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 jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open up 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.Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart invites you into the storied hills of Eastern Kentucky to discover what happens when one intrepid young woman steps away from the restrictive past into a beautiful, wide-open future.
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This is a lovely book. The Appalachian setting just might be the star of the.novel. Gabhart’s descriptions of the flora and fauna and the people made me want to head to Appalachia to listen to birds and cross swinging bridges. The frontier nursing program was so interesting and I loved being able to get a glimpse of what that entailed. With, Although lacking any big problems or tension, the sweet romances made it a gentle and enjoyable story.
I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I have loved every book I have ever read by this author and this one did not disappoint. In fact this was one of my all time favorites. It was so interesting to read about the young women who went to the Appalachian mountains to become midwives and others spent their summers helping as Frontier Nursing couriers. Piper was from a rich family but knew that she was missing something so she volunteered as a courier. Here she learns that money is not everything. This was very inspirational. I could not put this down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Wonderful storyteller Ann H. Gabhart takes readers on a heartfelt and uplifting journey back to the Kentucky Mountains in the era of the Great Depression. Piper Danson’s family is surviving the economic disaster better than most, and her parents have chosen a man for her to marry whom they think will continue to provide for Piper in the manner to which she is accustomed. The problem is that Piper wants a different kind of life for herself, and Braxton Crandall is not the man she envisions to share her future. Her lifelong friend, Jamie Russell, is the one who knows her best. However, his family suffered terribly in the economic depression, and he has become somewhat distanced. When Piper learns of a chance to work with a frontier nursing program as a horseback courier, it sounds like the answer to her prayers. It will be a summer of hard work, personal growth and revelation, and a deepening of faith. When Piper and Jamie are reunited, will it be just a reunion of old friends, or has the time come for two yearning hearts to finally become as one? Ann H. Gabhart, a Kentucky native, is a very special storyteller. Her descriptions of her home state, its people, its culture, and its heritage are like a painting colored by words. As always, there is the underlying message of deep and abiding faith.
Book Copy Gratis Revell Books
Mrs. Gabhart once again brings us a delightful read about 1930’s Kentucky.
I have enjoyed reading her books and this one is no exception!
This is a subject that I feel this author has done well with and her research is spot on!
I’ve found myself looking up Mrs. Breckenridge and I”m thoroughly intrigued by her and how she started everything. She’s a fascinating woman that’s for sure!
I love her saying that can’t is not a word in her book. I think it was wonderful how she stood by it. By saying can’t isn’t going to get anything done.
I feel like if it’s meant to be then God will make it happen no matter where, when, and who you are. I like how He’s always watching out for us. I know He has me. All the time.
Kentucky is full of rich history and I really liked the story telling of the mountain folks. They can teach future generations to keep the old ways. I think in some ways we’d be better of if the old ways were still around.
I will say this, the horses in this story made my day. They are my favorite animals and the way Gabhart has written I felt like I was riding with the nurses to their destinations to help the people that live in the mountains of Kentucky.
I snickered in some places of this book and I really and truly loved this read! It took me back to my home even if only for a little while.
I love learning and reading more the nurses of the Appalachian mountains and their whole reason for being there.
Truda is my favorite character in the whole book. Her whole outlook on life is amazing! She keeps on doing what needs to be done and I like that her positive attitude rubs off on everyone that she meets including her niece Piper.
Garbhart weaves in some wonderful faith filled messages that aren’t a mile long and brings her point across without being too preachy. It’s my favorite thing about reading these books.
I am looking forward to Gabhart’s next book with anticipation because she’s an awesome story teller herself.
I highly recommend this book. It will leave your heart filled with satisfaction from an incredible read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Revell for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.
I fell in love with this book! Ann Gabhart takes us to the Appalachian area of Kentucky as she tells us about Mary Breckenridge and the Frontier Nursing Service. I was so captivated that I did some research of my own. A compelling story indeed. She sets a fictionalized set of characters in the midst of this story and it is absolutely completely interesting! Recommended.
Author Ann Gabhart is a gifted storyteller. After reading These Healing Hills I looked forward to going back to the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky. This story focused on the Frontier Nursing couriers who support the nurses with whatever is needed in addition to taking care of the horses. Founder, Mary Breckinridge, is passionate about assisting the much-loved mountain people. After hearing Ms. Breckinridge speak at a tea hosted by her Aunt Truda, privileged Piper Danson decides to volunteer for the summer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier. She is far from pampered on her adventure in the mountains and spends her time trying not to focus on her childhood boyfriend, Jamie Russell, or the man her father intends for her to marry, Braxton Crandall. Piper and Aunt Truda are two very strong, yet sensitive, caring women. You will be eager to discover how their stories end. I am ready for another adventure in the Appalachian Mountains!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. A positive review is not required, and the opinions are my own.
This book was simply delightful. At the cusp of her life and not knowing which direction to go in life, she hears the words “do something” and hears Mrs. Breckinridge tell the experiences of the Frontier Nursing couriers in the Appalachian Mountains. Without much hesitation, Piper Danson hears the call, although not the life or direction expected of her by her parents.
She leaves behind a chance of courtship and an old flame to help the nurse midwives in the mountains.
