Wonderful read on the lives those who stood on opposite sides during the Civil War.
This was a dreadful time in the history of the United States and I had family members who were taken captive and died as prisoners of war. This book brought to life many different scenarios to be considered in the lives of those where were held captive, cared for, and those who had no choice but to care for their enemy.

Several characters stood out to me in addition to the stars, Josh and Pearl. I loved how Pearl's father had just the right chapter of Scripture that needed reading and how timely those words were. An adoring brother, a capable assistant in caring for the wounded...many are the lives that will be drawn to your heart as you read The Rebel Bride.

I appreciate a deep, clear faith in God that is woven throughout the pages of this book. Convictions are not compromised. It is a beautifully clean book with the retelling of history on both sides of the Civil War.

Thank you Barbour and Net Galley for this exciting read in exchange for my thoughts.

When Pearl MacFarland is forced by Confederacy to take in seriously wounded Federal prisoners to give makeshift nursing care, she resists with everything she’s got. Meeting Federal Sergeant Joshua Wheeler who fights to end secession and slavery, they are both in for an eye-opening experience becoming aware of the not so black and white elements of war. While suffering under the weight of enormous responsibility, hardships and occasional experiences of danger, Pearl learns to still show compassion towards the enemy soldiers.

This makes for a very interesting story for readers who are interested in how nursing might have been carried out in a makeshift hospital during the war. We get to follow Pearl as she tries to nurse the heavily wounded, sometimes dying enemy soldiers, with little or no supplies relying on the simplest activities of care. Having no medicines, main task would be to keep wounds clean and pray patients would survive. Food supplies were scarce and irregular at best, so Pearl had to dip into the family’s emergency rations to feed soldiers.

In spite of all her everyday hardships nursing the ever increasing number of patients, Pearl’ is thankful. It impresses and humbles me that she is able to feel like that in her situation. While reading this story, I felt my appreciation for running water increase. How labor intensive it would have been to take a bath, which we all take for granted nowadays, is quite eye-opening. As is descriptions of the labor that went into changing bed sheets and do laundry by hand to keep all her patients clean to get better.

Pearl and Joshua’s relationship gets off to a really rocky start as they find themselves on opposite sides of the Civil War. Pearl blames Joshua for her loss of 3 brothers to the war and thinks the Federals are invaders who do not care about the slaves at all. That it’s all about politics. Joshua is equally adamant that the war is all about ending secession and slavery. However reluctant they both are to admit it, it cannot be denied that a closer relationship between them is developing.

I found this story to be a bit of a learning experience about American geography in addition to the Civil War history. As the story is inspired by real events, I feel there are plenty of facts to be picked up along the way. I think that is why I like historical fiction genre so much. The mix of fact and fiction spikes my interest in learning more about the issues being dealt with in the story. As a nurse there was the added bonus of learning more about makeshift nursing during the war, which I found sad, scary and entertaining in a curious mix. I wish Pearl had an easier time of it.

The faith element was an added bonus running like a read thread through the story. Pearl’s father quotes scripture, insisting Pearl should feed the enemy. Patients are also comforted by Bible reading sessions. There are quite a bit of space used for scriptures quotes which I found probably realistic, as the MacFarlands lived a quite hard life where they leaned on the Bible for strength and hope. Feeding the enemy seemed quite essential to the plot.

The Rebel Bride is book #10 in the Daughters of The Mayflower series. I read this as a standalone, which worked well. I would recommend this work to fans of Shannon McNear, to readers of historical fiction in general or those interested in Civil War History.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

A lovely story from a new to me author. The characters were detailed and lovely, but not overly idealistic. I found the historical accuracies to really feed the story and not take away from the plot, as I sometimes feel. Basically, I felt like I was reading a novel and not a non-fiction piece on the history of the times. I really enjoyed this one!

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear is the 10th book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. It is set in 1863 during the Civil War in Tennessee and can be read as a stand alone novel. Pearl MacFarlane never anticipated running a hospital for captured Union soldiers out of her house. However, the number of injured made it a reality for this Confederacy supporter, and she is forced to show compassion and care to the enemy. Pearl's attitude becomes to warm when she encounters Union solider, Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee. McNear has created a compelling story without being bogged down in statistics and battles in the midst of the Civil War. A delightful read!

The Rebel Bride ix written from a different perspective of the civil war which I had not read before. Pearl McFarlane wasforced to take care of both Union and Confederate soldiers. She was not a supporter of slavery. But because she lives in Tennessee she is affected by the war anyhow and must deal with saving the lives of the enemies who caused so much hardship for her and her family. Joshua Wheeler , a prisoner of war, learns that some of his perceptions about south aren’t necessarily true and must deal with conflicting emotions of being attracted to this southern belle.
Rebel bride is 10 in the Daughters of the Mayflower Series. From a historical perspective it was an interesting read. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley.
Posting my reviews now.

