Jane Reviews: River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: July 3, 2018
336 pages

About the Book:

Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who stayed in Springfield, Kentucky, when anyone with means had fled. A man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions. Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom. But in 1840s Kentucky, she'll face an uphill battle.

Based partly on a true story, Ann H. Gabhart's latest historical novel is a tour de force. The vividly rendered town of Springfield and its citizens immerse readers in a story of courage, betrayal, and honor that will stick with them long after they turn the last page.
 

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Ann H. Gabhart's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟    (3 stars)

My favourite character in this story was Louis. He was a wonderful example of a godly man, his strong faith shone through the pages. He was willing to accept whatever plan God had for his life. What the town did for him in a time period where this went against the norm was amazing and made my heart feel good. I was astonished when I read the authors note and found out that his portion of the story was based on true events.

From the first meeting of Ruth and Adria I felt for both of them. They had lost so much during the cholera epidemic that I found myself hoping they had some happiness going forward. As I got further into the story and spent more time with the characters I found myself caring more about Ruth than Adria. While I agreed with Adria’s thoughts on owning salves and could understand the struggles she faced with wanting to speak out about it, but couldn’t because she was a woman. I just didn’t connect with her the same as I did Ruth. I was pleased with the way Ruth’s story ended but found myself unsatisfied with the ending for Adria.

 

I found this story hard to read, not because of the subject matter but rather because of the style of writing. I felt it moved slow and was easy for me to set aside. I don’t read a lot of historical stories set before the civil war, but if you are one who normally enjoys historical stories you may appreciate this more than I did.   

(I received an complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

Other Books by Ann:

   

Murder at the Courthouse Review / Murder Comes by Mail Review / Murder is No Accident Review

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Murder is No Accident by A.H. Gabhart

Released: March 14, 2017
353 pages
Series: Hidden Springs Mystery # 3

About the Book:

 

Young Maggie Greene may be trespassing in the old, empty Victorian mansion on a quiet street in Hidden Springs, but all she wants is some private time in the magnificent tower room to write her stories. Certain she'll be in trouble if caught, she hides when a realtor shows up. But someone else is in the house too, someone even more worried about getting caught. When Maggie finds the realtor's body at the bottom of a flight of stairs and the other person gone, Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane is called in. He assumes the realtor's death is a tragic accident--until a second person is found dead in the house. When Maggie is threatened, Michael must catch the murderer before anyone else dies.

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟  (4 stars)

I think this was the best of the series I did not want to put it down. 15yr old Maggie overhears a fight, discovers two dead bodies and is threatened by a stranger. Trying to protect her little brother she tries to deal with the threat on her own, but Anthony won’t let her he makes her tell Michael. The first death appears to be caused by an accident, but after the second body is found, obviously caused by murder, Michael begins to question the cause of the first one. Can Michael find the party responsible before someone else gets killed? I felt for Maggie, so much happened to her in such a short time. Yes the murder or murders was the main focus of the book, but romance blooming between multiple characters was embedded within the story as well.

 

I enjoyed the return of Anthony from book one it was great to see he was doing much better than earlier and to watch young love develop between him and Maggie. I loved that Michael’s relationship with Alex played such a large part of this story, I had been cheering for them since the beginning and wanted them to face their issues rather than avoiding them. Yes Reese and Aunt Lindy had to push them a bit to get them to this point. Of course things don’t go smoothly, but they finally shared their feelings. Is this the end of their relationship or the beginning of a new chapter?

 

The characters made this story. I was entertained by Betty Jean, Reese and Aunt Lindy. Rooting for Michael & Alex, and has Betty Jean finally found love? Miss Fonda was an interesting new character, her dementia added a new perspective to the incidents happening now.

 

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 

Murder Comes by Mail by A.H. Gabhart

Released: May 17, 2016
352 pages
Series: Hidden Springs Mystery # 2

About the Book:

A Cozy Mystery Complete with a Small Town Full of Charming, Quirky Characters.

 

Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn't particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses--a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn't last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs' concerned citizens.

 

Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves--because the killer could be targeting one of them next.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 (3 stars) 

After Deputy Sherriff Michael Keene prevents a jumper from jumping, pictures of a dead girl end up in his mailbox. Are the two incidents connected? Things start to get even stranger as the investigation processes it appears any girl Michael has had contact with is in danger. Before long it starts appearing that Michael is being set up to look like the killer. Can Michael clear his name and bring an end the craziness before someone else gets hurts? 

Story moved a good pace to keep you interested, you never knew just what was going to happen next, who someone else going to be killed, if so, who would it be and when. I was suspicious of a certain someone and it turned out I was right not to trust them. I am always a little pleased with myself when I suspect the right person. I did have a couple issues with the story though. There were a few parts where things were not answered clearly, such as the connection between a couple characters. And there was not much actual investigation work done, what the police did find out was pretty much handed to them or stumbled over by accident.

 

I really enjoyed Aunt Lindy and her tell it straight attitude to Michael, especially when it comes to his relationship (or non-relationship) to Alex. I had to laugh at her direct approach to them at the end. There is an obvious connection between the two of them and I loved the scenes with them together. Michael knows he loves her but is afraid to act on it because he fears things might not go the way he wants. I like the thought of them together and hope things improve between them in the next book.

 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart

Released: October 13, 2015
338 pages
Series: Hidden Springs Mystery # 1

About the Book:

 

After a few years as a police officer in Columbus, Michael Keane has no trouble relaxing into the far less stressful job of deputy sheriff in his small hometown. After all, nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky. Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. Everyone in town is a little uneasy. Still, no one is terribly worried--after all the man was a stranger--until one of their own is murdered right on Main Street.

 

As Michael works to solve the case it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs.

 

Bringing with her a knack for creating settings you want to visit and an uncanny ability to bring characters to life, A. H. Gabhart pens a whodunit that will keep readers guessing.

 

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 (3 stars)

Hidden Springs, Kentucky is filled with many unique characters, a troubled teen and a deputy sheriff you can’t help but be drawn to. The book has the typical small-town feel where everyone knows everyone’s business (at least they think they do) and no one believes a murder could happen in their town, but as the investigation progresses more surprises arise. Can Michael find the killer and help the teen at the same time? I especially enjoyed the interaction between Michael and Hank, they had the typical reporter / cop interactions which had me laughing at times. There were times I found the story to move slowly and keeping track of all the characters along with their theories straight was a big difficult. I was suspicious of a certain someone thinking they could be the murderer, however I don’t think it was a dead giveaway, but I did have an “I knew it” moment when it was revealed. The town will be forever changed after this reveal. I also enjoyed the interactions between Michael & Alex, their connection was obvious, but while one is big city and one is small town can a relationship work, or what happens between Michael & Karen? I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I look forward to spending more time with these characters in future books.

 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)