I loved this book and I want to read others set in this same time frame and beautiful setting. There wasn’t a dull moment in this book, which was well paced and totally engaging. It was so well written and adventures were exciting and you could see the growth in Piper over her time there. I can say only the best compliments to the author. It was simply excellent!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing. All thoughts are my own.
Piper Danson wants to do more with her life than be a debutante or a wife to the wealthy man her parents have picked out, so she joins the Frontier Nursing couriers. She spends her days riding the trails up and down the Appalachian mountains on horseback to serve the determined people that make the mountains their home.
Piper gets to see a whole other kind of living, working with the mountain people, enduring long days, and finding her path. Piper is willing to work and willing to learn.
I loved the premise of this book and the Frontier Nursing couriers. Through the experience Piper got to befriend many people that she never would have normally encountered in her old life, and I love how supportive her aunt was, as well as her mother.
Jamie is a very outgoing man, willing to pitch in wherever needed, naturally befriending people in every situation. He is a honorable man, with a good work ethic and respect for others. He was probably one of my favorite characters, along with Aunt Truda.
Overall, this was a highly enjoyable read, and probably my favorite from this author so far! This is a wonderful, engaging tale, I loved the setting of the breath-taking Appalachian mountains. Piper is an admirable young woman who comes into her own, growing in her sense of self and her faith, I loved that she took a chance and didn’t pick the easier predictable path. There were also so many wonderful characters, and great side threads, that brought this beautiful book to life. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
An Appalachian Summer is a charming story with endearing characters and rich detail of the beautiful Appalachians.
When I read a novel by Ann Gabhart, it is like coming home. Her books give me a warm cozy feeling. This book is no exception.
Piper Danson comes from Louisville society in 1933. She has just made her debut and her father has marriage expectations for her. But this is the era when women were beginning to decide things for themselves. After Piper hears Mary Breckinridge talk about her nursing service, she determines to volunteer as a courier for the Frontier Nurse/Midwives in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Her longtime friend, Jaime Russell, whose family lost almost everything in the stock market crash is no longer suitable as husband material. At least according to her father. Jaime loves to write and aspires to be a journalist but has agreed to take a teaching position in the fall.
Piper is taken by the mountains when she reaches Wendover Nursing Station. “You know what our nurse midwives are fond of saying. No one comes to these mountains by accident.”
The people may be backward and scary at times but they respect and revere God. Piper searches for a deeper relationship with the Lord. She finds wise counsel from a woman from the hills and witnesses miracles of birth and nature.
Ms. Gabhart obviously writes from experience as she describes life on a farm outpost. The scenes with the horses, dogs and chickens come to life under her pen.
The romance between Piper and Jaime is natural, if filled with a bit of anxiety. And romance could bloom again for her Aunt Truda.
This was the perfect book to read on my back porch on a sunny June afternoon.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
A look back at a difficult time in our history, people are still reeling from the stock market crash that devastated the country. The author gives us both the ones who were able to hold on to their wealth and others who fell and lost everything including family members.
We are given a young woman, Piper, her family has kept their fortune and she has just had her debutant, a few years later than most, she has graduated from college.
We also meet a young man, whose family were not a fortunate and fighting back for survival. He also has graduated from college and trying to find his way, knowing that above all he loves Piper.
Now this is the second book set here in the Appalachian Mountains, and we are again with the Frontier Nurses and catching babies.
Come and get lost in these mountains, meet some delightful children, they tell it like it is, and those that will give what little they have.
We get to enjoy Piper as she embraces this very different life, and wonder what path she will further journey on!
I received this book through the Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
An Appalachian Summer is a gem of a book. I really enjoy Ann Gabhart’s easy story telling style. Piper Danson agrees to a debut ball to please her parents. She’s not so certain she will go along with her father’s idea of marrying Braxton Crandall which would be more of a business transaction, even though he is a perfectly nice young man. Her father wants her to have a secure life and want for nothing, which Braxton with his family railroad business could provide. Piper still has Jamie Russell in mind, who she’s known since they were children, but she hasn’t heard from in months, since the financial crash and Mr. Russell’s death. When her mother and Aunt Truda host a tea for Mary Breckinridge, Piper is challenged to become a courier on horseback for the summer for the Frontier Nursing Service in Hyden, Kentucky. She sees it as a chance to make a difference while putting the marriage question on hold for a few months. Every day in the Appalachian mountains brings new challenges for Piper. The couriers find a way to do what the nurse midwives ask, whether it is helping deliver a baby, milking a cow, or killing and cooking a chicken. Piper falls in love with the mountains and the people but has decisions to make a little sooner than she had expected when two men come calling. Truda has an adventure that summer as well. I wasn’t ready for this book to end. I’d love to read a sequel. I highly recommend An Appalachian Summer to those who enjoy historical romance.
The publisher provided me a complimentary copy. All thoughts are my own.
An Appalachian Summer by Ann Gabhart is the first novel I have read by this author. I’m always thrilled when I find a (new for me) talented author who writes an engaging historical fiction. This book focuses on the Frontier Nursing Service in the Appalachian Mountains during Depression-era America with minor romance and faith threads. The author does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the story with her vivid description and well-developed and lovable characters. I would have liked more conflict or tension and the storyline is apparent from the first few chapters. The heroine is a strong, independent woman who defies her father’s plans for her future and pursues the desires of her heart.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley. This review is my honest opinion.