Hidden Places
by Lynn Austin
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Hidden Places is a Christy Award winner for excellence in Christian fiction. Fragrant blossoms herald spring, but the orchard is also a place of secrets and heartache. After the death of her husband Frank, Eliza is left with three young children and mounting debts. When a gentle stranger enters her orchard, she experiences a peculiar sensation of familiarity with the man. But will his unknown past jeopardize all that she has fought for?Tags
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Member Reviews
I liked it, and enjoyed the way we slowly learned the background of the various characters, but thought things wrapped up too quickly and easily at the end.
A deep yearning for home had led Eliza to Wyatt Orchards ten years ago. Now widowed with three young children, she faces mounting debts and the realization it is all up to her. But she has no idea how she will run an orchard alone.
When a stranger appears at her doorstep, Eliza guesses he is no different than the other out-of-luck characters searching for work during the Depression. But the familiarity with which Gabe tends to the farm raises unanswered questions. With a vulnerable heart, she is unwittingly drawn to his gentle ways. But Eliza also fears that Gabe hides a past and motives that could jeopardize all she has fought to attain for herself and her children....
When a stranger appears at her doorstep, Eliza guesses he is no different than the other out-of-luck characters searching for work during the Depression. But the familiarity with which Gabe tends to the farm raises unanswered questions. With a vulnerable heart, she is unwittingly drawn to his gentle ways. But Eliza also fears that Gabe hides a past and motives that could jeopardize all she has fought to attain for herself and her children....
Dit is gewoon een top schrijfster want al haar boeken zijn even mooi en zitten goede levens lessen in.
De geheimen die de personen allemaal hebben worden in het verleden verteld en afgewisseld met het heden wat erg mooi gedaan is.Er is in dit boek niet alleen heel veel liefde maar ook kracht.Vooral tante Batty is voor mij in dit boek een geweldig persoon die ik in mijn hart gesloten heb.
De geheimen die de personen allemaal hebben worden in het verleden verteld en afgewisseld met het heden wat erg mooi gedaan is.Er is in dit boek niet alleen heel veel liefde maar ook kracht.Vooral tante Batty is voor mij in dit boek een geweldig persoon die ik in mijn hart gesloten heb.
Eliza Wyatt has been a widow for barely a year when her father-in-law, Frank Wyatt, owner of Wyatt Orchards, where they all live, passes away suddenly. The country is the years of the Great Depression, and Eliza is struggling to raise her three young children and trying to run the orchard all by herself. Coming to her aid is her late husband's Aunt Betty (who has been called "Aunt Batty" for as long as anyone can remember), and a mysterious stranger, Gabriel Harper, who appears to be a hobo. Gabe has been injured in an accident, and after Eliza nurses him back to health, he stays on at the farm to help the family in any way he can out of gratitude for Eliza saving his life.
Eliza soon finds out, due to Frank's will, that she may be in show more danger of losing the only home she has ever known. As she struggles to save the farm and the orchard, family secrets come to light, and she also begins to doubt that Gabe is who he claims to be. She is also in fear of her own past coming back to haunt her.
I really enjoyed this story; it was a page-turner right from the very first chapter. Every time I thought I had one of the mysteries figured out, there was another plot twist that added another layer of richness to the story. The characters were authentic and well written; one of favorites was Aunt Batty, whom once you get to know her through her back story, isn't so "batty" after all.
I've read several of Lynn Austin's books and enjoyed them all, so I knew this one was going to be a good one, but it turned out to be even better than what I had expected; in fact, I think this one just may be my favorite one of hers so far.
This book was also made into a movie by Hallmark in 2006, starring Sydney Penny and Shirley Jones. I haven't seen it yet, but I hope it will air again on TV sometime in the future. show less
Eliza soon finds out, due to Frank's will, that she may be in show more danger of losing the only home she has ever known. As she struggles to save the farm and the orchard, family secrets come to light, and she also begins to doubt that Gabe is who he claims to be. She is also in fear of her own past coming back to haunt her.
I really enjoyed this story; it was a page-turner right from the very first chapter. Every time I thought I had one of the mysteries figured out, there was another plot twist that added another layer of richness to the story. The characters were authentic and well written; one of favorites was Aunt Batty, whom once you get to know her through her back story, isn't so "batty" after all.
I've read several of Lynn Austin's books and enjoyed them all, so I knew this one was going to be a good one, but it turned out to be even better than what I had expected; in fact, I think this one just may be my favorite one of hers so far.
This book was also made into a movie by Hallmark in 2006, starring Sydney Penny and Shirley Jones. I haven't seen it yet, but I hope it will air again on TV sometime in the future. show less
Heartwarming stories of family, forgiveness, healing, and miracles get me every time. Lynn Austin does a wonderful job in Hidden Places where secrets, anger, and hate find a way to heal with God’s power.
Set during the Great Depression, a young woman finds herself alone raising three children and attempting to manage an apple orchard. Bitterness from her own past as well as the pain inflicted on those around her cause Eliza to turn her back on God. In her eyes, God is punishing her for the many wrong decisions in her life.
Through the telling of each person’s story, whether dead or alive, Eliza discovers there is more in hidden places than what appears to the naked eye. But is the appearance of a hobo who flirts with death that puts show more Eliza’s already topsy turvy world into a complete tail spin.
What did I like about this story? I’ll have to list a few for you as there are so many.
