These Healing Hills
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4.6 • 9 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
Francine Howard has her life all mapped out until the soldier she planned to marry at WWII's end writes to tell her he's in love with a woman in England. 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gabhart (The Outsider) paints an endearing portrait of WWII Appalachia in this enjoyable tale about two people trying to find their place in the world and discern what it means to truly be home. After Francine Howard's boyfriend dumps her for an English war bride, she heads to Hyden, Ky., as a member of the Frontier Nursing Service to be trained as a midwife. The local customs are different from any she has ever known, and she soon discovers she may be in over her head. Meanwhile, Ben Locke has been serving his country as a medic in Europe and wants nothing more than to go back home to the mountains he loves. When an unexpected injury allows him to do just that, one of the first people he encounters is Fran. The two are attracted to each other, but he is from the rural parts of the mountain. In her community, she knows things would be contentious if the two became close. Garhart handles the Appalachian landscape and culture with skill, bringing them to vibrant life.
Customer Reviews
Rich, historical novel!
These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart takes readers back to 1945 in Hyden, Kentucky. Francine Howard needs to get away from Cincinatti, Ohio before her former fiancé, Seth Miller returns home from the war with his English bride. Fran has a nursing degree, can ride a horse, and looking for an adventure so she signed up for the Frontier Nursing Service Midwifery School in the Appalachian Mountains. It will be a life style change for Fran, but she feels she will be something worthwhile. Ben Locke is returning home from the war. He cannot wait to return home to the mountains, but he has not thought of what he will do with his future. Ben is on his way home when he encounters a very lost Fran. They are immediately comfortable around each other, but they come from very different backgrounds. But Fran feels at home in the mountains and has fallen in love with the people. Is there a chance for a future between Ben and Fran?
These Healing Hills is well crafted novel that has a unique plot. It was interesting reading about the Frontier Nursing Service Midwifery School in Hyden, Kentucky (it still exists) and the services their nurse midwives offer. I liked the characters and the beautiful setting. Woody Locke was my favorite character. He was refreshing and entertaining. Ann H. Gabhart is a descriptive writer which brings scenes to life (especially the mountains and the people who live there), but it also makes for a slower pace novel. I sometimes felt the author was a too verbose. The Christian element is prominent throughout the story and I liked the Christian attitude of the mountain people. I appreciated the spiritual wisdom that Fran’s grandmother (Grandma Howard) imparted on Fran. I am giving These Healing Hills 4 out of 5 stars. My favorite phrase was “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart”. The romance was sweet, but it was predictable. Some of the themes in the story are prayer, friendship, trust, listening to God, believing in God, and a person finding their path or place in life. I did feel that the ending was abrupt and felt incomplete. It would have been nice if the author had included an epilogue. Readers who enjoy rich, historical novels will appreciate These Healing Hills.
THESE HEALING HILLS
THESE HEALING HILLS by Ann Gabhart
Francine needed an adventure for her bruised heart. An opportunity to be a midwife, riding a horse in Kentucky. To get off a bus and to find out the hospital was on the side of the mountain, and a path to get to. Called to help, and a swinging bridge, about did it for her. Your heart goes out to Francine, this would be more of a nightmare. You have to admire the courage she had. Ben across the ocean, fighting a war, wanting the open spaces of home. A fractured arm sends him home, to a farm. Without his father to help. The courage these two had, was a great story. They struggled, but it strengthen them. Readers will enjoy this in depth look at life in the hills , following the war. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.