My Review: The Seeker by Ann H. Gabhart

The Seeker
by Ann H. Gabhart
Copyright 2010
Revell Publishers
416 pages
ISBN:978-0-8007-3363-6
Historical Fiction

From the publisher:
When well-laid plans go awry, can she still make her dreams come true?

Charlotte Vance is a young woman who knows what she wants. But when the man she planned to marry joins the Shakers—a religious group that does not allow marriage—she is left dumbfounded. And when her father brings home a new wife who is young enough to be Charlotte's sister, it is more than she can bear. With the country—and her own household—on the brink of civil war, this pampered gentlewoman hatches a plan to avoid her new stepmother and win back her man by joining the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a road of unforeseen consequences.

Ann H. Gabhart brings alive the strikingly different worlds of the Southern gentry, the simple Shakers, and the ravages of war in 1860s Kentucky to weave a touching story of love, freedom, and forgiveness.

My Review:
I'm always happy when I can pick up a book set during the Civil War so it was natural for me to grab this book when it came up for review. I really enjoyed it especially since it wasn't centered around "traditional" Christian beliefs but rather those of the Shakers. I believe that Ms. Gabhart really knows what she's writing about because I really felt as if I were in the midst of the Shaker community at Harmony Hill. On top of that the few scenes on the battle front were pretty realistic but tastefully done.

At first, I didn't really understand why Charlotte decided to join the Shaker society but then again there weren't a whole lot of options for a young woman other than marriage for escaping a troubled home life. She was a bit of a spoiled girl but I felt bad for her having to deal with a snotty stepmother who could have been her sister! I also loved Adam Wade, the hero because he very much reminded me of Rhett Butler. While he seemed to lose his roguishness by the end of the book he was still very likable.

There's not a whole lot of interaction between Charlotte and Adam in the middle of the book other than the letters they exchanged over almost a year. That was the only part that I really didn't care for in this entire 400 plus page book. It was a very quick read despite being so long and I would definitely read it again and suggest it to anyone who is looking for sweet Christian fiction that features something other than Amish themes.

“Available July 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

To learn more about the author visit:
Her WEBSITE
Her BLOG

* I received my copy from Donna @ Revell Books in exchange for my honest review.*