Tattler's Branch

Lilly Corbett Still felt God calling her to practice medicine in the small Kentucky mining town, Skip Rock, though it isn't always easy to be a female doctor in the early 1900's. With her husband on the road a lot, she keeps busy with her practice and keeping tabs on her visiting sister, Mazy. When her good friend and neighbor, Armina, is found sick and suffering from memory lost, with an unfamiliar baby in tow, Lilly and Mazy attempt to piece together what happened. Could Armina have stolen the child? Or, will the baby bring danger to their small community?
Set in the hills of Kentucky, Tattler's Branch gives readers a chance to go back and time to a place very different from modern day. I found this book interesting, it kind of reminds me a bit of Christy, since it shows how difficult it was for a young woman to make her way in a world dominated by men.
I did find it kind of weird that most of the main male characters from previous books in the series are, for the most part, not really present in this novel. I didn't like that the story was trying to justify one of the characters leaving her husband (if she chose) because he was a "good for nothing". With it being a Christian book, I would think they should of encouraged her to work things out. Thankfully, that part of the story was resolved.
Fans of Jan Watson should be delighted with this new addition to Lilly's story!

Question and Answers with the author:
What was your inspiration for this book,
Tattler’s Branch?

I wrote this book because the people from
Skip Rock Shallows
had more stories to
tell. I was reading my local paper one morning and came upon a story concerning
something dramatic that had happened on a creek called Tattler’s. I could see
Armina there.


Tell me about your main character Lilly Corbett
Still. Was this character based on anyone in particular?

No, Lilly Gray Corbett Still is totally a figment of my imagination. Lilly is one smart
and courageous young woman. I do love anything medical,
so Lilly allowed me to
indulge a bit in the medical practice of the
time. If I were to live any of my
characters’
lives, I would choose Lilly’s. She is so strong and determined.
And kind
—Lilly is very kind.