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Shaker #2
The Believer
Elizabeth Duncan has nowhere to turn. In charge of her younger brother and sister after their parents die, her options are limited. When she hears that the Shaker community in the next county takes in orphans, she presents herself and her siblings at Harmony Hill. Despite the hard work and strange new beliefs around her, Elizabeth is relieved to have a roof overhead and food to eat. But when she feels a strong attachment to a handsome young Believer named Ethan, life gets complicated. Ethan has never looked on the opposite sex as anything but sisters, but he can't shake the new feelings that Elizabeth has awakened in him. Will Elizabeth be forced to leave the village to keep Ethan from stumbling? Or will Ethan's love for her change their lives forever?
Following on the heels of the successful book The Outsider , The Believer is Ann H. Gabhart's newest exploration of love and devotion in this quiet Shaker community.
Following on the heels of the successful book The Outsider , The Believer is Ann H. Gabhart's newest exploration of love and devotion in this quiet Shaker community.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2009
58 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Ann H. Gabhart
49 books1,057 followersAnn H. Gabhart grew up on a farm in Kentucky. At the age of ten, she started dreaming of writing stories others would want to read. That dream has come true as she's published over thirty-five novels. She and her husband have three children married to three beautiful in-law children who have gifted her nine grandchildren. She still lives on a farm not far from where she grew up. She loves playing with her grandkids, walking with her dogs, reading, and, of course, writing. Her Shaker books, set in her fictional Shaker village of Harmony Hill in the 1800's, are popular with readers. The Outsider was a Christian Fiction Book Award Finalist in 2009. Her Heart of Hollyhill books are Small Town, America books set in the 1960's. Angel Sister, a Rosey Corner book set during the Great Depression, was a best-seller and was followed up by two more stories about the Merritt sisters. She keeps her stories in Kentucky and has enjoyed going to the Kentucky Appalachian Mountains for some stories including These Healing Hills and Along a Storied Trail. And if you like mysteries, you can try her Hidden Springs Mysteries published under the author name, A.H. Gabhart. Visit Ann's website http://annhgabhart.com to find out more. There you can sign up for her newsletter where she does giveaways several times a year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 31, 2010
I never planned to write more than one book about the Shakers, but readers were so interested in my Harmony Hill village that I changed my mind. In The Believer, I tell the story of Elizabeth and Ethan and how they end up in the Shaker village. The Shakers were a unique group of people and this book is set during a time when their membership was growing and the sales of their products were high. It's been said that Shaker was the first name brand to be widely known in America. The Shakers didn't believe in romance, but where men and women are together, romance can happen. It definitely happens in my books.
August 27, 2009
I was lucky enough to win this book in a Goodreads Firstreads contest. I was very excited to read "The Believer" as it takes place at a fictional Shaker village in Kentucky. I have visited the real Shaker village of Pleasant Hill and I have always loved the quiet beauty found there. The Shaker people have always been a mystery to me though, so I was eager to read more about them and their beliefs. The main thing I never understood about the Shakers is that they were not allowed to marry or have a family. So it's no surprise that there are literally only a handful of Shaker believers left today.
At the start, "The Believer" follows both Ethan and Elizabeth's paths to joining the Shaker community. Ethan literally washed up from the river after escaping his ruthless father. He was taken in to the village by kindly Brother Isaachar. Even though the Shakers believed there should be no special bonds between any believers, Isaachar became a father figure to Ethan. Elizabeth's father suddenly passed away, leaving her and her younger brother and sister defenseless against their frightening landlord. Colton Linley would stop at nothing to force Elizabeth into being his wife. Elizabeth remembered her father's high regard for the nearby Shakers, who turned no one away, and she convinced her reluctant siblings that this was their only option.
Since Shakers believe that matrimony is a sin, Ethan feels shame and guilt at the feelings he has towards the newcomer, Elizabeth. Elizabeth has trouble adapting to Shaker beliefs, but doesn't mind the hard work associated with the community. Her sister, Hannah, has always been allowed to indulge her free spirit though, and she feels stifled and miserable under the village's strict rules. Elizabeth is kept apart from Hannah and their brother, Payton, because Shakers believe worldly bonds to family should be cut and the entire village is one's family.
