Saturday, March 23, 2013

The Scent of Lilacs by Ann H. Gabhart

The Scent of Lilacs
by Ann H. Gabhart
The Heart of Hollyhill series, Book 1
Christian Fiction / Contemporary
Re-released March 2013
Revell Books
352 pages



About the Book
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.

My Thoughts
After reading Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart last winter, I was excited to finally get my hands on another one of her books. Unfortunately, though, The Scent of Lilacs didn't resonate with me the same way that the previous book did. It progressed very slowly, and while it did pick up about halfway through, it continued at a fairly slow pace, which made it difficult to really get into. I did, however, enjoy Jocie and her family. They are a small-town family that hits a few rough patches along the way, and like most families has their share of secrets. And like any small town, there are plenty of quirky characters that add a little humor to the story. Many of the other reviews are quite positive, so you may click with the book more than I did. And I'm still a huge fan of Gabhart and am looking forward to reading Small Town Girl, which releases this summer.  [2.5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Revell Books in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Available March 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

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.

Ann H. Gabhart Online
Website  |  Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

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