Life on a Mountain is a work of fiction in the Southern fiction, romance, and interpersonal drama subgenres. It forms the second book of the Love is a Cabin Series and was penned for the adult reading audience by author Jacque Jacobs. We find ourselves following the exploits of Bella Anderson, a woman who just wants to be able to settle into her life in the valleys of the Smoky Mountains without all the pesky interruptions of the townsfolk nearby. But when two of the local men take an unusual interest in her, Bella begins to see that there might be more to these tight-knit community connections that remind her of her family than she realized.

Sweetly romantic but also realistic and emotionally resonant, Jacque Jacobs has crafted another excellent novel which her fans are certain to enjoy. One of the things I particularly liked about this author’s approach to the work is how the setting of the novel becomes its own overarching character, with the valley folks’ personalities shining through and melding perfectly into the gorgeously described backdrops. It really packages the novel in a cozy atmosphere that is ideal for reading at this time of year. What’s more, the characters leap into this setting just as vividly, and although Bella starts as a bit of a slow-burner, the way she’s gotten stuck in a certain pattern is highly relatable, and the events that bring her out of it are enjoyable to watch. Overall, I would certainly recommend Life on a Mountain to fans of Southern fiction and romance readers seeking something with a genuine heart.

Dr. Bella Anderson, a recently retired university English professor, hoped to find peace and quiet in her cabin. She had inherited Drellag Caban, an ancestral home in the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. She and her now-deceased husband had visited the cabin many times over the years from their western North Carolina home, but they never had the opportunity to stay for long periods of time. While this home held many wonderful memories, her first few weeks were overshadowed by a tragic accident on her property. Some unanswered questions remained from this event, as well as a nearby meth lab explosion. Sheriff Chad Oliver was determined to find the answers. As Bella builds on existing relationships with local people and establishing new ones, two men vie for her attention. In the second book of the Love is a Cabin Series, titled Life on a Mountain, author Jacque Jacobs continues with a captivating storyline.

One of the great strengths of this series is the depth of character development. For example, Bella is facing many challenges in her new ventures where making major decisions impacted by crimes in the community, embarking on a writing career, and sorting out the possibility of a love relationship could be overwhelming. Local law enforcement officers’ personalities are similarly complex; often their thought processes are included in the story. The plot is both exciting and adventurous, balanced by pleasant and charming scenes. Author Jacque Jacobs has skillfully penned Life on a Mountain. While it can be a standalone novel, reading the first one will enhance the experience. An excellent series!

Life on a Mountain: Love is a Cabin Series, Book 2 by Jacque Jacobs picks up with Bella still upset over the teenagers who were running drugs across her property, and Chad the local sheriff is still working hard to find answers. Her old friend Joshua and his father Joe, who runs the local country store, are a big part of her life and maybe there is a romance brewing in the future for Joshua and Belle. However, Chad also finds Bella to be special and the first woman he has even noticed in several years. It seems like there might be some illegal stuff happening on the mountain. Chad and his team are working hard to put an end to it, but there are also fun times with singing and dancing and picnics.

It was a joy meeting up with my friend Bella Anderson again and having the chance to revisit her eighty-acre Smoky Mountain home. Life on a Mountain is a great story of a small community, their everyday lives, their problems, and their joys. Jacque Jacobs is a gifted writer combining adventure, excitement, and Southern charm into one incredibly good book. I strongly urge you to read Life on a Mountain; it will make you smile, make you angry, and make you want to take a trip to the mountains. Life on a Mountain stands alone as book 2 in the Love is a Cabin Series but I believe you will want to go back and read book 1 and, like myself, you will be looking forward to the next installment to spend time with your friends Bella, Joshua, and Chad.

Life on a Mountain by Jacque Jacobs continues the story of Bella Anderson and her life living at the cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains. Bella is upset now about the destruction to her property as well as the teenagers thought to have caused the damage. This brings her into contact with the local police and Detective Chad Williams, which would have them spending more time at Bella's, which as far as the detective is concerned, suits him just fine. However, this may not sit so well with the local store owner, Joseph. This fun and entertaining book may teach you a side of the Smoky Mountains you haven't heard of or seen before.

I had so much fun reading this intriguing book. We have spent many vacations in the Great Smoky Mountains and this story brings back a lot of enjoyment and fond memories. I love the characters and I enjoyed how author Jacque Jacobs digs deeper into the lives of her characters to enhance the storyline. The plot flows smoothly as the story unfolds, and the expert writing of Jacobs makes the book charming and easy to read. For me, the best part of the story is having two local men vying for Bella, and neither was going to back down easy, confusing Bella. There is a lot more going on in the story that you can read when you purchase this book. I highly recommend Life on a Mountain by Jacque Jacobs and don't forget to check out book one, High on a Mountain.