Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book as part of the blog tour. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

We all have some connection to an obscure small town, one that people probably wouldn’t know unless they live there.  My dad’s family has lived in  the small town of Springfield, Kentucky for at least 60 years.  It’s the kind of place that you’d miss if you blinked while driving through it.   When I found out that Ann H. Gabhart’s new book River to Redemption was to be based in Springfield, I immediately put it at the top of my TBR.

Imagine my delight in reading about familiar places like Springfield’s Main Street — where my uncle and grandfather used to own businesses — and Danville.  The absolute best part, though, was learning about the amazing story of Louis and his good deeds, knowing that it was a true part of Springfield’s history.  Without River to Redemption, I would never have known about the amazing story of this Good Samaritan and his impact on the town.  You can bet that I’ll look for his memorial the next time I visit my grandfather’s grave in Springfield’s cemetery.

Aside from the historic event of the 1833 cholera epidemic, Gabhart’s story is beautifully developed through sweet characters and charming children.  Some of the dialogue dragged on, and the love triangle seemed superfluous.  However, I really liked seeing Ruth “grow up” to be a strong mother figure for Adria.  Gabhart also gave a powerful voice to slaves of the pre-Civil War era.  Aunt Tilda reminded me a bit of Aibileen from The Help.  There is a definite spiritual theme in this book, but it’s a very natural part of the story.

Finally, one of my biggest takeaways from River to Redemption was the idea to “pray believing.”  I think I might get that stamped on a bracelet to remind me to have the right spirit about prayer.  If you’re in need of a spiritual pick-me-up, check out this book!

Many thanks to Revell for allowing me to participate in this book tour.