Five years after the final shot was fired in the War Between the States, Selah Daughtry can barely manage to keep herself, her two younger sisters, and their spinster cousin fed and clothed. With their family’s Mississippi plantation swamped by debt and the Big House falling down around them, the only option seems to be giving up their ancestral land.Pinkerton agent and former Union cavalryman … cavalryman Levi Riggins is investigating a series of robberies and sabotage linked to the impoverished Daughtry plantation. Posing as a hotel management agent for the railroad, he tells Selah he’ll help her save her home, but only if it is converted into a hotel. With Selah otherwise engaged with renovations, Levi moves onto the property to “supervise” while he actually attends to his real assignment right under her nose.
Selah isn’t sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee, but she’d do almost anything to save her home. What she never expected to encounter was his assault on her heart.
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Pinkerton agent Levi Riggins stole my heart, beginning with his valiant rescue of Selah Daughtry after a train wreck in the opening scenes of A Rebel Heart. Selah couldn’t help but lose her heart too, although she has more than one reason to be wary of the former Yankee officer. Beth White’s careful historical research shines throughout this novel, as do her wonderful characters. Highly recommended.
Can you believe this is the first Beth White book I’ve read? I’ve heard great things about her books and I love historical romance but didn’t get around to reading any of her books until now. And I’m so glad I picked up this first installment in Daughtry House series. All the buzz in the Christian fiction blog world is correct -Beth White is a wonderful writer. A Rebel Heart is a lyrically written historical romance set in the years after the Civil War as the country, particularly the South, attempts to rebuild. The plot is well-constructed with a subtle undercurrent of intrigue; the characters are lovable and delightful even with their secrets, flaws and mistakes; the thread of hope and faith is real and tangible; and the issue of racism that the author tackles is as alive today as it was in the days after the end of the war. Anyone who enjoys historical romance, especially set in the South, will love this book.
Levi is a delectable hero in the story who has seen and suffered much during the war. As an undercover Pinkerton agent and a former Union officer, he has secrets and information to unearth, yet cannot help himself from showing his clever, intelligent, resourceful, charming, tender-hearted, and loving self to Selah in hopes of helping her and her family. Selah is the eldest daughter of a plantation owner and Colonel in the Confederate army who is presumed dead. She is on the verge of bankruptcy when plans to turn her historic home into an elegant hotel start to become a reality. She is stubborn, wary, and tends to hold grudges but loves her family and has a soft heart. As Selah and Levi become partners in reviving a decrepit mansion back to its former glory, their friendship blooms and romance beckons. I can’t wait for book 2 in this series where Selah’s younger sister Joelle will get her own story!
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to write a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own and subjective.
Selah Daughtry is determined to save her family home, though debt makes it difficult to live from day to day. When Levi Riggins unexpectedly enters her life, she must make the necessary sacrifices for her sisters’ futures and risks her heart in the process.
This is set in a touchy time in American history. Tensions in the south were high, and prejudice against the war victors was rampant. Ms. White strikes the perfect balance in Selah’s character. Selah has her own scars from the war, and they shape how she approaches life, but she doesn’t let them rule her when she looks at things logically.
Levi Riggins is an excellent counterpoint to Selah. He is burdened with secrets his job demands of him, and when the consequences of his decisions come his way, he doesn’t shy away from them.
The plot moves at a good pace, keeping the reader engaged. It also sets up for further books in the series, and I am eager to read about the other Daughtry sisters.
For fans of post-Civil war era novels, this is a clean and excellent choice.
So, this story started out with a bang – the prologue is heart-wrenching and literally a train has derailed and chaos has occurred within the first chapter. Enter the dashing Pinkerton agent Levi Riggins to the rescure and Selah Daughtry, who is a Southern lady but no damsel in distress. I love how the story starts out, and I was ready to go…until I wasn’t. I feel that the story loses steam a bit, and it didn’t pick up for me until about 40 percent. Things with the plot just seemed to meander a bit, and I lost interest. However, once I got over that little hump, I began to enjoy much more. It could have just been my mood, so take that with a grain of salt.
