I have read many books about the Amish people, and I usually enjoy them. Until recently, I had never read about the Shakers. I had heard of Shaker-style furniture, and I knew they were people who preferred a simple lifestyle, but that was the extent of my knowledge.
Ann H. Gabhart lives thirty miles from a restored Shaker village in Kentucky. In her new novel, The Believer
Elizabeth Duncan is a young woman with great responsibilities. After the sudden death of her father, Elizabeth fears she must marry a man she despises simply to meet the needs of her younger brother and sister. As she looks through her father’s things, she is reminded of a nearby Shaker village. Elizabeth knows that Shakers care for orphans, so she takes her siblings and heads off in search of protection and provision.
The Shaker lifestyle is difficult for the Duncans, but they are determined to make it through the winter. Difficulties arise, however, when a young Shaker man named Ethan notices Elizabeth. The Shaker faith forbids marriage, so Ethan and Elizabeth must stay away from each other to avoid problems among the brethren. As the months go by, Elizabeth is faced with the troubling decision of following her heart or sacrificing her own desires to save others.
As I have said before, historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. If you like historical fiction as well, I highly recommend this book. The Shaker religion is no longer an active one (I guess any religious group that doesn’t marry and have babies will have a difficult time carrying on through the generations), but reading about the Shaker lifestyle is fascinating, and I hope to read more about it in the future.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Ann Gabhart’s The Believer
We have one copy to give away to one of you (U.S. residents only). Please leave a comment if you’d like to win. We will post the winner in the giveaway review post on 10/7.
The winners of The White Queen are #38 – edj and #48 – Shannon.
The two random winners of The Listeners are
#33 ky2here and #73 Tammy.The three school/library employee winners are
#23 Angel B, #20 Carolyn and #18 Kim.The winners of Boy-sterous Living are #59 Susan Smith and #51 Stephanie J.
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Lauren is a wife, a mother of two, and an avid reader. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows.
I am fasinated by the simplicity of the Amish. Please add my name to this giveaway. thanks.
karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d love to win this!
I love historical fiction, too. This sounds like a good one!
Sounds like a fascinating book! Thanks!
I love historical fiction and have always been fascinated by the Amish customs and beliefs.
Thanks for this opportunity.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I sooo would like to read this.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
Awesome! I love Amish books and this one looks great!
adventuresofanalicat at gmail dot com
Would love, love, love to win a copy of this! I’ve read a few of Gabhart’s other works and am a huge fan!
This looks interesting…count me in!
The same with me–I’ve read many on the Amish. Actually had forgotten about the Shakers til this book. Definitely included me in the drawing. Thanks.
I’d very much like a chance to win a copy.
Thanks so much for the giveaway.
I have only read a few Amish books, but I have enjoyed them! Thanks for all of the giveaways!
This sounds like a fascinating book.
I’d love to read this! 🙂
I have always been curious about the Amish. When i was in 8th grade i wrote a paper that earned an A+, still have it.
I like historical fiction and don’t know much about the Shakers. So, I would be grateful for the opportunity to read this book.
We have traveled to Pennsylvania on buying trips and we love the country and the people. I’d love to read this book.
I haven’t read any of the Amish books out there, needless to say, Shakers either so I’d love to win this one to test the waters!
I would be very interested in reading this book. Other cultures are fascinating to me. Learning all one can about each one certainly is not a bad idea.
Would love to win The Believer. The Shaker life seems even more rare than Amish.
I have read one book about Shakers that’s stuck with me for years. I must have read it in middle school. It’s called the Gift of Sarah Barker, I think. Anyway, I would love to read this!
I enjoy theAmish books I’ve read… this sounds like a great tangent to start down! 🙂
This sounds like a great book. Thanks for offering!
Looks like a fascinating book! I haven’t read much about the Shakers…
(And we posted about this at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/10/believer.html)
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I’d like to enter please. [email protected]
This is a book that would interest me. I have read MANY amish books but have never heard of the shaker lifestyle. This looks like a great book. Please enter me. Thanks a bunch for the contest!
I’d love to win this book – please count me in!
Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com