Having read previous mystery novels from this author, I picked up These Healing Hills despite reservations about the romanticising of mountain life on the pioneer front in the 1940s. I needn’t have feared, the topic is elegantly and informatively handled and the pace of the story bring the history to life.


Being South African, I knew little of what life was like in the Appalachian Mountains and particularly the Frontier Nursing Service but women riding around for work on horseback, yes please! What a fascinating role these women play, to this day, in the lives of the families in this area, from midwifery to everyday health, I so enjoyed learning about them and the lady who started it all.


Whilst true to the story, the back cover paints a more romantic novel and I appreciated the book spending more time on how Francine adjusts to mountain life and the people who live there than on the romance element. Ben reflects on his time in WWII and, again, it is accurate but beautifully handled so that it isn’t too gruesome but it’s not seen through rose-tinted glasses either.
I do so hope this is the first of many books, this could be the start of a wonderful series and so recommend it. Five out of five on the en-JOY-meant scale!
As a fellow horse rider,

I loved this description:
“So far, Fran had only been unseated once when a dove flew out of a rhododendron bush directly in front of them. Fran, as startled as Jasmine by the sudden whir of wings, slipped out of the saddle when the horse reared, with no harm done except to her dignity. Jasmine hadn’t even run away, but turned to nuzzle Fran’s shoulder as if wondering why she was sitting on the ground instead of in the saddle.”

Delightful, historical romance at it’s best.

Francine Howard has a plan for her life. She is promised to a young soldier off to fight in the second great war. But things have a way of changing when least expected, especially when she receives a letter saying that he has falling in love with someone else in Europe and plans to remain there. Reeling from this shock, Francine must figure out what to do with her life now. She decides to move to the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky and join the Frontier Nursing Service. And as always, plans change when she meets another young soldier home from the horrors of war.

I love Ann Gabhart’s cozy mystery series, but have never tried one of her historical novels. So, I got the chance and gave it a try. Her descriptive settings brings the beauty of the Kentucky Hills to life. I have read several books set in the Appalachians during this time frame, but this one by far takes me there the best. I also really enjoyed the history that Gabhart brought for the Frontier Nursing Service. I hadn’t read about this before and as with any great historical fiction novel, I found myself researching as much as I could about it as I read along. Terrific read for lovers of historical fiction and those looking to give it a try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

These Healing Hills is about The Mountains and the people in the Adirontack Mountains and the Nurses of the Mountains of the Mountains. It is also about one specific nurse and one specific mountain man who just happens to be in the war - Now I cann0t tell you what happens with the two of them specifically because that will ruing the story but I can tell you that is something of a Blessing from GOD - when HE has HIS hand There were times of laughter that came unexpectedly and touching moments that made your heart just touched in ways you didn't know you could feel from a book. Was there Romance - well was there? Did the Mountain people learn to trust Fran? Will Woody be right that she and Fran get along with Ben? How well will they get along? What happens to Fran eventually?

Francine and Ben both need healing after their lives are not going in the direction they originally wanted. They have both been affected by WWII and are seeking a new start. Francine wants to be able to help people and Ben just wants to get back to what is familiar so that he can recover. I liked how they were able to help each other when they meet and start to interact. They could not be more unlike each other, yet each has something the other needs. A great read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the review is my own.

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.

I totally enjoyed this historical fiction novel by Ann H. Gabhart. She is a very talented author and this book showed that clearly.

This book takes place after the ending of WWII. Francine Howard awaits the return of her soldier but he has changed and found someone else. Francine applied to the Frontier Nursing Service in the Appalachian Mountains with the "Mountain" people. This change in her life serving as a nurse who "catches" babies, among the other needs of these people, finds a place to heal her heart as well as those she helps. The job requires traveling to remote areas on horseback and taking risks to her own well-being.

Soldier Ben Locke returns to his mountain home in Kentucky after serving in the military. As he meets Francine, their different backgrounds and cultural differences are many. Yet, is there a possibility here?

This book was really interesting, and describes a lifestyle that is probably very different than what most people are accustomed to. It was really enlightening to read about a culture I knew very little about.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adored this book. I was swept away to a different world and completely enraptured with Francine's story as a Frontier Nurse in the mountains of Kentucky. I don't normally read historical books, but the cover of this book drew me in and the writing and story captivated me. I highly recommend reading Francine and Ben's story in These Healing Hills!

