When the Dogwoods Bloom

A Novel

Atop the mystical mountain known as Standing Indian, in the Great Smoky Mountain wilderness, two unsettled lives collide. Grieving the death of his wife, Charley is guided by a mysterious symbol carved into the mountain’s summit to Mouse, who is searching for her own purpose along the storied Appalachian Trail. Trapped together during a freak blizzard, Charley tells Mouse the heartbreaking story of his Cherokee ancestor Tsali’s struggle to survive in early America—from the destruction of his village by an American militia, to the forced removal from his ancestral homelands along the Trail of Tears and climaxing with his heroic sacrifice.

Profoundly impacted by Tsali’s story, Mouse’s search of her own purpose morphs into an obsession to break a generational curse placed on Tsali and his descendants. Guided by the same mysterious symbol which brought them together, their lives will be forever changed.

When the Dogwoods Bloom is an emotional story of loss and love based on historical events and heroic people that will make you laugh and cry, and possibly change your life.

Great story, fantastically BAD AI narration.

Unfortunately the really bad AI was incredibly distracting. Honestly if you are going to put so much effort into writing a fantastic story at least you should review or edit the AI voice over. The timing was all wrong, pronounceation was abysmal and there was no expression.

The story line is wonderful, just hard to listen to.

AI... nope

Great story. But sounds like uts being read by a 2nd grader. little to no expression. misread a number of words.... no thanks.

the unexpected humor and the fact that I cried through it several different times

What an exceptionally awesome book. I want to tell the world about how wonderful this book is and that everybody should read it. I feel like my life is better because of it!

I didn’t want it to end…..

A story of lives drawn together by unassuming circumstances- wrapped in a mystery, indigenous history, actual Appalachian Trail locations/lingo/culture and the meaning of family and friendship….., I drive 3hra/day for work and would listened to and from. I reluctantly finished this afternoon. The final hour filled me with hope, tears of joy and equally drenched in sadness. Hands down, my favorite book read in 2024.

No Ai please

It was awful the reading was done by Ai and it didn't pronounce words correctly and was no feeling in the words. Didn't like it at all.