Ann H. Gabhart wijdt zich sinds haar jeugd op een boerderij in Kentucky aan het schrijven. Haar werken spelen zich vaak af in het verleden, zoals haar populaire Shaker-boeken, die zich afspelen in het fictieve dorp Harmony Hill in de 19e eeuw, of verhalen uit de jaren '60 in de Heart of Hollyhill-serie. Gabhart vangt de sfeer van het Amerikaanse platteland meesterlijk, waarbij ze zich vaak verdiept in thema's als familie en gemeenschap uit verschillende historische perioden. Haar vermogen om lezers met meeslepende personages en boeiende plots naar het verleden te brengen, is de reden waarom haar werk zo geliefd is.
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.
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, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their 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. Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart explores the tender places within the human heart in this character-driven story of trusting God to turn our burdens into something beautiful.
Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her mountain community during the Great Depression. Even the rough people--like ornery Perdita Sweet--have their charms. But can love bloom in such rocky soil?
Orphaned in the cholera epidemic in Kentucky's early nineteenth century, Adria Starr was rescued by a slave. Now at nineteen, she must stand up for his freedom--and in the process, find her own.
It is 1936 and Kate Merritt, the middle child of Victor and Nadine, works hard to keep her family together. Her father slowly slips into alcoholism and his business suffers during the Great Depression. As her mother tries to come to grips with their situation and her sisters seem to remain blissfully oblivious to it, it is Kate who must shoulder the emotional load. Who could imagine that a dirty, abandoned little girl named Lorena Birdsong would be just what the Merritts need? In this richly textured novel, award-winning author Ann H. Gabhart reveals the power of true love, the freedom of forgiveness, and the strength to persevere through troubled times. Multidimensional characters face real and trenchant problems while maintaining their family bonds, all against the backdrop of a sultry Kentucky summer. Readers will be drawn into the story and find themselves lingering there long after they've finished the book.
In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily. Gabe only hopes they come in time for him and Jacci to have a future together.
The story follows a determined protagonist whose carefully crafted plans unravel, forcing her to navigate unexpected challenges. As she confronts setbacks and reevaluates her aspirations, she discovers resilience and the power of adaptability. The narrative explores themes of perseverance and self-discovery, highlighting the journey toward realizing one's dreams despite life's unpredictability. Through her struggles, she learns that true fulfillment often lies in embracing the unexpected.
Exploring the theme of dreams and their realization, this narrative delves into the journey of characters who strive to turn their aspirations into reality. As they navigate challenges and obstacles, the story highlights the transformative power of hope and determination, ultimately revealing that some dreams are destined to unfold in unexpected ways. The characters' growth and the intertwining of their lives create a rich tapestry of inspiration and resilience.
A woman finds herself constrained by societal expectations and obligations, yearning for the liberation that comes with genuine love. Her internal struggle highlights the tension between duty and desire, as she seeks to break free from the confines of her current life and embrace the passion she craves. The narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the quest for personal fulfillment.
Clay Ashby struggles with his limp, feeling like an outsider, especially when the popular Nikki Hendricks mocks him. His self-esteem takes a hit until he encounters Old Dan, a wise man who faces even greater challenges yet inspires Clay to embrace his abilities. Joining a baseball team, Clay learns that heart and determination outweigh appearances. As they approach a championship game, Clay must confront Nikki's taunts and find his own strength. The story explores themes of resilience, acceptance, and the true meaning of victory.