Greetings! Southern Sass & Killer Cravings by Kate Young will be out on May 28 along with Crepe Expectations by Sarah Fox. Rebekah's Quilt by Sara Harris releases on May 31. Hitches, Hideouts and Homicide by Tonya Kappes is available on June 4. It is the seventh A Campers & Criminals Cozy Mystery. Is there an upcoming release you are looking forward to reading?
 |
| Shaker dancing that took place during worship |
The Refuge by Ann H. Gabhart begins
in October of 1849 in Harmony Hill, Kentucky.
Darcie and Walter Goodwin joined the Shaker community to evade cholera which
is sweeping through the area. The
Shakers have been fortunate not to have been affected by the horrible
disease. It was supposed to be a temporary
stay for them since they are unable to live as husband and wife. Unfortunately, Walter dies when a steamboat
explodes. Since Darcie has no other
alternatives, she stays with the Shakers even though she does not embrace their
beliefs. Darcie is pregnant which
unnerves the Shakers since they find marriage to be sinful and believe it creates
disharmony. Darcie makes friends with
the other ladies in her room and they form a close bond. Darcie prays for a solution to her dilemma
because she knows that her baby will not be allowed to stay with her once it is
weaned.
 |
| Outside a Shaker village house |
Flynn Keller lives his headstrong
daughter, Leatrice on his father-in-law’s (Silas Cox) farm. Both men lost their wives in recent years,
leaving them to raise Leatrice. They are
worried about Leatrice who seems to rush headlong into danger just like her
mother. Silas suggests Flynn join the
Shakers for a time to provide structure for Leatrice, but Flynn knows he will
not be able to keep his daughter with him at Harmony Hill. Flynn encounters Darcie while working with a
horse for the Shakers. He is captivated
by the beautiful woman and Leatrice takes to Darcie right away. But then Silas makes an impulsive decision
that endangers them all. What does God
have in store for Darcie, Flynn, Silas and Leatrice?
 |
| A Shaker village |
The Refuge is a well-written novel
that proceeds at a gentle pace. I could
tell that Ann H. Gabhart has done her research into the Shakers. It was interesting to learn about the Shaker
community and their beliefs. I was
surprised to learn that the correct name for them is Believers in the Second
Coming of Christ. It is outsiders who
labeled them Shakers. It is not a
religion that would suit every individual especially since men and women are
kept separate and not allowed to raise their own children. They did have a strong work ethic and thriving
villages. The characters were developed
and realistic. I liked that there are characters
who have differing viewpoints (those that embrace the Shakers and those that do
not) and a variety of ages. I liked the
friendships that developed between Darcie and her roommates. Faith is woven into the story making an
integral part of The Refuge. The Shakers
might have a different ideas, but they believe in God like all Christians. Leatrice was a delight. She was a precocious little girl who lit up
the story along with the two babies. The
Refuge is not a straightforward romance which I appreciated. There is intrigue, friendships, kittens, childhood
drama, faith, a depressed horse, and love. The ending is sweet and
heartwarming. There is one phrase from
The Refuge I wanted to share. It is “take
each day as it comes with the blessings and trials it brings, for the Lord only
promises us this day”. The Refuge
provides an insightful look into the Shakers and those who sought refuge with
them.
The novels in Ann H. Gabhart's The Shaker series are The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted. Thank you for stopping by today and reading my review. Tomorrow I will be participating in a blog tour for Southern Sass & Killer Craving by Kate Young. I hope you have joyful day (better to laugh than to cry). Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
No comments:
Post a Comment