From the Back:
She longs for peace--for her land and her heart--but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.
The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?
My Reflections:
What interesting subject matter Gabhart's newest Shaker novel explores. I am intrigued by the foreign concepts of this teaching, and although I would not embrace the beliefs, the premise is at the heart of what we all yearn for to some degree; simplicity, peace, harmony.
Although I seriously don't know how this sect survives since the members are not permitted to marry. If a married couple joins this group they are split up. Even the children are segregated and not raised by their parents, no this is not for me, but such an interesting subject!
Carlyn Kearney grew up the daughter of a travelling preacher. Her father an overbearing and unyielding man, thought women were not capable of interpreting scriptures. Her mother however instills a glimmer of faith which Carlyn holds dear.
Naturally when Carlyn met Ambrose her longing for love and acceptance drove her into his arms. Unfortunately the war tares the two apart and after two long years of struggle and heartache, with no word of his safety Carlyn has no means to support herself.
The Shaker community seems like an answer to her prayers and offers much needed refuge. While Carlyn is grateful to the community for their provisions she struggles to conform to this tight knit group. Though they preach simplicity and peace there seems to be a sinister force at work laying low under that blanket of harmony and love....
I enjoyed Gabhart's The Innocent, It starts slowly and builds onto the character development and storyline. This may make some readers impatient, but I was able to relax and savour the pace I was glad I did, the ending was quite unexpected!
Before Gabhart's novels I only knew of Shaker chairs, I am so thankful I was
able to read her novels to gain an understanding of this group of
people. In fact her last books spurred me onto researching the Shaker people and
the Belief's attached to them, love when a book makes you want to delve into a new area of study!
If you are looking for something a little different, this just may be the next book you pick up.
This book was provided free of charge from Graf Martin Communications in return for my honest review.
Thank you Graf Martin!
This
book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and
Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller
from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group - See more at:
http://citygirlmovestothecountry-tanya.blogspot.ca/2015/07/book-review-hearts-made-whole.html#sthash.TvGQACYX.dpuf
This
book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and
Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller
from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group - See more at:
http://citygirlmovestothecountry-tanya.blogspot.ca/2015/07/book-review-hearts-made-whole.html#sthash.TvGQACYX.dpuf
About The Author
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© Memories by Chris Ann H. Gabhart
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, and Words Spoken True, as well as several Shaker novels--The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted--and...
Continue reading about Ann H. Gabhart
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