We’re working on Wise Woman and are having trouble figuring out which way to go with it so … naturally we thought of our kind, generous, and helpful readers! If you have a minute, won’t you please leave us a comment letting us know what you want to see more of in the fourth book of our Appalachian Journey series?
What would you like to see more, or less, of in Wise Woman:
Family stories?
Historical fiction?
Cherokee folklore?
Herbal medicine?
None of the above? All of the above?
We would not be where we are without our beloved readers and while the books need to follow along the course of Aunt Bessie’s and Uncle Fletcher’s life on the mountain, we’d really love to hear your thoughts on what you think we should focus on more!
CTHodges
christytilleryfrench
CC TILLERY 
47 comments
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May 11, 2015 at 3:34 pm
Tara Norris
Honestly, I like all 4 but my main vote is more family stories!
May 11, 2015 at 3:57 pm
Bettie Yahn
My vote goes for emphasis on the first two, family stories and historical fiction, with maybe a touch of the last two, Cherokee folklore and herbal medicine.
May 11, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Laurna
I loved reading about Bessie and Fletcher. The Cherokee folklore was fascinating to me as my stepdad was part Cherokee. I just think “All of the Above” covers it. I adore these stories.
May 11, 2015 at 4:05 pm
Terri Zinchiak
Family stories and herbal medicine!! Love these books!!!
May 11, 2015 at 4:10 pm
sandra rios
I would love to read more about all four topics!
May 11, 2015 at 4:12 pm
Terese Christian
I would say more historical fiction, more family stories and more Cherokee history. The herbal medicine is interesting, but don’t need more. 🙂
May 11, 2015 at 4:15 pm
Betty gordon
All of your suggestions would be great.
May 11, 2015 at 4:22 pm
Carol Keen
Family stories and herbal medicine.
May 11, 2015 at 4:54 pm
Janet
I would like to see all catigories included!
May 11, 2015 at 4:59 pm
Renee
Historical Fiction, family stories and Cherokee history. I love the books!
May 11, 2015 at 5:00 pm
Vada Grimes
You do it great already. I loved them enough to read all three back to back and cannot wait for wise woman to be published. I was telling my sis about these books yesterday. Thanks to you both for marvelous reads.
May 11, 2015 at 5:16 pm
Amber
I liked all of the above, but my favorite is the Historical fiction alongside the Cherokee stories (not so much the history, even though I am Cherokee myself). I actually really enjoy the herbal medication bits!
May 11, 2015 at 5:27 pm
Pam Matthews Stafford
I would enjoy more family stories,and historical fiction.I really enjoyed the part about the sounds that Bessie heard and she thought it sounded like the chains of slaves.More ghosts stories or mountain haunts.
May 11, 2015 at 6:11 pm
JoAnn Sweikert
I feel the opposite of Terese’s comment. I love the info on herbal meds! I do agree I’d like to hear more family stories and more Cherokee history. Thanks for this glimpse into your family.
May 11, 2015 at 6:26 pm
Sandra Collins
Historical Fiction. I have read all of Sharyn McCrumbs ballad books but to be honest her Facebook attitude is arrogant. I am looking forward to more of your books. I like the occasional supernatural or mystic element also.
May 11, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Cindy Smith
I would say continue with all of it because it is enjoyable to read while learning new material.
May 11, 2015 at 8:45 pm
Caroline Barrow
I would love to have all of it. In genealogy you need the history to put your peoples time into context, the family stories are fascinating, the Cherokee lore and herbal medicine is what your g-aunt was all about.
May 11, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Ruth Moorhead
Oh, but don’t leave out the herbal medicine!! It’s of as much importance today, now that we know the medical/pharmaceutical industry is not really there to help us, as it was in their day. Keep the history, keep the Cherokee lifeways, and keep the herbal medicine!
May 11, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Ruth Moorhead
And keep the family history, too, of course!!
May 11, 2015 at 9:02 pm
Ann Phillips
More family stories, I love them.
May 11, 2015 at 9:13 pm
Susan B
I enjoyed all of the above. You are the author. Write what you ate passionate about!
May 12, 2015 at 8:01 am
wakingofthebear
All of the above.
May 12, 2015 at 8:28 am
Donna
I love your books, you have done a fantastic job, I would like to see more of everything especially the herbal medicine. I wish my Grandmothers had taught me about these as one was from Maggie Valley and the other Marion, they should have know this stuff. But, I think you could write your book better without suggestions, you have done so good on the other 3.
May 12, 2015 at 10:06 am
Thelda Hamm Wood
All of the above! I love your books and can’t wait til next Tuesday to meet you.
