The Gist:
During the Civil War, Heather followed her heart, and her new husband,
to war working as a laundress for the Yankees. However when the army receives orders to march south into
battle, Gideon sends his pregnant wife home to her loving mother to have their
baby in suitable arrangements. The
war had not been good to Heather’s family who had lost a son fighting for the
south among other people, leaving Heather’s father full of anger and resentment
aimed at Gideon and Heather.
Luckily, Heather’s mom had thought ahead, and directed her daughter to
her Aunt Sophrena who lived in a Shaker community nearby.
Sophrena had lived happily in her community for many years, but this
Christmas season she was experiencing some unrest and yearnings that did not
fit in to her chosen lifestyle.
When Heather shows up at Harmony Hill, these two women begin to find
exactly what they need within each other.
Sophrena offers Heather motherly love, guidance and support, while
Heather offers Sophrena a glimpse at a traditional family.
As Christmas, and Heather’s impending delivery grow closer, bonds form
and solidify, prayers for safety, peace, and forgiveness are said, and family
is redefined at Harmony Hill.
What I thought:
Christmas at Harmony Hill is a
fast-paced, warm-hearted novel that is the perfect read for the holiday
season! I love reading stories
about love that come from an innocent place, and Mrs. Gabhart’s book was just
that. I was very interested in
learning more about the Shaker way of life, and felt that it was very well
represented, with both faults and benefits equally represented.
This was the first book that I have
read of Mrs.Gabhart’s, and I doubt that it would be the last, she writes with
true emotion. I could feel the
love between Heather and Gideon, the hurt of Heather’s father, and the yearning
and discontent of Aunt Sophrena.
However, my favorite aspect of this book was in the climax. It seems as though it would be easy to
chop up transitions in a story when representing two characters in different
settings and situations, but in this story the transition between Gideon’s big
battle in war, and Heather’s big battle in labor was completely seamless, and
knit together the story creating such an atmosphere of tension before the
satisfying resolution.
If you are a fan of Amish stories,
or are just looking for a story that leaves you with that wonderful Christmas
warmth, pick up Christmas at Harmony Hill.
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