Friday, September 15, 2017

These Healing Hills

Love has a way of healing old wounds…and revealing tantalizing new possibilities.

These Healing Hills
Published September 5th 2017
 by Fleming H. Revell Company 

Francine Howard has her life all mapped out--until the man she loves announces his plans to bring home an English bride from war-torn Europe in 1945. Devastated, Francine seeks a fresh start in the Appalachian Mountains, training to be a nurse midwife for the Frontier Nursing Service.

Deeply affected by the horrors he witnessed at war, Ben Locke has never thought further ahead than making it home to Kentucky. His future shrouded in as much mist as his beloved mountains, he's at a loss when it comes to envisioning what's next for his life.

When Francine's and Ben's paths intersect, it's immediately clear that they are from different worlds and value different things. But love has a way of healing old wounds . . . and revealing tantalizing new possibilities.


Available for Purchase:



Meet the Author:

Ann H. Gabhart


Ann H. Gabhart grew up on a farm in Kentucky. By the time she was ten she knew she wanted to be a writer. She's published over twenty novels. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. She still lives on a farm not far from where she grew up. She loves playing with her grandkids, walking with her dog, reading and, of course, writing. Her Shaker books, set in her fictional Shaker village of Harmony Hill in the 1800's, are popular with readers. The Outsider was a Christian Fiction Book Award Finalist in 2009. Her Heart of Hollyhill books are Small Town, America books set in the 1960's. Angel Sister, a Rosey Corner book set during the Great Depression, will be followed by Small Town Girl. 




Connect Online:




“Where the land is rough and steep, nature is not easily conquered even after wild beasts and wilder men have been subdued. …a dogged determination to survive keeps a mountaineer’s body lean and his mind alert. His dwelling place in awesome regions tends to give him dignity of manner …accentuated by his sparse use of words.” (Mary Breckinridge describing the mountaineer characteristics)







The author does an exceptional job on her blog of telling the story of Mary Breckinridge.

 http://www.annhgabhart.com/2017/09/13/a-dedicated-woman/




Image may contain: text



My Opinion:


This story touched me in so many ways. The author weaves words together that bring to life the mountains of eastern Kentucky and brings a wonderful tribute to Mary Breckinridge.
This story touched me both heart and soul. 
I think the reason this book touched me so much is because I was raised in the "hills" of Kentucky.  No, not Hyden, but in a small town that was very similar. I left many years ago, but I will always consider it home.  So this book took me on a trip back home to my childhood.  Of course I wasn't born until many years after the setting in this book, but the characters put me in mind of people I knew growing up.  Yes, I have went to a sorghum run, crossed a swinging bridge many times, roamed the hills and played in the creek.  I also have known many older women like Granny Em.  (I think she's probably my favorite character in this book.)  In this story the author points out that even though life is hard, the people who live in eastern Kentucky endure the hand they are dealt, but strive for the best.    
 The author does an excellent job of bringing her characters to life on the pages.  I immediately liked Francine Howard.  She was not one who focused on broken promises.  No, she choose to start an adventure that would bring her new dreams and purpose.  Her arrival in Hyden was not as she anticipated in the least.  With no one there to meet her she was challenged with climbing the mountain to Wendover, the school for Frontier Nursing.  This showed her determination and drive to accomplish her dream.  
Ben Locke is a young man who had his dream of becoming a doctor cut short by World War ll and service to his country.  With the end of the war Ben heads back home to eastern Kentucky.  While serving his much loved father passed away so his homecoming was filled with many memories of days gone by.  He felt a great responsibility to care for his mother and siblings so again he puts his dreams on hold. 
For me, this was a one setting book.  I was immediately pulled into the story and didn't put it down until the last page was turned.  It has elements of humor, adventure, faith, second chances, trust, and love. 
I loved everything about this book and would recommend it to anyone. 
**I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  




No comments:

Post a Comment