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 … 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.
More in the 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)
The Golden Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1849 San Francisco (April 2019)
The Express Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1860 Utah (July 2019)
more
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.
As a resident of Tennessee, I can attest there is no shortage of Civil War battle sites, including those highlighted in The Rebel Bride.
I appreciate that Shannon McNear’s novel focuses on a middle class, southern family that doesn’t own slaves who represent the “common” people whose lives and personal rights were shoved aside in the name of the war. I also admired that the characters in this book as hard questions about what they are truly fighting for and recognize the answers aren’t black and white (or Blue and Gray).
Throughout The Rebel Bride, McNear puts readers in the center of the conflict—from those forced to give up their homes and use their own resources for wounded soldiers on both sides to the actual battles—while challenging us to view the Civil War from the perspective of those lives forever changed and the devastation of the sheer number of lives lost.
Kudos to McNear for taking on an era she admits to never wanting to write and doing so with impartiality, understanding, and grace.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
These Daughters of the Mayflower Books just get better and better. I’ve always been fascinated with wartime stories and love how much I learn from them.
Pearl is easy to sympathize with and I connected with her heart. It is also easy to connect with Josh and I really liked him. I loved the Tennessee setting, the slow-growing romance, and the characters’ growth throughout the story. And most of all, I enjoyed the spiritual elements.
It is evident the author did a lot of research for this installment in the series. The issues felt believable and transported me to the past and I was not only entertained, but also gained historical knowledge. The Rebel Bride is one of my favorites of the series!
Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour and was under no obligation to post a review.
4.5
The Rebel Bride is the latest in The Daughters of the Mayflower series and I found it to be amazing. The MacFarlane family is grieving the loss of the three oldest brothers in the Civil War battles going on all around where they live in Tennessee.
Then suddenly their home becomes a hospital for the severely injured war prisoners from the north, the enemy. Pearl is the main person delegated to care for the prisoners, trying to keep them alive, not all successfully. There is great detail on the caring of the amputated limbs, and wounds as well as the washing, cleaning and preparation of meals that I found fascinating. When I finished reading The Rebel Bride I felt like I’d been in the southern home and shared with Pearl all her hard work. She was an amazing woman, strong, smart and talented in many ways always giving others hope they needed to survive.
There is a love interest in Josh, the injured soldier from the north, who is an intriguing man. I loved watching the relationship between Pearl and Josh develop through the extreme difficulties they had to endure. Learning to trust the “enemy” was a challenge.
Since this book is entirely during the Civil War, I highly recommend it to anyone especially interested in that era. It is well worth reading.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Wow! This book grabbed my attention right from the beginning when you could almost smell the gun powder and hear the screams of those injured in the Battle of Chickamauga. With so many wounded, they were taken to homes in the area for care, once the surgeon had done what he could. Joshua Wheeler, who lost part of his arm in the battle, was taken to the MacFarlane home where Miss Pearl was expected to care for him and those who arrived with him. Just imagine the feelings of disgust on the part of this southern belle drafted to care for Yankees!
‘If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head’. Questioning everything this war stood for, the faith of these well-developed characters shines through. Do we blindly follow just because of geography? Can there be redemption and forgiveness?
The Daughter of the Mayflower series gets better with each offering. As one who does most of her reading on the Kindle app, I have collected physical copies of all of these books, planning to read them again and bless others with the chance to read them as well!
I received a copy of this wonderful book through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. The comments, impressions and 5 star rating are my own and were in no way solicited.
The story is very captivating and realistic as the author captures the time period perfectly. I learned many new details about the Civil War and how difficult it was for so many civilians as well as soldiers. I couldn’t imagine having to open my home to soldiers who were injured and having to care for them.
Pearl is a wonderful character with deep faith and a big heart. I love how she disagreed with owning slaves and had a heart to help those in need. The war causes physical and emotional damage that sometimes can’t be repaired quickly. What a nice change of pace to see Pearl have feelings for someone who was suppose to be her enemy in the war.
Josh is a Yankee soldier who comes to Pearl with injuries that will take time to heal. I felt so bad for Josh who now faces a future with part of a limb missing. Can you imagine waking up realizing that you are missing a part of your body? Pearl seems to know just what he needs to help him heal physically. Will she be able to hide her felling for Josh as they start to spend time together?
The faith element in the story is wonderful and the author has a very wise character that guides Pearl through scriptures to show what God says about helping those in need. It is a great story as we watch faith grow among characters, challenges they face, and historical facts that boost the story with details that place us right there in the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
I loved this novel! Each book in this exciting multi-author series is better than the one before! The setting of The Rebel Bride is mid-Civil War. The historical content includes things I’ve not heard before. The characters are well-defined and engaging, especially those struggling to deal with circumstances through their eyes of faith rather than their very human feelings.
