Tuesday, November 7, 2017

These Healing Hills

GIVEAWAY
GABHART, ANN H.
THESE HEALING HILLS

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 valure different things. But love has a way of healing old wounds...and revealing tantalizing new possibilities.

My Review:

This book cast a spell over me. Enchanting. Captivating. Riveting. And the word-crafting! Sheer beauty! No skimming allowed -- you'll want to savor every single sentence.

Gabhart celebrates the life and culture of a proud mountain people with reverence and respect. Francine is just as enthralled as I am! Never mind that her nurse midwife mentor expects her to remain apart (really 'above') these simple hill folk. But Francine can see the beauty in that simplicity -faith, family and service. It brings her a unique sense of belonging which is a stark contrast to her sterile upbringing.

And then there's Ben. He's spent his years in the war aching to feel the mountain back under his feet but once he's home he finds himself yearning for something more. Especially when a certain 'brought-in nurse' keeps getting lost on his mountain. Sigh. Their love story is the perfect blend of laughter and uncertainty and oh-so-sweet-and-tender hope.

Some of my favourite parts in the book are the snippets of wisdom we get from the sage elders who played a significant role in Ben and Francine's lives. Things like this: "What was it his pa used to say when Ben started worrying a problem like a dog licking a sore? You don't have to know the last step. Just the first one. You and the Lord can figure out the rest of it on the way." (p 218) I've got that written out on a card and taped to my wall now -- I'm in desperate need of enough faith to trust that 'the Lord and I can figure out the rest' in many areas of my life. And this book is full of sage takeaways like that.

There's a quality in the storytelling that stays with a reader long after the last page has been read. Definitely one of my favourite novels of 2017.

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of These Healing Hills, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTCA. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 12 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

56 comments:

  1. I've heard of Ann. I would love to Read (Not Skim) one of her books. Thanks for the chance.
    iamabho ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Honestly -- this is the kind of story that stays with you. So beautiful. Good luck, Linda.

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    2. Awesome Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  2. Oh! This sounds SO good! I've been looking forward to it!
    Elly -Indiana-

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    1. It's definitely a book to look forward to! Good luck, Elly.

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  3. I have had my eyes on this one and would love to win a copy. Thank you for the chance.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. It's one for the keeper shelf. Good luck, Cindy.

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  4. I love Ann's books. This sounds just as good! LattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. She has an amazing talent, doesn't she? Good luck, Cindy.

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  5. Fabulous review! I love Ann Gabhart's books and the heroine is a nurse? Oh, yeah! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity, Kav!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Nurse midwife!!!!! Totally fascinating. Good luck, Diana.

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  6. I remember this from one of the future reading list conversations. I always love her books, but the background of the characters, location, plus the time frame re WWII, sounded like it could be an exceptional read. And so it is, per your review! Thanks for the opportunity to participate! dobeworld at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Yes, it ticks all the boxes! Really outstanding. Good luck, CC.

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  7. Don't enter me, Kav. Just wanted to say that I love Ann's writing, especially her Appalachian settings, and will be starting this one soon. You have such a beautiful, sincere way of expressing your thoughts!

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    1. Thanks, Carole. I surely loved this story. And I agree, I love Ann's writing too.

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  8. I have really enjoyed books with snippets of wisdom, so this sounds like a fun book to read. It's been on my list to read. lelandandbecky at reagan dot com

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    1. There are so any sage lines in this book. It's a treasure of inspiration. Good luck, Becky.

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  9. Sounds like a lovely story :)
    Thank you for the chance to win.

    melodybissonnette AT gmail DOT com

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  10. Just your review makes me want to read THESE HEALING HILLS. Thank you for telling me about this great book and the chance to win a copy!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  11. One of my favorite authors. On my wish list. Thank you for the chance.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. And it belongs on your wish list! Good luck, Lucy.

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  12. One of my favorite books of this year. You’ll definitely want to savor every word. I’ve got several quotes that I loved and could write down many more. Ann has such a wonderful way with words! Very much worth devouring!

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    1. Yay -- a kindred Healing Hills spirit. So much wisdom in these pages. Thanks for chiming in, Paula.

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  13. I love Ann’s books and would be so delighted to win a copy of this one. Thanks for the chance! 😊
    gobersATembarqmailDOTcom

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  14. I enjoyed this one so much! I really love how Francine didn't distance herself from the mountain people but treated them with respect and related to them like fellow humans :-)

    Although I marked this as read and rated it on Goodreads, I didn't leave review since it was a "for fun " ebook borrowed from Overdrive :-) Your review reflects how I saw it too. I'd love to win a physical copy for my sister-in-law though. I know she'd like it just as much as I did!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Francine got extra marks for being so open to the people she'd been called to treat. And aren't you a sweet sister-in-law? Neat that you two have the same taste in books. Good luck, Trixi.

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  15. I checked this book out from the library and absolutely loved it. I reread the last few pages several times over the days I had the book. It has one of my favorite endings. Though I've read it, I'd love to win These Healing Hills to have on my keeper shelf. It's such an excellent book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Yes, it definitely belongs on your keeper shelf. Good luck, Pam.

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  16. What a wonderful review! I've seen this book around but now it's a must read. Thank you.
    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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  17. This book is on my wish list and after reading your review I can't wait. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed until Sunday, hoping I'm lucky enough to win this book from you. Thanks so much, Kav!

    Dblaser(at)windstream(dot)net

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    1. It's a wishlist kind of story. Good luck, Diane.

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  18. I love reading Ann's books! I can hardly wait to read this one! I have seen this featured on several blogs and everyone says it is a great book. Thanks for your review and giveaway.
    d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com

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    1. We;re all right, Donna. LOL You have to read this one for sure. Good luck!

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  19. I’ve loved everyone of Ann’s books and this one now looks to be a winner again. She is a wise writer. becci43atgmaildotcom

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    1. She's such an incredible writer. Gets deep into the soul of a story and you can't help but feel like you're living it right along with the characters. Good luck, Becky.

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  20. Wanted to read this book. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  21. Ann's books are a delight to read. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  22. Your high praise has me intrigued, Kav. Count me in! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Glad I could intrigue you, Cheryl. Good luck!

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  23. What a wonderful review, Kav. Don't enter me, because I've already picked this one up. I love when I take a chance on an author I've yet to read and hear such encouraging words.

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    1. I predict you will love this book, Terrill. And then you can run to your library and check out her other books. Such a thoughtful writer and she grasps the nuances of community and relationships. Happy reading!

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  24. This story sounds lovely. I’m excited to read it.

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  25. I love the snippet of wisdom from the book that you shared. Good advice!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. And there's lots more like that in the book. Good luck, rubynreba.

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  26. KAV, thank you for the enchanting review! Ann is a new-to-me author. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    1. Oohhhh, really? New to you author? Here's the perfect place to start. Good luck, Caryl.

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  27. Oh yes, I have seen this one online, and your review reminded me to check it out soon. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    Llwaltz [at] gmail [dot] com

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