The Innocent Book Review

 

SUMMARY:  She longs for peace - for her land and her heart - but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?

      Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years bot knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing.  When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home.  With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.

     The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple.  When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny.  Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?

REVIEW:  One of my favorite things about this book was Carlyn's dedication to her marriage.  Her husband was missing in action, which means she did not know if he was dead or alive.  So, when she feels an attraction to the new sheriff, she stays true to her vows, even if she never gets an answer.  Her commitment to her husband and her wedding vows was admiring and honorable. I also love Carlyn's dog, Asher.  The way he protects and comforts her is sweet.

     The parts set in the Shaker community seemed like an oxymoron.  They are supposed to be known for their charity to those in need, but, they seem almost rude and difficult when someone comes to them for help. When Carlyn is forced to leave her house and has nowhere else to go, she decides to join the Shaker village.  Even though they provide her shelter, food and clothing, the residents often seem harsh and distant, almost like they only wanted the land she donated when she joined.  The love you would think they would bestow, being a "Christian" community was not to be found.  

     This was an interesting book but, unfortunately, not one of my favorites like some of her others.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels - The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted - as well as Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, Love Comes Home, Words Spoken True, 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.