Orchard of Hope

The second book in the Heart of Hollyhill is just as though provoking as the first one, The Scent of Lilacs. Ann has created a lovely community with all the elements that exist in any close knit community of my acquaintance. From the tolerant people to the narrow minded and every one inbetween this is what makes the world go 'round. How we accept them and their views, how we react is our own responsibility. I fell in love with Jocie, the girl in Scent of Lilacs whose prayers God answered. Although I believe that this book could stand alone, you will want to read the first book as well, as Anne writes a fantastic novel where she is never afraid to deal with the hard subjects in life. Unexpected friendships? Check. Forgiveness, yes. show more Promises of new beginnings? Yes again, against the back drop of recent segregation. It is a story that will never grow old, and that will become a classic. We need to remember and renew our memories of a time when hatred grew out of fear and love over came it all. Well written, with characters of dimension from Jupitarian Wes to Pastor David who is unconventional.

"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". show less

Interesting Read!

Orchard of Hope follows Scent of Lilacs with the continuing story of Jocie Brooke. I found this book a little hard to get into also. As the book gets deeper into the story line it really starts to pick up.

Jocie is finding out what life is all about. There are good and bad situations as well as good and evil people.

This story took me through some of the emotions I didn’t want to go through. I was angry at the unfairness and the tragic incident that took place toward the end. I will admit there were also tears. Tears of sadness as well as tears of happiness.

The joy of seeing God at work in several characters lives will bring the reader much peace and happiness knowing what forgiveness can do for situations that we show more face in life if we only trust and obey God.

I am looking forward to reading Summer of Joy to find out what is in store for Jocie and her family. show less

This is the 2nd book in The Heart of Hollyhill series. It picks ups shortly after the first book, The Scent of Lilacs, left off.

It is the summer of 1964, and it's going to be an unforgettable one for Jocie, who will be turning 14 soon. Her father, a pastor and the owner of the towns weekly newspaper, has found a new love, her unmarried hippie sister is about to have her baby, and Aunt Love has softened and is easier to live with.

When a black family moves into the quiet hamlet of Holly County, Kentucky, tensions begin to arise among many of the people. Jocie and her family found themselves caught in the middle when her father hires the new boy in town to work at the newspaper, and Jocie befriends him. Jocie is also just starting high show more school when the Hollyhill schools are desegregating, and she finds herself shunned by her old friends when she tries to make friends with the new students. It will be a life changing summer not only for Jocie, but for the entire community.

I really enjoyed this engaging story. I recommend though, reading first book before this one, to have a deeper understanding of the main characters and the changes that they go through over the summer. show less