Christmas at Harmony Hill: A Shaker Story

By Ann H. Gabhart

Description:

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?Ann H. Gabhart's many fans will be thrilled to return to Harmony Hill at Christmastime for this stirring story of healing and hope.

Book Takeaway:

We can always look back on the history of our country and learn more about what makes our country great - the sacrifices of our ancestors. I would hope that reading this story helps readers strengthen their own faith as my characters go through challenges that strengthen theirs and makes them stronger.

Why the author wrote this book:

I've been writing about the Shakers for several years now with five book published set in my fictional Shaker village. My agent suggested I write a Christmas Shaker book and so I began researched how the Shakers celebrated Christmas and I also thought of having a character heavy with child thinking about how Mary felt carrying Jesus on that long trip to Bethlehem.