Do you remember that song ‘Froggie went a’courtin’ from childhood. You know the annoyingly repetitive song with a catchy tune that sears itself into your brain. It’s coming to you know isn’t it, un-huh. I’d forgotten about that song. Until this book. Sometimes it’s the little things that take a story from good to great or even from great to amazing. Uh-huh. OK, sorry I’ll stop that, u-huh. When this book came available from Revell, despite other books that stood at attention as well, I knew I needed to read it. Somehow I’ve scheduled a lot of 1940-something books this week. There’s something about WW2 era strong women that you lend itself to a good story. Fran is a strong woman, the man she thought she’d marry and grow old together while raising a family finds a new love in Brittan during the war so she takes off on an adventure with the Frontier Nursing Services in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. She realizes that what she lost she didn’t need while finding herself and a life she never envisioned but one she can’t live without.

Before picking up this book I’d never even heard of the Frontier Nursing Services. It was interesting to read about the woman who founded this organization to bring medical care to areas that are mostly not open to outsiders but also not in positions to be knowledgeable about issues such as hygiene or have access to things like prenatal care. The FNS is still active in the United Sates as well. Another new tidbit to file away to sound smart if given the opportunity to use it! Besides learning new things there was so much to love about this book. The characters drew you into their lives and their moments and felt like someone you really know, like in real life. While hanging out with people wished were neighbors I also wanted to live near their neighborhood. Not necessarily in it, I mean thermostatically controlled heat and running water are luxuries that I’m too lazy to live without. But. The beauty of the mountains and bubbling creeks and friends and neighbors who will stop you walking by and offer you pie or tea or coffee. How’s that for a run on sentence? I try 😀

Gabhart builds a story that literally wraps you into it’s embrace that, despite even the difficult things of life, you feel comforted. I’ve never read this author before but now I’ve got the library list pulled up because I need to read them all. I need to read stories full of faith so seamlessly woven into a story of struggle and triumph and comfort through it all. I need to know that faith conquers all, even when love doesn’t win. Even when it does win. I read because I get to live all the lives of all the people in all the places. But when all that is wrapped into something so real and so true I win. Every single time. With this book. I win. Uh-huh.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley, Revell. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

"No one comes here by accident." --Frontier Nurse Saying

I loved this book. And, much like the mantra of the frontier nurses, I know I didn't come to it by accident, either. In fact, I rather think that anyone who is compelled to read this book will come away feeling the same. After all, when looking for inspirational fiction, the title itself accurately portrays what a reader will encounter with this story: new starts after a time of reflection, and lives that encounter healing after hardship, with a soft dose of biblical wisdom naturally mixed into the character's thoughts and conversation, much like life as many still know it.

Nurse Francine Howard is the kind of woman that I could be friends with in real life. Not the type to mope about after a breakup, she chooses a new path that takes her away from the hurt and into hard work that helps her focus on others, while finding her own strength. Meanwhile, soldier Ben Locke has to re-encounter his home with fresh--though war weary-- eyes. Do either of them belong in the Appalachians? Is that really even the question?

Regardless of the reason the book was timely in my life, this book is timely in a number of broad ways. First, a great number of readers have digested "Hillbilly Elegy," by J.D. Vance, so we know the rest of the story a bit more intimately than we would have even a couple of years ago. Also, many of us, regardless of our political beliefs and news channel(s) of choice, are in need of a bit of healing over the divisiveness afflicting our country and world these days, not to mention the natural disasters. Books like "These Healing Hills" help us step back and re-evaluate, and know that there is hope after all. Especially well written and edited books like this one.

(BONUS: SWEET DOG STORY!! See him on the cover below?! Also, check out the short book trailer inserted below my picture. And don't forget to enter the giveaway!)

You have a new fan, Ann H. Gabhart, and Revell (a division of Baker Publishing Group). Thank you for the review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

These Healing Hills is a beautifully written historical romance. I loved the plot and the Kentucky setting. I have read the author's work in the past and was not disappointed in this new book. I recommend to readers who enjoy a good, clean romance.

This had to be one of my favorite books this year. I loved reading about the Appalachian Mountains and the people that live there. I had never heard about the Frontier Nursing Services and enjoyed learning about them. I loved the story of Francine and Ben and how they met. The romance was great. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

What a lovely story! It is "Call the Midwife" but in the Appalachian mountains.

