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.