When the Meadow Blooms by Ann H. Gabhart June 16, 2022

About:

Hope blooms at Meadowland

If any place on God’s earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law’s Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past–the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls’ experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, past troubles become rich soil in which faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother’s widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again.

But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

My thoughts:

I’ve read several books by Ann in the past but it’s been a few years. I have to say this was probably my favorite book I have read by her.

I think it was the wonderful cast of characters and the engaging story. It was all so well done. Sweet Sienna will wrap herself around your heart and not let go.

It’s so sad to think that women might have to make that tough choice to leave their children in an orphanage while they recouperated from illness.

If you like Ann’s book or have never read one but enjoy historical fiction I highly recommend this read.

Visit Ann here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Review and Giveaway: The Innocent by Ann H. Gabhart July 7, 2015

About:

She longs for peace–for her land and her heart–but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?

Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.

The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart invites fans back to Harmony Hill for a story laced with intrigue, romance, and heart.

“The Innocent is another well-crafted tale from the pen of Ann H. Gabhart. With characters that will steal your heart, Gabhart introduces a desperate young heroine who seeks safety among the Shakers during the post-Civil War era and a sheriff determined to come to her aid. A rich and rewarding read you won’t want to miss!”—Judith Miller, award-winning author of Refined by Love series

My thoughts and giveaway:

Ann has a wonderful way of weaving a story together. Her newest book holds true to that.

In this new release we get an inside look into the Shaker community. I, for one, had a lot of ideas about the faith that were way off so I got a little education while I read.

Carlyn is a woman with an uncertain future. She holds onto the hope that her husband is still alive but after two years it’s a thin thread of hope.

Mitchell is a strong hero with hurts of his own from the past. He is instantly likable.

There are other characters who help round out the story as well. A couple of mysteries along the way will keep you reading: deaths in the Shaker village and the unanswered question of Carlyn’s husband.

I think fans of Ann will be pleased with this newest release.

Visit Ann here.

Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Books-A-Million or your favorite retailer.

Leave a comment by 16th for your chance go win a copy. Winner will be chosen by random.org. (U.S. residents only. I am not responsible for books lost or damaged in the mail.)

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review and Giveaway: Love Comes Home by Ann H. Gabhart July 14, 2014

About:

When the flush of victory fades, there remains a winding road to an uncertain future.

World War II is finally over and the people of Rosey Corner are joyfully welcoming the boys home. The Merritt sisters in particular are looking toward the future. Kate is eager to start a family and live out her dream of happily ever after with Jay. Evangeline craves a beautiful house and encourages Mike to pastor a big-town church. Victoria wants what can never be. And Lorena is growing up and wondering more and more about her birth family.

Each sister must learn to hold her plans with a loose hand, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they share the joys and sorrows of life in their little corner of the world.

Award-winning and bestselling author Ann Gabhart invites you back to Rosey Corner for a heartfelt story that closes the distance between the things that were and things that can yet be.

My thoughts and giveaway:

Ann’s writing is lovely, isn’t it? If have read any of her books you’ll know what I am talking about.

She has this way of creating a storyworld that makes you feel like you are home and her characters are your next door neighbor.

Love Come Home is the final book in a series. I did not read the first two (although I have Angel Sister sitting in my Kindle 🙂 but I didn’t feel lost at all, just maybe a bit sad that I could know these characters better than I did. I am sure if you have read the first two you will be anxious to get your hands on this one and see what happens after the boys come home.

I loved the first scene in the book as it is announced that the boys were coming home, the excitement that sweeps through everybody….well, almost everybody. Not everyone can celebrate because not every boy is coming home.

Ann even had me in tears as I read about Kate and Jay’s reunion. I could see it and feel it playing out before me.

Each sister in the book is dealing with something different or handling it different that the other. I love the family atmosphere and the depiction of the times after the war.

This is an easy, relaxed read, not a fast-pace page turner but a enjoyable book none-the-less. If you like Ann’s books or want to give this one a try I think you will be happy you did with this one.

Visit Ann here.

Grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Deeper Shopping or Books-A-Million.

Leave a comment by July 20th at 5:00 p.m. to be entered to win a copy. (U.S. residents only)

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review and Giveaway: Summer of Joy Ann H. Gabhart March 24, 2014

Summer of Joy

by

Ann H. Gabhart

About:

As summer draws to a close Jocie’s world seems serene–but is it just the calm before a storm?

Unbeknownst to Jocie Brooke and her family, two people are making their way to the small town of Hollyhill, Kentucky. One everyone thought was gone for good and the other no one’s ever heard of. Still, one thing is sure–they promise trouble. The past is coming to call, threatening to destroy strong relationships that everyone has simply taken for granted.
The summer of 1964 may be winding down, but the controversy in this little community where nothing ever seems to change is just heating up.
Bestselling author Ann Gabhart invites you to Hollyhill for a story both exciting and enduring that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.

My thoughts and giveaway:

This is a book that took me a few chapters to really get into but once the book grabbed me I didn’t want it to let me go.

There are many different characters in this story and you will be in the head of a lot of them. It think that’s why it took me a while to get into it, the first few chapters I was in a different person’s head and didn’t connect with any of them right away.

This is the third book in a series and there are a few references to things that took place in the other books but once I got a grasp on what was happening in this book I had no problem absorbing this charming set of characters and the intriguing plot.

I really liked the mystery behind Mr. Hammond who is Jocie’s English teacher and seems to have it out for her and have a thing for Leigh, David’s (Jocie’s dad) girlfriend/fiancé. What’s going on with him?  Why does he seem to be targeting Jocie and her family?

Then there are people from the past who have the potential to show up in Hollyhill and shake things up. What will happen to the characters we have come to love once they come and bring their baggage with them?

This story is full of broken people who need a Savior. God’s grace is all over this book and great example of how each of us need to  extend that grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Leave a comment by March 30th at 5:00 pm to be entered to win this book for yourself. (U.S. residents only)

Grab a copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, Deeper Shopping or Books-A-Million.

Visit Ann’s website here.

A copy of this book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.