Book Review: The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear

About the Book:

Can Love Form Amidst Tensions of War?

During the clash between Union and Confederacy, quiet Tennessean Pearl MacFarlane is compelled to nurse both Rebel and Yankee wounded who seek refuge at her family’s farm. She is determined to remain unmoved by the Yankee cause—until she faces the silent struggle of Union soldier Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee. 

The MacFarlane family fits no stereotype Joshua believed in; still he is desperate to regain his footing—as a soldier, as a man, as a Christian—in the aftermath of his debilitating injury. He will use his time behind enemy lines to gather useful intelligence for the Union—if the courageous Rebel woman will stay out of the line of danger.

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear.


My Thoughts:

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear held my attention from the beginning as it draws the reader into the conflict of the Civil War right away. I liked Pearl from the beginning, but my admiration grew as she developed over the course of the story. Tasked with caring for wounded Yankee soldiers, she struggles with her animosity towards these men who are fighting against her own family. In a way, her character embodies both the values of the North and South. She doesn’t own slaves, but she’s loyal to her state, and hence, the Confederacy. Her internal conflict threads throughout the story and gives a nice level of tension to both herself and Josh, the Union soldier she is so drawn to.

I also appreciated how the author wove themes about trusting God and extending kindness to those in need throughout the entire story. Josh and Pearl are the main characters who struggle with these concepts and their character development lasts the length of the novel.

One thing I have to mention: At the very beginning, the author has a note explaining her use of the terms “Negro” and “darky.” The terms appeared infrequently, but I felt uncomfortable reading these words in the story. I felt like they could have been left out or substituted with the person’s name without any detriment to the story.

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear is tenth installment in the Daughters of the Mayflower series from Barbour Publishing, but reads fine as a stand-alone. This novel will likely appeal to readers looking for a contemplative historical romance.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Book Review: Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson

About the Book:

Cassie Kendrick is on the run. Her abusive father arranged her marriage to a despicable man, but she’s discovered an escape. Disguised as a man, Cassie enlists in the Union army, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems, especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer.


Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase the darkness and guilt lurking from his past, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships with many of the men he encounters, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding.

Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel learn to forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places?

My Thoughts:

Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson piqued my interest from the first chapter and carried it through the novel. The story was easy to read and entertaining. At first it had a Mulan-like vibe with Cassie disguising herself as a man to join the army, but the story really moved into its own as it progressed.  As expected, there is a substantial amount of violence and blood. The author does not gloss over these aspects of war as experiencing the war and fighting is part of Cassie’s character development.

I appreciated the deep character development in both Cassie and Gabe. Forgiveness, gender roles, and deception are a few of the themes that both characters wrestle with as they find themselves drawn to each other and, ultimately, toward their God. Though their romance is off and on throughout the story, somehow the author wove in a pleasant level of romantic tension that I enjoyed.

A favorite quote: “We learn who we were to decide who we want to be.” (Page 47) 

I recommend Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson to fans of historical romance, especially readers who like Civil War fiction. 4 Stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book through the publisher’s My Reader Rewards Program. I was not required to write a review and all opinions in this review are my own. 

If you are interested in earning free books, use my referral link to join the My Reader's Reward Program!

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

About the Book:

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Clouston's quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause – but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home, where she is governess, in converted into a Confederate field hospital; and Lizzie must gather up her fortitude to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death – even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiance and lifelong friend.

A young soldier's last wish is that she convey an urgent message to his mother. She vows to do so, but Lizzie knows little more than the boy's first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.

Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers' respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton's walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn't realize she is already pledged to another. When Towny vanishes after a crushing battle in Nashville, Lizzie must confront the costs of war. And torn between love, principles, and promises made, she struggles to be true to her own heart while standing for what she knows is right – no matter the cost.

From the pages of history and the personal accounts of those who endured the Battle of Franklin, Tamera Alexander weaves the real-life love letters between Captain Roland Ward Jones and Miss Elizabeth Clouston into a story of unlikely romance first kindled amid the shadows of war.

My Thoughts:

With This Pledge is the first full-length novel in Tamera Alexander's Carnton series. I was immediately drawn into the story by the tragic imagery of the Battle of Franklin's aftermath. Though the aftermath is extensive and Lizzie is right in the middle of it all, I found the story sobering, but not depressing.The author noted that she intended to authentically portray the experiences of those involved while weaving a compelling story of hope and that is exactly what she did. Hidden in the shadows of war, racism, slavery, and death, there is love. Not only romantic love, but also sacrificial love that bears the burdens of others.

The perfectly paced love story between Roland and Lizzie was steady and never angsty. There was always progression as they formed a deep, profound attachment. The characters' differences prompted them both to consider another's perspective and search for truth. They grew spiritually as their relationship blossomed.

I recommend With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander to fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in the Civil War period. Five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Chasing the Sun by Tracie Peterson

When Hannah Dandridge's father came to a Texas, the Union gave him a ranch as a reward for services rendered. After his disappearance, Hannah is left to care for her younger siblings and maintain the ranch in his absence. Herbert Lockhart, Hannah's father's business partner, sympathetically offers Hannah his protection and even marriage, vowing his love for her. Meanwhile, William Barnett, original owner of the land, returns to his ranch to find it has been seized by the government and given to Hannah's family. Angered, yet drawn to Hannah's beauty and spirit, William forms a uneasy friendship with Hannah. Amid Civil War prejudices and Comanche raids, Hannah and William find themselves thrust together by outside situations, but it is the secrets of the past and questions of the future that will truly test them both.

Chasing the Sun is the first installment in the Land of the Lone Star Series by Tracie Peterson. I personally wish there had been more spark between Hannah and William. This is not to say that there wasn't conflict, tension and attraction. However, I felt their budding relationship was a little lackluster until the last two chapters of the book. The plot itself was unique and Hannah's character was well-developed. I think Peterson's writing style is just not as engaging as some other Christian author's I've read recently and therefore, I didn't enjoy the story as much as I expected. I'm aware that some people will probably love this book, but I am going to recommend renting from the library before purchasing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."