Hidden Places

Hidden Places by Lynn Austin
Bethany House Publishers -
ISBN: 0764221973 -
Historical Christian Novel
1930's / Great Depression

Reviewed by Renee Wampler, MyShelf.com
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This story takes place in the 1930's during the Great Depression. Eliza Wyatt is a young woman with three children praying to God with desperation for a guardian angel to deliver her from the overwhelming responsibility of running the family orchard alone after the deaths of her husband and his father.

She believes God has answered her prayer when an injured hobo shows up on her doorstep asking for food. Eliza takes him in giving him food and shelter remembering her father's old saying, " You never know when it is an angel in disguise." She discovers his name is Gabe Harper and feels as if she could trust him. Gabe helps Eliza with the orchard and seems to have a very secretive past.

When the roof falls in on her late husband's Aunt Betty's house, she stays with Eliza until the repairs are complete. Now, Eliza realizes she is no longer alone but has a house full of people. Aunt Betty enlightens Eliza with her own family tragedies and triumphs. In reading this book, I admired Aunt Betty's character. She made the most out of discouraging circumstances. She gave Eliza a different way of viewing life's heartaches.

The book goes on to reveal some details of Eliza, Aunt Betty, and Gabe's pasts. In reading these sections, you can understand where they came from and how they got where they were in present day. This tale is for anyone who yearns for a renewal in strength and their faith in God's Ultimate Plan restored.