Judging from the cover, I thought that this book would have more romance than it did. I shouldn't have been surprised, but Ethan and Elizabeth were kept apart for most of the book and weren't really given the opportunity to get to know each other. Their few moments together were very sweet and tender, but they were stolen moments. This made it hard to understand how and why they loved each other so much. I would have loved to have seen them interact more. Most of their time was spent avoiding each other's gaze. Elizabeth never believed that her feelings for Ethan were a sin, but she didn't want Ethan to feel guilt or be forced to leave the Shakers if that was what he wanted.
Having visited Pleasant Hill myself, Gabhart described the area beautifully. Their architecture and handiwork was simple but of the highest quality and the author described this in detail as well. I could tell the author loves the area as well. I already knew much about the Shakers, but I did not know the extent of their belief in not forming special bonds with anyone, not just a husband and wife bond. Gabhart really lets the reader know what a hard, isolated life a Shaker would lead emotionally, always bending to the rules and never being close to anyone. It's heartbreaking how badly Ethan needs just to be comforted by a hug.
This story is really a tale of two people's seperate journeys to finding their right paths in life. Elizabeth is such a strong female character, in charge of her own life, and an independent thinker. The Christian teachings in the book were discussed as being much more lenient than the Shaker beliefs, the book was not preachy at all. The message is that God loves us no matter what, not fearing God if we do wrong, which is something I appreciate in reading Christian fiction. This is a very well written piece of historical inspirational fiction and is especially great for anyone curious about the Shaker way of life.
Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
At the start, "The Believer" follows both Ethan and Elizabeth's paths to joining the Shaker community. Ethan literally washed up from the river after escaping his ruthless father. He was taken in to the village by kindly Brother Isaachar. Even though the Shakers believed there should be no special bonds between any believers, Isaachar became a father figure to Ethan. Elizabeth's father suddenly passed away, leaving her and her younger brother and sister defenseless against their frightening landlord. Colton Linley would stop at nothing to force Elizabeth into being his wife. Elizabeth remembered her father's high regard for the nearby Shakers, who turned no one away, and she convinced her reluctant siblings that this was their only option.
Since Shakers believe that matrimony is a sin, Ethan feels shame and guilt at the feelings he has towards the newcomer, Elizabeth. Elizabeth has trouble adapting to Shaker beliefs, but doesn't mind the hard work associated with the community. Her sister, Hannah, has always been allowed to indulge her free spirit though, and she feels stifled and miserable under the village's strict rules. Elizabeth is kept apart from Hannah and their brother, Payton, because Shakers believe worldly bonds to family should be cut and the entire village is one's family.
Judging from the cover, I thought that this book would have more romance than it did. I shouldn't have been surprised, but Ethan and Elizabeth were kept apart for most of the book and weren't really given the opportunity to get to know each other. Their few moments together were very sweet and tender, but they were stolen moments. This made it hard to understand how and why they loved each other so much. I would have loved to have seen them interact more. Most of their time was spent avoiding each other's gaze. Elizabeth never believed that her feelings for Ethan were a sin, but she didn't want Ethan to feel guilt or be forced to leave the Shakers if that was what he wanted.
Having visited Pleasant Hill myself, Gabhart described the area beautifully. Their architecture and handiwork was simple but of the highest quality and the author described this in detail as well. I could tell the author loves the area as well. I already knew much about the Shakers, but I did not know the extent of their belief in not forming special bonds with anyone, not just a husband and wife bond. Gabhart really lets the reader know what a hard, isolated life a Shaker would lead emotionally, always bending to the rules and never being close to anyone. It's heartbreaking how badly Ethan needs just to be comforted by a hug.
This story is really a tale of two people's seperate journeys to finding their right paths in life. Elizabeth is such a strong female character, in charge of her own life, and an independent thinker. The Christian teachings in the book were discussed as being much more lenient than the Shaker beliefs, the book was not preachy at all. The message is that God loves us no matter what, not fearing God if we do wrong, which is something I appreciate in reading Christian fiction. This is a very well written piece of historical inspirational fiction and is especially great for anyone curious about the Shaker way of life.
Reviewed for: http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com/
August 30, 2013
This book was meh! I borrowed it from the library and ended up being mad pretty much the entire book. Mad because my religious beliefs are way different from the Shakers and I couldn't handle the differences. The story is okay I guess, I just couldn't get past the religious practices.
July 17, 2022
The Believer is an emotional and informative story about the Shakers. The fictional Shaker community Harmony Hill came to life with Gabhart’s descriptive penned words. This story is filled not only with the beliefs of the Shakers, but struggles of orphans, emotions of outsiders trying to understand the odd rules in the Shakers village. A budding romance of young souls brought into the village who had been taught about God’s love and life in the outer world as the Shakers called those outside of the community was a plus.
