Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Christmas At Harmony Hill, and a book giveaway

She stared up at the Shaker buildings. They took in those in need. That was why she was riding into their village. But she couldn't stay here. Not forever. They divided families. She'd heard her grandmother speak harshly of the way Shakers didn't believe in marriage and had special houses where children were kept from their parents.

Heather put a hand over the swell of her baby inside her. Surely they wouldn't take a newborn from his mother's bosom. Heather's mother couldn't have imagined that happening or she'd have never told her to come . . .
A stirring story of healing, hope, and home at Christmas
It is 1864 and the nation is torn apart by civil war when Heather Worth discovers she is with child. With her husband at the front and nowhere else to turn, she seeks refuge in the Shaker village of Harmony Hill. Amid the tumult of the times, Heather yearns for the peace she sees in this strange community. But can this longing really be fulfilled amid these people with their peculiar beliefs about family?

As Christmas approaches, the joy of new life and the love that is born of forgiveness may hold the answer.

Join bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart for a peek into the world of the Shakers--and the world of the human heart.


My review:
   I've never read any books by Ann Gabhart as her books are more for women, but I never pass up a Christmas novel, so now I can say that I have read one of her books.

  This book is set during the Civil War and is set among the Shakers. I hardly knew anything about the Shakers before reading the book, and I learned quite a bit about them while reading this story. Needless to say, I don't think I could ever be one. :-)

  I like the author's writing style. I do read a lot of books, and when I am reading a new author I take note of things like writing style, and she has a great easy to read style that is also interesting. Even with the Shaker beliefs, she didn't just rattle it off, but through the characters, she gave a great glimpse into their beliefs that wasn't at all laborious or boring.

  Outside of modern times, the Civil War is my favorite setting for a book. The book doesn't just revolve around the Shakers, but also around the war, and its affect on people. I was again reminded of how it was a war that had family members fighting each other, even brother against brother.

  The couple in the story is already married, so there isn't a lot of romance, but it is a story of hope and forgiveness, themes that we all need at this time of year, and a reminder that its what Christmas is all about.

   I thoroughly enjoyed Christmas At Harmony Hill, and once I started reading it, I read it until I finished it. It is a great read, and definitely worth reading. And if you're a woman and haven't read Ann's other books, it may help you find a new author to read.

About the author:


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 The Heart of Hollyhill series. She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.


Christmas At Harmony Hill is available from Revell, a division of Baker Book Publishing.

Thanks to Revell for the review copy.

Giveaway:
Ann has graciously agreed to give away a copy of her book, Christmas At Harmony Hill.
The giveaway will run for 10 days, and I will pick a winner using Random.org on November 29.
US and Canada only.

To enter:
Go to Ann's website, and do one of the following:
Check out her other books and comment with what one you'd like to read
"Like" her Facebook page. Comment saying you did.
Sign up here for her newsletter, comment saying you did.
Become a fan on Goodreads. Comment saying you did.
Follow Ann on Twitter, and comment that you did.

If you already do any of these, you can still comment.
Get an extra entry by doing two of the suggested entry methods. Make two comments.

32 comments:

Amy C said...

I LOVE Ann's books! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
I like her author page.
Campbellamyd at Gmail dot com

Amy C said...

I subscribe to Ann's newsletter.
Campbellamyd at Gmail dot com

Ann H Gabhart said...

Mark, I appreciate you giving Christmas at Harmony Hill a try even though I'm not an author you've read before. While you're right that most of my readers are women, I have had men who tell me they read my books too, perhaps because most of my books have quite a bit of history threaded throughout the story. So I'm hoping the men in your followers might consider the stories too. Thanks again for your review and doing the giveaway.

Ann H Gabhart said...

Amy, thanks so much for reading my books and being someone who joins the conversation with me on Facebook. Watch for another newsletter soon! :)

Steve & Beth Ann Fields said...

Thanks for the review, Mark. Your review intrigued me, so I went and purchased the book today, couldn't wait to see if I won or not! I did join the author's page, and received a sweet response from her. I am looking forward to settling in tomorrow and reading until I finish!

Anonymous said...

I liked Ann's author page.

bonton said...

Thanks for the review, Mark!

I live near Shaker Village, in Ky., where Ann's books are based, & have visited there numerous times. I love reading/hearing about the Shakers, & have several of Ann's books, & will be adding to my collection.

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

bonton said...

I am a Goodreads fan, a newsletter subscriber, & have liked Ann's Facebook page.

Thanks!


bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

loretta said...

I am signed up for Ann's newsletter. Thanks

loretta said...

I follow Ann on facebook

loretta said...

I follow Ann on GoodReads

Susan Johnson said...

I liked Ann's facebook page
susanmsj at msn dot com

Susan Johnson said...

I subscribed to Ann's newsletter.
susanmsj@msn.com

Susan Johnson said...

I became a fan on Goodreads
susanmsj at msn dot com

Susan Johnson said...

I became a follower on Twitter.
susanmsj at msn dot com

Unknown said...

I would have picked Small Town Girl as the book I would like to read
Chris Granville

Unknown said...

I liked Ann's fb page
Chris Granville

Unknown said...

I joined Ann's newletter
Chris Granville
granville@frontiernet.net

Unknown said...

And Im a fan of her good reads page
Chris Granville
granville@frontiernet.net

Unknown said...

Mark, Thanks for review of Ann.
I liked Her F B page I already follow her by e mail. I have read The Outsider Would like to read The Gifted and Christmas At Harmony Hill
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the review, Mark.
1. I already am an email subscriber.
2. Am a Goodreads fan
3. I liked on Facebook
4. I followed on Twitter.

I love Amish and Shaker books. I have quite a few and love them all.
Thanks for the giveaway and Good Luck everyone.

bemiown(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cindy said...

I love Ann's books. I have several of them and will eventually work my way through the rest of them. I live not far from "South Union" another Shaker Village in Kentucky so I thoroughly enjoy them.g Keep up the great work Ann.

Cindy
cindybazzy@mail.com

Cindy said...

I follow Ann of FB

Cindy
cindybazzy@mail.com

Cindy said...

I am a friend on Goodreads with Ann.

Cindy
cindybazzy@mail.com

Cindy said...

I also get Ann's newsletter.

Cindy
cindybazzy@mail.com

Joy said...

I would love to read her Shaker series, The Gifted, The Blessed, The Seeker, The Believer, The Outsider. All of Ann's books are going on my to-read list!

Joy said...

I have liked Ann's Facebook page! jumpforjoy@gmail.com

Joy said...

I am a fan of Ann's on Goodreads! jumpforjoy@gmail.com

Joy said...

I am following Ann of twitter! @jmpfourjoy, jumpforjoy@gmail.com

Joy said...

I signed up for Ann's newsletter. jumpforjoy@gmail.com

sharon m said...

I am a fan on Goodreads. sharon, ca wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com

sharon m said...

I am already a Like on Facebook for Ann Gabhart. sharon, wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com