Levi and Selah are both wonderful characters. The prologue sets up some rocky stuff for later on in the story, but not quite in the way that I expected. I really enjoyed the secondary characters as well, especially Horatia and Joelle. In my non-expert opinion, the author does a good job of exploring the tensions of that time, both racial and between northerners and southerners, without being heavy-handed or making assumptions. I enjoyed the aspect of a plantation becoming a hotel, and the genteel ladies realizing that they can carve a path in a post-war world that is dependent on nothing but their own hard work. I found the sisters desire to save their home more interesting than the mystery. The mystery was not much of a draw for me, as the reader knows who the culprit is from the beginning. However, there are one or two twists that give that aspect some depth.
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read, but I hope to read more for sure. Despite my bumps with the first part of the story, I ended up enjoying this enough to want to read the second book, which releases this summer. It’s about Joelle who was my favorite secondary character in this book, so I’m looking forward to her story.
With a setting in Mississippi in the Reconstruction era after the Civil War, A Rebel Heart by Beth White is brimming with historical details and authenticity. It’s obvious she has done much research about this time period, and I enjoyed learning more about it. The author did a great job showing the problems that abounded after the Civil War and the freeing of the slaves. There were many difficulties involved with trying to unite country again, and distrust was prevalent between the North and the South, the freed slaves and the prior owners.
The characters in this book were well-developed and engaging. I was drawn to Levi’s kind, compassionate heart and the way he tried to help Selah and her family. Selah was independent and protective of her family and her home. I admired the way she tried to keep things together for her sisters in nearly impossible circumstances. There’s a little bit of everything in this story—intrigue, action, romance, suspense, and a lot of faith, hope, redemption, and forgiveness. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is an absolutely incredible historical romance!
I loved this book. The characters have so much depth to them that they captivated me from the beginning. It begins with individuals on a train. A very simple setup and yet the descriptions of the surroundings, and the characters themselves, was fantastic.
The amount of detail in the post-civil-war era was great. I’ve seen movies and read books about this period before. But this story had my attention to the point that I was emotionally invested in the different groups to a deeper extent than I believe anything else has done prior to now.
The plot of the case that Levi is trying to solve has so many twists to it that I was caught up in trying to figure it out right along with him.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the deep faith in God that Selah displays. She is leaning on Him and striving to follow the teaching from the bible.
This was the first book that I’ve read by Beth White. I look forward to the next one in this series. In the meantime I will be looking for any other books that she has already written.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I’ve done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*
good historical time piece. well-written.
4.5 stars
“The mission. Orders. Blow up the bridge, keep the Yanks from crossing. They mustn’t cross into Mississippi.”
Unfortunately for some, the “Yanks” did cross into Mississippi and when a renegade band goes on a murdering rampage, Selah Daughtry’s life is indelibly scarred. Finding herself on a train to meet with an Oxford banker, desperate to save her beloved plantation home from bankruptcy, Selah becomes a victim once more; a bizarre train wreck endangering her life, after which a handsome Yankee gentleman comes to her rescue. “Look at my eyes, Selah. I promise I won’t let you fall.”
Pinkerton agent and former Yankee military officer Levi Riggins mounts a rescue operation when the train upon which he is a passenger suddenly plunges over the side of a bridge. The lovely young woman seated across the aisle manages to help others before she helps herself, eventually trusting Levi to lower her to safety. Providentially, Levi’s ongoing investigative assignment allows their paths to cross again, granting Levi the opportunity to broker an ingenious business arrangement that offers Selah’s family the kind of restoration that they so desperately need. But the pieces aren’t fitting together, and Levi begins to suspect that residents, both past and present, of Ithaca Plantation have been involved in criminal activity. His heart can only hope that it isn’t Selah.
“Could she ever do enough good to right the wrong? . . . . . The only answer . . . .was a verse that went something like, ‘He hath shown thee what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.'”
“A Rebel Heart” is an outstanding story; its roots entangled within the past, present, and future of a generation that fought bravely and forgave courageously.