This was a purchased used book, thus no review was required. I have voluntarily shared my opinion.
This was a purchased used book, thus no review was required. I have voluntarily shared my opinion.
August 1, 2014
The writing and all that was good. I picked this up because I'm kind of a fan of all those Amish Christian romances (even if reading Thrill of the Chaste did make me scrutinize them a little more) so I thought this could be interesting. I give it to stars because I just felt like it was a little weird and awkward. I believe that the author did a good job researching and maybe Shaker romances are a sub genre some people enjoy, but for me it was just kind of weird and awkward.
June 2, 2014
The story felt like it dragged on and on. There were places where months went by in the story but it was not truly evident to the reader until chapters later. The shaker ways were little more than a cult and this made the book seem oppressive. It wasn't hard to figure out what would happen in the end. Some of the fluff could have been cut out and it might would have been easier to read.
September 15, 2023
4.5 stars**
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I am very very much enjoying these stories. I think my favorite part of this one was how many times they said "the sin of matrimony". It just makes me want to laugh, as of all the things that the Shakers thought a sin was the joining of a man and woman.
I loved the family perspective of this book and I am especially partial to the little sister Hannah, not just because of her name. 😉 I also really liked that it was the man this time that was part of the Shakers and left this time.
The whole movement of the Shakers is fascinating to me. I've already started the 3rd book in the series!
.
I am very very much enjoying these stories. I think my favorite part of this one was how many times they said "the sin of matrimony". It just makes me want to laugh, as of all the things that the Shakers thought a sin was the joining of a man and woman.
I loved the family perspective of this book and I am especially partial to the little sister Hannah, not just because of her name. 😉 I also really liked that it was the man this time that was part of the Shakers and left this time.
The whole movement of the Shakers is fascinating to me. I've already started the 3rd book in the series!
June 19, 2019
The Shaker village was a good place for orphans and other needy people to take refuge. Elizabeth was one those desperate ones and takes her younger siblings to Harmony Hill. She can never quite adapt to the Shaker beliefs and instead is attracted to one of the young brethren in the community. Ethan struggles with his forbidden feelings and is afraid to commit the sin of matrimony. However when Elizabeth's life is endangered he quickly knows that he should follow the desire of his heart.
November 13, 2011
Elizabeth's Mother has been dead a few years, her Father was very healthy, but after going to town feeling fine he comes home later that day and dies before daybreak. That leaves Elizabeth to care for her younger brother and sister. The family lived on Colton Linley's property for no charge, Colton lost his first wife and child during childbirth, his second wife took off shortly after marrying him and went back home. He gave her the chills whenever she saw him, she was very afraid of him. Colton confronts Elizabeth the morning after her Father dies, jumping in the grave as she is digging and tells her that her Father owed him money and she has to marry him to repay that debt. Colton gives her two days to grieve her Father, then he will claim her as his wife.
Elizabeth has some quick decisions to make, after reading in her Father's Bible she finds some seeds he'd bought from the Shakers to plant in the spring. She remembered him telling her how peaceful and nice the people were when he'd seen them. She took the seeds as a sign, knowing they'd take the three of them in. Against her siblings wishes, they left in the middle of the night, trying to escape Colton so he couldn't find them. As they were leaving, Payton, her brother, said that he forgot something and ran back to the cabin, when he returned he smelled like smoke and Elizabeth and Hannah, her sister, looked back and saw their cabin on fire. He knew it was wrong but he didn't want Colton to have anything of theirs, they left with the clothes on their backs and everything else, what little it was, was in the cabin.
As they were going to the Shakers, they were found by two Shakers on their way to town, Brother Issachar and Brother Ethan. They gave them food and told them to wait and they'd pick them up on their return from town and take them to their community. This isn't the first time Brother Issachar has saved someone, he saved Brother Ethan when he was a young boy. Ethan was being raised by some people his Mother left him with until his real Dad came and kidnapped him. As they were floating down the river, Ethan waited for his Dad and two criminal buddies to fall asleep and slipped out of the rope he was tied up with and slid into the water. Brother Issachar found him and took him to the Shaker village. Brother Ethan had just recently turned 21 and signed the covenant to be a Believer, Shaker.