Pearl is her parents’ only daughter. Her mother passed away. Her three older brothers served the Confederacy and were killed in battle. Her family strongly disapproves of owning other human beings but agreed with other issues at hand. Her younger brother, Clem, is still at home and helps out when he chooses. Pa had a spell that took some mobility on one side, and his mind is fading. Pa does remember scripture well. His mind is the clearest when they discuss how to handle what they are facing. He reads often from the Psalms, finding comfort and direction in them.
Their food stores are dwindling, many vegetables and all their animals were taken by the troops. When Pearl’s cousin Travis brings two injured Union soldiers who are prisoners of the Confederacy, she is tried in ways she never imagined. Travis said everyone in the area is taking in wounded, whether it be from their side or the Union; Yankees will be relocated to prisons when they are doing better and travel can be arranged. Travis sends Portius, a black freedman who is loyal to Travis, to help her learn how to nurse the men according to their needs.
Josh, a sergeant from an Ohio unit, is one of two men delivered to her. His left hand and forearm were lost in battle, and his pain is nearly unbearable. Much of the time he is unconscious. The man brought with him, Bernt, was born in Norway and happy to serve his new country. He is also severely injured. Both men are at risk of life-threatening infection.
Pearl thought that nursing enemy soldiers was beyond what she could do, especially when Travis brings more. Her father considers the men to be guests. He repeatedly quotes scripture to her, including how when an enemy is hungry, feed him. He also reminds her that each man in somebody’s son, perhaps a brother or husband. Pearl learns to make one meal at a time and trust the Lord for provisions as she would if her brothers were still there. Learning to pray for them and nurse them is difficult, until beginning to see that there are men of faith among the Union men, also.
Travis proposes to Pearl again. He has wanted to marry her for years. She sees him more like a brother and doesn’t want to marry him. When Josh and she talk about their differences as a northerner and a southerner, something begins to happen between them. They find themselves listening, really listening, and are also attracted to each other. Both wrestle with their feelings, especially when less-friendly prisoners try to harm them, and Josh tries to keep a protective eye on her.
This novel is a very compelling read! We see Pearl’s faith grow through challenges, the faith of men on both sides of the battle line, scripture, deprivation, historical facts, and the traitorous hearts of a man and woman on opposite sides growing towards each other. I highly recommend this to those who appreciate excellent Christian historical fiction during the Civil War, making excellent use of scripture and faith.
From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
“President Lincoln himself said, ‘That a house divided against itself cannot stand.’”
I appreciate that Shannon McNear setting for The Rebel Bride was more middle class than at a Southern plantation. This book has everything that makes a historical Christian fiction a pleasure to read. The research of history during this Era including detail of battles, suffering of troops, action, characters to please, a slow romance, surprises and plenty of prayers and Scriptural references. Pearl MacFarlane didn’t anticipate her family farm to be overrun by Rebel and Yankee soldiers who are recovering from severe wounds with her being responsible for their care. She was determined to survive despite all the hardships they were facing along with seeing the demise of some. Pearl’s faith, courage, flexibility and strong will kept her going with moments of deep pain calling out from her soul. Joshua Wheeler survived because of her tender nursing care. He was a great asset to Pearl and fellow soldiers in their care as time went on. How could Pearl and Josh have a future together when their beliefs were different? But yet, everyone is created equally in God’s eyes and He does work in mysterious ways.
The Rebel Bride is a remarkable penned book by McNear. I felt like I was right in the midst of all that transpired throughout the book. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. I have expressed my own sincere thoughts.
We cannot imagine what it was like to live through the Civil War! Pearl MacFarlane is a courageous Christian woman whose family does not believe in owning another human being although they are for the Confederacy! I admired Pearl for the loving care she gave to wounded soldiers when the MacFarlane home is turned into a hospital for Union prisoners. God had to give her strength for all she did and how she fed everyone with meager supplies while also attending to her father whose mind is failing. My heart went out to Union soldier, Joshua Wheeler, an amputee who is recovering from his injuries. How could he trust these Confederates! The Rebel Bride will give you a new look at the War Between the States. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
Shannon McNear has once again pierced through history, bringing the Civil War to life with accuracy and authenticity. The story of Pearl and Josh will haunt you like a melody carrying through time. You’ll find yourself cheering not for one side or the other in the conflict that tore our country apart, but for a Rebel girl and a wounded Yankee soldier to find not only common ground but a foundation for love.
