With the threat of a cholera epidemic at their heels, Darcie and Walter Goodwin joining the Shakers, whose villages seem immune to the disease. It's meant to be temporary, but when Walter is killed in a riverboat accident, destitute Darcie has little choice but to stay with the Shakers. To complicate matters, she is expecting a baby conceived before she and her husband came to the Shaker village. Marital relationships are considered sinful in this celibate community, putting Darcie in a unique and lonely position. Can the arrival of widower Flynn Keller and his headstrong Daughter offer Darcie the hope of happiness.
This book shed a lot of light on the Shaker religion for me. I was not very familiar with their beliefs before reading this and I have to say I was somewhat surprised, especially with their belief in celibacy. So many of their beliefs are not scriptural but yet in other ways they show such love and are so willing to help others.
I loved the character of Darcie and my heart just broke for her. I couldn't imagine being left alone in a community that you don't embrace the beliefs of, especially after finding out your with child, something that you know goes against the rules. It was engaging to see how she started her life over and how the community continued to help her.
If you have never read one of Ann H. Gabhart's books this would be a great one to start with. Probably my favorite to date!
***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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