Along a Storied Trail

Ann H. Gabhart

June 2021 · Revell

About this eBook

"Gabhart's skillful use of period details and the Appalachian landscape lend plenty of atmosphere to accompany the lessons of hope, compassion, and fortitude amid hardship. This is her best historical inspirational yet."--Publishers Weekly starred review

"Gabhart crafts an absorbing story that deeply explores the rich tradition of storytelling."--Booklist

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Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression. Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in her books. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it--or is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks?

Perdita Sweet has called these mountains home for so long she's nearly as rocky as the soil around her small cabin. Long ago she thought she could love, but when the object of her affection up and married someone else, she stopped giving too much of herself away to others.

As is so often the case, it's easier to see what's best for others than to see what's best for oneself, and Perdita knows who Tansy should choose. But why would anyone listen to the romantic advice of an old spinster?

Saddle up for a heartfelt story of love--love of family, love of place, and the love of a lifetime--from bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart.

Ratings and reviews

This was my first Ann H. Gabhart novel, but I've been looking forward to reading her books since they're set in my neck of the woods. I loved how authentic the characters were in thought, dialect, and culture. Gabhart absolutely nailed that aspect. This book was a little slower paced than I'm used to, but that also reflects the culture of these hills, so it was kind of beautiful. The characters are the lifeblood of the story and each one plays a pivotal role. Aunt Perdie is hilarious as the rough-around-the-edges old maid who is actually super soft on the inside. Coralee tore at my heart strings, Tansy frustrated me, and Caleb made me fall in love with him. Oh, but that ending. That ending made everything right and beautiful. I loved it. Overall, this book is sure to please fans of slower-paced, character-driven historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Along a Storied Trail By Ann H. Gabhart Tansy Calhoun doesn't know if love will ever come her way. The young man she had feels for broke her heart when he left the mountains behind. And marriage is longtime to reach forever, so if she waits a few more years she'll still have more than enough time to settle down and raise a family, even if there are only widowers looking for a woman of her years. But at present Tansy has a purpose and she can't let those who depend on her down. She is the book lady of her community, traveling by packhorse as a librarian in the rugged mountains of Kentucky. It is a harsh world and when the faraway influences of New York hurt the local economy with something dealing with banks shutting down - a Depression, her pa takes off in search of work. Tansy and her brother Josh are entrusted with keeping the family looked after. When Caleb Barton returns to the mountain, he expected to find Tansy wed and with a houseful of little ones about her. After all, he left before she could break his heart. But with his brother dead, Caleb needs to look after Ma Vesta and Reuben's widow Peggy Sue and her two little ones. Could he get a second chance to marry the girl, the woman, of his heart? He sure hopes so, he just needs her to see him as a suitor for her and not as a disappointed suitor of her sister. But can a man of the mountain appeal to a woman who dreams of the world beyond that she has only ever seen through words on a page? Along a Storied Trail is a lovely piece of historical fiction. Actually, this book had moments that reminded me of Catherine Marshall's Julie and Christie. More so of Christie just because of the rural mountainous location. Julie because of a flood that the community has to face. Overall I think this an enjoyable book and anyone who enjoys American Historical Fiction set during the Great Depression will find much that is appealing in this newest offering from Ann H. Gabhart. Would make an excellent book discussion selection! I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Along A Storied Trail is a warm, comfortable book that wraps you up in love, family, community and God's goodness. It is multiple tales combined to tale one big story. It is the story of Tansy Calhoun, a pack horse librarian in the Kentucky mountains, during the depression. Ann H. Gabhart does an incredible job of describing the people and scenery of this small community. Tansy delivers books to people along her routes and we are given a glimpse of the lives of these people. There is Aunt Perdie, one of the most cantankerous old women around, until Coralee a young, pregnant girl shows up in the middle of a snow storm seeking shelter. Then there is Caleb Barton whose brother was killed while felling a tree. He left behind a wife and two children. There is Preacher Rowlett, who isn't really a preacher. But in the midst of all of these people there comes a writer from New York City, Damien Felding. He is handsome, smart, has aplomb, and catches Tansy's eye. He has come to write a guide book that will draw people to the area. There is so much going on in this book that you don't want to miss one word of it. This book is one of those books you can't wait to seee how it ends but then you are sad that it ended. I would like to thank Revell Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. It in no way influenced my review.

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.