"River to Redemption"--by Ann H. Gabhart--is a richly-told story of faith and courage in a time when disease and slavery reshaped and often controlled communities' way of life

River to Redemption

Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who stayed in Springfield, Kentucky, when anyone with means had fled. A man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions. Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom. But in 1840s Kentucky, she'll face an uphill battle.

Based partly on a true story, Ann H. Gabhart's latest historical novel is a tour de force. The vividly rendered town of Springfield and its citizens immerse readers in a story of courage, betrayal, and honor that will stick with them long after they turn the last page.

MY REVIEW:  Wonderful storyteller Ann H. Gabhart merges facts with fiction to create a vividly poignant tale of life in early 19th-century Kentucky. "River to Redemption", set in Springfield, Kentucky, is a richly-told story of faith and courage in a time when disease and slavery reshaped and often controlled communities' way of life. Adria Starr, along with many others, loses her family in a devastating Cholera epidemic. Her care then comes from Louis. a slave who forsakes his own chance at personal freedom to aid the survivors and bury the dead. More than a decade later, it is now nineteen-year-old Adria's turn to help Louis as he is to be sold by his owners. Adria is determined to save Louis and ensure that he will have his own life--just as he helped her so many years ago. In the 1840's South, she will face an overwhelming battle--will she find the courage and the faith to stand by her friend and overcome the odds against them? "River to Redemption" is a thoughtfully-written, inspiring reminder of abiding faith and respect for all people.

Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via Library Thing


PRAISE FOR "RIVER TO REDEMPTION":

"Sometimes a story is almost too wonderful to be true. Thankfully, the bit of history at the heart of Gabhart's latest novel is absolutely true, providing the perfect platform for a tale of love and generosity that will restore the reader's faith in humankind."--Sarah Loudin Thomas, author of the Appalachian Blessings series

"River to Redemption will both capture your heart and bolster your spirits. Each of the well-drawn characters stepped off the pages and into my heart. A genuinely wonderful book."--Judith Miller, award-winning author of The Chapel Car Bride
 
"Rich in historical detail, River to Redemption reveals the heartbreaking reality of slavery in the first half of the nineteenth century, one young girl's dangerous quest to end it, and a slave's strong faith in God's timing and providence. You will fall in love with these unforgettable characters."--Jan Drexler, award-winning author of the Journey to Pleasant Prairie series 


Ann H. Gabhart

 

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.