker’s Wife by Julie Dorsey <— HISTORICAL MYSTERY ROMANCE, JUST RECENTLY RELEASED & to celebrate, the author is today’s newsletter sponsor! Note I highlighted my favorite part below. 😉
This gripping historical novel weaves together mystery, love, and resilience against the backdrop of the Civil War–era Blue Ridge Mountains.
- A courageous young woman determined to follow her calling as a healer and midwife.
- A haunting murder mystery marked by black feathers and a mysterious boot print.
- A forbidden love that refuses to fade despite time and danger.
- Friendship, loyalty, and sisterhood among strong mountain women.
- The turmoil of the Civil War reaching a quiet mountain community.
- A story of courage, survival, and a woman reclaiming her power.
In the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Polly King struggles to survive a violent marriage while pursuing her calling as a healer and midwife. When a string of mysterious murders begins, Polly finds herself drawn into a dangerous search for the truth—while her forbidden love threatens to change everything.
So what’s it about?
In the shadowed mountains of nineteenth-century Appalachia, seventeen-year-old Polly Justice struggles to survive a troubled marriage while carrying the burden of a devastating secret she can never escape.
Living in the isolated community of Blue Ridge, Polly dreams of becoming a healer and midwife, learning the ancient wisdom of herbs, roots, and mountain remedies from the elderly Nan. But her quiet life takes a dark turn when they discover the remains of a murdered man hidden deep in the forest.
As rumors spread through the mountain town, Polly begins to suspect the killer may be closer than anyone imagines.
Haunted by guilt over the death of her baby sister and trapped between a volatile husband and lingering feelings for a former love, Polly must navigate betrayal, violence, family expectations, and the dangers of frontier life. The deeper she searches for truth, the more she realizes that survival in the mountains often comes at a terrible cost.
Rich with Appalachian folklore, herbal medicine, mystery, romance, and emotional suspense, this unforgettable historical novel captures the hardships and hidden beauty of mountain life in the 1850s. Perfect for readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, Southern Gothic storytelling, strong female heroines, and emotionally immersive family sagas.
FUN FACT:
The author posted this on her Facebook page:
If you’re a native of Henderson County and have King and/or Justice ancestry, you’ll love learning more about their history in the Civil War era. Ever heard of Hiram King? Dr. Polly? I first heard about her when I was a child from the grown-ups who admired her and carried her tale along to the children.
Of course, “The Peacemaker’s Wife” is a work of fiction but based on a great deal of actual history.
The Peacemaker's Wife
I wish The Peacemaker’s Wife was available on Kindle! It is very frustrating when I cannot download it.
This post links to the Kindle version. Are you accessing Amazon US?
I live in the UK. Not sure how to answer your question -I think bought my Kindle from Amazon.
I downloaded it but it will not open. The message is: Not available for this device. I click on the message and get: This title can’t be read on this device. To buy and read this title, visit the Amazon website on a phone or computer.
I successfully downloaded it on KindleUnlimited and was excited to read it. But, …
I will have to try contacting Amazon. I already pay for KindleUnlimited and so I try to maximise my benefits by getting books available on this format. This book IS on Unlimited, I just can’t access it.