A Rebel Heart is a fast pace4d, affectionate, brilliant, colorful and down right Faithfull story. Affectionate by Selah loving her family and taking over care of them and loving them and their land/ home. Brilliant in how Ms. White takes you back in time with great Historical accuracy.. Colorful by the way Ms. White is able to bring this world to life in your imagination. Faithful to each other and their Heavenly FATHER. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all of the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.
if you would like to read more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com – I look forward to seeing you there.
A Rebel Heart is a fabulous start to the Daughtry House series. Beth White did a wonderful job transporting me back in time to post Civil War era Mississippi. I loved Selah right at the beginning and I admired her strength and determination. She is a type of character I feel connected to and feels as though she is a close friend. I, also, enjoyed Levi and thought he was a perfect addition to the story.
I give A Rebel Heart five plus stars and I am eagerly waiting for the next installment from the Daughtry House series.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
It’s no secret that the Civil War is one of my favorite eras in history, from a fiction standpoint. One of my first book loves was ‘Gone with the Wind’. I love that deeper digging into personalities and world views and family life. That difference in the thought processes that people had, and still have. Not the black and white issues, the human issues. I think, in all the periods in our own history this more obvious and relevant during the Civil War. This book is set in Mississippi five years later. Surrender is over. Everyone is free, well as free as they can be in a depressed Southern economy and many that still don’t accept that everyone is free. Selah Daughtry is bound to save her family home, a sprawling historic plantation that is falling into ruin and failing to come to terms with the taxes and levies and fees being hurled at her. Levi Riggins is a northerner on a mission. Not to save the world or even help the south but to find the bad guy. Acting as an attorney to hide his role as a Pinkerton agent. Yup, stuff is bound to happen.
Stuff does happen. And a lot of things. The problem I had with all these stuffs and things was that they came to easily. I didn’t get enough information to truly buy into the saving of the plantation. I mean it sounds like a great idea and it benefited everyone involved but. . . It was too easy and too simplified and not really shared with the reader in a way that gave it believability and depth. The mystery was too easy. The romance was too easy. Bells even when Levi’s truth came out it was too easy. I struggle with believing too easy. I feel like easy is a distraction from what could have been a stronger story.
Despite the easy of this story I still got amazing characters with intrinsic strength that I could believe in. The research and the history molded the story into something that was easy (almost too) to brush through the pages. I invested in this family, this community, and their lives. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series to dive into the story of the next sister. Their lives, their passions for truth and knowledge and people, and their grace. It was entirely too easy to engage with this book.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
A Rebel Heart by Beth White is the first book in The Daughtry House series. Five years after the Civil War, Selah Daughtry is struggling to provide for her two younger sisters and a spinster cousin. With their Mississippi plantation falling down around them, the offer to help turn her home into a hotel by the hotel management agent for the railroad seems like a good idea. Levi Riggins says it’s the only way to save her family home. But, can she trust a Yankee? This story addressed a very sensitive time in our nation’s history. I liked how the Daughtry girls came up with a way to help the less fortunate. Selah was a very brave, and forgiving lady who didn’t let society over-rule her personal convictions.
As a member of Interviews & Reviews (along with other groups), I never hesitate to look for a book that I wouldn’t ordinarily have bought. This is a good way to sample genres or authors I wouldn’t know about and can see if I would be interested in their other work(s).
And, as of last year, I’ve been reading a LOT more Historical Fiction.
So, when I couldn’t find anything else on Interviews & Reviews (and apologies in advance, Ms. Davis) that caught my eye or that I didn’t already have – I went for a challenge. Yup, another Historical Romance – “A Reckless Love”. It had a blurb that immediately caught my eye.
But, seeing that it was book three of this series, I threw caution to the wind and decided to get the previous books. This one, A Rebel Heart, being one of them; and the first one.
I read the blurbs for this one as well as book #2 (A Reluctant Belle) and snagged these on Amazon. And, with the beautiful covers – who could blame me for giving them a try?
