Cassie Kendrick takes her life into her own hands, escaping and arranged marriage and her abusive, alcoholic father, by dressing as a man, taking the name Thomas Turner and joining the Union Army. But her disguise becomes more difficult when she meets the handsome photographer, Gabe.



Photographer Gabriel Avery, is anxious to make his mark on the world by documenting the war, under the mentorship of Matthew Brady. Raised in the city, he is unprepared for life on the frontlines. He befriends many of the men, including the quiet, dry humored, Thomas.



Cassie and Gabe fight for their country, as well as personal battles of darkness and guilt, while navigating their growing attraction for each other.



Where Dandelions Bloom offers a unique perspective on the Civil War, through the eyes of Cassie and Gabe. I felt like this book dealt with Army life realistically, from the lack of cleanliness, to the long periods of down time.



Cassie is a courageous taking on the role of a lifetime, fighting for her country and eventually serving as a Pinkerton. She is clever and strong, earning the respect of many of her fellow soldiers.



Gabe is a strong young man who follows his dream of capturing images, he is haunted by guilt from his past, wondering if in hindsight he could have done more. Though a city boy, he can hold his own in a fight. He is a good friend, and admires Cassie's bravery and ingenuity.



Overall, an enjoyable read, with a different view of the Civil War. There were moments that were hard to read because of the subject matter, but also humor as well. I liked Jonas and his endearingly annoying talkative ways. Strong lead characters who must overcome challenges physical and emotional, brought together by the war.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a good book, and I was unaware until the Author’s note at the end that it was loosely based on a real person. Her name was Emma Edmonds and she had many of the same jobs as Cassie, the heroine in this story, did. The battle scenes seemed very true to life from other accounts of the Civil War I’ve read. The love story intertwined in the pages was sweet relief from the cruelty of war. I believe anyone interested in the sad history of our country known as the Civil War would enjoy this book.

I received this book from the publisher via netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

#WhereDadelionsBloom #NetGalley

Cassie is forced to join the civil war as Thomas Turner, to hide from her father, who wants her to marry a cruel man. Cassie/Thomas has grit and detetmination, she works and fights a long side the other soldiers. Gabriel Avery, is a photographer, who travels with the soldiers and captures the war throuh film. Gabriel is also the only one who knows Thomas Turner's secret.. A nve about self dscovery and forgiveness.

This is an amazing story of one woman's journey of courage, forgiveness and love. In Cassie, Ms. Johnson has given her readers a spunky heroine who disguises herself as a young soldier in the Union army as she runs away from an abusive home environment. While trying to maintain her secret identity, Cassie befriends Gabe, a photographer who follows the army as he chronicles the war through images. I love that Cassie and Gabe challenge the other to become a better person as they learn to shed the chains that bind them.

With hauntingly beautiful prose, Johnson paints a vivid picture of the misery and suffering that accompanies war, as the theme of hope triumph overs all. The spiritual theme of forgiveness is woven seamlessly through the story. I love it when an author can challenge me through a work of fiction to evaluate my life.

A couple of my favorite quotes:
"Wherever dandelions bloom, hope remains."

"Time is too precious to waste in bitterness. It will steal your joy. Time."

While this is my first book I have read by Tara Johnson, it will definitely not be my last. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

“We learn who we were to decide who we want to be.’”

Such a heart-gripping novel! This is the first novel by Tara Johnson that I have read and I am totally hooked on her writing! The author uses a well-loved trope of a woman disguising herself as a man to enter the army during the Civil War but puts a twist to the plot by making the hero of the story a wartime photographer and not a soldier. The story is well-written and easy-to-read, with a well-paced plot and beautifully broken characters.
Cassie is a woman with gumption and grit, yet lives in fear and hatred of her father which leads to her fleeing her home and enlisting in the Union army. Gabe is an immigrant, a self-made photographer, and a loyal, compassionate, ambitious man who believes in the Old World idealism of women being frail and needing protection. He’s given an opportunity to photograph the war while traveling with a Union regiment. When their worlds collide on the battlefields during the Civil War, they form a friendship but all is threatened when her true identity is revealed to Gabe and secrets infiltrate their tentative bond. Their friendship and blossoming love are so real and tender, as is their struggle for forgiveness - both extending and receiving that sacred of all gifts.

Truly this book will touch your heart, especially if you’re a fan of historical romance/fiction. The well-researched details and events that make up the backbone of the story are shown in realistic albeit gruesome light, and they will bring you right into the heart of the war that tore up our nation. Yet even in the midst of the atrocities of war, dandelions bloom and “where dandelions bloom, hope remains.”

I received a copy of the book from Tyndale House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

This a fictional story, but it is based on an actual person, and you will fall in love with Cassie/Thomas, what a tough lady she is.
We feel the shells that hit the land around us, and the soldiers that are hurt or killed, and we are in the heat of battles in a war that tore our country apart.
The author does a wonderful job with her words in making this seem so real! The title plays a big significance in this book, and I enjoyed how that played out, and you can really see it in your mind’s eye!

I received this book through the Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishers, and was not required to give a positive review.

A very enjoyable novel based on true events during the Civil War. When Cassie flees from an abusive, cruel father her only choice is to disguise herself as man and join the Union Army. Readers will get a birds-eye view of the war from the eyes of a young woman who was a sharpshooter, regimental mail carrier and Pinkerton spy during this time period. Gabe, as an up and coming photographer added much to the story with the historical facts about his career. Highly recommended!

