"Murder At The Courthouse"

Ann Gabhart

Welcome to Hidden Springs
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Michael Keane's stressful days as a Columbus police officer are done. He's ready to relax into his new position as deputy sheriff in his sleepy hometown. Nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky--and that's just fine with Michael.

Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. 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 you guessing.

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A "cute" and quirky whodunit novel, yet predictable.  Things seemed to be obvious and not very mysterious.  For me, the more mysterious the better.  

A light read if you're not looking for something that completely draws you away from everything.  

The faith of the main characters is probably the best part of the book.

Read more about this book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM REVELL PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.  

 

"The Innocent"

Ann H. Gabhart

Carlyn Kearney has been waiting two long and lonely years for her husband, not knowing if he was dead or alive.  The war between the states has ended, but she hasn't heard a word.

Penniless, with a mortgage on her home, she is forced to leave and seek refuge at the Shaker Village of Harmony Hill.  But the Shakers have peculiar ways and ideas, one is they don't like dogs and Carlyn isn't allowed to keep her protector and companion.  

Carlyn receives a letter while at the Shaker Village that confirms her worst fear.  Her husband is dead.

While She is at the Shaker Village, mysterious deaths begin to occur and Carlyn is blamed.  She doesn't know who the murderer could be.  It could even be someone inside the village.  But Carlyn ends up trusting the wrong person and puts herself into danger.  Will help come in time?  

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While reading this book about the Shaker religion, I found myself wondering how people can come up with all these weird thoughts and ideas, which are so contradictory to the Bible.  

Ann Gabhart has done extensive research and it shows.  

It was a good read when right prevailed.  

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM REVELL PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

 

"Loves Come Home"

Ann H. Gabhart

The place is Rosey Corner, Kentrucky.  It's the end of World War II.  The four Merritt sisters, three by birth and one by love, when she was found on the Church steps, are looking forward to the future.  

Evangeline or Evie, as she is called, anxiously anticipates her preacher husband, Mike's, arrival.  But Mike has changed.  He doesn't want to be a preacher anymore.  Evie is not happy at all when she learns sh is going to be a mother.  She would rather purpose a career.  Can she learn to love the baby she is carrying?

Victoria, Tori, has a bittersweet reaction to the end of the war as her husband, Sammy, won't be coming home.  Only nineteen and a widow, she's left to raise their daughter, Samantha, alone.  But someone doesn't want her to be alone.  Can she open her heart to another man?

Kate, who married her Jay in a hurry before he shipped out, and she wants children.  But her husband wonders if they really know about being married and raising kids.  Will Kate get her wish?  

Then there is Lorena, who at age five was left one the Church steps by parents who loved her, but couldn't afford to keep her.  Her mother tells her to say her name out loud, each night before going to bed to remind her that she loves her and is thinking about her. But Lorena doesn't understand why they kept her seven year old brother.  Was it because he was a boy?  She is loved in her adopted family and she loves them.  But still, a fourteen year old girl gets lonely for her birth mother.  With such an usual last name, as Birdsong, she should be able to find her.  Shouldn't she?

Each sister must learn to trust in God to guide their lives and allow Him to be in control.

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This is a tender and heart-touching story about a family and how World War II affected and changed their lives.  Set in a small home town in Kentucky, you feel yourself being drawn into the Merritt family and how they place their faith in God to help them through each day.  Many tears were shed as I sorrowed with them.  But their trust in the Lord helps them triumph over the problems.  An excellent and well written book, which I couldn't put down.

Read more about the book here.

 I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM REVELL PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES. 

 

 "Summer of Joy"

Ann H. Gabhart

The Brooke family is in a roller coaster ride when things start changing in the city of Hollyhill.  

David, the head of the family, is the pastor of the church and the newspaper editor.  He is trying to find a way to ask Leigh to marry him. 

Tabitha, the oldest daughter, has just returned from California with a baby.

Jocie, the youngest, is still in high school, helps her dad at the paper and is very involved in the church.

The mother left Hollyhill years ago & Tabitha went with her, but nobody has heard from her in a long time.  She has also just found out that she has an aggressive form of breast cancer.

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I did not finish this book because there were things I did not like and agree with, so I don't know what happens.  There were too many unnecessary details about the doctor's visit.  Also there were things in the book that were against my beliefs.  I was very disappointed to find such things in a "Christian" fiction book. 

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM REVELL PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.