Guest Review: Defending Truth, from A Pioneer Christmas Collection

A Pioneer Christmas Collection

(My thanks to Pioneer Christmas co-author Michelle Ule for this post!)

Debut novelist Shannon McNear has fashioned a terrific story of divided loyalties and unexpected romance in Defending Truth.
            In what is now eastern Tennessee, immediately following the Battle of King's Mountain of 1780, loyalist militiaman Micah Elliot finds himself torn by the horror of what happened and a desire to flee. Hungry, shaken and miserable, he's discovered by a patriot's daughter out hunting.
            Something about the battered man captures her attention, and Truth Bledsoe feeds him, only to learn he fought on the opposite side from her father during the battle. Still, her Christian humanity sends her back to feed him and help him recover his strength.
           After a week, Micah recognizes he's got a pretty woman helping him and while still torn about his loyalties, feels the need to repay her. He spends the fall at her secluded farm helping Truth and her younger siblings prepare for the winter.
            Hostilities linger when the overmountain men return home from the battle, but can attitudes change when Micah sets aside his own safety to defend Truth and her loved ones?
            McNear's deft characterizations ring true throughout this tale, and my emotions were caught up in the question of how this one would work out. She provides insightful information on life on the frontier late during the Revolutionary War, when no one really felt safe and death lurked.
            Truth Bledsoe is a well-rounded young woman trying her plucky best to care for her family. Her own loyalties war within as the handsome Tory unexpectedly captures her heart. Micah is torn by uncertainty--what really is right and whose side does he want to be on? How can he return home to a family who would brand him a coward? But worse, how can he leave behind a lovely young woman who has captured his heart, even while he fought against her father.
            This fine novella begins A Pioneer Christmas Collection and sets a high bar for the stories to come. It's not a simplistic romance and it handles the Christianity of those on the frontier with grace and clarity. I loved it and thought it one of the finest historical novellas I've ever read.
           Well done, Shannon McNear.

New York Times best-selling writer Michelle Ule is the author of three historical novellas and a contemporary novel. Her story, "The Gold Rush Christmas," is the final novella in A Pioneer Christmas Collection. You can follow her blog at www.michelleule.com

Giveaway: One commenter on this review will receive a copy of the book. To enter answer the question: What is your favorite Christmas story? Why? (Also--come back next week. For the Tea Party giveaway we have a copy of the book with a bookplate signed by all authors!)

Reviews/Endorsements by MaryLu Tyndall and Lisa Norato of "Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance" by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Return to Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Review of Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance

Short novella by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Five Stars *****

 I was hooked by the first line with the beautiful writing.  The story itself quickly reeled me in with the conflicts of its two, endearing, main characters.  Carrie makes history come alive with her words and brings her southern setting to life so that I felt I was right there on a gorgeous Virginia plantation in the midst of the Civil War.

It is 1862 and thespian Matthew Scott is abducted from Ohio and the theater troupe he manages.  He is conscripted against his will into serving with the Confederate army because of his father’s political leanings.  He is not a soldier and feels lost and out of place as he follows the troops to Shirley Plantation in Virginia.  There he meets the lovely Angelina Rose and begins to feel some hope and the stirrings of love. 

With her fair skin, Matt does not know Angie is a freed slave of mixed race.  She was given an opportunity to leave the south and start a new life for herself, but she did not take it because she has been working as a seamstress to earn the freedom of her deceased sister’s illegitimate twins.  Matt knows nothing of this.  He only knows that he is falling in love with a mysterious woman, and there is something very suspicious about his father’s claims of having no family.

A lot of story is packed into this beautiful, redemptive novella.  It was a pure joy to read and reminded me of why I love reading historical romance novels!

Lisa Norato, author of Prize of My Heart and Where Eagles Fly.

Lisa Norato

Fabulous Debut Novella!