I learned so much from this book about the culture of the people that lived in the mountains in the mid 40's, what the nurses went through to learn and be certified as a midwife and of course was swept away in the love story between Francine (Fran) and Ben. Since the author is from this general area I'm sure it was easy for her to research details. I was able to picture the mountains, the homes, the people and what life was like during that time frame - when people did not have a lot but were happy. Goes to show that money does not make you happy. I also learned a lot of new words like baby catching, sass patch (garden) and killed - but not as in dead, just wounded. As I was reading the author's notes at the end, I discovered that the Frontier Nurses and the Frontier Nursing University are indeed real and was started by Mary Breckenridge in 1925 as a way to help those get nursing care that might not otherwise receive the services.

There is a little tension between Fran and her first boyfriend, Seth. It takes a certain type of person to do what Fran is doing and Seth is definitely not that kind of person...as they might have said back then, he is "city folk". Plus Fran is becoming accustomed to living in the mountains and has grown attached to many of the residents, especially Ben. She is learning quite a bit from her patients - to have patience, to not dismiss herbal remedies and to take joy in life.

There is some joyful moments throughout the book and I think Woody, Ben's younger brother, steals the show at various times. He is quite the talker and happy all the time that it is hard to not like him or root for him in various situations. There are also some dogs featured in the book. I loved the descriptions of the dogs and their antics.

This was a very enjoyable story and I did not want it to end. I want to know more about what happens to many of the characters like Woody, Jeralene and Becca & Carl. Perhaps the author will grace us with a follow up book.

We give it 5 paws up and suggest you pick this up soon

It was so interesting seeing how people in the mountains used to live. Not only did they rely on the land to feed them, but they had their own way of talking. I never thought about how difficult it would be to get medical help and how it would be to not have a car to take you to a hospital. Being a Frontier nurse would have been a very difficult and uncomfortable job. I loved seeing how Francine was determined to help those in need. The mountains sounded beautiful and dangerous at the same time. These Healing Hills follows Francine while she makes a big move from the life she used to know.

War has a way of changing people. For Francine she thought her life was planned out. Once the war ended she would marry her soldier and have a family all her own. Before any of that could happen, she received a letter informing her that he had fallen for someone else. Deciding to make a difference along with a change of scenery, she joins the Frontier Nursing Service. One of the families Francine is in charge of helping are the Lockes. Ben Locke is ready to be home. War changes a man, and he looks forward to getting back to those he loves the most. With the beautiful mountains of home, also comes danger. Can Ben and Francine wait to find out what God has planned for their lives?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction. It's always fun being taken to another place and time. Gabhart made me appreciate how far medicine has come, and also how there were those who lived to help the helpless. I received a copy of this book and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

These Healing Hills

by Ann H. Gabhart

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 05 Sep 2017

I am reviewing a copy of These Healing Hills through Revell and Netgalley:

Francine Howard had her life all mapped out until the soldier she plans to marry writes her to tell her he's found the woman he loves in England. Francine decides to make a fresh start in the applachian mountains working to be a nurse midwife with the Frontier Nursing Service.

Ben Locke is deeply affected by the horror of the things he witnessed during the war, and can think of nothing farther than making it home to Kentucky, and his beloved mountains. He does not expect to meet a woman named Francine there.

Will love be able to heal old wounds?

Find out In These Healing Hands!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

A delightful historical novel set in the hills of Kentucky following WWII. This is a easy flowing story about Francine, a young lady following her dream of becoming a nurse midwife. Ben, a soldier from the war has come back home to take care of his family and find his purpose. The story is enriched by the simple living of mountain people and the beauty of the hills of Kentucky. Highly recommended!

These Healing Hills is a wonderful new release by Ann H Gabhart. As an Appalachian Mountain girl, I absolutely loved the setting. The author described the area so vividly, I felt like I was right there. I found the historical details unique. I never heard of the Frontier Nursing Service before. How intriguing to learn about that part of Appalachian history. It was, also, a reminder of how devastating the war was here in the United States. Including, broken hearts of those who found out their loves have married another. As a granddaughter of a war bride, I found a connection to this aspect of the story. I loved Francine Howard and her determination and courage to help those who were in need. She was a strong woman of the times.

These Healing Hills is a must read and one I recommend to other readers who love a good, clean story based on Appalachian history.

5+ stars.

