Guide Me Home: A Novel

Do you ever have a book that you love every page and you never have the desire to skim a page or a paragraph? Kim Vogel Sawyer has written a book that falls into that category in GUIDE ME HOME. I loved this book and I love Kim Vogel Sawyer’s writing. Besides the story being great, Vogel Sawyer adds such wit into some of the dialogues and a clever play with words.

The setting is Kentucky Mammoth Cave and the hill people of Kentucky in the early 1900’s. 20 year old Rebekah’s family is dirt poor, but she has no intention of courting the man from the hills who wants to marry her. She is going to work as a tour guide in Mammoth Cave so that her family can purchase a tombstone for her brother’s grave; a death she feels is her fault. show more Rebekah becomes a capable helper to cave tour guide, Tolly, and the two of them become the guides for University of Kentucky student cartographer, Devin Bale. Devin is a city boy who comes from money, but he and Rebekah connect even though they know a future is not possible for two people from such different backgrounds and different cultures.

There is a sprinkling of faith mixed into the story, including the importance of being able to forgive oneself and to get over the feelings of guilt which can wrack havoc on a person’s life and plans for the future. Rebekah blamed herself for her brother’s death because she was reading and told her pesky brother to “Get lost!” He did so – in the cave – and was finally found – dead. Rebekah has not read a book since, feels responsible for her mother’s depression, and has decided to give all the money from working at the cave to her family to help with the cemetery and family needs.

I was sad when I turned to the last page. It was enjoyable to read due to the story line, but also because of the historical tidbits which are inserted into the story such as the slave labor which mined saltpeter from the cave for gunpowder. I highly recommend this book. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

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Loved the cover of this book and found the story line very interesting. It took place in 1907 and gives you a feel for the people and the place where Mammoth Cave was first introduced to visitors. The author did a good job of showing the differences in the many walks of life represented in this story; the 'hill people' the 'town people' and the 'working class' verses the 'wealthy class'. It seemed very real and well told. Liked the history I learned about Mammoth Cave at the end of the book too.

Travel with Rebekah Hardin and her family, who don't have much in physical comforts, but who have a wealth of love for each other and for their God. Also, get to know Devlin Bale, as he comes to the Cave as a cartographer and has Rebekah and show more Tolly as his guides inside the Cave. Tolly was a joy to get to know. I appreciated getting to know all three of these characters and enjoyed my time at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. show less

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Guide Me Home is a sweet Christian Historical Fiction about the power of prayer. Rebecca wants so desperately to help her family and ease the ache in her mother's heart from losing her only son. While working at Mammoth Cave, she meets the handsome Devlin Bale. Will they be able to overcome their differences? Will Cissy find the love that she desire? Will Devlin find out what is missing in his life?

I absolutely loved this book! Cissy was surprisingly self-centered. She thought that everything was about her. I enjoyed learning about Mammoth Cave and the beauty of God's creation. My favorite character is most definitely Tolly, his faith was so strong. All in all this show more was a fantastic novel. If you like historical fiction or even a clean romance, this is the book for you! show less

This was a captivating tale about a young woman who feels she has a debt to pay, replacing her own dreams. Loyal to her family, Rebecca is able to “pull off” a scheme to get hired for a position usually only given to boys. It didn’t work exactly as planned, but because of another’s feeling of debt, she “pulled it off”.
The setting is during a time of a taboo on Social Classes intermixing, Women considered inferior to men, and the beginning of acceptance of girls in a few colleges. Rebecca’s path crosses with that of attractive Devlin Bale, a cartographer, who is in Mammoth Cave resort to fulfill his Graduate project of expanding on an out of date map – the only one created….But is this his only reason for being show more there?
Because of Devlin’s high social status and Rebecca’s very humble one, nothing can ever become of their growing attraction to each other. A local boy has been pursuing Rebecca for years. Will he win?
This is a tale of romance, intrigue, suspense, individual values and more. It will keep the reader eagerly turning to the next page until the very end of the book.
The Title and Book Cover are a perfect “fit”. The characters seem so alive the reader feel he/she is there with them. The scenes are depicted well and easily visualized, “taking” the reader into the various places.
*This book was sent this book as a gift from Blogging For Books, but in no way am I expected to post anything but an honest review.
This book deems a Five Stars rating show less

This is my first book by Kim Vogel Sawyer, so I was not sure what to expect. I found the setting of the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and the time period to be very interesting and obviously key to the whole story. Rebekah is a strong character and I found her whole history and growth throughout the book to be fascinating. I think the author writes her genre very well and found this to be a good heartfelt read. 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Blogging for Books for a review copy.

Journey into Kentucky’s incredible Mammoth Cave with Kim Vogel Sawyer’s latest historical novel of adventure, romance, and family, Guide Me Home. For fans of historical fiction, it won’t disappoint.

For the sake of her family, Rebekah Hardin disguises her identity to work as a Mammoth Cave guide. Her story soon intersects with fellow guide Tolly Sanford and university student Devlin Bale and fills with danger, suspense, and an excellent pursuit of spiritual growth.

As expected, throughout Guide Me Home, Sawyer surrounds her characters with the rich and interesting history of the cave system. The history complements the story so well I had a hard time putting this book down. It’s easy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Guide show more Me Home. It’s an adventurous, uplifting, captivating read, and I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Blogging for Books, I received a copy of Guide Me Home and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. show less

Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Guide Me Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer, © 2016

Automobile vacationers brought comparison to the families near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky in the early 1900s. Summer visitors had a style of dress, speech, and money to leisurely stay, so different from the local culture.

A young college student, Devlin Bale, comes to map the cave. His schooling has prepared him for measuring, but... he has never been in a cave before.

My favorite character was Tolly Sandford, a third generation guide. Very central to the story, Tolly was so level-headed, the other characters would be wise to heed his advice.

Rebekah Hardin comes to work at the cave to earn money to pay a debt she perceives she owes. Because of Tolly's knowledge of her show more family's sorrow, he hires her although at the time only males are guides. Her next sister, Cissy, also begins a summer job as an assistant to a tourist photographer who can't tame his unruly burro without her. Cissy has far-reaching dreams, hoping to take herself far away to experience the world beyond Appalachia.

The contrast between those who take the opportunity to exploit and those who have been cared for and lovingly guided by their families is wide. The Hardin family has modeled this strength in a life submitted to God.

The interesting portrayal of Mammoth Cave is educational and the interaction between characters in their daily lives very active. I enjoyed this story and liked how it was written from the aspect of individual outlook.

***Thank you author Kim Vogel Sawyer for inviting me to be part of the book tour for Guide Me Home and for sending me a review copy. This review was written in my own words. No other compensation was received.*** show less