These Healing Hills
by Ann H. Gabhart
About
“A fascinating and beautifully crafted story.”–Virginia Smith, bestselling author of The Amish Widower.
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.
“Ann H. Gabhart captures a fascinating slice of Appalachian history in this tale of a mountain midwife and a soldier, bringing it to life as only a native Kentuckian can.”–Laura Frantz, author of A Moonbow Night
“Ann Gabhart combines vivid descriptions, meticulous research, and a deep understanding of the human heart to create a story that will linger in readers’ memories long after the last page is turned. This is a book to savor, not just once, but over and over. A true keeper.”–Amanda Cabot, bestselling author of A Stolen Heart
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, Love Comes Home, Words Spoken True, and The Heart of Hollyhill series, as well as several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at http://www.annhgabhart.com.
Endorsements
“Reading These Healing Hills is like wrapping up in a beloved quilt and stepping back in time. Ann H. Gabhart captures a fascinating slice of Appalachian history in this tale of a mountain midwife and a soldier, bringing it to life as only a native Kentuckian can. Poignant and romantic, witty and wise, with enduring spiritual truths, this is my favorite novel of hers to date.”
Laura Frantz, author of A Moonbow Night
“What a wonderful story! Filled with true-to-life characters (including some four-footed ones) and fascinating historical details, These Healing Hills is a beautifully written, heartwarming story of life in the Appalachian Mountains at the end of the Second World War. Ann Gabhart combines vivid descriptions, meticulous research, and a deep understanding of the human heart to create a story that will linger in readers’ memories long after the last page is turned. This is a book to savor, not just once, but over and over. A true keeper.”
Amanda Cabot, bestselling author of A Stolen Heart
“Ann H. Gabhart delivers a rich tale set in Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains at the close of World War II. Francine buries the painful loss of the man she loves beneath the difficult work of a frontier nurse midwife. The mountain people touch a place deep in her heart, and she gladly sacrifices the life she always wanted in order to serve them. But can she ever be truly happy among the hills and hollows where modern medicine often gives way to ancient folk cures? These Healing Hills is a fascinating and beautifully crafted story that I highly recommend.”
Virginia Smith, bestselling author of The Amish Widower
“You are sure to enjoy this endearing story of love lost and found in the enchanting hills of Kentucky.”
Jan Watson, author of the Troublesome Creek series
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Francine Howard’s life was on a right and happy path, or so she thought. But when them man she loves announces he’s bringing home a bride from the war, Francine makes the choice to move to the Appalachian Mountains and start her training to be a nurse midwife for the Frontier Nursing Service. These mountains not only gave Francine a fresh new start, but a completely new life. She grew to loved and be a part of these mountain people.
Ben Locke was on his way home to his Kentucky mountains, having no idea where his life would end up. But meeting the new nurse in town made coming home a little sweeter. As Ben continues to help Nurse Howard find her way through these mountains, would she find her way to his heart too?
Ann Gabhart creates a lovely story of love, forgiveness and acceptance in These Healing Hills. For me, the story was so paced in the beginning, but as I kept reading, just as Francine did, I fell in love with these sweet Mountain people. The characters and plot were well created and developed. I love that the lives and situations in each scene in the book were so realistic I felt drawn to this place. Despite the hard work needed to survive, the people lived in ways most communities don’t. I highly recommend this beautiful story by Ann Gabhart!
I received this book from the publisher, Revell. I was not required to write a review, it was my choice to write this positive review, and the opinions in this review are my honest opinion’s only.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann H. GabhartAnn H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted–as well as Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, Love Comes Home, Words Spoken True, and The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at http://www.annhgabhart.com.