A Chance for Kallie Mae

by Ann H. Gabhart

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 when 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 dream.

After Kallie's father forbids her from seeing Quinn, her second dream seems impossible until her frantic search through the woods for her missing sister leads to an unexpected encounter with Quinn--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.

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart brings history and romance from the Appalachian Mountains to life in her newest Southern fiction novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication May 19, 2026

About the author

Ann H. Gabhart grew up on a farm in Kentucky. At the age of ten, she started dreaming of writing stories others would want to read. That dream has come true as she's published over thirty-five novels. She and her husband have three children married to three beautiful in-law children who have gifted her nine grandchildren. She still lives on a farm not far from where she grew up. She loves playing with her grandkids, walking with her dogs, reading, and, of course, writing. Her Shaker books, set in her fictional Shaker village of Harmony Hill in the 1800's, are popular with readers. The Outsider was a Christian Fiction Book Award Finalist in 2009. Her Heart of Hollyhill books are Small Town, America books set in the 1960's. Angel Sister, a Rosey Corner book set during the Great Depression, was a best-seller and was followed up by two more stories about the Merritt sisters. She keeps her stories in Kentucky and has enjoyed going to the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains for some stories including These Healing Hills and Along a Storied Trail. And if you like mysteries, you can try her Hidden Springs Mysteries published under the author name, A.H. Gabhart. Visit Ann's website http://annhgabhart.com to find out more. There you can sign up for her newsletter where she does giveaways several times a year.

Reviews

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kallie Mae has run the family household since her mother passed right after giving birth to her little sister, Emmie Louise. Kallie had to learn to take care of this precious baby, with help from “Aunt Sudie”, and with no help from her father at all. Her mama had prayed for a school for Kallie, so she could learn to read and write. The school came but Kallie sure didn’t have time for school, now. Little Emmie is about 7 years old, a little later to start school, but Kallie is a little worried about how the other children will treat Emmie due to her birthmark on her face. Aunt Sudie gave Emmie a whistle to use if she ever needed help or got lost. I can’t wait for you to read about the times she uses it!

Kallie has loved Quinn Spencer since they met each other as children, but the Bertram’s and the Spencer’s can’t be caught together due to their generational feud. Pa says he’d rather see Kallie Mae dead than with a Spencer! Quinn is certain that he WILL marry Kallie without getting himself “kilt dead”. Get this book to find out what happens to these two young people’s future.

Cora Wilson Stewart is a real person who started “Moonlight Schools” for illiterate adults in Kentucky, and it spread throughout the country. I loved that the author included this portion of her story, with Kallie, Quinn, and even Aunt Sudie going to school and learning to read and write.
I can’t tell you much more without spoiling this wonderful story. I recommend this book to all. I received a copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review of the same. 📕♥️

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a poignant story set in the Appalachian Mountains in 1911. Kallie Mae lost her chance for an education when her mother died birthing little sister Emma, and Kallie Mae has to take over mothering the baby and her brother Whitt. Seven years later, Emma is ready for school. Whitt hates school.

It didn’t take much for me to fall in love with the characters, laugh and cry with them, and dream dreams with Kallie Mae as she reconnects with a good friend from before who also lost his chance to go to school. A feud between the two families makes everything more complicated. Gabhart does a masterful job of bringing the times to life and weaving laughter and sorrow in the same scenes. I had a hard time putting the book down in order to cook meals and fulfill other responsibilities.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #AChanceForKallieMae #NetGalley

[Anne Rogers]

I read a pre-publication copy from the publisher. Review to follow.