I loved this heart breaking story of love and abuse. I loved Lilliana and Aunt Hyacinth, but my favorite character was Celia. I felt that Celia had a great head on her shoulders even though she was only eleven. I laughed and cried and felt some disgust at times. I liked that this story shows what some people are really like. ( )

I don’t think I can write a review that will adequately describe how amazing this novel is. It was so hard to put down. I was immediately caught up in the story and my mind captivated by the town, the characters, the plot, the rich history. Amazing! The author did such a wonderful job, I could see the novel unfolding in my mind.

I borrowed this book, but I’m buying my own copy...because I will read it again. It’s one of those books that touches all of your emotions. Betrayal, hatred, hurt, love, trust, deception, loyalty, faith, all these plus more. This story covers it all. It’s rich with history of a very small Southern town on the brink of WWII.

This is a Christian novel that deals with some very tough issues and the author did a wonderful job of writing. My first by this author and not my last. ( )

"Night Bird Calling" by Cathy Gohlke spoke to me on so many different levels. Although I have not suffered the kind of abuse Lilliana has, I was always afraid of the God of my childhood church. It was not until my forties that I discovered my God. The One who loves me. The One who sent His Son to redeem me and atone for my sins.
I loved all of Cathy's references to Scripture and the devotional, "My Utmost for His Highest". She reminds us that although we can't see God at work, He is always working for us. We must look daily for the "fingerprints" of God for surely they are there showing us His love and goodness. Even in our troubles.
Cathy always leaves us with hope and for that I am grateful. ( )

There is a lot going on in this book, but the main thing is that an abused woman - Lilliana - escapes from her husband and travels to a little mountain community named No Creek in North Carolina. The year is 1940 and the people of this close knit community offer her a mixed welcome. Her great aunt Hyacinth is overjoyed and offers to help her however she can, though she is bind and of poor health. She has the support of the local pastor, however, and of an eleven year old named Cecilia. As Lilliana settles into her new home she constantly fears that her abusive husband will show up at any moment to take her away. Another threat lurks, however, and that is the local branch of the Klan, who soon see that Lilliana does not abide by their rules about racial segregation. Will right prevail over the evils of this world?
Like I said, this book has a lot going on but I found it to be a riveting read. The many subplots meant that there I was always waiting to see how one thing or another would be resolved. A couple of these resolutions did not seem entirely plausible at the end, but on the whole I was left wishing for more when I turned the final page. Fans of stories like "The Waltons" with down home goodness winning out over mean spirited badness will greatly enjoy this one. As will fans of Oswald Chambers, whose devotional writings are featured throughout the story. ( )

The other reviewers did a great job in describing the plot, but I'll just add that I was motivated to pull out my copy of "My Utmost for His Highest" to read daily because of its mention in the book. I loved all the characters I was supposed to love and disliked the unlikeable. I have read a lot of books that take place during World War II, but this was pretty much a factor near the end of the book. I wouldn't mind a sequel. ( )