Hannah had the hardest time trying to be a Shaker, since Elizabeth was having a hard time she promised Hannah they would leave in the spring. That doesn't keep Elizabeth from developing feelings for Brother Ethan, which is forbidden, Hannah running away, fires being set in the village, etc. In other words, when the three Duncan's came to the village, lots of bad things started happening.
Some of the problems are because Colton does find them, he brings a group of men to kidnap Elizabeth but is stopped by the Brothers and Sisters. He continues to 'haunt' their community and even tries again to kidnap Elizabeth, but gets stopped. After Brother Issachar dies from a stab wound he got while on a trip to sell Shaker Goods, Elizabeth and Hannah decide to leave, Payton stays as he is settling in well even though he was the one most determined not to go there. Brother Ethan takes Brother Issachar's death very hard, then when Elizabeth leaves he has to decide whether to 'listen to his heart' as Brother Issachar told him, or to stay behind.
You'll have to read the book to find out what he does, if Elizabeth and Hannah find a safe place to hide from Colton, if Colton finds them and if he forces Elizabeth to marry him.
I would suggest to you to read this book. After reading this I almost feel like the Shakers are more of a cult, and they are supposed to be peaceful, but it appeared to me that there was a lot of anger in them. They separate the men from the women, they are not allowed to marry or have any kind of special feelings for anyone, not even their blood relatives whether it be parent, child, sibling spouse (which could only happen if they were married before they joined the Shakers). You can not show any emotion, such as tears. I found myself getting very upset with the older Brothers and Sisters, I just wanted to "smack them" as a good friend of mine used to say all the time.
Elizabeth has some quick decisions to make, after reading in her Father's Bible she finds some seeds he'd bought from the Shakers to plant in the spring. She remembered him telling her how peaceful and nice the people were when he'd seen them. She took the seeds as a sign, knowing they'd take the three of them in. Against her siblings wishes, they left in the middle of the night, trying to escape Colton so he couldn't find them. As they were leaving, Payton, her brother, said that he forgot something and ran back to the cabin, when he returned he smelled like smoke and Elizabeth and Hannah, her sister, looked back and saw their cabin on fire. He knew it was wrong but he didn't want Colton to have anything of theirs, they left with the clothes on their backs and everything else, what little it was, was in the cabin.
As they were going to the Shakers, they were found by two Shakers on their way to town, Brother Issachar and Brother Ethan. They gave them food and told them to wait and they'd pick them up on their return from town and take them to their community. This isn't the first time Brother Issachar has saved someone, he saved Brother Ethan when he was a young boy. Ethan was being raised by some people his Mother left him with until his real Dad came and kidnapped him. As they were floating down the river, Ethan waited for his Dad and two criminal buddies to fall asleep and slipped out of the rope he was tied up with and slid into the water. Brother Issachar found him and took him to the Shaker village. Brother Ethan had just recently turned 21 and signed the covenant to be a Believer, Shaker.
Hannah had the hardest time trying to be a Shaker, since Elizabeth was having a hard time she promised Hannah they would leave in the spring. That doesn't keep Elizabeth from developing feelings for Brother Ethan, which is forbidden, Hannah running away, fires being set in the village, etc. In other words, when the three Duncan's came to the village, lots of bad things started happening.
Some of the problems are because Colton does find them, he brings a group of men to kidnap Elizabeth but is stopped by the Brothers and Sisters. He continues to 'haunt' their community and even tries again to kidnap Elizabeth, but gets stopped. After Brother Issachar dies from a stab wound he got while on a trip to sell Shaker Goods, Elizabeth and Hannah decide to leave, Payton stays as he is settling in well even though he was the one most determined not to go there. Brother Ethan takes Brother Issachar's death very hard, then when Elizabeth leaves he has to decide whether to 'listen to his heart' as Brother Issachar told him, or to stay behind.
You'll have to read the book to find out what he does, if Elizabeth and Hannah find a safe place to hide from Colton, if Colton finds them and if he forces Elizabeth to marry him.
I would suggest to you to read this book. After reading this I almost feel like the Shakers are more of a cult, and they are supposed to be peaceful, but it appeared to me that there was a lot of anger in them. They separate the men from the women, they are not allowed to marry or have any kind of special feelings for anyone, not even their blood relatives whether it be parent, child, sibling spouse (which could only happen if they were married before they joined the Shakers). You can not show any emotion, such as tears. I found myself getting very upset with the older Brothers and Sisters, I just wanted to "smack them" as a good friend of mine used to say all the time.
