Along a Storied Trail ~ Review

Along a Storied Trail

By Ann H. Gabhart

Tansy Calhoun doesn't know if love will ever come her way. The young man she had feels for broke her heart when he left the mountains behind. And marriage is longtime to reach forever, so if she waits a few more years she'll still have more than enough time to settle down and raise a family, even if there are only widowers looking for a woman of her years. 

But at present Tansy has a purpose and she can't let those who depend on her down. She is the book lady of her community, traveling by packhorse as a librarian in the rugged mountains of Kentucky. It is a harsh world and when the faraway influences of New York hurt the local economy with something dealing with banks shutting down - a Depression, her pa takes off in search of work. Tansy and her brother Josh are entrusted with keeping the family looked after. 

When Caleb Barton returns to the mountain, he expected to find Tansy wed and with a houseful of little ones about her. After all, he left before she could break his heart. But with his brother dead, Caleb needs to look after Ma Vesta and Reuben's widow Peggy Sue and her two little ones. Could he get a second chance to marry the girl, the woman, of his heart? He sure hopes so, he just needs her to see him as a suitor for her and not as a disappointed suitor of her sister. But can a man of the mountain appeal to a woman who dreams of the world beyond that she has only ever seen through words on a page?

Along a Storied Trail is a lovely piece of historical fiction. Actually, this book had moments that reminded me of Catherine Marshall's Julie and Christie. More so of Christie just because of the rural mountainous location. Julie because of a flood that the community has to face.  Overall I think this an enjoyable book and anyone who enjoys American Historical Fiction set during the Great Depression will find much that is appealing in this newest offering from Ann H. Gabhart. Would make an excellent book discussion selection!     

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                          

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.