🐎 ⛰️ 🩺 "An Appalachian Summer" (2020) 🩺 ⛰️ 🐎 - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (June 30, 2020)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800729285

ISBN-13: 978-0800729288

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“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.”

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell, for providing a complimentary copy to review through Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required or requested, and all words are my own.

I first saw this book because of a JustRead Tours social media takeover which I was a part of. I was supposed to get a copy through them, but sadly – the publisher failed to send them out. So, when I saw it on Interviews & Reviews – I decided to request it. The story definitely drew me in, and it was a “must read”. It also didn’t hurt that the cover was simply gorgeous with all the purple in it. That sunset! WOW!

So, yes, the cover was the first thing that grabbed me!

I loved the idea that it was set in 1933 following the stock market crash, and prior to World War II. 1933 is important to me as my grandmother got married that September when she was 16. In October 1934, she had a son but he died a month later in November. I know the conditions for having children were bad in that time. She actually was in a larger city (near St. Louis, Missouri), and access to hospitals was better than the women in this book had. That gives this story some perspective as to how vital a service like this was.

As my grandmother off and on grew up on farms, this was an interesting look into a life I had only heard about through “hand-me-down” stories. I do know of some relatives who lived in the Appalachian area.

This story is actually based on the real life Mrs. Mary Carson Breckenridge (1881-1965; granddaughter of Vice President John C. Breckinridge) who founded the Frontier Nursing Service in 1925 which also led to the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery. The school graduated its first class in 1940.

Readers will be interested to know that the Frontier Nursing University in Hyden, Kentucky was reported first (1^st) by U.S News & World Report of graduate schools of midwifery and 14^th among family nurse practitioner programs in 2011.

Stories like this really give an interesting and entertaining look into history.

And, speaking of the stories – at the heart of those stories are the people/characters involved. This is told in third (3^rd) person from Piper’s POV along with Jamie’s POV).

I instantly admired Piper. From the beginning, her reluctance to fall into the “debutante” lifestyle was admirable and a refreshing change. Instead of being served, she wanted to serve. She wanted to do something before settling into her life and I really loved that she made that decision. It was a shame her father, nor ill-fated suitor, Braxton could see it. Thankfully, Piper had no interest in him. For some reason, he reminded me of Hockley from the movie “Titanic”.

Aunt Truda was an absolute delight. Her honesty was candid, refreshing, and definitely added some perspective on the expectations of the times.

Jamie was definitely an admirable character because he didn’t give up on Piper. He also kept things low key and was mild-mannered. Of the male characters, I felt he was the strongest one. Despite his losses, he still maintained his personality and dignity.

Another character was Dr. Jackson Booker who had a connection to Truda. With that, the reader gets two (2) romances with this beautiful read – Piper/Jamie and Truda/Jackson though there is more focus on Piper and Jamie.

The plot was absolutely moving. Gabhart’s vivid, colorful writing with authentic vernacular for the time and location, along with short chapters certainly made this a quick read. I was really surprised how interested I was in this – especially given my “history” with historical romance. And, I was surprised I didn’t want to put it down.

I got the feel for the society of that time – some of the ideas were, compared to now, quite silly. One was about pregnant women didn’t parade their expectant bodies around and thus pregnant women, when they started showing, were to remain confined at home. Instead of celebrating pregnancy, it was treated as something shameful. And, given how miraculous it is – that is quite the shame. But, that is why reading books such as this are also important.

It was also interesting to see how the different “classes” handled the stock market crash.

I enjoyed reading about the technological advances (vehicles) which were still combined with horse and buggy travel, along with travel by train. In addition, the book highlights the medical advances. Despite having hospitals, the Frontier Nursing Service was there to provide healthcare to those who had limited access, such as the mountain people of rural Kentucky, as well as remote and impoverished areas which. This drastically reduced the mother and infant mortality rates. Girls like Piper were often couriers and assisted the nurses along with the hospital staff.

There is some humorous talk about moonshiners and revenuers (IRS, FBI). As one character stated – one does not discuss religion, politics, moonshine, or revenuers; which lightened the tone of the story.

Piper learns more than she bargained for when it comes to life in the hills, but doesn’t shy away from the challenge. She also gets some valuable life skills. And, some aspects were almost funny. The chicken prep directions were, to me, hilarious; as was her trying to get the chicken.

To add to everything, Truda and Jamie both show up in Wendover. Both are there to “seek” out the people they still have feelings for. One lesson Truda learns, and it is one that is personal to me – some things are meant to be, even if decades had to pass. For Piper, it is coming to terms with balancing what is expected of her and what she wants.

Of course, Braxton also shows up calling for Piper as well to add even more drama.

There are some dramatic moments in this book that caused me to pause for a moment, and one was a teary-eyed moment. This is definitely a stunning and almost heartbreaking read, and it is a story that will stay with the reader for quite a while. 

The publisher is a known Christian/faith themed group so there will be some bible and faith references, along with a strong belief in God. The references are not central to the plot so the reader won’t feel as though they’re being preached to. While a “clean” read, there might be a slight questionable “roundabout” reference to reproduction on page 75 (chapter 9).

Fans of the author and genre will no doubt enjoy Gabhart’s latest release. This was my first time reading Gabhart’s work, and I truly enjoyed the book. 

RATING:

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Goodreads

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Bookbub

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)

For further reading:

Mary Breckinridge: http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Carson_Breckinridge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels--The Refuge, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted--as well as other historical novels, including Angel Sister, These Healing Hills, River to Redemption, and An Appalachian Summer. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while hiking in her farm's fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.

You can follow her on the following social media accounts:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ann-H-Gabhart/132862247566

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annhgabhart/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnnHGabhart

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