The Blessed

The Blessed, written by Ann Gabhart, looks at the lives of Lacey and Isaac in Kentucky in the year 1844. When Lacey’s mother dies, she moves in with Preacher Palmer’s family and eventually marries the Preacher after his wife’s untimely death. When Lacey meets Isaac, a young man who is forced into hiding in the Shaker community, they immediately form a bond although the community they both find themselves in is extremely restrictive.

This was the first book I have ever read about a Shaker Village, and I really enjoyed learning about their different beliefs and the way they seemed to be cut off from the outside world. Although this is the fourth book in the Shaker Series, I was able to read it as a stand-alone and follow the story without any difficulties. Overall, I loved the character of Lacey. She faced many hardships in her life, such as an abusive stepmother, being basically kicked out of her home, and facing the death of Miss Mona, the Preacher’s wife who took her in as if she were here own daughter. Throughout all these hardships, she maintained and grew in her faith.

"Available July 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

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