4.5 stars. I received an ARC of The Rebel Bride but was in no way obligated to post a positive review.
–Denise Weimer, historical romance editor and author of The Georgia Gold Series, The Restoration Trilogy, Fall Flip, and The Witness Tree
This is a “MUST READ” book!! It is very well written and grabs you on the first page. This book is full of emotions and the author did an excellent job at describing the pain and heartbreak of war. The way this book is written you feel like you are there, it plays like a movie in your mind as you are reading. This book deserves more than 5 stars.
Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this awesome book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Rebel Bride
Daughters of the Mayflower Series #10
Shannon McNear
https://m.facebook.com/ShannonMcNearAuthor/
Release date 12/01/2019
Publisher Barbour Books
Blurb :
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 review :
When a Southern miss finds herself taking care of North wounded soldiers, can love get a chance when war is all around …
This book is number 10 in a multi-authors series, but no need to have read any of the previous stories to understand this one, it is a perfect standalone.
I do not often read Christian stories, I am not a very good believer, and even if I regret it, I am probably biased, afraid of them to be too very prone to biblical quotes and lessons. Sure, there are but it was not cheesy like I assumed it would be. In fact I was quickly caught up in the story, the storyline was not burdened by anything too ostensibly sectarian, this even enlightened the main characters’ thoughts.
In fact it is truly a historical romance as I love them, with a third voice added to the classical two ways point of view, the one given to God by his people.
I have read very few stories with the Civil War as background, why I had to google a bit about the specific events which bring the main couple together.
Both Pearl and Joshua are flawed characters, when they meet, each one sees the other for what they are, the enemy. I loved how Mrs Shannon McNear voiced their struggles, their angst but also the moment they perceive the other as someone else as a foe.
Pearl is a kind and charitable soul but asking her to take care of Yankees when she has lost three brothers under their riffles, is asking a lot. Why she kept everyone at arm’s length, until she slowly sees them for whom they are also, brothers, sons and husbands.
Joshua reawakened crippled and a prisoner in a Rebels’ home. When the miss of the house seems rather plain at first, her devotion and her determination to see him staying among the living stirs firstly respect from him then a more profound emotion.
This tale was full of twists and turns all the while Pearl and Josh explore at length their feelings, as they are caught in between two fires, and whatever might be the outcome of this battle they are still one another’s enemy on paper.
5 stars for this amazing story, I so enjoyed learning about the historical details, the way of life during these harsh times and the conflicted romance Pearl and Josh has to navigate through.
I will definitely read the books to come in this series.
And do not miss the dedication and historical notes left by the author, they are full of informations.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Barbour Books through Netgalley.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
“Sometimes all we can do sometimes is just keep choosing whatever seems the right thing to do, right in front of us, and trust He’ll bring good of it.”
Walk back through history with the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Book 10 takes us back to the Civil War era to Tennessee and the Battle of Chickamauga, one of the deadliest battles of the war. This story reinforces the fact all southerners did not believe in slavery and all northerners were not hard core abolitionists. People often do not fit the stereotypes placed upon them by society.
The war forces Pearl McFarlane, a young Southern woman struggling to hold what remains of her family together, to care for Yankee soldiers from the very army that has taken three of her older brothers. Pearl’s Christian spirit is sorely tested as she is called upon to nurse and provide for the wounded soldiers. As she works to heal Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of the First Ohio and prisoner of the Army of Tennessee, she begins to look at the man behind the uniform. As Josh heals and makes himself helpful with the other men, Pearl comes to appreciate the man behind the uniform.
A very good story detailing the everyday struggles of life for many people living near the battlefield during the Civil War! The characters have spiritual and moral depth and add to the genuine sense of faith, forgiveness, and trust in the book. Rich in historical detail, this story shows a more unusual side of the war than what one generally reads in Civil War fiction. Read this captivating story of Pearl and Joshua to see if they can find a way past being just a northerner and a southerner at odds with one another.
This ARC copy was received from Barbour Books and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.
#TheRebelBride #NetGalley
The Rebel Bride (Daughter of the Mayflower, #10) by Shannon McNear is an enjoyable, enlightening read. Pearl McFarlane, lives in Tennessee and is called upon by the Confederacy to house Union soldiers that are prisoners of war and are wounded. Pearl is already taking care of her ailing father and younger brother so this request definitely puts a hardship on the McFarlanes. One of the Union soldiers, Josh Wheeler, has lost his hand in battle. Pearl finds herself attracted to him. But there are many hardships that the Union, the Confederacy, and the McFarlanes must endure. Necessities like food and able-bodied help are scarce. Everyone must do the best they can to help out. This historical work of fiction also has Christian undertones. I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction.
