My Book Review on Ann H. Gabhart's The Refuge
Can Love Thrive in a Village Where Romance is Forbidden? Ann returns to her fictional Harmony Hill Shaker village to share a story of the power of love and the bond of family.MY BOOK REVIEW
Ann H. Gabhart's book "The Refuge" is an inspirational heartwarming book.
You are taken back to 1850s at the Shakers Village of Harmony Hill. Darcie just lost her husband and has a child on its way. Some of the Shakers greeted her with open arms while others did not. Darcie finds the rules to be very strict and at times unwelcoming. According to the way they live she is full of sin.
Gabhart did her research. I learned things about the Shakers I never knew before. I would call myself a feminist and can't stand knowing their women does all the household chores and have no say in anything. It sickens me know the women can't tell their own children they were their mother. It is forbidden to be married. Men, women, and children all live in separate buildings. On the other hand, the Shakers community is always willing to help strangers in any way they can.
Darcie is very patient even when things aren't looking good. She is always willing to work hard and support the community. Eldress Maria is something else, but I did find myself liking her at the end of the book. Sister Genna who is very particular about things. She is a no-nonsense person. She tells it like it is. Genna was the one who supports Darcie when she first arrives at the village. Sister Ellie is a lot like Darcie's big sister. She seems to be the type of person you can sit down with her and tell her anything and she will support you.
Through this story, I have learned things about the Shakers' culture. There are many things I don't like how they run their families and religion, but Gabhart's book kept my interest throughout the story. I didn't read any of the Shakers book. I find this can be a stand-alone book, but it is always good to start at book 1. I am looking forward to reading the previous books and any of her upcoming books.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Blogger Program. This is my own opinion.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, glad you could stop by to get to know me better. I’m a country girl, born and raised on a farm in the Outer Bluegrass region of Kentucky. I know you’re thinking horse farm, but no, not out my way. Mostly cows on the farms around here. My grandfather did have a big old workhorse when I was a little girl. My family grew tobacco and corn. We had a few milk cows, some hogs and sheep, but mostly beef cattle. I grew up working on the farm and enjoying the woods and animals. My roots go deep in the land, and I now live on a farm just a mile away from the farmhouse where I was born and raised.
I started writing when I was ten and have been writing ever since. My first published writings (personal experience pieces, youth stories, and poems) were in church periodicals like Home Life. My first novel, A Forbidden Yearning, a historical romance about the settling of Kentucky, was published by Warner Books in 1978. Since then I’ve published over thirty other novels for adults and young adults. Some of the early titles are out of print now but still floating around out there as used books.
My husband and I were both very young when we married, but we defied the odds and are still married all these years later. That could be because we went to church together and were committed to the Christian life. We are blessed with three wonderful children who picked some great people to marry and now we have nine amazing grandchildren I spoil every chance I get. I used to say I was my grandbabies’ wind-up grandma toy. But then I wondered if I should change that to push-button. Does anybody wind up anything except maybe a committee meeting at church these days? Now push-buttons are going out of style too. Everything is touch screens these days. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with the times.
I’ve been going to the same small country church since I was seventeen and I used my memories of how the church used to be in my Heart of Hollyhill books. My church was established in 1812 and it’s inspiring to think about all the people who have served the Lord there. While I’ve been a member, the church has never had a big congregation, ranging anywhere from 20 to 80, but over the 200 plus years of the church’s existence, many have passed through the doors, made decisions for Christ, lived and loved and prayed. It makes me think of Hebrews 12:1 and that great crowd of witnesses.
I like walking in the fields and woods, finding wildflowers and spotting birds and wildlife while trying to keep in shape. I’m crazy about dogs and have had many furry friends over the years. My longtime special dog friend, Oscar, got bone cancer and passed away last year. A very sad time for me. Oscar was a great lab mix who was abandoned in a nearby town. We got him from his rescuers. He was the best dog ever and kept me company on my walks and in my office while I wrote. I had many of his friends on my Facebook author’s page crying with me last October.
But then in November, my granddaughter talked me into going to the Humane Shelter to look at a dog. I came home with Frankie, a mix of crazy and sweet. He has done wonders to drive up the step number on my Fitbit. My patience has been tested often with his energetic and headstrong ways. But he’s a beautiful dog and I’m confident that someday he’ll stop being a puppy and be a great writer/hiker dog.
And I do love to write in my office with big windows all around. Writing is what I’ve always wanted to do. The desire of my heart is to tell stories to readers like you. Thank you for reading! Check out Ann's website: Click Here
AUTHOR'S SOCIAL MEDIAAnn's website: Click Here
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