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When Jesse Johnson loses his Quaker wife, Nancy, just minutes after she gives birth to their second child, he has no idea how he can tend his farm and care for two helpless, dependent children. He knows he will never love again, yet his children need a mother and he needs a housekeeper. When Nancy's cousin, Nancy Anne, steps in to help, Jesse proposes a marriage of convenience, determined to honor his wife's memory. However, Nancy Anne's steadfast devotion and gentle spirit begin to awaken feelings Jesse never thought he could have again. Can a man who fears that loving again dishonors the past find the courage to embrace the future? Will Nancy Anne's patient love be enough to heal a heart that has been broken by loss? Set in the hills of North Carolina and eastern Kentucky, The Johnsons of Appalachia: What the Heart Endures is a historical romance of sacrifice and second chances that reminds us that, even after profound loss, love can bloom again. SOFTBACK VERSION (390 PAGES) By Pamela Hall -
The 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop, an immersive writing event, took place April 17-18 at the Delta Marriott Hotel in Ashland. The workshop was well-attended and brought together acclaimed authors, educators, and literary professionals for engaging sessions designed to inspire, educate, and support writers of all levels. As a further benefit to workshop attendees, the JSF decided to publish an anthology of poetry and prose from workshop registrants, staff, volunteers, and sponsors. Thirty-nine authors submitted a total of 57 pieces in general categories of poetry, essays, articles, and short stories that comprise our current anthology, Song of Life: Poetry & Prose from the 2026 Jesse Stuart Writers Workshop. This collection shares the work of both experienced and beginning writers, and we are pleased to be able to present this absorbing book that introduces poetry and prose as dynamic and diverse as Kentucky itself. SOFTBACK VERSION (190 PAGES) -
A YOUNG GIRL. AN EPIC JOURNEY. AN ERA NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN. In 1874, fourteen-year-old Louise Ratliff lives a simple life on her family’s farm in the heart of Kentucky’s Big Sandy Valley. But when spring rains rise and the rivers swell, her world is about to change forever. Follow Louise and the Ratliff family as they face the hard work, close calls, and unforgettable adventures of the logging era. From the excitement of the big catch to the danger of river jams, from friendship and family to a trip that will test their courage — this is a story of determination, faith, and the bonds that carry us through. Based on the recollections of the author’s great-great-grandmother, Louise Ratliff, this heartwarming tale captures the spirit of the “good ol’ days” along the Big Sandy River — where life was tough, but the people were tougher. SOFTBACK VERSION (172 PAGES) By John "Butch" Neal