February 25, 2020
3.5 stars rounded to 4. This book once again takes the reader to the Shaker community of Harmony Hill in Kentucky in the 1800's. When 20 year old Elizabeth's father dies suddenly and she is left with a younger brother and sister to take care of, she flees to the Shaker community for refuge. She is also running alway from a man who is determined she will be his wife no matter how she feels about it. Another major character in the book is a young man named Ethan who has grown up in the Shaker community since he was rescued at 6 years of age. He has just recently turned 21 and taken the vow to commit himself as a Believer for the rest of his life which means shunning the ways of the world, including matrimony.
I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it for others.
However, I felt it was a well written book and definitely gave a vivid portrayal of life in the Shaker community. The character development of Elizabeth and Ethan was also well done. Although it is Christian fiction, it is not evangelical in its message but does convey faith in God. It is definitely not a 'preachy' type of novel.
I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it for others.
However, I felt it was a well written book and definitely gave a vivid portrayal of life in the Shaker community. The character development of Elizabeth and Ethan was also well done. Although it is Christian fiction, it is not evangelical in its message but does convey faith in God. It is definitely not a 'preachy' type of novel.
August 5, 2020
Years ago, when I was a teen, I saw a documentary about the Shakers. I was interested to learn about their colony, their high-quality of craftsmanship for furniture and baskets, and about their plain-style of singing and worship dances. But the thing that intrigued me most was their celibacy. No marriage? No children? I just didn't get it. (I still don't.)
The Believer by Ann H. Gabhart is a fascinating glimpse into a Shaker colony in the early 1800s. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the research was well done so I enjoyed the story as I learned more about the Shakers and their beliefs.
In addition to what I remember from the documentary, I learned that they thought they could "shake" their temptations off, and "labor a dance" in repentance or worship. Every minute of the day was strictly regimented. Conversation was only allowed at specific times. And they prayed to "Mother Ann" (the founder of the Shaker movement) as well as God.
I love to learn about different cultures, places, and lifestyles when I read fiction... and this book definitely fit the bill.
The Believer by Ann H. Gabhart is a fascinating glimpse into a Shaker colony in the early 1800s. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the research was well done so I enjoyed the story as I learned more about the Shakers and their beliefs.
In addition to what I remember from the documentary, I learned that they thought they could "shake" their temptations off, and "labor a dance" in repentance or worship. Every minute of the day was strictly regimented. Conversation was only allowed at specific times. And they prayed to "Mother Ann" (the founder of the Shaker movement) as well as God.
I love to learn about different cultures, places, and lifestyles when I read fiction... and this book definitely fit the bill.
June 28, 2022
Another great book by Ann Gabhart! I liked the characters and the storyline.
Elizabeth has nowhere to turn when her father suddenly dies. She remembers her father talking about the Shakers and how they took people in. She decides to go live there with her sister and brother. Ethan has just devoted his life to the Shaker way. He never had feelings for women until Elizabeth comes to live in his village. He fights the feelings that he's been taught are sinful. Elizabeth starts to have feelings for Ethan but doesn't want to be a stumbling block to him. Elizabeth and her sister decide to leave the village and Ethan finds himself missing her. He decides to follow his heart and he and Elizabeth start a new life together.
Elizabeth has nowhere to turn when her father suddenly dies. She remembers her father talking about the Shakers and how they took people in. She decides to go live there with her sister and brother. Ethan has just devoted his life to the Shaker way. He never had feelings for women until Elizabeth comes to live in his village. He fights the feelings that he's been taught are sinful. Elizabeth starts to have feelings for Ethan but doesn't want to be a stumbling block to him. Elizabeth and her sister decide to leave the village and Ethan finds himself missing her. He decides to follow his heart and he and Elizabeth start a new life together.
December 14, 2018
Ann Gabhart has once again enveloped me in a story chock full of characters rich in faith and human emotions. Gabrielle and Hannah's compelling circumstances will tug at your heart strings. This story has suspense, laughter and tears, woven together in a tapestry of faith and the love that only sisters can share. I thoroughly enjoy the other characters with their unwavering faith and the ability to guide others gently in the right direction. In the end, love of one another and the knowledge that God is in control, will direct our lives onto the right path. I hope to see a glimpse of these characters in future stories!
