A Five Star Book Review of An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart, a Historical Fiction Novel | Plus, a Link to Watch The Forgotten Frontier, a 1931 Silent Film!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review. This blog post includes affiliate links which means I will receive a commission based on sales generated via these links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for coming by to read my insights on this book!
Refreshingly delightful!
The perfect summer story for a warm afternoon…
Ann H. Gabhart delights and captivates readers with her newest historical fiction release, An Appalachian Summer. She brings the heart of the mountains alive with charming characters, adorable pets and animals, catchy mountain conversation and little bits of faith tucked in throughout this story. As if that weren’t enough, she envelopes readers into the story with not one, but two, sweet romances that will warm your heart and make you believe again in young love. An Appalachian Summer is sure to bring a smile to readers’ lips and nourishment to their souls.
Discover what happens when one intrepid young woman steps away from the past into a beautiful, wide-open future.
In 1933 Louisville, Kentucky, even the ongoing economic depression cannot keep Piper Danson's parents from insisting on a debut party. After all, their fortune came through the market crash intact, and they've picked out the perfect suitor for their daughter. Braxton Crandall can give her the kind of life she's used to. The only problem? This is not the man--or the life--she really wants.
When Piper gets the opportunity to volunteer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer, she jumps at the chance to be something other than a dutiful daughter or a kept wife in a loveless marriage. The work is taxing, the scenery is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open a whole new world to her. The longer she stays, the more an advantageous marriage slips from her grasp. But something much more precious--true love--is drawing ever closer.
Praise for These Healing Hills:
"Gabhart handles the Appalachian landscape and culture with skill, bringing them to vibrant life."--Publishers Weekly
"The tenacity and stalwart bravery that Gabhart so skillfully instills in her female lead in this rugged, heartwarming read are to be admired."--Booklist
"This novel vividly re-creates the world of postwar Appalachia. The compelling story line resonates long after the last page is turned."--Library Journal
★★★★★ | An Appalachian Summer is a book that caught my eye as the result of it’s beautiful, vibrant cover. Because of a fondness for the Appalachian mountains where I live, I enjoy finding stories that bring the history of this area to life and this beautiful story did just that for me.
Gabhart captivates readers with the oppressing life Piper Danson finds herself smothered by in the height of the Great Depression as a debutante in early summer. While her father wills her married to a rich young man as a business arrangement, Piper yearns for more meaning to her life and has her hopes set on love. She soon finds the opportunity of a lifetime to step away from it all as a volunteer courier in the Kentucky mountains for Mary Breckenridge and the Frontier Nursing Service, creating a story that I’ll carry in my heart with fondness for years to come.
I absolutely loved learning about Mary Breckenridge and FNS. What an amazing outreach these women had on the area. Gabhart has seamlessly woven rich historic details into this story in a delightful, entertaining way. Upon completion of the story, I did some of my own personal research into Mary and the FNS because it captivated me so much.
Gabhart brings this story to life with diverse and charming characters, young love, faith, perseverance, and personal growth. The underlying message of women’s empowerment as well as growing and stretching of oneself through volunteer work showcases how life has a way of changing one’s perspective for the better. I truly loved Piper and Jamie’s story as well as Truda and Dr. Jack’s. Mary herself even captivated me. I found myself smiling, laughing and even shedding a tear or two during this story as Gabhart pulled on my heartstrings. This novel flows well, reads easily and is pure delight while not shying away from the heaviness of the Great Depression and life at that time. It wraps up nicely with a sweet and tender ending as well. I can’t recommend this story enough as an enriching, light read that’s heartwarming and fulfilling. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did!
Appropriate for readers 14+.
*Note: For my vegan, animal loving friends, there are a couple of scenes in this book that covered the death of a lame horse and the preparation of dinner from a live chicken. These are very delicately presented in the story, on par with life in the mountains of 1933, but I felt it best to note they were included.
“She didn’t need love to grow afresh. Love had long ago taken root inside her and, like a trailing vine, entwined her heart and mind. Just not for the man her father had chosen for her. ”
A quick little note:
While doing my own personal research on The Frontier Nursing Service and founder, Mary Breckenridge, I learned that there is a promotional movie that was filmed in 1931 and is available on YouTube from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. This movie was created in it’s entirety by Mary “Marvin” Breckenridge, an American photojournalist, cinematographer, and philanthropist who happened to be Mary Breckenridge’s cousin working under her middle name in a predominantly male profession. This film was made while Mary “Marvin” worked in the FNS and was added to the National Film Registry in 1996. Take a moment to watch it as it further brings the story above alive!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Image Courtesy of Baker Publishing Group | Photo Credit: © Memories by Chris
