The Rebel Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower) by Shannon McNear [Giveaway 3 Winners]

My thoughts:  The author continues the Daughters of the Mayflower series with a look at a woman of the South during the Civil War. The author's presentation takes a look at the issues of the north and south and in this story primarily focuses on that of the MacFarlane family who owns a home and land in Tennessee. They don't believe in slavery nor own any slaves to work their land or home.

After a major battle between the Union and Confederacy near their home, Pearl MacFarlane is confronted by her cousin who desires to marry her, with a bevy of Union soldiers gravely injured in the battle and tells her she is to care for them. Sorely lacking in provisions for themselves, they now must undertake the care of wounds and save the lives of the enemy. For truly they are the enemy of their beloved State and Confederacy even though the MacFarlanes don't own slaves.

The story examines the inner conflict of Pearl, the emotional and mental deterioration of her father, the issue of intermarriage, and the dangers that await a young woman during wartime. A sweet, conflicting romance develops between Pearl and a Union officer in her care and keeping. 

This is a carefully crafted fictional story of the lives of those involved in the Civil War and gives readers an opportunity to explore the feelings of those on both sides of this war that nearly ruined the United States.

About the Book: Setting - 1863, Tennessee, Civil War

Can Love Form Amidst Tensions of War?
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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.

Daughters of the Mayflower series:

• The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
• The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
• The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
• The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)?
• The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
• The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)
• The Alamo Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1836 Texas (February 2019)

GIVEAWAY

3 Winners Receive A Copy

Begins December 1

Ends December 30 at 12:01 a.m. EST

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DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy by Barbour publishing to facilitate a review, though a review is not required. Giveaway contest is held by Chat With Vera and prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by Barbour Publishing or its publicist.

The H. L. Hunley Submarine: History and Mystery from the Civil War (Young Palmetto Books from University of South Carolina Press)

My thoughts: Learning about the early submarines is quite interesting. Submarines have proven to be amazingly crucial to defense of nations across the globe. To learn about one of such historic importance is an opportunity not to be missed. This publication for young students is especially appealing because it is produced by The University of South Carolina Press, Young Palmetto Books which definitely places it into a category of educational and dependable for historical value.

Parents of homeschooled children will find this an especially valuable resource for Civil War research and it should definitely be in public and private school libraries across the Nation.

A brief history of the War Between the States, The Civil War, is presented and it is not flavored to favorably represent the Confederates though the book is a University of South Carolina Press publication. Simply stated, the development of this early prototype of a submarine, it's ultimate sinking, and recent discovery and raising is one of significance. We are able to actually see what the hull of the H.L. Hunley and other artifacts from this vessel and period as they have been restored and preserved.

I highly recommend this book and feel it presents a wonderful glimpse into this period of our histoyr.

About the Book: The story of the H. L. Hunley submarine is about American ingenuity and real people who were inventive, loyal, brave, resilient, persistent, and adventurous. The Hunley, built by the Confederate Army during the Civil War, was the first submarine to sink an enemy ship during wartime. After that historic feat, the Hunley disappeared.

For more than a century, the fate and location of the Confederate submarine remained unknown. In The H. L. Hunley Submarine, Fran Hawk tells the exciting and compelling tale of how the “fish boat” was invented, how it underwent trials and tribulations in war, and how it got from the bottom of the ocean to its current resting place in the Warren Lasch Conservation Center in North Charleston, South Carolina.

Who invented the H. L. Hunley? How did it operate without an engine? How and why did it sink? What did researchers find when they investigated the submarine? Archaeologists and conservationists from all over the world have studied the historic vessel in search of answers. Which mysteries have they solved,and which mysteries remain for future generations to answers.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from MMPublicity on behalf of the author and Young Palmetto Books to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own and freely given.

Pursuing Gold by Cynthia Simmons Historical Fiction from Elk Lake Publishing

My review:  Historical fiction has always been my "go to" genre and especially those books published by Christian publishing houses. The theme of Pursing Gold would, at first glance, center around the desire to use gold coin rather than paper money during the Civil War. While that is the initial theme, it evolves into that true pursuit of gold where the individual pursues the gold of a true relationship with Christ.

Set in Tennessee during the war, the Union army is approaching and ultimately attacking the city of Chattanooga. The citizens of this Confederate city are justifiably afraid of the encroaching Union army.

The bank owners - Peter Chandler a young man who inherits half portion from his deceased father, and Mr. Roper who lies on his death bed and whose daughter Mary Beth stands to inherit - become aware of counterfeit paper dollars in their town which were seemingly drafts on their bank. They need to find the source of this counterfeit operation and stop it, fast.

The author's character drawing skills are good as they are well developed. I found Mary Beth pretty shallow at times, but she did mature as the story progressed. To my way of thinking, her feeling that she was soon to be "orphaned" rather childish because she was an adult and adults are not "orphaned" when a parent dies. They simply lose the parent.

As the story progressed and Mary Beth began to nurse the wounded soldiers, the pace quickened. I loved the old Colonel in the hospital and wish he had played an earlier and more visible role in the story.

I believe this is my first read of Cynthia Simmons' work and look forward to more. Perhaps the sequel to this story will be Ruth's story. We'll see. I would suggest an additional sweep through the editorial process as there were some errors that could use editing in Pursuing Gold.

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.

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the Litfuse Publicity Group on behalf of the publisher and author to facilitate a review of my honest opinion which is freely given.