Revell Tour Blog Network Presents: The Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart

After the summer of 1964, life for Jocie Brooke will never be the same.
Life-changing events rarely happen in quiet Hollyhill, Kentucky, and when they do, they are few and far
between. But for young Jocie Brooke and her family, they happen all at once during the humid summer of
1964. Though on the surface things are just fine, it seems like everyone in Jocie’s life has something
they’re not saying, something they’re hiding from her-and from themselves. As Jocie digs into her family’s
past, she stirs up a whirlwind of discoveries. Will she find the answers everyone so desperately needs? Or
will her questions lead to truths better left hidden?
Combining unforgettable characters, true-to-life struggles, and the perfect dose of humor and nostalgia,
this riveting story from bestselling author Ann Gabhart explores the very essence of new life and love.
“Gabhart’s compelling characterization serves up a juicy slice of life in a small town where little is as it
seems. Jocie’s conversational voice and quirky sense of humor are a delight.”-RT Book Reviews
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True,
The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile
from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.



About The Author


Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several novels, including Angel Sister, Words Spoken True, The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Find out more at www.annhgabhart.com.








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My Review:

A wonderful inspirational story, actually people with compassion before their time, the year is 1964. The story deals with some tough subjects of pregnancy, adultery, and possible murder.
This is the Jocie Brooks thirteenth summer, she is a delightful young girl. She has been praying for a dog, when possibly the ugliest dog around finds her. Zeb is her prayers answer and she loves him. When another prayer is answered people begin to wonder what she wants next.
There are some wonderful characters in this book, I wanted to live with them. There is Aunt Love, who is in her golden years, quite often putting something on the stove to cook, and forgetting it. There is Jocie's Dad, David, he owns the local newspaper and is a preacher. We also have Zelda and Wes, the man who came from Jupiter, that work at the paper, and are rather like family. We meet a bit younger woman than David, Leigh, who wants to have a special relationship with the Preacher.
Some of the things that are found out in her search for family answers, are really quite sad. Others are sad, but are rather heartwarming. One is that her Mother abandons her when she is seven, but was she ever a Mother to the child?
We find that God is ever present in their lives, and nothing happens for no reason, trust and forgiveness are ever present. A wonderful book to get lost in...don't miss this one!

I received this book through Revell Publishing Bloggers Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.