Christmas at Harmony Hill by Ann H. Gabhart ~ review

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Revell (September 15, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800719824
• ISBN-13: 978-0800719821

This book is also available as an ebook.

It is 1864 and the nation is still torn apart by civil war when Heather Worth discovers she is with child. She has been working as a laundress with her husband's army unit, but when the army gets orders to march south to Tennessee, Gideon insists Heather go home to have their child under safer conditions. Heather agrees, but returns home to another kind of devastation--deaths in the family and a father who refuses to forgive her for marrying a Yankee. With nowhere else to turn, Heather seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill, where her great aunt Sophrena lives. There, after many peaceful years at Harmony Hill, Sophrena is having doubts about her Shaker path. Both women are in need of love and forgiveness--whether given or received. With Christmas coming, can the miracle of new life fill their hearts with unexpected joy? 
Ann H. Gabhart's many fans will be thrilled to return to Harmony Hill at Christmastime for this stirring story of healing and hope.

My take on this book:

A baby shouldn't be born on the battlefield and Gideon Worth doesn't want his wife to have their baby on a battlefield somewhere. She has been working as a laundry woman with his troop but when the unit gets orders to head out he decides the best place for their baby to be born is back home in Kentucky. He sends Heather home, but things aren't the same there and Heather finds herself needing refuge at the Shaker village.

This book takes place in 1864, during the civil war which has always been one of my favorite time periods to read about. The spin that Heather's family wouldn't accept her because she married someone from the wrong side of the conflict is something that I am certain happened more than once.I found the civil war segments of this story to be quite fascinating. The author also gives the reader a bit of an education about  the Shaker community and how things were. Add to this the fact that a new baby is coming into the world makes for a great holiday read. Fans of Ann Gabhart  will find this a must read, but this book is a perfect way to be introduced to this author's writing. Overall, a wonderful holiday novella,one that I will certainly reread!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review.