When the Meadow Blooms

Ann H. Gabhart

May 2022 · Baker Books

About this eBook

If any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart explores the tender places within the human heart in this character-driven story of trusting God to turn our burdens into something beautiful.

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"Gabhart shines in crafting protagonists who exude quiet strength and optimism in search of wholeness. With its pastoral setting and reflective characters, this cozy read explores the uncertainty present in every new beginning."--Booklist

"When the Meadow Blooms is a touching, wholesome story about second chances and the possibility we all have for growth."--Manhattan Book Review

Ratings and reviews

This is such a heartwarming and sweet story of a family in crisis who need to find each other in order to survive. Rose Meadows is a widow with two young daughters, barely surviving in 1925, when she contracts tuberculosis and has to be put into a sanatorium. With no other recourse, Rose has to leave her two daughters, Calla and Sienna, at a local orphanage, supposedly for only a short while. The short time keeps getting extended because of Rose’s health and the girls are having a hard time surviving the dictates of the leadership at the orphanage. Calla and Rose both write a letter to the only person that they think may be willing to help, their reclusive uncle and brother-in-law, Dirk Meadows. The story is so well told that it was like I was seeing a movie in my head of all of the past hurts and all of the healing that had to take place. Dirk was hurt physically, but more than than, he was wounded emotionally and spiritually. In helping Rose and her girls, he opens himself up to more pain but also to a healing beyond his imagination. This book includes some suspense about how to get the girls out of the orphanage as well as a mystery as to what happened to Dirk’s first love who seemingly disappeared after his accident. Calla’s desperation to stay at Uncle Dirk’s farm was evident and gut-wrenching. She was willing to sacrifice everything just to have a place to live that was good for her little sister. Sienna touched my heart with her simple love of nature and acceptance of all things good. Rose’s predicament was realistic and horrifying and then such a sweet turn-around when she is safely ensconced in her new home at The Meadows. The whole story was fast-paced and a joy to read. I raced through the pages to find out what would happen to Rose and the girls, but I also wanted to know what, if anything, would open up Dirk to forgiveness and love again. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to those who enjoy historical fiction, romance and mystery because this book has it all! Disclaimer Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions 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 Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Ann H. Gabhart has been always been a favorite author of mine and this book is so heart touching. You need to keep your hanky near. A widowed woman in the TB sanitorium for two years who had to place her two girls in an orphanage because she had no family or friends who could care for them. There they suffered mistreatment and abuse. Now she is finally somewhat better and hopes to claim her children. But she needs help for she has no place for them to go….Then we have Dirk who is bitter

This book is both sweet & tragic & well worth the time spent reading it. As a standalone title it is well developed & ends satisfactorily, though I wouldn't mind revisiting these characters at a later date because I can definitely say I felt a connection with them. I also wouldn't mind getting a story from Sienna's viewpoint - she's an intriguing character who was not your average child. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion.

About the author

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Along a Storied Trail, An Appalachian Summer, River to Redemption, These Healing Hills, and Angel Sister, along with several Shaker novels--The Refuge, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. 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.