· Christian story –This is a story of God’s love and forgiveness and how to apply His Word to our lives no matter how bad it is. There is no foul language. There is no sex. There is love but it is shown as being part of God’s plan and pure. References to sexual sin are ….. references.
· Discusses real pain – I am always saddened when a book either glosses over the pain a person can experience or minimizes the full effect of it. Ms. Austin explores the pain of betrayal, child abuse, hate, rejection, and the absence of love. As a reader, I could feel the pain with the characters.
· Shows how good people can sin – There is a big misconception that good people don’t sin. Ms. Austin shows many good people in her book who sin through lies, omission, and deception. They believe they are doing the right thing but don’t realize they are relying on others or themselves and not on God.
· Forgiveness is not explained as being easy – Too many stories in print or in the movies make forgiveness appear to be easy. The truth is that forgiveness can be hard and painful. It is equivalent to slicing open a severely infected wound and cleaning it out. It has to be done to heal but it can be the worst pain ever felt.
· The characters are endearing – I fell in love with the characters. Eliza is raw in her feelings yet strong and determined. Gabe is full of love for those around him but wants to learn how to reach out to others. My all-time is Aunt Batty who seems a little off her rocker but has more wisdom in her crazy pinky than anyone else around including all the “good” people in town.
This is not a thin book. At 429 pages, it has 19 chapters which means each one is long. There are many breaks within the story in the chapter. You might tear up a few times, but you won’t be bawling. You’ll be feeling so much empathy.
Make this one of your summer reads. You’ll be glad you did.
Note: I purchased this book with my own funds. show less
Set during the Great Depression, a young woman finds herself alone raising three children and attempting to manage an apple orchard. Bitterness from her own past as well as the pain inflicted on those around her cause Eliza to turn her back on God. In her eyes, God is punishing her for the many wrong decisions in her life.
Through the telling of each person’s story, whether dead or alive, Eliza discovers there is more in hidden places than what appears to the naked eye. But is the appearance of a hobo who flirts with death that puts show more Eliza’s already topsy turvy world into a complete tail spin.
What did I like about this story? I’ll have to list a few for you as there are so many.
· Christian story –This is a story of God’s love and forgiveness and how to apply His Word to our lives no matter how bad it is. There is no foul language. There is no sex. There is love but it is shown as being part of God’s plan and pure. References to sexual sin are ….. references.
· Discusses real pain – I am always saddened when a book either glosses over the pain a person can experience or minimizes the full effect of it. Ms. Austin explores the pain of betrayal, child abuse, hate, rejection, and the absence of love. As a reader, I could feel the pain with the characters.
· Shows how good people can sin – There is a big misconception that good people don’t sin. Ms. Austin shows many good people in her book who sin through lies, omission, and deception. They believe they are doing the right thing but don’t realize they are relying on others or themselves and not on God.
· Forgiveness is not explained as being easy – Too many stories in print or in the movies make forgiveness appear to be easy. The truth is that forgiveness can be hard and painful. It is equivalent to slicing open a severely infected wound and cleaning it out. It has to be done to heal but it can be the worst pain ever felt.
· The characters are endearing – I fell in love with the characters. Eliza is raw in her feelings yet strong and determined. Gabe is full of love for those around him but wants to learn how to reach out to others. My all-time is Aunt Batty who seems a little off her rocker but has more wisdom in her crazy pinky than anyone else around including all the “good” people in town.
This is not a thin book. At 429 pages, it has 19 chapters which means each one is long. There are many breaks within the story in the chapter. You might tear up a few times, but you won’t be bawling. You’ll be feeling so much empathy.
Make this one of your summer reads. You’ll be glad you did.
Note: I purchased this book with my own funds. show less
It was entertaining. This is the second Lynn Austin novel I have read (listened to) and not only held my attention but drew me in. I think I got hooked when I met Queen Esther (you'll have to start reading to figure out who I'm talking about). Her characters are real, colorful, and imperfect. I look forward to reading more of Austin's books.
I must say that this book is one of the best books which I have enjoyed since the Pandemic of 2020 started. The author has a way of writing the characters' stories within the story. Each somewhat unique and yet all blending together.
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Bestselling author Lynn Austin has sold more than one million copies of her books worldwide. She is an eight-time Christy Award winner for her historical novels, as well as a popular speaker at retreats and conventions. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and live near Chicago.
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Hidden Places
- Original title
- Hidden Places
- Original publication date
- 2001
- People/Characters*
- Eliza Wyatt; Gabe Harper; Tante Betty
- Important places*
- Deer Springs
- Related movies
- Hidden Places (2006 | IMDb); Hidden Places (2006 | IMDb)
- Epigraph*
- We hebben allemaal.... een afgelegen plekje in ons leven, een eilandje, dat we bewaren voor eindeloos verdriet of geheim geluk
Sarah Orne Jewett - Dedication
- With heartfelt thanks to my faithful fellow writers: Florence Anglin, Joy Bocanegra, Cleo Lampos, and Jane Rubietta
and to Charlotte and George Gatchell Gatchell Apple Farm, St. Joseph, MI
and to Tom and Laurel McGrath for introducing me to Winky - First words
- Wyatt Orchards
November 1930
They say everybody has a guardian angel watching out for them, but I've never needed one half as badly as I did after Frank Wyatt died. - Quotations
- In the life of each of us . . . there is a place, remote and islanded, and given to endless regret or secret happiness. Sarah Orne Jewett
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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