The Daughters of the Mayflower series has been a fabulous historical fiction series, and book #10, The Rebel Bride, lives up to my expectations. The series follows a family tree linked by the daughters across American history, from the landing of the Mayflower through the events of World War II. In The Rebel Bride, McNear brings to life a few months of the Civil War in Tennessee with characters from both sides, The Union and The Rebels (or the Secessionists). The conflicts were not just military but very personal, and the characters realistically portray those discordant thoughts and emotions. Could a Union soldier and a Confederate daughter find a way to make their growing love into a wedded life together? Where could they live that their marriage would be accepted? The characters are portrayed with realism and are relatable. I like the way the author weaves a strong thread of faith in God throughout the story reminding readers that He is the source of strength in the hard times of life. The pages of this book were infused with drama, history, family, and emotional tension. I am looking forward to reading more of this author's works and more, as well, in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, a series for those who love stories of history, adventure, romance, and family legacy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions are my own.

I just recently stumbled upon the Mayflower books. I loved this book. The plot line was fantastic and the author has a talent to put you right there in the story. I will be reading more of this series for sure.

Book 10 in the Daughters of Mayflower Bride Series is my favorite so far. Author Shannon McBride has written a story that will keep your attention all the way to the end.

Set in the Civil War, McNear’s book is well researched, with drama and struggles of the heart between Blue and Gray. Well developed characters will make you feel their emotions as they come to terms with the fact that both sides are filled with good people who are going through a very difficult time in history.

I appreciated the faith aspect of this story as scripture is shared, along with a need to trust God. Not preachy in any way, this was written very natural. If you enjoy historical fiction then this is a book to add to your library.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

The Rebel Bride is historical fiction set around the Civil War. I really liked the story of Pearl and her family and all the trials they went through during the war. The story flows well and the characters are well developed. The story is believable although.a bit predictable. I am glad I was gifted an arc of this book in the Mayflower Bride series.

This was well done if not a bit predictable. I would not necessarily buy a book from this author but I might read one from the library.

The Civil War was such a complex time in our nation's history. Each book I've read in this time period presents a different perspective and always interesting food for thought. In this tenth book of The Daughters of the Mayflower series, both the North and the South are well represented through Pearl and Joshua as well as other supporting characters. I really appreciated that there was no definitive right or wrong side in this story...the reader had to decide for him/herself which position they wanted to take. Even this, however, was not easy to come by. History shows that there really wasn't a "right" or "wrong"...both sides paid dearly with many lives lost and much blood spilled. Pearl and Joshua both had to take a moment to see the war from the "enemy" perspective and both had to serve each other in ways they did not anticipate. The tomantic tension between them was also influenced by their political tension...almost a Romeo and Juliet effect. Thankfully, while the death toll in the Civil War was tragic, this story does not end in the same way that Romeo and Juliet did. I would definitely recommend this novel along with others in this series! Check out my reviews of a few other books I've reviewed in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Liberty Bride
The Cumberland Bride (also by Shannon McNear)
The Captured Bride

**I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

I always love the history I learn from these books, This book took place at Chattanooga, Tennessee I’m 1836 during the Civil War.
I thought it was interesting that the author choice to have Pearl, the female main character from a confederate middle class house in the south and Josh, the male character, a union soldier taken prisoner in the war and brought the Pearl’s family to heal. There have different beliefs in terms of what side of the Civil war they stand with, but share a common faith.

Obviously we know the confederates lost the war and the country remained together, but it’s not as easy as good or bad when it comes to reading about ordinary people on both sides of the war. As Pearl learns while taking care of the injured soldiers in her care, it’s important to show charity to her fellow men, no matter who they are, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.”

Overall great story. I received this ARC from NetGalley and all opinions stated here are my own

Another beautiful chapter in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. The writing was wonderful - I felt the angst and tension and exhaustion of the war but it wasn’t so explicit that I was grossed out. And the romance unfolded at a perfectly slow pace.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Civil War – a time when friends took arms against neighbour and every family lost fathers, husbands, and sons.

Pearl MacFarlane has lost all her brothers, save Clem the youngest brother, to the brutal fighting. Mourning the heart-piercing losses, trying to care for her aging father and keep up the daily chores on their Tennessean farm, is more than Pearl can bear when she is informed her home is to be offered up as a hospital for injured Northern soldiers. Overnight, Pearl finds herself having to tend to and care for the enemy who took the lives of her loved ones.

Distraught, confused, and angry, Pearl wonders how can God possibly expect her to serve Him through the enemy? But of course, as the faithful know, God has His plan.

Sergeant Josh Wheeler is one of the first of the wounded prisoners to arrive at the MacFarlane farm. Feverish, incoherent, and marred for life in the Battle of Chickamauga, Josh has lost his sense of worth and purposeful spirit. No longer fit to serve his cause in the war, despondent with thoughts of how any woman will ever be able to accept half a man and love him as a husband, Josh struggles against drowning in despair.

As the war rages on around them, Pearl and Josh find themselves learning to appreciate each other and build a close connection. But a relationship between a “rebel” woman and a “blue belly” soldier, is near the impossible. Pearl bears too much resentment and Josh has little faith in himself. We learn much about the historical battle, but we also learn that only through calling on God’s strength and guidance can forgiveness and healing take place.

