What comes to mind when you think of the word sanctuary? In a world filled with constant noise—politics, work, even the demands of family—having a place to retreat can feel more essential than ever.
This spring, I set out to create that space for myself. I went into my backyard and started digging. Weeks were spent pulling up roots (so many roots), turning over the soil, adding nutrients, planting, edging, and mulching. Slowly, a flowerbed stretching nearly 100 feet along my back fence began to take shape. And at the center of it all, I placed a simple bench, positioned just right to take in the birdbath and the blooms.
Piece by piece, I had built my own small sanctuary.
In her novel, These Silent Woods, Kimi Cunningham Grant tells the story of a war veteran who has carved out his own fragile sanctuary deep in the Appalachian Mountains. Cooper, as he’s known, lives in a remote cabin with his young daughter, Finch. Their life is simple—no electricity, no running water—but it’s one they’ve made their own.
Finch spends her days reading from the books that line the cabin walls, learning from the classics while also being taught how to survive in the wilderness. But as any child would, she has questions. What happened to her mother? Why do they live so cut off from the world? The answers exist, of course, but Cooper isn’t ready to give them. For him, it’s easier to protect the quiet life he’s built than to risk unraveling it with the truth.
Only two people know they live there. One is a reclusive mountain hermit who keeps a distant, watchful eye on Cooper and Finch. The other is Jake, Cooper’s former army buddy and the owner of the cabin, who visits once a year with the supplies they need to survive.
But this year, Jake didn’t come.
His absence sets off a chain of events that threatens the fragile life Cooper has built. As the walls of his carefully guarded sanctuary begin to close in, Cooper is forced to confront a question he’s long avoided. Can he keep hiding, or will he finally have to reckon with the past he’s been running from?
There’s a rich sense of atmosphere and place that runs through These Silent Woods. Kimi Cunningham Grant transports readers to the Appalachian Mountains, immersing us in the stark isolation of Cooper’s chosen refuge. His calm, measured demeanor contrasts beautifully with Finch’s bright curiosity, creating a dynamic that feels both tender and uncertain—you can sense he’s doing his best, even as he struggles to fully step into the role of father.
That character work is balanced by a steadily tightening sense of tension as the story unfolds. What begins as introspective and contemplative gradually gives way to something more urgent, pulling the reader deeper into the narrative. The result is a novel rich in character, steeped in atmosphere, and anchored by a story that softly grips you from start to finish. It reminds us how important it can be to carve out a place of peace, even if it can’t last forever.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2026, 35)
I love that idea of carving out a space, even a temporary one. Sounds like the author did a great job building this world and its inhabitants.
ReplyDeleteShe really transports you to this isolated cabin in the woods. It was very well done!
DeleteI want to know the back story and what he's running from. This sounds like an interesting story. If I had a house with a yard I would have a flower bed and a chair in my yard too.
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a great place to sit with a book, at least until the summer heat takes over!
DeleteYour backyard sanctuary sounds wonderful! I bet you get a lot of birds through your yard. And this book sounds equally good. I've had it on my TBR list for awhile now. Hopefully this summer will be the summer I finally get it read.
ReplyDeleteI've got so many different birds out there! It's been fun trying to identify them all.
DeleteI can see how fragile life is if they need that one guy
ReplyDeleteHe's in a tight situation for sure.
DeleteI'm always weeding it seems, lol! The reward is wonderful, though and I'm happy to hear you've carved out your own little sanctuary! I loved this one, too. Did you read The Nature of Disappearing by her? I think I liked it even more. The audio is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteI feel you on that! I try to just pull whatever I see every day, and it hasn't been too overwhelming yet.
DeleteI read that one too. Both were great, but I liked how self contained this one was.
"a story that softly grips you from start to finish. It reminds us how important it can be to carve out a place of peace, even if it can’t last forever."
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this. Especially that oxymoron. The story sounds really well done.
Wait...100 feet?!?
Yes! At least 100! I did all along my right and back fence.
DeleteI love stories that grab you like this. Adding to my list.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll really enjoy it!
DeleteThis sounds like an awesome story. Your backyard sanctuary sounds like a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteBoth are great!
DeleteI love that you created a backyard sanctuary for yourself. That's wonderful. We were swimming with friends in our backyard pool earlier this week, and it definitely felt like a sanctuary for us and them, a place we could just relax and enjoy being together.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed THESE SILENT WOODS. Glad you did as well.
I would love a pool, but getting one would mean I have to get rid of my giant oak trees in the back yard. I'll take the shade instead haha.
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