An Appalachian Summer

When I started reading this book, it felt familiar, like I was reconnecting with an old friend. I had to look to see what else I've read by Ann H Gabhart and saw that I'd read another book by her set in the Appalachians, but it was set in a later era.  An Appalachian Summer takes place during the early years of the Great Depression and includes some high society activities that would be out of place in the Appalachians. 

Piper Danson has just had her "coming out" debutante party.  Her aunt Truda, has asked that she and her family host a woman who is recruiting couriers for the frontier nurse-midwives.  Piper is wanting to do something different with her life, rather than making the expected match and settling down to a life of high society.  As a member of the Frontier Nurses Services, Piper is often horseback taking medications to outlying posts, sometimes doing upkeep on the buildings, sometimes cooking for the nurses, and even once escorting young boy back to his home after being in the hospital for chemical burns.

Jamie Russell has long been the love of Piper's life, but his family lost everything in the Crash of '29 and now feels he has nothing to offer Piper.  Piper's father wants her to marry Braxton Crandall, which is more of a business deal than a match of love. Jamie, Braxton, and Piper's Aunt Truda all end up at the same time at Wendover, the headquarters of the Frontier Nursing Services, and creates a bit of havoc for Piper.

Ann's research into the Frontier Nursing Services and the Appalachian area is impeccable. Her writing style is one of enjoyable familiarity which makes the characters believable and likable. The settings are what add spark to the plot.  The descriptions are the stuff of legends, which add so much color to the book. This is a five-star book, with two thumbs up, and a horse to take you back into the hills of Appalachia. 

Revell Publications and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are my own.