The Seeker

Title: THE SEEKER
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Publisher: Revell
July 2010
ISBN: 978-0-8007-2363-6
Genre: Inspirational/historical/Shaker

Charlotte Vance is a southern belle used to slaves, a plantation, and being the apple of her father’s eye. But then when her Senator father came home with his new wife, Selena, Charlotte quickly feels unwelcomed. Selena makes it clear that Grayson is her home now, and that she would be ruling it.

Charlotte had long planned to marry Edwin, a neighboring boy, but when Edwin joins the Shakers, Charlotte isn’t quite sure what to do. Especially when a man commissioned to paint her step-mom’s portrait waylays her in the garden and steals a kiss.

When Selena makes it plain that all the slaves are to be sold down river and be replaced with new slaves, Charlotte takes her personal slave and runs away to the Shakers. She plans to give Melly her freedom and talk Edwin into marrying her and giving up his foolish ideas. But things change, quickly. And with the country at the beginning of the War Between the States, Charlottes actions have unforeseen consequences.

THE SEEKER is the first book I’ve read in Ms. Gabbart’s Shaker series. It is in reality the third book in the series, preceded by The Outsider and The Believer. THE SEEKER can stand alone though. I wasn’t sure what to expect about THE SEEKER, since it is a historical romance set in a community that believes marriage is a sin, so I was interested to see how this would work out.

The story does get a little slow and dragged at times, but there was enough to keep my interest. Charlotte is a realistic heroine, strong and courageous, and willing to face difficulty for the sake of those she loves. She grew a lot in this story. The ending is sweet.
I would give this book 4.5 stars, but it is impossible to do that on Amazon, so I am rounding it up to 5. Excellent story. $14.99. 410 pages.