Meet the women connected with Black Mountain: Josie, Nellie, Rose, Shelly, and Iona. They lived during what became known as the Depression Era. These North Carolina women carried the innocence that the majority of the female population of that time period did. They didn't vote, usually worked menial jobs if they worked at all, and took care of their men. Sadly, the men of this era weren't always as loving as they should have been toward their wives.

The one thing that all of these women have in common is a man named Hobbs Pritchard. Hobbs, by most accounts, is a mean sort of man but can also be charming when he's trying to get something he wants. He's a man of many deep, dark, and wicked secrets; secrets that could have him swinging from a hanging tree if others could ever prove the truth of them.

This tale opens with 17 year old Nellie meeting 26 year old Hobbs in the church soup kitchen that she works in. Hobbs seduces Nellie with his charm and sexy blue eyes. She marries him within a couple of weeks and he takes her to his family home on Black Mountain. That's where she learns the truth about what her new husband is. She quickly discovers that no one on the mountain likes Hobbs, but they all seem to be pretty afraid of him as well as hate him.

Josie Clay is Nellie's mother. She tried so hard to talk sense into her 17 year old daughter. It was clear to her that Hobbs was no good. But Nellie was in love and she had to follow her foolish heart. Josie's story is also told. Her marriage wasn't as bad as Nellie's turned out to be, but it wasn't great, either. She never actually made it to Black Mountain but Nellie was her tie to it.

Rose was Hobbs' girlfriend. She had a rather different relationship with Hobbs than Nellie did. In fact, Hobbs was still seeing Rose even after he was married. She knew he was bad but she loved him anyway.

Shelly was a 14 year old servant girl of the preacher of Black Mountain. She met Nellie when she was hired to clean up Hobbs' house where Nellie lived. Shelly liked Nellie and tried to help her in as many ways as she could.

Iona had a very close connection to Nellie and Josie. It's up on Black Mountain that she discovers the secrets that change her life forever.

All of these women have The Sight and they carry on discussions with the ghosts on and off of Black Mountain as easily as if they were talking with humans. Those ghosts are pretty forthcoming with needed information for the most part and try their best to help guide these women at different points in time.

The real story begins the day that Nellie makes a final and horrific choice, changing the lives of everyone on Black Mountain forever. You, as the reader, get to follow along the path she creates by her choices.

I loved GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN! It flowed together like lemonade and cookies on a warm spring day. You'll love these women and their strength. Author Ann Hite's writing places you right in the middle of this long ago time period and makes you feel right at home. You'll find yourself riveted to your spot until you've read the very last page. Happily, there's another book coming up from this one. Treat yourself to GHOST ON BLACK MOUNTAIN. You'll be glad you did.