by admin | Sep 21, 2017 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Post Civil War, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed Shelley Shepard Gray’s Lone Star Hero’s Love Story series so I was happy to have the opportunity to review the latest book in the series, “Love Held Captive”. I was not disappointed. In fact this book actually provides the reader with two different love stories.
Once again, Confederate officers who spent time in the same prison camp are featured. Both Ethan Kelly and Devin Monroe are heroes in this novel and they both meet women who have managed to survive the war on their own despite many hardships. Both women have also been mistreated by a despicable man who had also spent time in the prison camp with them. Will Ethan and Devin become the true heroes Lizbeth and Julianne need?
I thoroughly enjoyed “Love Held Captive”. Although it did touch on some very adult subject matter, I personally thought it was handled tastefully and discreetly with no explicit intimate scenes. Some readers may still prefer to pass on this book and that is their choice.
The plot is well written and moves along steadily with some flashbacks to the prison camp that helps set a background for the relationships between the men. As in the previous novels, I was impressed by the strength of their friendships and their determination to be there for the others when needed. I have loved this series and am hoping this will not be the last book.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
After the War Between the States, a Confederate officer longs to heal the heart of a beautiful woman—but first he’ll have to right the wrongs that were done to her.
Major Ethan Kelly has never been able to absolve himself of the guilt he feels for raiding a woman’s home shortly before he was taken prisoner during the Civil War. He is struggling to get through each day until he once again crosses paths with Lizbeth Barclay—the very woman he is trying to forget.
Life after the war is not much different for former Captain Devin Monroe until he meets Julianne VanFleet. He knows she is the woman he’s been waiting for, but he struggles to come to terms with the sacrifices she made to survive the war.
When Ethan and Devin discover that their former colonel, Adam Bushnell, is responsible for both Lizbeth’s and Julianne’s pain, they call on their former fellow soldiers to hunt him down. As the men band together to earn the trust of the women they love, Lizbeth and Julianne seek the justice they deserve in a country longing to heal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray is a “New York Times” and “USA Today” bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.
Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.
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by admin | Dec 7, 2016 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Pursuing Gold” was a fairly solid story that takes place in Chattanooga during the Civil War. Both primary characters Peter and Mary Beth are true southerners but neither is supportive of slavery and must walk a narrow line in their hometown in order to stay out of trouble. In addition Peter is charged with keeping C&R Bank viable despite the war and political unrest that surrounds them. Peter is in love with his lifelong friend Mary Beth but is not certain how she feels.
I always enjoy reading about Civil War life so “Pursuing Gold” was of particular interest to me. I enjoyed learning more about the challenges of running a bank during that particular era as well as other difficulties the citizens faced because of the war. The story not only was full of historical facts but contained a nice mystery and suspense along with a tender romance. I liked how the author compared the pursuit of gold to pursuing God. The spiritual growth of both Peter and Mary Beth was an integral component of the story and was handled quite well.
Although “Pursuing Gold” is the first book I’ve read by this author, I would be open to trying more of her work.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that was provided by Litfuse Publicity. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.
With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over thirty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher. She’s a columnist for Leading Hearts Magazine and she directs Atlanta Christian Writing Conference. Cyndi has a heart for encouraging women in today’s crazy, upside-down world. She loves history and peppers her speaking and teaching with fascinating vignettes from the past. Her first book, “Struggles and Triumphs,” was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the Year. She co-founded Homeschool Answers and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio.
Find out more about Cynthia at http://clsimmons.com.
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by admin | Jul 6, 2016 | Books, Civil War, Historical
MY REVIEW:
I have long been a fan of Dorothy Love’s books but it quickly became apparent that “Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray” would be somewhat different from her earlier novels. Naturally I was a bit uncertain about whether I would like it. I should not have worried – this book was so well written and full of interesting facts that I could hardly put it down.
There were so many events and details in “Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray” that never graced the pages of my history books. Indeed, I found myself researching some of them to find out if Ms. Love found these facts through her own research or if they were just part of the story. She definitely did her research. My education obviously had huge gaps in American History – whether because of bias or lack of time I cannot say.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, especially getting an intimate view of the wife of General Robert E. Lee which also showed me a different aspect of his life. The strong friendship that developed between Mary Lee and her slave Selina was inspiring and illustrated another viewpoint of the relationship between slave owners and their slaves. This book is a must for history buffs as well as those interested in the Civil War.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A general’s wife and a slave girl forge a friendship that transcends race, culture, and the crucible of Civil War.
Mary Anna Custis Lee is a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and heiress to Virginia’s storied Arlington house and General Washington’s personal belongings.
Born in bondage at Arlington, Selina Norris Gray learns to read and write in the schoolroom Mary and her mother keep for the slave children and eventually becomes Mary’s housekeeper and confidante. As Mary’s health declines, Selina becomes her personal maid, strengthening a bond that lasts until death parts them.
Forced to flee Arlington at the start of the Civil War, Mary entrusts the keys to her beloved home to no one but Selina. When Union troops begin looting the house, it is Selina who confronts their commander and saves many of its historic treasures.
