Fifth book in The Shaker Book series by Ann Gabhart, The Gifted continues the story of the Shaker community and focuses on Jessamine Brady, who has been taken in and raised by the brothers and sisters. Jessamine’s curiosity and fascination with the outside world, causes her to be a bit of thorn in the flesh, for her rigid, rule following, religious “family”.
Jessamine questions everything and often speaks before she thinks. She continually walks the fine line of obedience and submission and makes the other believers in the community nervous, with her improper actions. When a hunt for berries in the woods turns up an injured stranger, Jessamine convinces her companion, Sister Annie, to bring the wounded man back to their village. That one act of compassion turns the Shaker community upside down, along with Jessamine’s heart.
Experiencing a longing she’s never known, Jessamine faces the temptation of edging closer to the wordly ways she’s been sheltered from, and disappointing those who keep such a close watch on her.
Though she’s never quite fit in, she struggles with hurting those who have loved her. As with all of the books in this series, the Shaker background is well researched. For those who love historical fiction mixed with a good love story, Ann Gabhart does not disappoint.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