I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

Christian Historical fiction based on the Frontier Nursing Service in the hills of Kentucky. Fran wanted to be a nurse and go overseas to serve, but her mother wouldn’t let her go. Then the boy she was going to marry when he got back from the war became engaged to a girl he met in England. After all, she was there and Fran was back home. Fran heard about the training in Kentucky and went to learn to be a nurse midwife and is taken with the beauty of the hills right away. She had heard about the “hillbillies” where she grew up in Cincinnati but quickly learned the truth about these people who were fiercely loyal to their mountains and families, and had great common sense and knowledge. The new school provided additional knowledge and the death rate went down but the “Grannies” had been the midwives and healers for years and had skills and talents of their own.

Ben had been away as a medic in the war. Just after Germany surrendered he was injured by a patient and sent home early. He had missed home greatly and was glad to get back, but things had changed and so had he. His father had passed while he was away and his little brother and sisters had grown – one even married and carrying a child. It will take a bit to learn what had gone on while he was away. And to decide what he would do now that he had returned, whether to stay and take care of his family or take advantage of the GI Bill and return to school.

I always love stories of people who “live off the land”. I appreciate having grocery stores and restaurants but miss the old times. When we were growing up we planted food crops and put them up, and had lots of berries to pick within a short walk of our small farm. I used to go to the library and get books about the weeds and plants growing everywhere, their medicinal properties and how they had been used. We are finding that getting back to basics is healthier for us. There is a lot to be admired about the “hillbilly ways”. This is a great story of old ways meeting the new, and the advantages to be found in both. And new relationships and the value in helping and learning from one another.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author and Revell/Baker Publishing Group - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

Well, anything to do with birth or midwifery always fascinates me. This book is no exception. This book reminded me of Christy by Catherine Marshall of sorts, with instead of a teacher, we have a nurse midwife in training. Her pain from being abandoned  by the supposed love of her life in the beginning of the book sets the stage for us to learn some valuable lessons. 

I loved the history that is woven throughout on the training, the hard births, the tough calls that they had to make as well as balancing the old wives tales while still utilizing some of the natural remedies that were good. 

Ms. Gabhart did an amazing job telling us this story, while causing us to experience life there in the hills.

“These Healing Hills” by Ann H. Gabhart was a delightful book. Not only was this book set in the Appalachian Mountains, but it also described what it was like coming home after fighting in WW II.

Francine Howard waited patiently for her supposed fiancé to return from the war, however, his sister told Franny that he had found an English miss and married her. Francine decided to seek a fresh start in the Frontier Nursing Service as a midwife. She was accepted and after training, was sent to the rural Kentucky hills to help the mountain women with birthing and give medical assistance when needed by others. Some are hesitant to seek help from outsiders, but most welcome the availability of having medical help when it’s needed.

Ben Locke has returned to his Kentucky mountain home from serving overseas. The outlook is bleak from the standpoint of finding a job that is not in the mines. He served as a medic in the army and is considering becoming a doctor. But how can he walk away from his family who needs his help just to survive. Times are hard and the people are harder. Moonshine is the most valuable product to come out of the mountains besides coal. This makes the hills and dales dangerous to the people who live there and to the outsiders.

Is it possible that Francine and Ben can find common ground in these hills? This story is compelling to read and thrilling in another sense. I fell in love with the mountains and the people who live there from reading this book. I know that is a romanticized idea of reality, but I am comfortable living in that fantasy and would recommend Ms. Gabhart’s work.

The Frontier Nursing Service was a real program founded by Mary Breckinridge, a member of an influential Kentucky family who lost two young children. She was determined to improve the health of the women in rural Kentucky.

Nurse Francine heads to Kentucky from Cincinnati to join a travelling nurse program in the hills.  She trains to be a nurse midwife and eventually goes out on assignment to one of the hollows and hills of the coverage area.  Paired with another, veteran nurse, Francine comes to enjoy her assignment.  Warned by her coworker and nursing program, though, to be always the nurse and not the friend, Francine is sure how to handle her affection for the people in the community.

Ben is home to the hills after service in WWII.  He’s at a crossroads in knowing that he might not fit into the hill lifestyle having seen the world.  But, he’s determined to get his widowed mother and rest of the family caught up as he waits to plan his next move.  Perhaps the GI Bill is his ticket to the future.

The book has action and romance, along with insightfulness to the ways of the mountain folks.