Where Dandelions Bloom is one of the most meaningful books I have ever read. It was so interesting and while it may seem far fetched to have women posing as men, it was very much a reality in our history. The journeys that the main characters took were heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time. The history it incorporated with the Civil War is incredible and fascinating. The characters personalities came through in the book so well, that these characters seemed so life like. It is a haunting tale with such a powerful theme of forgiveness, it will stay with me long after closing the last page. I highly recommend this book! History lovers will be captivated from the first page, through the last.

This book was excellent! Tara Johnson did such a great job writing a vivid and beautiful story! She captured the darkness of the Civil War, but did it with grace. I absolutely loved Cassie and Gabe! I also loved Jonah too! These characters have stuck with me since I finished reading. I really enjoyed the message of forgiveness throughout the whole book. It spoke to my heart. I highly recommend this book!


I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.

Readers who enjoy historical fiction filled with inspiration, faith, and rich details will enjoy Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson. The author takes readers right to the battles of the Civil War as she tells the story of Cassie Kendrick, who enlists as male soldier Thomas Turner in the Union army to escape an abusive father. Gabe Avery, who is serving as photographer in the war, becomes a friend of Thomas and the other soldiers. Fans of Civil War historical fiction will not want to miss this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Cassie Kendrick decides to join the army to escape her abusive father and an arranged marriage. She is part of a secret mission, and she meets Gabe Avery, a young man trying to make a name for himself as a war photographer. Will she be able to keep her identity a secret, and can he escape his past, which continues to haunt him?

This is a wonderful example of historical fiction. It's well researched, and Johnson makes the reader feel a part of the action. Themes of faith, hope, courage and forgiveness are key. The author seamlessly weaves in factual details, making history come alive. "Where Dandelions Bloom" is a beautiful love story, with the horrors of the American Civil War as the backdrop.

One of my favorite quotes: "Beauty can always be found if we train our eyes to see it."

This book is a Civil War story about a young woman who escapes a horrible family situation to join the Union army. She meets the hero of the book who is a photographer for the Union. This is filled with history and sweet kisses. I loved the epilogue ending.

I cannot say enough good things about Where Dandelions Bloom. The book kept me totally engaged right up to the end. I loved the characters so much that I wanted them to find the happiness that they sought.

Cassie Kendrick lives with an abusive father that has her future planned. He had planned the future for her sisters and they were miserable. Cassie's father's plans are scary enough that Cassie disguises herself as a man, Thomas Turner, and enters the military to fight on the Union side. She keeps herself distant from her unit so that she can maintain her disguise.

Gabriel Avery is trying to make a living as a photographer. He follows the war and captures pictures of the reality of war. Gabriel and Thomas become friends. They develop a camaraderie and open up to one another. When Gabriel accidentally discovers Thomas is Cassie, he is angry that she deceived him. Once he hears her story, he understands the position she is in.

When Gabriel agrees to accompany Cassie on her short trip home, he agrees to pose as her husband to avoid the plans her father has for her. Soon Gabriel and Cassie begin to develop real feelings for each other, but there are many obstacles they both need to overcome if they want to have a future together. You have to read it right up to the end to see how they overcome those obstacles and what it takes for Cassie to accept what God is asking her to do. When she finally does, things begin to change and she can no longer live as a man.

What impressed me the most about the book was all of the details. You felt as if you were there, in the camp waiting for orders. I also was surprised to learn just how many women actually did just what Cassie did but in real life. Great job Tara, your book was is a keeper.

What a compelling and riveting read! Tara Johnson has once again penned a poignant Civil War historical romance that will stay with you long after you read the final page. Filled with themes of faith and forgiveness, the factual details woven seamlessly throughout will make you feel as though you are right there on the battlefield. I love the significance of this book’s unique title and will never look at dandelions in the same way again! Highly recommend this book and this author!

I received an advanced copy through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

WHERE DANDELIONS BLOOM by TARA JOHNSON is a book I will not forget in a hurry! It is a beautifully written love story that takes place amidst the horrors of the American Civil War.The novel kept my interest right through, with, not only the descriptions of the war and the interesting characters in the story, but also the message of the peace we can have in the Lord in spite of turmoil, hope instead of despair, the importance of forgiveness, not only towards others but also towards one's self, and of not wasting the life God has blessed us with. The other messages that come through strongly are the importance of not taking matters into one's own hands but trusting the Lord, who has promised to neither leave nor forsake us, of not running away and of operating in truth and love.
There is a wonderful camaraderie amongst the soldiers, and we see their tremendous courage when faced with hardship and carnage on every side. Cassie, alias Thomas Turner, is based an a real person's story. It is also interesting to see how photography was evolving, and how important it is to show the public the horrors of war in the hope that future wars can be avoided.
Some people, like Cassie's abusive father, see dandelions as nothing more than weeds, but Gabe who grew up in the slums, learned from his mother, "anytime you see dandelions blooming in mortar, hope remains!"
I really cannot recommend Where Dandelions Bloom highly enough, and know it is a book I will read again. I am looking forward to more books from this author.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House. The opinions in this review are completely my own.