The Daughtry House Series isn’t just a Historical Romance series about a trio of sisters – they also have an element of suspense to them. At least this one does, #2 is shaping up to be suspenseful, and it appears that at least #3 will too.
The books are in the order of the daughters – Selah, Joelle, Aurora. A Rebel Heart is the oldest daughter, Selah’s story.
Some trigger warnings might include: rape, murder, racism, slavery
Right off this one starts with a bang – or rather a start in the prologue! In the middle of the Civil War there is a terror right at Selah’s home with the girls’ mom being raped and murdered. There are no gory details. And, while some find it questionable – this was a part of the Civil War; both sides sadly engaged in this brutal practice.
Fast forward to 1870 and the Reconstruction Era, which as the writer points out is an “economically and socially crushed culture”; good look finding a “happily ever after” (HEA) ending or even a “feel good” story.
Quite literally this book begins as a train wreck. Yes, there is an actual train wreck that begins the sequence of events. In addition there are train robberies that are being investigated. No one is safe from being considered a suspect: Selah, her sisters, the doctor, Wyatt (a 14 year old orphan), and there are others.
Right away, I could tell there was more to Levi’s story and it turns out he has a connection to Selah as well as the Daughtry sisters’ former plantation – Ithaca.
But, in addition to solving his case or rather working on his mission, Levi also has a genuine affection for Selah.
There was one glaring typo on page 44, in chapter three with a sentence that was repeated, verbatim, back to back:
“He’d sent for the surgeon, waited more than two hours for him to come and see to the injured lady and her two slaves – time he couldn’t really afford, with other orders to execute. He’d sent for the surgeon, waited more than two hours for him to come and see to the injured lady and her two slaves – time he couldn’t really afford, with other orders to execute.”
That was the only typographical error I saw in the novel though.
The stunning cover is a central theme – unlike some “series” books, the cover remains largely the same – the Daughtry House with the story’s featured sister.
Even as I read it, I knew that Levi was one of the good guys; BUT … there was something about him that made me question his true motives. I don’t know if the writer intended that or not, it was a good plot device though. There were characters I questioned and those I had a feeling I could trust. I truly loved Levi, Selah, and Joelle. Wyatt was a great character, then … I’ll leave it right there. He was smart, funny, and definitely resourceful though. And, I have to admit, I was rooting for him.
There was less romance in the book with most of the plot featuring the suspense element along with what was going on with the sisters’ father, the train accident, and the train robberies. It is revealed that the Daughtry sisters’ father is considered a war criminal and may not be dead after all. The reader will be in for a surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed the idea of retaining the “plantation” but utilizing it for a practical purpose (hotel) – which is also a source of discontent between the characters. Also, the idea of changing the name from Ithaca (a plantation with negative vibes) to The Daughtry House (more for the sisters) was beautiful. It was a perfect example of restoration, restitution, reparations – the beauty from ashes. Readers might have mixed feelings about former slaves returning to work for full wages at the former plantation though. However, it is done with respect and reverence rather than the feel good, do good motion.
White weaved together a multi-race, multi-dimensional story with perfection, grace, and grandeur. This is a beautiful and engaging beginning to a trilogy, thoroughly entertaining with a natural flow that makes it a pretty fast-paced read.
The mystery of the sisters’ father is solved at the end, as well as Levi’s investigation. I did find something lacking there. There was not, to me, a clear suspect in the train accident. In addition, it was hard to sort out who the train robber actually was and the motive(s) behind it.
Bridging the Union and Confederacy is always a tough subject; White tackled it with grace, dignity, and respect. Both sides’ post-war feelings were respected and respectfully (for the period) voiced.
Surprisingly this was VERY difficult to put down and I really kept wanting to read it. That is rare for me and this genre – so that says quite a lot about how well written and presented this book is.
There is a funny story to the “can’t seem to put it down” part with this book. I was planning to read more of this novel the early morning of May 13th (around 2am) so I tossed it to the side on my bed (and I have a king size bed). I ended up falling asleep and slept most of the night on the book. Surprisingly, it came through the night with no damage at all.
