Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber is the author’s 30th published novel. Publisher: Forge Books, coming July 16, 2019.

Heather Webber’s Midnight at the Blackbird Café is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.

Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.

As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.

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I’m in love with Wicklow, Alabama where pies have a presence and blackbirds soar at night delivering messages that need to be heard. The phrase “the truth shall set you free” explodes in all that happens with the residents of this small town that includes Anna Kate, Natalie, Gideon, Bow, Jena, Faylene, Ollie, Seelie, Cam, Mr. Lazenby and even Mr. Cat.

This is a fantastic story with visually descriptive narrative that plays in your imagination as the characters go about their lives. Each step illustrates a thought that the author is leading us to – but it is the action portrayed by the characters that makes this a heart-entrenched drama that pulled me in and didn’t let go until the last page was read.

Great narration, engaging dialogue, pacing that was on par with how well this story was being told, and a feel-good atmosphere oozing with southern charm had me immersed in all that was happening. From Anna Kate’s struggle to honor a promise to Natalie’s grief, it is all there to play out as I watched what they put forth in their self-discovery.

A delightfully mesmerizing and mystical tale that will sweep you up in an emotional journey of grief, love, redemption, and forgiveness. Heather Webber writes a yarn that will open your heart to all that is possible. Have a box of tissues handy.

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FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.