You all know I have a heart for Civil War history and this historical novel did not disappoint. Look beyond its beautiful cover and you too will find a story that will grip your heart and stay with you after the last page.

The Civil War setting and the Pennsylvania homefront are painted with great skill and testify of the author’s research. I walked every valley with the characters and held my breath as they faced pivotal moments. It’s an up-and-down journey for the reader, not always for the faint of heart, but its unexpected twists and bittersweet scenes kept me turning the page.

Margaret’s love for her family and bravery despite the circumstances makes the reader pull for her to find happiness. Life isn’t easy for her, but she digs deep and her character clearly grows because of the obstacles. I loved the complex family dynamics and how they added great layers – and sometimes tension – to the story. And as for the Doyle brothers…. they held my complete attention every time they graced the page. πŸ™‚ You watch them mature and change throughout the story and both of them stole my heart.

The romance is subtle and at times the pace is slow, but it fits together to tell a tale of what life really was like during such a tumultous time. There are a few gritty moments, but the author crafted the historical details in such a way to truly place you in the era.

I did NOT want the story to end! The last few pages weren’t at all what I expected, but that’s not always a bad thing. πŸ™‚ I’m beyond eager to see what happens to these characters. I have a feeling a lot more is still to come from their stories. More to learn, more to love. It’s bound to be an incredible journey.

(I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was requiredβ€”all opinions are my own.)

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ABOUT THE BOOK:

The War Between the States shakes Margaret Bryant out of her comfortable upper-class life when her father enlists in the Army of the Potomac. Despite being safely ensconced above the Mason-Dixon Line in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Margaret finds her strength tested by opposition from familiar faces and Confederate threats. Will she let a young man from a lesser station into her heart even as war rages ever nearer to the home front?

Restless Connor Doyle sees the war as a way to escape from his family’s farm and his identity as a poor Irishman’s son. His brother, Adam, torn between duty to country and his family, enlists alongside Connor. Adam dares to hope in a future with Margaret when he begins a courtship correspondence from the war front. The two brothers make a vow to protect one another at all costs, but when faced with death and destruction from all sidesβ€”will they be able to uphold it?

The three bloodiest days in America’s history bring these three together at Gettysburg and tragedy’s cruelty threatens to tear two hearts apartβ€”and bring two unlikely allies together.

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Purchase Links
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Meghan M. Gorecki is an author of inspirational fiction, a blogger, book reviewer and voracious reader. Taking her life a day at a time as God leads, she is pursuing a career in the publishing industry as an editor in training and as a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. A hopeless romantic, history and Marvel nut, she’s also a redhead (thanks to a box), who knows way too much trivia about movie musicals and the Civil War.

You can find her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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