The Rebel Bride is part of the wonderful Mayflower series but is a solid stand-alone. McNear does a beautiful job of blending holding fast to faith, with factual history, and creative fiction that is sure to please. The characters are genuine and endearing with an engaging storyline, and the depiction of the harsh conditions and the battle-ravaged countryside are clearly envisioned.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Rebel Bride and heartily recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing Inc. for the read of Shannon McNear’s, The Rebel Bride.

Opinions expressed in my reviews are my own.

The Rebel Bride is set in southeastern Tennessee during the Civil War. The Union troops are encamped in Chattanooga, and the Confederate troops are encamped outside of the city. Both sides have suffered terrible losses at the recent Battle of Chickamauga, and as the Confederate army is collecting Union soldiers from the battlefield to hold as prisoners, Union soldier Joshua Wheeler is picked up. Joshua’s injuries require amputation of his hand and much time to recover before being sent to a Confederate prison, and he and several others are taken to the home of the MacFarlane family to recover. Pearl MacFarlane is charged with caring for the soldiers, and at the same time, she is trying to care for an ailing father and a younger brother, all while grieving the loss of her three older brothers in recent battles. Pearl is not eager to help enemy soldiers recover, but as she begins caring for their most basic needs, she finds herself connecting with them and truly caring, especially for Joshua Wheeler. But how could a Union soldier and a Rebel girl ever make a life together?

I was quickly drawn into the story of The Rebel Bride. I found the characters to be well-developed, likeable, and relatable. There were many strong emotions in this story, and those emotions really came through. The debate between Joshua and Pearl over the sides of the war and the internal struggle that many characters had about the two sides was also compelling. And the story of the relationship between Joshua and Pearl was beautiful. Overall, I found The Rebel Bride to be exciting and emotional and a real pleasure to read.

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

The Rebel Bride is the Civil War Era and revolves around Pearl and her family farm. She is left to take care of her younger brother and her dad. Her mom has passed away and she has lost 3 brothers to this work between North and South. She is brought injured Yankee soldiers to care for and does so. She believed firmly that we should take care of all even if this is her enemy. Trying to keep up with the soldiers is hard on one person. She cant help but feel bad for their situations. One in particular catches her attention. Josh is not like the others he just sees a woman who is helping them . No matter what side they are on . She cant see herself with a Yankee considering her family's situation. This book shows how hard it must have been for our country during this time. Deciding what is the right thing to do and who to trust.

This book was phenomenal. I've read several books about the civil war and, through the life of Joshua and Pearl, I found an entirely new perspective. I never truly thought about how the war affected the civilians living so close to the conflict. How Pearl was forced to care for her enemy. She found strength through the words her father quoted from the Bible and was able to love her enemy. (eventually, literally) The story of a union soldier meeting a confederate girl and both falling in love (sigh) Who could ask for a better love story?

I’ve been enjoying the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each story is its own little slice of history, and it’s been so enlightening to learn about the different time periods in the history of the United States. I’m so impressed with the rich historical detail in these books, and Shannon McNear’s The Rebel Bride is no exception. Her research notes at the end of the book were fascinating, and I appreciate the time she took to include those. Her impeccable research added such authenticity to her story.

The setting in Tennessee during the Civil War intrigued me, especially since it showcased a southern family that wasn’t wealthy and didn’t own slaves. The characters were well-drawn and realistic, and the relationship between Josh and Pearl developed believably. It’s hard to read about the hardships both sides endured in the war and the lives that were lost, destroyed, and forever altered because of it. McNear treats the subject fairly and impartially, so the reader can see both sides, even though it’s told mostly from a southern character’s view.

Poignant and heart-wrenching, this story is a wonderful addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I’m looking forward to more books in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing/NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

How many times have we heard sermons on loving enemies rather than hating them? What would you do if you were faced with the very people responsible for killing loved ones, but who desperately needed help?
These are questions addressed in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear. A family ripped apart by war is thrust in the middle of relief efforts when their small farm is acquired for the healing and treatment of prisoners of war, leaving eldest daughter Pearl searching for answers about the world she lives in and how God must view it through His eyes.
The descriptions of war are vivid and at times it was unsettling to read (though how much more unsettling it would have been for those living through the trauma of war). In spots, I could almost smell gun powder mixed with dirt and blood.
The majority of the story takes place in Pearl’s home where she cares for sick and dying soldiers so there isn’t much change of location, but it sheds a light on how challenging it would have been to be a middle class family in her position.
It was well written, but just not my topic of choice. I’m not one for civil war stories, but I have enjoyed some of the other books in this series. One doesn’t need to read the other books to enjoy the story of Pearl and Josh.
I received an ecopy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This was an amazing story. I loved the characters and how real they were. Each had their struggles as they dealt with their country at war. They had to overcome their prejudices and look beyond what humans see. Pearl struggled with having to serve and care for the enemy in her own home. She had to learn what it means to love your enemy. Joshua struggled with being an amputee and wanting to serve his country to the best of his ability. Both lived out their faith. I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves the civil war era and romance in unlikely circumstances.