A 1940s Appalachian love story that will grip you!
In Where the River Settles, the second novel of the best-selling Hymns of Blue Hollow series, author Kemma MarShall delivers a gripping story of love tested and dark secrets unearthed.
At the Old Reed Estate in 1940s Tennessee, Esther is still unraveling the foreign language of love, wary of its warmth yet aching for it in the same breath. All she has known is how to endure, not how to trust. Ian Huggler, the steadfast German who refuses to give up on her, offers something as fierce as it is protective. Yet his tenderness feels dangerous, and surrender may cost more than survival ever did.
As their fragile bond deepens, old ghosts stir, and danger is not just memory—it is flesh and blood, armed and emboldened. A battle builds between the moonshiners and the ATU, drawing Esther into their sights.
But Ian isn’t the only one who has discovered Esther—or wants to claim her. Her innocent smile has captured the attention of a charming and unexpected rival, creating a simmering love triangle. With the lines between protection and possession blurring, the question is who she will choose and why.
Atmospheric, raw, and deeply human, Where the River Settles is a slow-burn historical romance rooted in resilience and a woman’s unbreakable strength. Sweeping and epic, it unfolds as a tale of desire, danger, and devotion—where love becomes both salvation and reckoning.
Prefer print? Paperback (ISBN 979-8-9986925-0-5): order from Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, or any local bookstore. Prefer hardcover? Hardcover edition on Amazon. Kindle edition also available in Français and Italiano. Also widely available at Walmart, Target, and other major retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this book sit in the series?
Where the River Settles is the second novel in the Hymns of Blue Hollow series and the first book in “The Lost Pages” story arc.
Can I read it as a standalone?
Yes, Where the River Settles can be read as a standalone, but it’s best experienced as part of the ongoing series.
What’s the heat level?
A 3.5 out of 5. This is an open-door romance—intimate scenes are shown on-page—but always passionate rather than vulgar or crude, in keeping with the lyrical, literary style of the series.
Where and when is it set?
Where the River Settles continues the saga at the Old Reed Estate in 1940s Tennessee.
Is it in Kindle Unlimited, and where can I get it in print?
Yes, Where the River Settles is included in Kindle Unlimited, and available in paperback and hardcover on Amazon, plus paperback via Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, or any local bookstore.
What should I read next?
Continue the saga with Book 3, Held in the Rising Smoke.
