** received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads **I became a Mitford, North Carolina "the little town with the big heart" addict 20 years ago and can't wait to get my hands on the 10th in the series. #7 in the series is titled IN THIS MOUNTAIN and begins 3 years after the end of book #6. Father Tim is turning 70 and none too pleased by it (the diabetic blackouts would make be a bit negative too). The whole series is consistent in packing an emotional punch or a laugh out loud moment.My only issue is that the author be matched with an editor that can pull her away from cliche and repetitive phrases.The Mitford books in publication order:#1 At Home in Mitford, published 1994: It’s easy to feel at home in Mitford. In these high, green hills, the air is pure, the village is charming, and the people are generally lovable. Yet, Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won’t go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that’s sixty years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich comedy in which mysteries and miracles abound.#2 A Light in the Window, published 1995: His attractive neighbor is tugging at his heartstrings. A wealthy widow is pursuing him with hot casseroles. And his red-haired Cousin Meg has moved into the rectory, uninvited. As you can see, Mitford’s rector and lifelong bachelor, Father Tim, is in need of divine intervention. In this beautifully crafted second novel in the Mitford series, Jan Karon delivers a love story that’s both heartwarming and hilarious. Only time will tell if the village parson can practice what he preaches.#3 These High, Green Hills, published 1996: Mitford, a southern village of local characters so heartwarming and hilarious you’ll wish you lived right next door. At last, Mitford’s rector and lifelong bachelor, Father Tim, has married his talented and vivacious neighbor, Cynthia. Now, of course, they must face love’s challenges: new sleeping arrangements for Father Tim’s sofa-sized dog, Cynthia’s urge to decorate the rectory Italian-villa-style, and the growing pains of the thrown-away boy who’s become like a son to the rector.Add a life-changing camping trip, the arrival of the town’s first policewoman, and a new computer that requires the patience of a saint, and you know you’re in for another engrossing visit to Mitford, the little town that readers everywhere love to call home.#4 Out to Canaan, published 1997:Father Tim, the Episcopal rector, and his wife are pondering the murky uncertainties of retirement; a brash new mayoral candidate is calling for aggressive development; a shady realtor with plans for a health spa is eyeing the beloved house on the hill; and, worst of all, the Sweet Stuff Bakery may be closing. Meanwhile, ordinary people engage in the extraordinary struggle of keeping body and soul together.A New Song, published 1999: Father Tim, retires. However, new challenges and adventures await him when he agrees to serve as interim minister of a small church on Whitecap Island. He and his wife, Cynthia, soon find that Whitecap has its own unforgettable characters: a church organist with a mysterious past, a lovelorn bachelor placing personal ads, a mother battling depression. They also find that Mitford is never far away as circumstances back home keep their phone ringing off the hook.A Common Life: the Wedding Story, published 2001: the wedding of Father Tim Kavanagh and Cynthia Coppersmith. Will Father Tim fall apart when he takes his vows? Will Cynthia make it to the church on time? Who’ll arrange the flowers and bake the wedding cake? Laughter and wedding bells ring as Jan Karon takes her fans back in time to the most cherished event in Mitford!In This Mountain, published 2002Shepherds Abiding, published 2003Light from Heaven, published 2005.*The Mitford Bedside Companion, published 2006Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, Sept. 2014The Father Tim Novels:Home to Holly Springs, published October 30, 2007In the Company of Others, published October 2010Christmas gift books:The Mitford Snowmen, published 2001Esther's Gift, published 2002
AUDIO FORMATFather Tim is back home in Mitford! I've been looking forward to catching up with the town folk there, however Father Tim is restless and planning an interim stay to serve in Tennessee. He's still looking for Dooley's missing siblings, Sam and Kenny, and invokes the help of Emma Newland who is now using a laptop computer and trying to convince Father Tim to purchase one for himself. He's thinking that if they locate Dooley's father, he might have an idea where his siblings are. Dooley however, doesn't want them to find him as he's concerned for the safety of his mother. Cynthia is writing her latest Violet book and is scheduled to receive an award for a previous book. Dooley accompanies her to New York for this event. Aunt Rose is still Miss Rose while Uncle Billy seems more fragile. There's talk of Percy retiring soon from the diner. Andrew Gregory is now the mayor. Father Tim has been running into Edith Mallory around town; Why is she now calling him when Cynthia is away? Who was it that Helene Pringle had seen in another town close by? Something or someone has given Hope Winchester new hope.George Gaynor will be released from prison on good behavior and wants a place in Mitford and a job. George is the man who was temporarily living (unbeknownst to others) in the attic of Lord's Chapel and made his presence known during one Sunday morning service. While some folks are looking forward to his coming to Mitford, others are concerned that he might fall back into his prior life of crime. Puny Bradshaw had a dream about her and Cynthia trying to talk Father Tim into a doctor's visit and something awful happens to him. She's afraid that it will come true. He told her that he has an appointment in 3 days with Hoppy (Dr. Harper). Will he be going to Tennessee?
Do You like book In This Mountain (2005)?
Well, let's go with 3.5. Timothy neglects his diabetes and falls into a diabetic coma while driving. Even after being released from the hospital and being given stick orders from his doctor, he still can't seem to get it right. He still forgets to take his insulin, skips meals, and doesn't drink enough water. Really??? But good things also happen as always. Another sibling of Dooley's is found. Lace finally returns Dooley's call (after 1.5 years, George Gaynor has finished his prison sentence and comes back to Mitford for a short time before he decides to go into prison ministry. And two more people come to the Lord.
—Robin Thomas
This is the seventh novel in Jan Karon's 'Mitford' series about the Episcopal priest, Father Tim. Set in a small village in a mountain in the south of the USA, it's a delightful series with cleverly drawn characters, light humour, and some moving moments too.This book takes place more than a year after the previous one. Tim is now well-established as a retired priest, and his wife Cynthia continues to write successful children's books although she keeps intending to stop. They have been trying to find a productive use of their time, and have agreed to join a small mission organisation in the outback. They are both trying to be enthusiastic about it and believing it's probably right, but messages from the organiser are not encouraging.Then a disaster happens, because Father Tim is not paying attention to his health. The rest of the book covers his reactions to this, including some quite bad depression which he tries to fight. It's perhaps more serious than some of the earlier books; certainly the Christian message is put more clearly than ever, along with some useful reminders of eternal truths.Very enjoyable as part of the series, but it wouldn't make much sense as a stand-alone novel.
—Sue
I had started reading Jan Karon's Mitford Series on her eighth and ninth releases ("Shepherds Abiding" and "Light From Heaven"), not realizing at the time it was a series. I loved the entire series and began reading the others in order. Problem was, I had several unanswered questions from the two books I listed. This was the last one in the series that I had not read and it tied all of the unanswered questions together. I believe Jan Karon is a brilliant writer with a true understanding of people's personalities. She is able to transfer these thoughts on paper like no other author I've read. Her take on the thoughts and issues that Father Tim had / has were wonderful. There are so many times that we set clergy up on a pedestal and believe they can do no wrong and that we can't converse with them. Granted, Father Tim did "no wrong" - but it was great to see him as a human - and one you would feel very comfortable relating to.If you read her series, begin with her first (At Home In Mitford).
—Bill