May 12, 2015 at 11:29 am
CTHodges
Wow! Thanks so much, everyone! I posted this yesterday afternoon and shortly thereafter, we had a bad thunderstorm and my Internet went down so I couldn’t respond. Grrr!
Christy and I can’t even begin to tell you what it means to us to have all y’all in our corner and all so willing to help! As we always say, we have the best readers; kind, generous and inspirational, too!
It looks like there’s no clear winner here … but your comments here and on our Facebook page have given us a few ideas. Thanks again and, at the risk of repeating myself, y’all are the absolute best!
May 12, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Stephenie Pang
Historical fiction is one of my favorite reading pleasures. More please.
May 12, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Linda Wasko
All of the above!!!!! Not only do I love the stories and the characters, but I also learn a lot from the history you include. I agree with what Donna said. You write your books so well, you don’t need input from your readers. You had us at “Whistling”…..
May 12, 2015 at 2:18 pm
uncommonprincess
I’m with a lot of other people. All of the above. I enjoy all of it. I think my favorite part is the family stories and Cherokee folklore. And it makes it so real. The historical fiction really helps tie it all together. But, the herbal medicine is a unique addition I really appreciated when I read Moonfixer.
May 12, 2015 at 5:39 pm
drwhit
HIstorical fiction!
May 13, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Jeannean Gibson (Miss Rose)
Miss Rose says:
I can’t decide, I love the way you write them all and the information you relay. Just make the book longer!! : )
May 14, 2015 at 2:50 pm
Dianne
I finished Beloved Woman yesterday and am so bummed. I want to know what came next in Bessie’s life! Please tell us the rest of the story. All the way to the end of her journey on Earth. Thanks for this wonderful series! I had relatives in those parts at that time. It helps me understand what their lives may have been like.
May 15, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Judy Gott
All four are so interesting, but if I had to choose it would be more family stories and more herbal medicine.
May 18, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Robin Cooney
Historical fiction!
May 19, 2015 at 8:12 am
Sharon Lewis
I really liked the family history and I like historical part too! I like all of these ideas so include some of each one please!
May 22, 2015 at 4:23 pm
CTHodges
Thanks again, everyone! You’ve helped more than you can know! Is it any wonder we cherish all our wonderful readers. What an inspiration you all are!
May 25, 2015 at 3:29 pm
Kim Myers
I like all 4 but especially historical fiction, herbal remedies and family stories. Absolutely love the stories.
June 3, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Claudia
I loved your books. I would like to see more family, true history. Please notify me when the new book comes out!
Thank you
Claudia Weiss
June 13, 2015 at 8:28 pm
sandy
I am just so patiently wait for the book wise woman . I have enjoyed so much the other 3
June 18, 2015 at 5:18 pm
CTHodges
And once more, another big thank you! We are so blessed to have such kind, generous and inspirational readers and really appreciate each and every one of you!
July 5, 2015 at 8:17 pm
Angie
More family stories. Living in McDowell County the family stories definitel makes me feel more connected!
September 22, 2015 at 12:58 pm
CTHodges
Thanks so much, Angie! You’re a fellow North Carolinian! Don’t you just love living here? I certainly do! We’ll be over in your neck of the woods for the Old Fort Oktoberfest. It’s our first time doing a festival in Old Fort and we’re looking forward to it!
September 6, 2015 at 6:28 pm
Claudia Weiss
Family stories. Also what happened to the boy.
September 22, 2015 at 12:50 pm
CTHodges
Thanks, Claudia. John’s story will be told in Wise Woman, Appalachian Journey Book 4 which should be out later this year!
December 29, 2015 at 2:38 pm
Mary Ann
I would like to read more of the Cherokee heritage of you and your family and family stories especially how the herbal remedies worked with healing.
December 30, 2015 at 3:15 pm
CTHodges
Thanks, Mary Ann. Unfortunately, we don’t know much more about our family’s Cherokee heritage than we wrote about in Whistling Woman, the first book in the series. And if it weren’t for Aunt Bessie, we wouldn’t even know that. As for the herbal remedies, we’ve included several new ones in Wise Woman which we released yesterday on Kindle. The print book should be out next month!
December 30, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Mary Ann
Thank you for the reply, so quickly! I will download Wise Woman now and I will tell my sister Cindy that has MS too, about the soft copy releasing next month.
Happy New Year!
Mary Ann
January 1, 2016 at 5:33 pm
CTHodges
Hi, Mary Ann. Hope you enjoy the book! Sorry to hear your sister has MS too. I hope she’s doing well. I usually do better in the winter but it can sneak up on you and knock you flat even then. I pray you and she have a happy and healthy new year!