I’ve greatly enjoyed the Daughters of the Mayflower series. What I’ve appreciated the most is finding new-to-me authors such as Kathleen Y’Barbo, MaryLu Tyndall, and Shannon McNear. Honestly, all of the authors who have written for this series are amazing, but I have to say that Ms. McNear is a stand-out to me. I was completely blown away by The Cumberland Bride, and now with The Rebel Bride, I can confidently say that McNear is a novelist I will definitely follow. The Rebel Bride is superb storytelling. The plot is outstanding, the conflict is so engaging I couldn’t help but stay up late into the night turning pages, Pearl and Josh’s romance had me swooning, and the history is so artfully brought to life I felt like I was in Tennessee in 1863. Truly, The Rebel Bride is an amazing ride!

To keep things simple, I’ve created a list detailing why I love this book.
1. The conflict between Pearl and Josh is perfect. A Confederate woman falls in love with a Unionist soldier. Talk about compelling the reader to turn page after page! On their own, Pearl and Josh are unique characters. Pearl is feisty and strong and courageous and so hardworking. And her faith! I long to have faith like Pearl. Josh is rugged, handsome, polite, and so strong. And his need to protect Pearl — be still my heart! Separate, as unique characters, Pearl and Josh are great, but together they are an amazing couple. And the chemistry between the two is perfect. I love how their relationship builds over the course of the story — very genuine and realistic.
2. I love that historically speaking Ms. McNear wrote the truth. She didn’t sugarcoat or romanticize anything. The Civil War was truly awful and it killed thousands upon thousands of men. Not all men for the Union fought to free slaves. In fact, many men in the Union were worried about losing jobs to the now-freed slaves. And, many Southerners found slavery repugnant. What they hated was a government forcing its will upon sovereign states. Isn’t that why America fought against the tyrannous British during the Revolutionary War? What I appreciate about The Rebel Bride is that McNear does an excellent job of illustrating a realistic portrayal of the men and women and children affected by the Civil War. There are no stereotypes in this story, and it really gets the reader thinking.
3. My most favorite aspect of this novel is the illustration of relying on God. Pearl is forced to open her home to the enemy. Not only is she forced to give her enemy food and shelter, but she is also required to care for them and nurse them back to health. On her own, Pearl is incapable of such a task. But with God, Pearl is able to rise above her circumstances and her very real feelings and do what needs doing. At first, it is awful. She goes to God often. She is in prayer every minute she can spare, and her earthly father quotes apt Bible verses to help keep her on track. Over time, Pearl does come to see that her notions about the enemy are mostly incorrect and that the men who have come to her for care are men just like her brothers, cousin, and father. But she never would have been able to get to this point if it weren’t for God.

I could go on and on about how excellent this novel is, but I won’t because I don’t want to spoil a single thing. Suffice to say, The Rebel Bride is an excellent novel — one I cannot recommend enough. Purchase a copy for yourself today. You will not be disappointed!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Barbour Books, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Daughter of the Mayflower Series is a great way to take trip through history. In The Rebel Bride, readers learn about life during the Civil War.

Main character Pearl lives with what's left of her family just south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Three of her four brothers died in battle and her father has what we now know as dementia. Pearl's cousin asks her to care for Yankee prisoners of war that were injured in battle. It seemed very realistic to see how her opinions changed as she got to know the prisoners individually. Pearl was in a difficult position and I was tired just reading about all she had to accomplish day after day.

My favorite part of this novel was the author's note to readers shared prior to the beginning of the novel. I also enjoyed the afterward which shared additional details about the Civil War.

Pearl MacFarlane is a staunch Confederate, living in Tennessee during the Civil War. She, along with a young brother and ailing father are forced to take in Union prisoners of war who have been injured in battle. A job she didn't ask for and didn't want. We are all children of our Father in Heaven, and this is a lesson slowly learned by several of the characters as they turn to God for answers.