Shannon McNear’s The Rebel Bride riveted me from the first page. The vividly drawn setting and complex, authentic characters on opposite sides of the Civil War drew me right into the story and gripped me until its end. Even major secondary characters came alive and held my interest and sympathy as they dealt with their unexpected situation in individual ways according to their differing personalities.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Chickamauga, the Confederate MacFarlanes find themselves forced to house, feed, and nurse wounded enemy soldiers regardless of the loss of three sons in battle against Union forces. The wounded soldiers face an equal dilemma as they have no choice but to depend for their survival on their reluctant hosts’ kindness and care. Each side believes that their cause is right and that their opponents are not only in the wrong, but evil. But Pearl MacFarlane and one of the Union soldiers, Joshua Wheeler, find themselves rethinking their prejudices as they begin to understand the other’s beliefs and reasons for their actions.
I love The Rebel Bride’s emphasis on obeying Jesus’ teaching to do good to your enemy no matter what the circumstances. And I love how McNear developed the growing attraction between Pearl and Josh, drawn together by mutual need and a shared faith. Their relationship is at first tentative, then tender, and finally one of heartfelt love and devotion. Throughout the story McNear illustrates powerfully how deeply complicated the issues were that led to a war that tore apart not only our country but also many families and resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths. And she answers the far-reaching question of whose side God is on in the conflicts of this fallen world in a profound way that readers will ponder long after finishing The Rebel Bride.
This book review is my own, honest opinion and not required, freely given. I received an ARC through Netgalley.
I have not read any books by Shannon McNear before but I did mostly enjoy this book. This is a Christian novel, but not preachy in any way. A very moral, clean book. The characters were quite well developed though not deeply. The background and history were very well portrayed in this book. Both the North and South were fairly portrayed in this book. The reasons that the war was fought were well portrayed also. You could tell the author invested a lot of time and effort in showing true, historical events.
Now, for what I did not care for. At times, the story dragged and was slow. The sentences were not always written in the clearest manner. The sentence layout at times was quite confusing. Also, I hope that this book will get a final review for editing as there were enough errors to warrant another review. Poor editing makes reading a book less enjoyable and this is how I felt reading this book. I give this book 3 out of 5 stars because of these issues. I would maybe recommend this book depending on the person. If you enjoy historical fiction it is a good read even with my complaints against the book.
Pearl lives in Tennessee during the Civil War. She has just buried her brother, who was killed during a recent battle, and her father is not well and the Confederate army is requiring her to house and nurse injured Federal soldiers. At first she fights against such an atrocity, but her father reminds her to “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares”; and “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” So that becomes her mantra. She slowly becomes aware of the fact that these are men that were fighting for a cause, just like her three older brothers, who were all killed in the War. She especially develops an attachment for a young red haired Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of the First Ohio, Army of the Cumberland. and he for her. Pearl learns her worth and her strengths and what it means to truly extend hospitality to her fellow man. Once she has nursed the soldiers back to health, she helps them escape and return to the Federal camp, along with her younger brother, Clem. When Josh and Clem realize Pearl is in danger, they borrow a horse and hightail it back just in time to find Pearl running a group of Cavalrymen out of her house at gunpoint after they threatened to burn the house. This is a beautiful, well-written story of how love can bloom anywhere. I also enjoyed the “Historical Note” at the end, which was very informative. I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher through Netgalley for my reading enjoyment.
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.
This is a very good book. It was quite an eye opener about the hardships of the people after a battle was fought. Not only were the battles fought right on their properties. But they were expected to take in wounded enemy soldiers and tend them after the battle. This is what happened to the MacFarlane family. Pearl has lost three brothers to the war. Now she is expected to care for those responsible for their death. Against her will she is drawn to one of the Union soldiers. This is their story about how they overcome their differences.
I recommend this book. I was given this book Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
On the surface, The Rebel Bride seems like a typical Confederate-Union romance of opposites. But McNear provides so much more.
McNear paints a thought-provoking picture of two conflicting sides believing they are both sanctioned by God. By underscoring the issues through the characters rather than a soapbox, McNear leaves the reader examining their own opinions of the Civil War. Was one side completely in the right? Or were they both guilty?
Anyone with a love of history can’t go wrong with The Rebel Bride, especially if you love to read stories set in the Civil War.