A Chance for Kallie Mae

By Ann H. Gabhart

Description:

She believes her dreams have been buried until one is rekindled--but the other threatens to cost her everything she loves.

Kallie Mae Bertram has harbored two dreams since childhood: to learn to read and to one day marry Quinn Spencer. But her first dream slipped away after her little sister died of a fever and her mother passed in childbirth. Kallie promised to care for the baby and her younger brother, which meant putting aside her own desires in order to keep her family together. But then a Moonlight School for adults offers Kallie hope of finally fulfilling that goal.

After Kallie's father forbids her from seeing Quinn, her second dream seems impossible. That is, until her frantic search for her missing sister leads to an unexpected encounter with Quinn in the woods--their first meeting in six years. The love they shared as children burns stronger than ever, awakening hopes Kallie thought were forever buried. But with their families locked in a bitter feud, following her heart could cost Kallie everything she's worked to protect. 

Book Takeaway:

Sometimes a person has to sacrifice her own dreams for her family. Plus, I hope readers will recognize the joy of reading and of love.

Why the author wrote this book:

I enjoy setting stories in Appalachia and using Kentucky history in my stories. I wanted to show what a blessing it is to be able to read. My character, Kallie Mae, missed out on school as a child because of isolation of her home and family tragedies. But she never lost her dream of school and learning to read. The Moonlight Schools for adult learners made that possible and I like showing Kallie Mae's joy in learning to read along with the romance in the story.