Every Hill and Mountain

Book 3 in the History Mystery Series

By: Deborah Heal

Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Visiting another century.... not the summer vacation she had planned.

Those who have read Time and Again and Unclaimed Legacy know that Abby Thomas is a college student on a summer service project with 11-year-old Merri. And they know that the summer is not going the way Abby had expected - but in a good way. For one thing, she meets a very nice guy named John Roberts. And for another, she discovers a strange computer program called Beautiful House that lets her fast-forward and rewind life. Not her own, of course, but those of the people who lived in Merri's old house. And the Old Dears' old house, and... well, any old house.

And since the program worked so well for the Old Dears' family tree project, Abby's college roommate Kate hopes it will help her find out more about her ancestor Ned Greenfield. And Kate's fiance Ryan thinks the program has lucrative commercial potential.

Abby and John reluctantly agree to help Kate, but only on the condition that she and Ryan promise to keep the program a secret, because if it fell into the wrong hands... well, no one wants Big Brother invading their privacy.

The two couples take a trip to the tiny town of Equality, set in the hills of southern Illinois and the breath-taking Shawnee National Forest. According to Kate's research, Ned Greenfield was born there at a place called Hickory Hill.

The mayor, police chief, and townspeople are hospitable and helpful - until the topic of Hickory Hill comes up. They seem determined to keep them away, telling them, "There's nothing there for you to see."

Eventually they find Hickory Hill on their own - both the mansion and the lonely hill it sits upon. Built in 1834, Hickory Hill stands sentinel over Half Moon Salt Mine where the original owner John Granger accumulated his blood-tainted fortune.

©2013 Deborah Heal (P)2014 Deborah Heal

Great read

historic-buildings, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, ya-only-means-no-gratuitous-erotica, coming-of-age, Christian-fiction*****

The publisher's blurb is pretty comprehensive and I have no need to replicate or do spoilers. The story is on two levels, the present with interpersonal issues involved in the coming of age phenomena and a rude awakening to some very unpleasant aspect of local history.
It's a great story and very easy to listen to. Michelle Babb always seems to know how to bring out the most in the stories and characters she narrates with distinct characters and inflections, and excellent timing.

Couldn't stop listening!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this audiobook. It is another great addition to the series, but would be a fun read if even if you haven't listened to or read the other books. It is an interesting mix of historical and present time, and there is plenty of drama to keep you intrigued (haha this series is turning into a not-so-guilty pleasure). It might be a little cheesy, but its loveable and there is lots of laughs, outrage, and every emotion in between.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John continues to impress me in every book. He is witty, kind, smart, and his head and heart are always in the right place.

Which character – as performed by Michelle Babb – was your favorite?

Michelle Babb did a great voice for Patty Ann! She sounded just like the sweet southern belle a salt queen should be. All of the voices, and the emotions that came through them, were done quite well in the book- hard to pick just one.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I would use the same tagline as the book: "An old house. A new computer. A visit to another century." Of course, that might be why I didn't pursue a career in the marketing or movie industry...

Any additional comments?

Again, this was a great book. It is a neat way to blend past and present and I really like the additional information available on the author's website. The book draws you in as you listen in two ways: the plot and the emotional connection in the character voices. You can tell that the narrator understands what exactly is happening and who the characters are, and speaks each line with the emotion the character is feeling.

Loved it!!

I have completely loved this series and hate that it has ended! Please write more!!!

Another Great History Mystery Series Book!

What made the experience of listening to Every Hill and Mountain the most enjoyable?

The impressive Michelle Babb. I love that she has such a wide range of voice. The emotions she brings out in the characters are appropriate and allows me to "see" the characters. From the sweet Patty Ann to the slaves and on to the annoying Ryan is definitely a wide range!!

What did you like best about this story?

I like the way everything comes together at the end to wrap up all the emotions and give closure.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Kate realized that being with Ryan wasn't good for her and not the man she thought he was.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This was an emotional book that wraps up all the emotions at the end to make the reader feel good about the story.

Any additional comments?

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Jenny’s review

The History Mystery series is really good and has many hard lessons that are tough to listen to but necessary.

Meri and Abby are at it again in the third book and their group is growing as John from the first book and now Abby’s friend Kate comes to visit as well as her fiancé Ryan who appears to be lacking in morals.
The group travels to Equality, Illinois to help Kate research her family tree when she gets stuck on a name Ned Greenfield. Nobody seems to wanna drag up the past and they get the cold shoulder and almost arrested! Will the group ever get to the bottom of Kate’s relatives no matter how sad and terrible the past is?

Michelle Babb is the Narrator and she is so amazing at telling stories and bringing right into the lives of the characters!!!!

I received this book in exchange for my honest review!!!

Well written, beautifully narrated

Abby, Kate, Merri, John and Ryan are on the search for Kate’s relatives from days gone by. They utilize the ‘Beautiful Houses’ software that has helped Abby and Merri a few times before, but it turns out that not everyone fully bought into the idea of keeping the program a secret. Ryan would like to make money off of it, whereas the others think of the potential consequences of it falling into the wrong hands.

The writing and narration really come to live and bring stories of friendship, trust, love, adventure... but also of heartwrenching stories of the past.

There were one or two moments where I had to stop for a moment to collect myself again and I’m not sure what age the book is appropriate for. The specific theme to be aware of centers around how slaves have been treated. So for younger kids it may help to talk to them about it afterwards.

However, I highly recommend the book and series!

Every Hill and Mountain: Book 3

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."

The continuing saga of historical fiction thru "time surfing." There is mystery, romance, and edge of the seat drama. A very good listen.

The narration was well done. The characters were excellently portrayed. Thank you, Michelle Babb for another fine performance!!!

Kudos to both the author & narrator!

Kudos to Deborah Heal for teaching history thru her mysteries and making them fun! I wish there were more books in this series and hope Ms. Heal is working on another series to capture our hearts.

Michelle Babb does an excellent job with her narration in this series. She brings the characters to life in this unique history series.

Each of these stories has been better than the last.

Some of the subject matter is harsh but it happened and this story tells it in a way that cushions it a bit. But these are parts of our history our children need to learn about so those mistakes are not repeated in the future. If children had history taught to them like this, either at home or school, they would probably be more eager to learn!

Our kids need more books like these. Books that teach history and also show that love and romance should go slow and be fun and that the characters don't have to be all over each other and jumping into bed right away. This series is a winner for me. There's too much graphic sex scenes and bad language in books and movies these days.

I have listened to a lot of audiobooks, (over 500 in 2020 as they help me not focus on my constant back pain & help keep my PTSD anxiety attacks at bay), so a good narrator is an absolute must!

This is a book/series and I would listen to them again.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review & has not affected my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Great finish to the series!

I was given this audio book free in exchange for an honest review. I'm still in love with the concept behind this series by Deborah Heal. It involves a sort of time travel through a computer program. The characters don't go back in time physically, but they are able to watch what happened and feel what the people in the past feel and are aware of their thoughts.
In this book, Abby is trying to help her roommate, Kate, with her research into her family's past.They use the computer program to go back to the time when the underground railroad was active in the state of Illinois. They discover some very surprising and disturbing things. There are other side stories going on in the relationships between Abby and John, and between Kate and her fiance, Ryan.
I totally loved this series and am rather sad that it has ended. The series is a Christian mystery/romance.

Great series, engaging and heartfelt

As always with this narrator, spot on use of nuance and inflection. The characters are well planned and explained, and the journeys they take are so well told. I absolutely hope there are tens, twenties or hundreds more in this series.