In a story spanning crude slave quarters, sunny schoolrooms, stately wedding parlors, and cramped birthing rooms, novelist Dorothy Love amplifies the astonishing true-life account of an extraordinary alliance and casts fresh light on the tumultuous years leading up to and through the wrenching battle for a nation’s soul.
A classic American tale, Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray is the first novel to chronicle this beautiful fifty-year friendship forged at the crossroads of America’s journey from enslavement to emancipation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels.
Facebook: dorothylovebooks
Twitter: @WriterDorothy
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by admin | Apr 27, 2016 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have always loved to read historical fiction and for some reason am often drawn to novels that take place during the Civil War – possibly because I am a Southerner. I had already picked up book two of this series when the ebook was offered as a freebie for a short time so it was pretty much a no-brainer to take the opportunity to read and review book one, “Leveraging Lincoln”. I dove into it last night and made myself put it down long enough to get some sleep. I liked it well enough that I have already decided to take advantage of an opening on my review calendar to go ahead and read “Losing Lincoln” I really want to find out what happens to Matthew and Annabelle.
The author paints a very realistic picture of life during the last days of the war, particularly in the south both on and off the battlefield. With an opening scene that featured Annabelle in the process of digging a grave to bury yet another soldier she had helped to nurse, it didn’t take very long to learn that the war had drastically changed life as she had always known it. It was also quite evident that Annabelle had the strength and fortitude to survive despite overwhelming odds. Desperate to avoid marriage to a man she detested, Annabelle agrees to deliver a message in exchange for help finding her uncle. What she finds is trouble – big trouble.
Matthew, a confederate soldier, has just learned that his brother has been imprisoned by the Yankees and is determined to set him free. Listening to false promises from a fellow soldier, he quickly finds himself in over his head and mixed up in a dire plot to kidnap President Lincoln in a last ditch effort to save the Confederacy. Annabelle’s unwitting involvement brings out his protective instincts and against his will he finds himself falling in love with her.
Based loosely on actual historic facts, “Leveraging Lincoln” is a fictional account of what could have happened during those last weeks of the war. The plot is fast-paced, suspense and action filled, and very plausible. Although history lessons taught us what happened to Lincoln, “Leveraging Lincoln” nevertheless gripped my attention until its very end.
I received a digital copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
“All we have to do is kidnap their President….”
Four years of war have reduced the South to near annihilation. Homes lay smoldering and men become desperate. Amid the shadows of fear, a clandestine group waits for an opportunity to change the course of history.
Harlot, liar, spy…
On the threshold of losing her plantation, Annabelle Ross finds a cryptic letter on a dying soldier and seizes the opportunity to get out a message of her own. She never dreamed her plan would brand her a suspected spy… or worse, an unwilling conspirator.
Deserter, traitor, accomplice…
When Matthew Daniels’s brother is taken captive, he finds himself caught up in a plot to gain leverage on the Union. The lines are drawn in blood, and the risk is there for the taking. But will his reckless gamble cost him the woman he had determined not to love?
She wants to save her home. He wants to save his brother. Together, they may just save a nation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stephenia McGee is a wife, mother of two very active little boys, author, and lover of all things historical. Stephenia currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and sons where she writes stories of faith, redemption and life steeped in southern culture.
Visit Stephenia’s website: http://www.stepheniamcgee.com/
Visit Stephenia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StepheniaHMcGee/
by admin | Nov 23, 2015 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
It has been awhile since I read a book by Andrea Boeshaar so I had forgotten how much I enjoy her writing. Her characters came alive in “A Thousand Shall Fall’ and I felt like I was right there with them. Vivid imagery and a well-paced plot held my interest and brought my hatred of war to the surface.
Set in the Shedandoah Valley during the Civil War, the story quickly has its heroine Carrie Ann Bell witnessing a fierce battle between the Northern and Southern armies and being held (for her own protection) in the Yankee camp. A renewed acquaintance with the dashing Colonel Peyton Collier seems to be developing into something more but how can that ever work out?
The compelling story depicts life during the Civil War with all its drama, danger, violence, secrecy, and emotions yet is tempered with occasional humor and a sweet romance that ends well. As a fan of historical fiction, I was impressed by the historical accuracy as well as the author’s attempt to show both sides of the story fairly.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War
Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off–only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.
Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally–and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea Boeshaar is the cofounder of American Christian Fiction Writers and runs “The Writer’s ER,” a coaching service for writers. She is the author of thirty published works, including Threads of Faith, a finalist in the Inspirational Readers Choice Awards. Andrea is also the author of a popular devotional and regularly blogs on a number of sites.
Find out more about Andrea at http://www.andreaboeshaar.com.
Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall
- A Kindle Fire HD 6
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 10th. The winner will be announced December 11th on Andrea’s blog.
by admin | Mar 11, 2015 | Books, Civil War, Historical, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingSpy of RichmondRiver North (March 1, 2015)byJocelyn Green
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jocelyn Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed. Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith Deployed…Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources for military wives worldwide.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Trust none. Risk all. Richmond, Virginia, 1863. Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can’t do it alone. Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie’s home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city’s fortifications.
As Sophie’s spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father’s position as newspaper editor and a suitor’s position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble.
Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything-and everyone-she holds dear?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Spy of Richmond, go HERE.
