Thursday, July 2, 2020

An Appalachian Summer

GIVEAWAY
GABHART, ANN H.
AN APPALACHIAN SUMMER

Discover what happens when one intrepid young woman steps away from the past into a beautiful wide-open future.

In 1935 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.

My Review:

I am such an Ann H. Gabhart fan, but she might just have outdone herself with An Appalachian Summer. 

A few things drew me to the story from the start. 1) That beautiful cover (the purples in the foreground really draw the eye and entice a reader to stay awhile.) 2) The Depression Era setting -- I find it such a fascinating time in history and there's so much scope for character building and emotionally charged stories. 3) The Appalachian setting. I blame The Waltons and classic kid lit like My Great Aunt Arizona, Shiloh, That Book WomanWhen I Was Young in the Mountains and so many others! So I was already well on my way to experiencing reading nirvana before I even opened the book. But when I did...well, I was gobsmacked and twitterpated over the glory of it all.

Gabhart paints pictures with her words and creates characters who become living, breathing entities -- and that includes the critters! Even the setting takes on a life of its own! I love becoming completely immersed in fiction this way!

A compelling coming-of-age story within a richly layered plot full of memorable characters and exquisite historical details.

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 An Appalachian Summer  leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your 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 easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday July 4 2020 . Offer open to International Readers. Good luck

54 comments:

  1. Love reading a story set in these mountains. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Especially in this historical setting. Good luck, Kim!

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    2. Well yeah makes it much more interesting when it takes place during a really tough period.

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  2. I am drawn to this book for the same reasons you are.
    Also, I used to here my dad talk about what it was like for his family during the depression.
    I don't think I've ever read an Ann Gabhart book, this looks like a good place to start.
    Thanks Kav, tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. Ohhh --- yes, Tracey, this is the perfect place to dive into an Ann Gabhart reading binge 'cause I bet you won't be able to stop at just one. :-) Good luck, Tracey!

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  3. I've got both hands in the air like a kid in school, "Pick me, pick me!!" LOL
    I remember buying Ann H. Gabhart's books at the Christian book store in town years ago before computers became a household "thing." Love them! And that cover! Oh my! What a lovely review BTW!

    dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Diana. I've read fifteen of her novels now -- counted 23 published on her website -- so I'm more than halfway done. I love the way she tells a story. Good luck!

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  4. Don't enter me as I have this ebook but just wanted to chime in as I greatly enjoyed your review. One of the prettiest covers I have seen in ages, too.

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    1. Thanks for chiming in, CC. I think it's the purple that makes the cover so striking -- not something we tend to see on covers all the time so it's particularly eye-popping.

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  5. I've been hearing and seeing many great reviews about An Appalachian Summer! I can't wait to actually read it!

    eclitton at gmail dot com

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    1. We're all telling the truth! lol Good luck, Elizabeth!

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  6. You've got me interested, Kav. Count me in! :) Btw, The White Rose Resists arrived yesterday. I'm in the midst of another read but Rose will be next! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Awesome -- glad she made it to you safely! Good luck, Cheryl!

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  7. The story, setting, & time period are really intriguing.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  8. This era does sound like an interesting read! Especially the life of a young lady who doesn't necessarily have to suffer like many Americans during this time, but chooses to do something that might be difficult.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yes, a very different perspective that includes her pampered life in the city with what she finds in Appalachia. Good luck, Patty!

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  9. I think I would pick out that book based on the cover alone! Love her books and this looks like another winner.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. I'm with you -- I'm such a cover snob! I like them to be reflect what I'm going to find within. Good luck, rubynreba!

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  10. Ann Gabhart has done such a nice job with these Appalachian stories, but I'm even more excited with this one being a Depression Era story. I can't believe how many HR's are releasing with one of my favorite historical settings. Maybe I'll finally grow tired of it. Nah!
    tlhcoupon(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. They used to be hard to come back -- Depression era fiction I mean -- so I eas thrilled to discover this one. Good luck, Terrill!

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  11. No need to enter me in the drawing for this book but I just had to say how much I enjoyed An Appalachian Summer. Ann Gabhart has such a lovely, folksy way of writing. I felt I was there in the mountains along with Piper. I always enjoy Ann's books.

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    1. Yes, she does -- she captures the spirit of the people and the times so well. Thanks for sharing, Pam.

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  12. I LOVE Ann's Appalachian stories the most out of all her books!

    Amada
    amada_chavezATyahooDOTcom

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    1. She's an author to love, that's for sure. Good luck, Amada!

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  13. Great attention grabbing cover (yes purple is my favorite color), fabulous author and a story I can't wait to read (always love this era because it's like a glimpse into the parent younger years). Now you tell me Ann has out done herself!!!! Oh he anticipation is now over the chart.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy and to reduce my TBR list!

    Have a great evening. Just relax because the "force" will be with you this weekend. LOL
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. You'll definitely be enamoured with this one, Kay. Good luck!

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  14. Historical fiction; no surprise my very favorite genre! Makes me think of Catherine Marshall's story that became a TV serial. Thanks again for your reviews. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    kathleen[dot]e[dot]belongia[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Oh, that's a good book-to-book connection. Must see if my library has that movie. Good luck, Kathleen!

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  15. Gorgeous cover! I enjoy Ann's stories. I'm looking forward to reading this one.

    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  16. Love the cover! Sounds like a great read. Thanks for your wonderful review, Kav.

    pwestfall7 at hotmail dot com

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  17. I’m so jealous you got to read this . I love Ann Gabhart books. Thank you for the chance. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Bwahahaha! I'm not gloating at all, book twin. Good luck, Lucy!

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  18. What a beautiful cover for a beautiful book!
    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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  19. I too am an Ann Gabhart fan and this sounds like another great story from her.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. She's such a versatile author too. Good luck, Wendy!

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  20. I've read These Healing Hills so I have definitely been looking forward to this one!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Yep -- you need this one too. Good luck, Trixi!

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  21. I've not read an Ann Gabhart book, but this sounds lovely. And I agree, that cover just begs to be opened!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

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    1. Great marketing for sure and this would be a perfect introduction to Ann Gabhart. Good luck, Melissa!

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  22. I've wanted to read an Ann Gabhart book. Thank you. teshawATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  23. Please enter me. Thanks. sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. This sounds so good! Thanks for the chance to win!
    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  26. This book has been on my wish list since I saw the cover many months ago. I love this stunning cover and love Ann's books. Thanks Kav for the chance to win this one.
    Blessings Joy
    ibjoy1953 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Yes, it's a win/win -- cover + author = a stellar novel. Good luck, Joy!

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  27. Gorgeous cover POSITIVE dot IDEAS dot 4YOU at GMAIL dot COM

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