Ever since taking an American History class in college, I've realized that there were two sides/two stories to this unfortunate war. It was not as cut and dried as I (and many of you) had been led to believe. It's a difficult war to novelize, but Ms McNear did it justice.

I have read most of the Daughter of the Mayflower books, thanks to NetGalley, and this is as enjoyable as the others.

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.

Good story! Pearl is a great addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I must say that I really appreciated the author's research. War is terrible. The Civil War, in my opinion, is the worst in America's history. This is a very well written story about two people on opposite sides of the battle, forced together by rather unique circumstances.
I liked how Pearl chooses to pray for those in her care and "heap coals upon their heads." I really liked how she so tenderly cared for Josh during his fever and how protective he felt of her once he was well. They developed a true friendship and eventual love.
While injuries and some battles are discussed, there is nothing gruesome or gritty described (another thing I greatly appreciated).
I highly recommend this book and this series. Each is a stand-alone story, connected through a family tree.

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear is the tenth book in the Daughter of the Mayflower series, though each book is a standalone and does not feature characters from other books. As it’s been my privilege to read most of this series, I’ve followed all the stories through American history and I’ve learned quite a lot, though the main focus are of course the characters and their personal struggles.

I’ve been a fan of Shannon McNear’s other novel in this series, The Cumberland Bride, and this novel doesn’t disappoint either. First, the author states the problems of writing about such a problematic and complicated time, and she does it with care in a very loving way, and I think this has been very well done and explained. I can honestly say I see a bit of her in the main character, both have an inexplicable kindness about them.

Joshua is a bluecoat, who finds himself in a rather precarious position, as he lost his hand at the battle of Chickamauga, and on top of that is imprisoned by the Rebels. He, and a few other man, are dropped off at a house, where they either will recover enough to be placed in a prisoner camp, or well... won’t recover.

Pearl suddenly finds herself with half a dozen Yankees in her home, when she has just recently heard the tragic news that 3 of her brothers have been killed in the war. Her father is suffering from a form of dementia (this is not specified but indicated as this was of course not known at that time period), her younger brother is running wild, and with a swindling food storage and too much to do she’s quite overwhelmed. She reluctanctly takes in the prisoners, because she’s given no choice, and struggles to care for them, as she wants to keep viewing them as the enemy. However this proves quite hard when they are human beings too, and in her care, so she cares. A lot. She can’t help but being kind... Pearl is such a strong woman, she does the impossible, really, and always keeps her faith. And yet, she’s very human too, and overwhelmed by it all, seeing no way out, and slowly she might be unexpected feelings for a handsome handless soldier who questions her loyalties and views, as she questions his.

What I love about this story, is that is really shows both sides, and that it is not as simple as good and evil, but extremely complicated and we’re all flawed and it usually comes down to a much smaller scale, protecting your loved ones and make choices best way you can. You can see the characters struggle, and each may have his and her own path, and you can understand all the choices. That is what makes this a good story, the empathy.

Also, you know a writer is really talented when she can write in the same scene for almost the entire book. Everything is centered around Pearl’s house, and I wasn’t bored for a minute, as there was so much going on! And Josh was also a very interesting character. Still recovering from the loss of his hand, he tries to make himself useful. I personally would have liked to see a bit more of his trauma, as it feels like he just accepts it and immediately pushes to his limits. While admirable, and it can be seen as a coping strategy to keep busy and not think about it, but most people go through grieving stages and I would’ve liked to see this a bit more, it feels like this would have made the story have more depth of character and very encouraging to see him struggle and (hopefully) overcome and accept his new reality. But despite that, he’s a very honorable, kind and thoughtful man, and everything you wish for in a hero.

The story itself was thought provoking, with a lovely slow burn impossible romance, and I really loved it and wanted to keep reading. The secondary characters shone too, especially Pearl’s sister in law, a POC named Lydia. There was quite a bit of diversity in this novel and that made me happy.

All in all, I really loved this story, and I can really recommend it to anyone!

I received a free copy through netgalley, and though I’m really grateful, it hasn’t influenced my opinion on this book.

