Kindle Edition Amazon Category:  Family Publisher: Solstice Shadows Type: Fiction Pages: 69 Copyright: June 23, 2014 Price: $0.99 (eBook) A young couple battle against prejudice and vigilantes to survive in the mountains of Virginia in the 1880’s. A young couple battle against prejudice and vigilantes to survive in the mountains of Virginia in the 1880’s. Sarah and Clancy pay the ultimate price for their love when their child, Thomas, is born out of wedlock. Disowned by their families they struggle to survive on a remote hillside alone and afraid. Clancy was warned about the dogwood tree and that his land might be cursed, but he is blinded by love and ignores the warnings, until it is too late. Thomas brings hope and joy into their lives, but a tragic accident brings further despair to the family, leaving young Thomas to survive alone. When eventually he learns of his parents’ troubled past he manages to overcome every obstacle that comes his way, until the curse finally catches up with him on the day of his wedding, threatening to destroy his happiness as it did that of his parents. Excerpt He and the dog moved over to the sheep, which had been butchered heartlessly, the body still warm and quivering. The other animals were huddled in the corner of the meadow, terrified of the noise and smells that had invaded their quiet haven. Clancy rose to his feet and ran after the retreating boys, clambering over the fence and racing through brambles in a wild and desperate attempt to catch them. “Next time I catch you here I’ll have my shotgun” he yelled, breathing heavily. He stopped and rested on a fallen log, the anxious dog beside him. He realised that the boys were long gone, and turned back to the meadow. He needed to cut up the carcass quickly and somehow explain to Sarah why they were having mutton when all the sheep were in lamb. He knew he could not tell her what had happened. The last thing she needed was the fear that the reprisals had started again.

A Superb Tale
This isn’t one of the usual genres I would read, but a friend recommended it and once I picked this up I found myself completely engrossed. This is a deeply moving tale about a couple’s love that’s so strong it survives trials that would daunt most people.
Clancy and Sarah strive to overcome the obstacles that life throws at them, as they endeavour to live a life together in the wilds of old Virginia. Unable to marry they have to rise above the prejudice of living in sin. Not only do they find themselves ostracised by society, there’s the ancient curse of the dogwood tree that’s spread all over their land to contend with.
This is a superb book. It’s well balanced and paced, and one I heartily recommend.

A multi-generational love story
Curse of the Dogwood is a multi-generational love story of sorts. It starts with Sarah and Clancy then travels on to their son Thomas' life and his love Marianne. It's a peculiar blending of sadness and happiness. Set in the 1800's in the Smokey Mountains, it's a window into the everyday lives of small town folk of the era and their prejudices and prides. It's an excellent read.