Five stars *****

This review is from: Murray Pura's Cry of Freedom - Volume 1 - Return To Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance by Carrie Fancett Pagels

What can I say that all the other reviewers haven't already (on Amazon reviews) stated? This short novella was a pure joy to read. Without going into the details of the story, which so many have done here (on Amazon), let me just say that I found myself completely enamored with the story, the characters, the secrets and mystery, the endearing love and the history!

The author's exquisite attention to historical detail will make this a delight for all historical fiction readers. The romance will draw in those of us who are die-hard romantics, and the suspense will keep the rest of you itching to turn the page.

All in all, a well written, fascinating look into life on the Shirley Plantation in Virginia during one of the worst times our country has experienced. Despite the horrors of war, you'll come away feeling satisfied and hopeful and longing for more.

Reviewed By MaryLuTyndall, Best-selling author of Veil of Pearls

MaryLu Tyndall

 You can also read Teresa Mathews' (click here) and Diana L. Flowers' (click here) reviews on Overcoming with God.

CQ Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win a Kindle copy of the book plus a pack of note cards from Shirley Plantation and assorted post cards from Shirley.

MaryLu Tyndall Veil of Pearls Launch Soiree - A Charleston "Event"

1812 Charleston

A Charleston "event" with the cream of society.

Welcome to the Shaftesbury soiree!  There shall be dinner and dancing and plenty of refreshments as well as good conversation with the Charleston elite.  Of course the event is by invitation only and only the best of Charleston have been invited. For instance, I hear the handsome Rutledge brothers are coming all the way from their plantation. I do hear that the younger son, Morgan, is bringing a surprise guest tonight, a lady who has only recently arrived in Charleston. Oh, I do hope her family is well placed and she has good connections. I would hate to have a mere commoner among us. But then again, Morgan has impeccable taste so I'm quite sure the lady measures up. Even so, I have heard rumors there will be those who do not belong to our society trying to sneak into the party. Interlopers!  So, let's do be on the lookout.

So, do come in and join the festivities!  Have some strawberry cake and basil lemonade!

        

Hot ham biscuits!

One must have shrimp when in Charleston!

And wear your favorite gown!!

Regency gown c. 1810 that you will see Gwyneth Fairchild in! Inspired by the styles of the Orient

This is the gown Lilyan Cameron wore for her wedding to the dashing Captain Nicholas Xanthakos.  It and the mantilla were loaned to her by the other camp followers of General Francis Marion's partisans. I'm wearing it in honor of the lovely Lilyan, a true patriot and courageous backcountry South Carolina woman. (SFC)

The gown above belongs to Mariah Wenham of Summerville, South Carolina.  It is a tad old fashioned but quite cool for today's stifling weather. (CFP) The pearls are lovely and subtle.  And of course, they don't clash with Adelia's gorgeous black pearls!

Book giveaway:  Leave a comment and your email address for a chance to win either a paperback or an ebook copy of Veil of Pearls.  Pat Iaccuzzi has a lovely doll with a tiny black "pearl" necklace as a giveaway!

Lisa Norato Book launch party - Out to Sea with our Federalist Gals!

This is Lisa Norato's inspirational fiction debut! Congratulations, Lisa!  And she is joined by Federalist era friends Roseanna White and MaryLu Tyndall for this tea party aboard HMS Quiller!!!  Scoot into the bench at the captain's table and tell the cabin boy what you care to drink - only tame stuff for the ladies, please!

What a lovely doll Patricia Iacuzzi has brought to the party to offer as a giveaway to one of our guests!  Dressed in federalist era clothing, she is a pretty lass.

MaryLu will be giving away a copy of one of her books!


Roseanna is  happy to give away a copy of  Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland!

Lisa will be giving away a copy of Prize of My Heart. Watch for our upcoming review of this lovely book, here on Colonial Quills!

Dolls by Pat Iacuzzi, Federalist Lass

Dolly recommends that you read Lisa Norato's interview from last Monday.

Have you ever sailed on the open sea?  


Do share!!!