The Gifted

Title: THE GIFTED
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Publisher: Revell
July 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3455-8
Genre: Inspirational/Historical romance

Jassamine Brady has lived with the Shakers for over half of her life, but even though she loves her "sisters" there, she is intrigued by the the idea of the world. She struggles to obey the strict rules, and her curiosity often gets her into trouble.

When sent into the woods to pick wild raspberries, Jassamine keeps leading her "sister" Annie deeper into the woods, in search of civilization, because Jassamine wonders what a parasol looks like. When in the woods, they hear a gunshot, and then find a spooked horse without a rider. Annie is all for running home, but Jassamine goes looking for the unseated rider -- Tristan Cooper.

Tristan is unable to remember his name, and he's convinced that Jassamine and Annie are angels. Jassamine believes Tristan is her knight in shining armor. And both of them have their lives turned upside down.

THE GIFTED is the fifth book in Ms. Gabhart's Shaker series but it easily stands alone. Full of rich detail about the lives of this reclusive religious group, it is fascinating reading for anyone curious about the Shakers, or anyone who is a fan of reading about the Plain people, though not necessarily Amish.

Jassamine is curious and realistic, and Tristan, while confused and a bit stiff and sarcastic at times, is a true hero. Readers will love THE GIFTED and of the other books in this series (The Outside, The Believer, The Seeker, and The Blessed). $14.99. 436 pages.