Christmas at Harmony Hill
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15
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Average rating2
It is 1864 and the nation is still torn apart by civil war when Heather Worth discovers she is with child. She has been working as a laundress with her husband's army unit, but when the army gets orders to march south to Tennessee, Gideon insists Heather go home to have their child under safer conditions. Heather agrees, but returns home to another kind of devastation--deaths in the family and a father who refuses to forgive her for marrying a Yankee. With nowhere else to turn, Heather seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill, where her great aunt Sophrena lives. There, after many peaceful years at Harmony Hill, Sophrena is having doubts about her Shaker path. Both women are in need of love and forgiveness--whether given or received. With Christmas coming, can the miracle of new life fill their hearts with unexpected joy?
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When I first saw the opportunity to review this Christmas story from Ann I was curious and uncertain, but jumped at the chance anyway. I have read some historicals by Ann and absolutely loved them page front to story end. However, I have not read any of her novels that have been set in a Shaker village, so I was a bit uncertain. According to Ann, while all of her Shaker books are set in Harmony Hill, they do read as stand alone novels very easily. She has an entire page dedicated to her Shaker books, where you can read more about them.
By the time that I was halfway through this book, I found myself still unsure of my opinion. Story-wise it is definitely interesting and I like the characters. I'm just really not sure how I feel about the Shaker faith. I guess I keep finding myself wanting to argue with their Sister Ann. So many things in their faith seem to go against what I believe the Bible says, and while I know that's not fully what this book is suppose to be about, I found it to be a distraction for me. Yet, as I said... this is my first Shaker book.
While in the end, I am not finding myself desperately a fan of this book. I am a fan of Ann Gabhart, and will pick up other books by her in a heartbeat. One of her stand alone historicals, Words Spoken True is on my favorites list. Never were words spoken so true... sigh Is that not something that you just love, after reading a book that interruptions left you thirsting for more, where each page could not turn fast enough to bring what was next, but you wanted to take your time to soak it all in. Oh what a character I have found in Blake Garrett and while I was a fan of Adriane Darcy from page one, goodness what a great cast! So if you're not in love with this book, know that there are others by her that I am in love with!
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2013/11/27/two-christmas-special-reads-revell-books/
