Each person is faced with different challenges. Different hardships. Such is the way of the world. We must pray to have the courage to pick up whatever cross we are given and carry it with the help of our Lord.

First of many I hope that I have read of Ann H. Gabhart. A gift of story telling with human nature and the nature of God. I do not know about the ways of the Shaker lifestyle but I can see for the time it's pull to those that are down trodden.

Carlyn Kearney is one such young woman. She is waiting for her husband to come home from Civil War. She has not heard from her husband Ambrose for two years. Her heart is broken for her husband as she is left on her own with a small farm to keep. She is not totally alone. With her dog Asher who is her protector and best friend. Carlyn is faced with the truth that her husband may be dead when the landlord comes for his payment. He has brought the new sheriff Mitchell Brody to kick out Carlyn from her home. There is a attraction of character between the two that builds a foundation as they come to know each other. With no where to go she goes to the Shaker community where she leaves all to be in community with them. She cannot bring her dog and the community tells her that she take Asher to a friend. The only person that she think of is the sheriff.

The Shaker lifestyle proves to be difficult but she knows that the Lord has brought her to this community for a reason. With taking care of Carlyn's dog, she is always on his mind. He worries for her and when he is brought to the community for a crime, the worry intensifies.

Carlyn and Mitchell not only have a attraction in character but I think what drives that attraction is the similarities they have. Each of their mother's gave them knowledge of the Lord in how they loved their children. Each had contrasting parents. One that was ruled by the law and the other by grace. It is a good lesson for Christians to see the difference and how it can build our faith and weaken it. Loved their story!

A special thank you to Revell and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Carlyn thinks her only decent chance for a food and roof over her head is to join the Shakers, the Christian sect nearby. After all, her husband is still missing from war and her prayers seem to go unanswered. But she prays anyway.

What an intelligent, mature writing! Ms Gabhart truly writes to serve you a food for thought while you can enjoy real characters who think and feel like adults.
They have their doubts, they have their sins, they have their fights and they have very real problems.

Carlyn Kearney was hurt enough in her life - a tyrannical preacher for a father who had tried his best to break her spirit (thanks be to God for a tender, God-loving mother) and a short-lived happiness in happy marriage - till the war. Now her husband is missing for two years and everybody else thinks that she is a widow - but how can SHE know? And there are debts - and a ruthless man offering her payments - with her body. So a gun and a smart dog with lots of teeth are her only weapons, right? But her mother always say "pray anyway". So Carlyn prays - and the nearby Shaker village seems as an answer. But the place is not the oasis of peace on earths it seems and claims to be - there was a fire and a man died.
And handsome sheriff is decided not only to find a culprit, but also a way into a beautiful widow's heart.

I can't heap enough superlatives for the in-depth storytelling and issues presented. Carlyn is of curious, intelligent mind and can't accept any "truths" without understanding them. And Shakers, the Christian sect, has a lot of controversial teachings to make her sharp mind to ponder about - like why is marriage a sin? But they also offer a lot of charity and goodwill. I have never heard of Shakers before and I am glad to have this possibility to know more about them.
I also love my characters intelligent - and here I have plenty of that. Sheriff Brodie is complex character, too - a man with trust issues as his beloved had betrayed him, but he also knows a right girl when she comes around - even if the girl is maybe a widow, and also an independent being marching to the sound of her own drum.
Even the dog is smart! Asher, I would offer you a place in a minute.
I strangely also like Sister Edna, a strict tutor to Carlyn, addicted to following the rules, but also a tormented, sad woman with doubts hidden deep in her heart. Can you accept my hug and well wishes, Sister, even if I am of the world?

As for the cons - the plot is a bit prolonged and Sister Edna's doubts deserve to be explored in more details.

But still - what a mature, intelligent, high-quality read this is! After this novel I will read anything Ms Gabhart writes.