If any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart explores the tender places within the human heart in this character-driven story of trusting God to turn our burdens into something beautiful.

MY REVIEW 

A very good story about a time period where influenza was running rampant and tuberculosis that cause some a lifetime of suffering. I loved Rose and how desperately she wanted to be well. Being separated from her two girls has cause all them heartache. I was so upset when I read how the girls had  been treated in the orphanage. With their resilience and hope they knew that someday their mother would come for them. There are moments in the beginning that you could feel sadness as mother and children tried not to give up. 

Dirk was shocked  when he received a letter from Rose and one of the  children asking  for help. He has been in his own little world after a tragedy that changed his life. The author talks about the scars Dirk carries that are visible for everyone to see. It made me think of the emotional scars we hide so no one knows we are hurting. I loved how Dirk came to their aide even though he was hesitant in doing so.  If he can let go of the past, perhaps he can find happiness again. 

The highlight for me was the bond between sisters. Their relationship is very special as they have had to depend on each other while their mother was away getting treatment. They have an innocence about them that is refreshing and I adored watching them become more confident and happy as they lived with their uncle. There was much to explore at Meadowland as Calla and Sienna loved being outside, It is easy to picture their smiles and hear their laughter as they start to feel like they finally are safe. 

The story is a beautiful reminder to forgive and trust God. Letting go of the past leads to freedom. I loved  how the mystery was solved in the book that had haunted Dirk for years. “There are so many times we wish we could go back and do things over, but we can’t. We can only ask for forgiveness.”

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. The review is my own opinion.

Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she's published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers' Choice Women's Fiction Book of the Year. 

Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at www.annhgabhart.com or join the conversation on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/anngabhart.