Along a Storied Trail by Ann H Gabhart REVIEWED

About the Book:

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.

My Thoughts:

"A fool's errand.  He looked off at the trees. "I guess we all set off of one of those sometimes."  (p.209)

The mountains of Kentucky was a place that had little to offer during the Great Depression - well, at least not a lot of material comfort and conveniences. However, Tansy Calhoun was able to do something she loved for the community she loved as she served as a packhorse librarian.  She was able to delivery friendship and fellowship along her route, as well as keep in touch with some folks that were struggling just to have food and shelter.

While Tansy is busy sharing her books and stories, there are other job programs that deposit other people into the community  - one is returning home from serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps, and one is gathering facts and stories for tourist guidebooks for the government.  Tansy's life gets a tad complicated as she gets torn betwixt and between some very strong emotions and hopes and dreams for a brighter future.

Perdita Sweet, an elderly and native local, takes a front row seat at Tansy's social/romantic quandary while finding herself in one of the most difficult situations of her life.  Gabhart ties the lives and the stories of these two very different women together in a way your heart and mind is not soon to forget! 

You will enjoy riding through the hills of Kentucky - truly along a storied trail - and your heart will be thrilled and satisfied along the way!  Gabhart always chooses the most fascinating historical eras and scenarios to build her stories around, and the packhorse librarian experience is one of my favorite!!

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.

The Sound the Sun Makes by Buck Storm REVIEWED

About the Book:

Detective Early Pines loves his southern Arizona desert, often thinking he could stare at it all day long. But now that he's forced to do just that, the truth is the view from his back porch is getting old. He's on mandatory leave from the police department, simply for punching a wife beater who had it coming. Early is in dire need of a distraction from his own loud thoughts. So when an old friend invites him to tag along to a rodeo down in Old Mex, it seems like just the ticket.

But if there's one constant in the world, it's that life always throws a guy curveballs. With a flat tire, a roadside bar, and a beautiful woman with trouble on her hands, Early's distraction takes a hard right turn--straight to Los Angeles, six hundred miles west.

Hammott Lamont is waiting there in his own personal hunting ground. The reclusive filmmaker is a veritable cult leader to Hollywood stars--and he's sure his latest project will redefine art history in his image. He's got a plan for a brutal, modernized version of the Christ story, and he's ready to trample anyone who stands in the way of his colossal vision. That is, until big, loud Early Pines hits the coast for a clash of two titans who never saw each other coming.

My Thoughts:

"Out there, in some forgotten valley, God breathes....Do you believe in God Detective Pines?" (p.304-305)

I really don't know where to begin praising this book!  This is the most fun, most literary poignant, humous blend of raw emotion, mystery and action that I've ever read!!  The characters hooked me from the beginning, and Early Pines...I can't get enough of him!!  The blend of lone wolf (pun intended), tragically flawed and strong independence applies to most every character in this novel.   At first, I thought is was going to tell a particular story, but I never dreamed the direction this book would take me!

Early and his entourage traipse across many miles of uncertain territory in pursuit of truth and family.  The truth they are trying to unearth is buried beneath the most bizarre character - Hammott Lamont.  This guy takes crazy to a whole new level!!  The great thing is, that the author, Buck Storm, knows how to keep the reader guessing the entire way through the novel, and in the end, you never see the twist coming!!  I LOVE IT when that happens!!!

Prepare your heart to race, relax and race again, as Early attempts to find answers to more layers of riddles than you've tried to dig through lately!  I cannot recommend this book enough!! I dearly hope this is only the fist of many Early Pines adventures!!

About the Author:

Buck Storm is a singer and songwriter in Hayden, Idaho. He's also the author of several books, including Truck Stop Jesus, Through the Holy Land on the Road Less Traveled, and The Miracle Man. Find out more about Buck at buckstorm.com.