April 27, 2023
This was my first time reading about the Shakers, fiction or nonfiction, and it definitely felt dystopian in a way because I can’t describe the Shakers as anything but a cult. Those aspects were very interesting, but the main reason I didn’t enjoy it much is because the two main characters were such goody two shoes puppets. I just couldn’t couldn’t root for them or their romance because they were both so stupid and easily manipulated. The only character I liked was the little sister, Hannah, who actually had a back bone.
February 24, 2023
A story that takes you into the lives of the Shakers and their beliefs and ways but is also full of suspense as there are a few characters that are best avoided if possible. There are also plenty of characters to love and root for and will keep you reading to find out what happens to each of them. Another great book from Ann Gabhart that leaves you feeling like you know her characters personally and like they are friends or family and will touch your heart.
February 6, 2018
I did not read the first book in this series, but I didn't have a hard time keeping up with what was happening in this book. I gave it 5 stars because it evoked emotion in me. I only give 5 stars if a book can make me laugh, cry, and chuckle throughout. And I learned a little about the Shaker way, too, which was a bonus.
July 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! It was full of unique, "normal", struggling characters with many goods and flaws. I've never read a book about the Shakers, so I was curious, what it would be like. I still can't wrap my brain around the idea of a religious belief that condemns love/relationship/sex between men and women, but to be honest it gave me a lot to think about :) Overall a wonderful read!
January 8, 2021
Though at tines predictable, I love learning how the Shakers viewed their ways as correct and it strengthens my walk in Christ and reading scripture. Elizabeth is an example of what Godly upbringing and the example of love in a child's life can do. Truly nothing will separates from the Truth and God's love. I love these stories!
March 2, 2024
This was a very,very good book to read. I didn’t want to put it down. Maybe it was more special to me since it was Denise’s, Bradley’s mother-in-law, Tracy’s mother. To me it was better than reading a JP book. This book taught me things and a very good Christian book.thank you Ann Gabhart.
December 24, 2025
Best so far
This is my favorite story to date from this incredible author. I love the story of Ethan, Elizabeth, Payton, Hannah, Brother Issachar and of course Uncle Felix and Aristotle. 10 thumbs way up!
This is my favorite story to date from this incredible author. I love the story of Ethan, Elizabeth, Payton, Hannah, Brother Issachar and of course Uncle Felix and Aristotle. 10 thumbs way up!
July 31, 2018
I had not read about the shakers before, this was interesting. Some of their rules shocked me. It was a good read.
November 25, 2019
Great book.
December 17, 2019
Good read
4 stars were given because I had a hard time putting this book down. Great information about the Quaker cult. I only have 4 stars because the book ended too soon!
4 stars were given because I had a hard time putting this book down. Great information about the Quaker cult. I only have 4 stars because the book ended too soon!
August 23, 2020
Decided to re-read book after finishing book 1 of the series. Not as good as book though.
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September 26, 2020March 2020
November 18, 2023
I loved it! It is a moving story that made me cry many times.
December 2, 2023
Lovely read!
October 10, 2024
very good book
June 19, 2019
I didn't want this book to end!
This is wonderful book! This is book 2 of The Shaker Series. The author draws you into the story and her words make you able to picture these characters in your mind. A great read!! Note. These books, so far, do not need to be read in order.
This is wonderful book! This is book 2 of The Shaker Series. The author draws you into the story and her words make you able to picture these characters in your mind. A great read!! Note. These books, so far, do not need to be read in order.
November 27, 2011
Story Description:
Will a forbidden love destroy all they know?
Elizabeth Duncan has nowhere to turn. In charge of her younger brother and sister after their parents die, her options are limited: she can give in to the unwanted advances of an odious landowner - or she can flee.
When Elizabeth hears that the Shaker community in the next county takes in orphans, she presents herself and her siblings at Harmony Hill. Despite the hard work and strange new beliefs around her, Elizabeth is relieved to have a roof overhead and food to eat. But life gets complicated when she finds herself attracted to a handsome young Believer named Ethan.
Ethan has never looked on the opposite sex as anything but sisters, but he can’t shake the new feelings that Elizabeth has awakened in him.
Will Elizabeth be forced to leave the village to keep Ethan from stumbling Or could Ethan’s love for her change their lives forever?
My Review:
Elizabeth Duncan, her younger brother, Payton, and young sister, Hannah, had nowhere to go after their father died unexpectedly. Elizabeth began digging a grave while Payton built a wooden box to put their father’s body in for burial. As she was digging the grave along came the uncouth, slime-ball owner of the property they were living on. Colton Linley was a disgusting specimen of a human being and Elizabeth could barely tolerate him.
