About Me

Karen Karper Fredette grew up in Kent, OH and now lives on Trust Mountain in the Spring Creek area of Madison County, NC not far from the Smoky Mountain National Park with her husband, Paul and their pets. She has published over 100 articles and short stories and has seven books in print. Her passion is presenting the culture, dialect, and music of the Scots-Irish which has been maintained in this rural area for over thirteen generations. Her trilogy - Legend of Lovada Branch, "The Cove", "Panther Gap" and "Woolyshot Ridge" are fiction/fantasy set in this area. Her short stories have won two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal in the annual NC Silver Arts competition. Her short story "Little 'Un" placed as a quarterly finalist in the Screencraft Cinematic Short Story Competition. 

Step into The Cove—if you’re summoned. Nestled in the hidden heart of the Smokies lies Lovada Cove, a forgotten settlement where a mysterious community of Elders lives by ancient wisdom. Wren and Kyle Makepeace, a married couple in their thirties, are drawn to this secluded enclave, where their journey leads them through self-discovery, spiritual awakening, and the rekindling of buried traditions.

As Wren uncovers horrifying secrets about her past, Kyle confronts his heritage as a Cherokee shaman and grapples with his long-standing feud with God. Guided by Zettie and Mencie—two Elders with profound insights—the couple learns of their purpose: to save the Cove from betrayal within. Their mission tests their courage, faith, and the depths of their relationship.

This mystical tale combines Native American traditions, mountain lore, and timeless spiritual teachings that echo through generations. When you leave The Cove, you return changed forever. The Legend of Lovada Branch continues in the upcoming sequel, Panther Gap.

JOE PENLAND WAS BORN AND RAISED IN RURAL MADISON COUNTY IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA. HE IS THE PROUD STEWARD OF TWELVE GENERATIONS AND OVER 350 YEARS OF THE RICH ORAL TRADITION OF HIS SCOTCH AND ENGLISH ANCESTORS.

Listen to his music here! 

From his birth, he has listened to and learned the stories and “love songs” these travelers brought with them across the ocean, then southwest to the narrow coves and high meadows that many consider the richest repository of Great Britain's folk songs in the world .

He inherited the instruments of his grandfather who died long before his birth and was taught to play by his Aunts. He learned the “love songs” from them and the great singers of Sodom Laurel. Thee singers include Lee, Berzilla, Doug and Cas Wallin and Berzilla’s sister and brother Dellie Norton and Lloyd Chandler.