Wednesday, June 26, 2013

SMALL TOWN GIRL: A NOVEL (ANN H. GABHART)

 

 
Story Description:
Revelll Publishing|June, 2013|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-0-8007-2184-8
How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst? 
In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner.  The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath.  But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh.  As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking.  And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can’t draw her interest. 
Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways.  Could she truly be in love with him?  And if he enlists, will she ever see him again? 
In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit.  Fans of Gabhart’s Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love. 
My Review:
This was a beautiful story.  I felt so sorry for Jay Tanner.  He had no family and felt like such a worthless human being.  He had come to Rosey Corner to be best man at his friend, Mike’s wedding.  Mike was a preacher and for a long time tried to  get Jay interested in hearing God’s word and attending church but he hadn’t been very successful. 
Kate Merritt had loved Mike since she was a young girl but today she would stand and watch her sister, Evie marry the man she always dreamed of marrying.  At the time, Kate was dating Carl but he didn’t love him although he loved her dearly and wanted to marry her.  Most people referred to him as the “hayseed.”
Jay Tanner took an immediate liking to Kate and soon they were dating but when an accident occurred that left Jay smelling like a distillery, Kate thought he been drinking and was drunk when in fact he wasn’t.  After going through years of her own father’s drinking she wasn’t prepared to date or marry a man who a drinker and slammed the door in Jay’s face before giving him a chance to explain.  She walked away from the relationship leaving poor Jay feeling even more worthless as a human being and believing he could never do anything right. 
Then the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and the war was on.  Jay left Rosey Corner without saying good-bye to anyone as he felt he had no one left to say good-bye too and enlisted in the army.  Now he was stationed in Georgia training as a paratrooper.
Kate was still at home in Rosey Corner feeling sad and lonely and missing Jay very much.  She kept questioning herself but not giving Jay a chance to explain himself the night he was drunk.  After many discussions with her sisters, her Mom and her Dad, she decided to drive three states away and surprise Jay with a visit, hoping beyond hope that he would forgive her and allow them to start over.
Does she even find Jay when she arrives or has his ship already sailed?  When she finally does locate him, will he take her back or is he too disgusted and feeling too worthless to take a second chance? 
Small Town Girl  was a wonderful story and my heart just bled for Jay.  I wanted to wrap my arms around the poor guy and tell him that I cared about him and would write to him when he went into the army.  Ann H. Gabhart always pens a phenomenal story!
 
“Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing  Group.”
 

 



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