The Saints of Swallow Hill

books by Donna Everhart

DIGITAL FILE ACCESS The Saints of Swallow Hill

It takes courage to save yourself...In the dense pine forests of North Carolina, turpentiners labor, hacking into tree trunks to draw out the sticky sap that gives the Tar Heel State its nickname, and hauling the resin to stills to be refined. Among them is Rae Lynn Cobb and her husband, Warren, who run a small turpentine farm together. Though the work is hard and often dangerous, Rae Lynn, who spent her childhood in an orphanage, is thankful for it—and for her kind if careless husband. When Warren falls victim to his own negligence, Rae Lynn undertakes a desperate act of mercy. To keep herself from jail, she disguises herself as a man named "Ray" and heads to the only place she can think of that might offer anonymity—a turpentine camp in Georgia named Swallow Hill. Swallow Hill is no... The story’s conclusion aligns well with the journey that precedes it, offering resolution without unnecessary excess. This thoughtful ending contributes to overall satisfaction. The narrative structure allows readers to follow the story effortlessly, reducing friction and enhancing immersion. This smooth flow is a key component of the book’s appeal.