Does that count as being very hard to set aside, or “must read”? I wonder how many readers have actually slept with a book. And, that is a first for me.
Needless to say, I was quite fond of this novel. There are very few historical fiction novels I get excited about and this is definitely one of them, then again I haven’t read many books in the genre.
As this is distributed by Revell, a Christian/faith themed publisher, there are references to God and faith. While not a central part of the plot or focus of the story, there are some references. It is a clean read with no sex scenes or foul language.
There are themes of grudges, forgiveness, racism, and reconciliation.
Some words of “caution” for potential readers – PLEASE note that this does take place about five (5) AFTER the Civil War in 1870. There will be some references to slavery, prejudice, racism, as well as other language and terms that are authentic to the era. While some of it can be offensive, using it in this story; set in that time; gives the story historical accuracy while being respectful and sensitive of the complex social issue on race relations.
One cannot write or author an authentic Civil War or Re-Constructionist Era novel without being authentic to the vernacular or attitudes.
I believe that Beth White has done a superb job with A Rebel Heart in adhering to historical accuracy, while maintaining a respectful/sensitive tone towards slavery, the injustices as a result, and the feelings of those involved.
You pretty much get what is promised in the synopsis here. However, you actually get quite a bit more. In fact, I was surprised by the large cast of characters and complexity of the multi-pronged main plot. Sub-characters were introduced/included in such a way I can easily see why stand-alone sequels have already been written. There is a second big secret hanging like a dead weight around the hero’s neck and heart, as well. Of course, we know what it is upfront so sit back, watch, and wait…knowing the explosive chain reaction it will ultimately trigger.
The at first glance, simmering, slow burn attraction between Levi and Selah, the main couple, felt like a romantic backdrop most of the time. The center stage was usually dominated by Levi’s mission and all the happenings taking place at The Daughtry House. It was a lot to juggle, my post Civil War romance book loving friends. From the unusual circumstances the main couple met to the wrap-up conclusion, these folks stayed busy.
With only a kiss or two late in the book, this is not a graphically steamy read. Except for a brief, off screen sexual assault of a relative, this book is a clean romance. Complete with characters who on occasion share their Christian beliefs/scripture among themselves.
Title: A Rebel Heart, Series: Daughtry House (Book 1), Author: Beth White, Pages: 368, stand-alone but part of a series, post Civil War era, slow paced, implied off camera rape of a relative, romance safe, clean romance, Christian content.
Book 1 – A Rebel Heart
Book 2 – Reluctant Belle
Book 3 – A Reckless Love
(These comments are based on a library edition. This is not a detailed ARC review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review.)
Beth White has masterfully woven together a wonderful historical romance! Set in the Post civil war era, Selah Daughtry and Levi Riggins capture your heart from the first page and don’t let go until the last! Full of suspense and romance this book is sure to become a favorite! Highly recommend!
Set in post Civil War Mississippi, A Rebel Heart will capture your attention from the prologue! Selah Daughtry is a wonderful protagonist who faces many trials! Levi Riggins, an undercover Pinkerton agent, will capture your sympathy and your respect! You will enjoy this intriguing story as Selah endeavors to save her plantation home as it is falling down around her and her sisters. Selah faces opposition as not everyone agrees with her ideas about former slaves. I recommend A Rebel Heart to anyone who enjoys historical fiction! I received a complimentary advance copy of A Rebel Heart from the author, Beth White, and Revell Books. This is my honest opinion.
We begin this book with a bang, or a train wreck and you wonder how this is all tied together, and what a journey you are about to begin as you page turn, and beware it is hard to put down.
The time period here is 1870’s and the South, and particularly plantations that were run on the back of slaves, are really in disrepair and literally falling down, or at least the buildings are.
Loved the way the author’s mind works here and how one in particular plantation home has the opportunity to be saved, but getting there has a lot of pitfalls and scary moments, and multiple surprises.
Come and journey back in time to a rebirth, and changing times, along with a bit of romance, and when it ends it will linger with you.
Also, there is a tease as book two will be coming!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.