Colton jumped down into the grave that was now shoulder deep to tell Elizabeth he was there to collect his debt that her father owed him for use of the cabin they were using as their living quarters. Elizabeth knew her father owed Colton nothing but he insisted that her hand in matrimony was the deal the two men had verbally agreed to and he was there to collect. Elizabeth couldn’t even barely tolerate standing next to the man, never mind marry him! With much persistence on Colton’s part, Elizabeth finally told him to give her 2 days to grieve properly for her father and then she would willingly go with him to be wed. This gave her 2 days to figure out where they were going to go. They packed up only what they could carry and set off on foot.
The Shaker Village was in the next town over in Harmony Hill. Elizabeth had heard they took I orphans and decided they would be safest there, away from Colton Linley. But the Shakers have strange beliefs and conduct in dances where the ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ thrash around. They do not believe in marriage or having children and don’t live as families. The women are all housed together as are the men and the children. They tarry day and night like workhorses growing their own food, mixing their own medication from various roots, barks, mushrooms, berries and the like. They all refer to each other as Brother and Sisters and are not allowed to carry on conversations with the opposite sex.
However, Elizabeth didn’t plan on meeting someone like Ethan which makes her life very complicated. Ethan is a devout Believer but once he lays eyes on Elizabeth it awakens feelings in him that he’s never experienced before.
Will Elizabeth be forced to leave the Shaker Village to keep Ethan from falling away from his beliefs? Or will Ethan’s love for her change their lives forever?
I was totally pulled into this story from beginning to end. So many twists and turns and unexpected situations. A really enjoyable read!
Will a forbidden love destroy all they know?
Elizabeth Duncan has nowhere to turn. In charge of her younger brother and sister after their parents die, her options are limited: she can give in to the unwanted advances of an odious landowner - or she can flee.
When Elizabeth hears that the Shaker community in the next county takes in orphans, she presents herself and her siblings at Harmony Hill. Despite the hard work and strange new beliefs around her, Elizabeth is relieved to have a roof overhead and food to eat. But life gets complicated when she finds herself attracted to a handsome young Believer named Ethan.
Ethan has never looked on the opposite sex as anything but sisters, but he can’t shake the new feelings that Elizabeth has awakened in him.
Will Elizabeth be forced to leave the village to keep Ethan from stumbling Or could Ethan’s love for her change their lives forever?
My Review:
Elizabeth Duncan, her younger brother, Payton, and young sister, Hannah, had nowhere to go after their father died unexpectedly. Elizabeth began digging a grave while Payton built a wooden box to put their father’s body in for burial. As she was digging the grave along came the uncouth, slime-ball owner of the property they were living on. Colton Linley was a disgusting specimen of a human being and Elizabeth could barely tolerate him.
Colton jumped down into the grave that was now shoulder deep to tell Elizabeth he was there to collect his debt that her father owed him for use of the cabin they were using as their living quarters. Elizabeth knew her father owed Colton nothing but he insisted that her hand in matrimony was the deal the two men had verbally agreed to and he was there to collect. Elizabeth couldn’t even barely tolerate standing next to the man, never mind marry him! With much persistence on Colton’s part, Elizabeth finally told him to give her 2 days to grieve properly for her father and then she would willingly go with him to be wed. This gave her 2 days to figure out where they were going to go. They packed up only what they could carry and set off on foot.
The Shaker Village was in the next town over in Harmony Hill. Elizabeth had heard they took I orphans and decided they would be safest there, away from Colton Linley. But the Shakers have strange beliefs and conduct in dances where the ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ thrash around. They do not believe in marriage or having children and don’t live as families. The women are all housed together as are the men and the children. They tarry day and night like workhorses growing their own food, mixing their own medication from various roots, barks, mushrooms, berries and the like. They all refer to each other as Brother and Sisters and are not allowed to carry on conversations with the opposite sex.
However, Elizabeth didn’t plan on meeting someone like Ethan which makes her life very complicated. Ethan is a devout Believer but once he lays eyes on Elizabeth it awakens feelings in him that he’s never experienced before.
Will Elizabeth be forced to leave the Shaker Village to keep Ethan from falling away from his beliefs? Or will Ethan’s love for her change their lives forever?
I was totally pulled into this story from beginning to end. So many twists and turns and unexpected situations. A really enjoyable read!
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