Summer of Joy by Ann H. Gabhart

For Jocie Brooke, the summer of 1964 certainly was eventful, but it's nothing compared to what's coming to Hollyhill, Kentucky, and the Brooke family next. The past is coming to call, threatening to destroy the relationships that everyone thought were so strong. Two people--one thought to be gone for good and the other no one's ever heard of--are making their way to the small town. And it promises trouble for everyone.
This complex and beautifully written story is the perfect conclusion to The Heart of Hollyhill series. With true-to-life family drama, refreshing humor, and characters readers have come to love like dear friends, "Summer of Joy" will delight Gabhart's fans.




 

About The Author

Ann H. Gabhart grew up on a farm in Kentucky. By the time she was ten she knew she wanted to be a writer. She's published over twenty novels. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. She still lives on a farm not far from where she grew up. She loves playing with her grandkids, walking with her dog, reading and, of course, writing. Her Shaker books, set in her fictional Shaker village of Harmony Hill in the 1800's, are popular with readers. The Outsider was a Christian Fiction Book Award Finalist in 2009. Her Heart of Hollyhill books are Small Town, America books set in the 1960's. Angel Sister, a Rosey Corner book set during the Great Depression, will be followed by Small Town Girl. Visit Ann's website http://annhgabhart.com or her two blogs, One Writer's Journal, www.annhgabhart.blogspot.com, and the Hollyhill Book of the Strange, www.hollyhillbookofthestrange.blogspo.... Giveaways several times a year.

My Review: 

I so enjoyed me return visit to Hollyhill, KY, and the Brook family. In fact, I hated to leave!
This is the summer of 1964, Vietnam War time, no cell phones, a quieter time, but hard time. David Brook is still running the newspaper, and being the Pastor at Mt. Pleasant. He is also hoping to have a new start in life and include Leigh.
Things are still active at the Brook home, with Aunt Love, Jocie, David, Tabathia, and sweet little Stephen Lee. I can just picture this house; it is not large, but so filled with love. Makes you wonder how Dee-Dee could have left, even for the greener pastures. Life is funny at times, and now some of the things you think you have gotten past, and left behind, have started to return.
There are some so hysterical things that happen you will have a hard time not laughing out loud. We still have loveable Wes, and his Jupiter life, what a blessing he has been in Jocie’s life. Zelda keeps everyone on their toes, and she ends up wanting to hide under her desk, but as Zelda does recover, she is back at managing everyone’s life, and sometimes it is good that she does.
We are going to face some evil, or misguided people, in the form of a teacher, and some parents. Will this family be able to weather all of this and end up with life back to some kind of normalcy? Once you open the cover, you will not want to leave. Enjoy!

I received this book through the Publisher Revell and their Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review.