Readers first meet main character, Pearl MacFarlan, a Tennessee girl, who is thrown into an impossible situation in caring for the wounded, as the military picks up and tries to put life back together again. The aftermath of the Battle of Chickamauga was horrific. The MacFarland’s family is Confederate and are forced to house, feed, nurse the wounded enemy soldiers and deal with the dead. Their family lost three sons in this battle. Now they had to take care of the side that killed them.

The Yankee’s have issues too, as they were vulnerable and lay in the hands of the enemy trusting them for healing, and their very survival. Pearl MacFarlane is doing the best she can to help these soldiers while fighting back tears and feeling the loss of her brothers and ailing father. She needs help to attend to all the Union soldiers who are wounded. She toughens up quick as she deals with the dying and her faith. She treats others the way scripture compels her to do. The work is hard and heart breaking. Pearl turns to scripture for comfort and direction. Prays for help to walk Gods word out her faith. I liked how the message wasn’t preachy put natural.

Things then get interesting for Pearl and Josh as they are drawn to each other by need, want and their faith. Even though Josh is a wounded Yankee soldier he helps Pearl the best he can. I enjoyed this walk-through history, the splash of romance, aftermath of war and family drama as The Daughters of the Mayflower continues. This makes book number 10 in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have 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”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

This was the next book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series. This book was pretty amazing as Pearl MacFarlane is in a situation where she is nursing casualties of the Civil War., both Rebels and Yankees. This is a tremendously difficult position to be in yet she cares for them all in her own home as she remembers these are someone's sons, husbands or fathers. She does all she can do and she and one of the Yankee amputees begin to understand one another's beliefs and feelings despite their opposing sides. Their feelings grow stronger despite their backgrounds.

I really loved this book. It was so detailed in every way and very well researched. The book is a true test of faith. I loved how the author wrote a page to the reader explaining her writings of this book.

It was very well written, highly captivating and definitely Christian. Loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

War is never easy to right about but I really enjoyed how the author put it all together. She thoroughly did her research and tried as much as possible to treat the topic with as much sympathy but truth.
Pearl and Josh find themselves at two opposing sides of the war brought together by injury. Their convictions are shattered more than once and faith tested and when love comes into the picture, they question the sanity not sure what others would think. I like that they held unto God in times on fear and doubt.
The Daughters of the Mayflower series always brings in a new and educative read for me every time I pick up one of the books and this no less.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts expressed are mine

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

Though this was not one of my favourites in the series, I did enjoy the story and character development. I think mostly why I only liked it is that the previous books which were favourites, had a bit more action and intrigue from the start, whereas this one had for almost 40% the same events of Pearl just caring for the wounded soldiers.

What I did like was how Pearl's faith was tested and tried with being forced to take care of enemy soldiers, being challenged with who is in the right and wrong and also dealing with the struggles of an ailing father. I enjoyed how scripture was flowing easily part of the story.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you will enjoy this historical series. I'm enjoying this series since I'm learning a lot! Looking forward to the next book.

Let me start by saying that I don't typically read books set within or around the Civil War. Let me next say that this book was extremely intriguing and inspired me to do some research into the battles at hand and the key military leaders. The level of detail was incredible and made me feel like I was right there in the action. Not that the book ever really focused overmuch on the battle itself, more on the lives of those affected by it. I enjoyed how the characters evolved over the two months across which the story takes place. Each seemed real in dealing with their fear and pain and love. There are several story points that reflect the changing ideologies of the time and the author makes compelling arguments for both sides without feeling at all like she was taking sides or preaching. This book is an exceptional offering as a stand alone book. I have not read any other books in this series and, despite some odd references in a conversation between characters at the end, there was no need to understand a prior history to enjoy The Rebel Bride. VERY HIGHLY recommended reading for those with an interest in historic romance and the Civil War.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review. All opinions above are my own.

I've always enjoyed history, except for certain parts. The Civil War is one of those parts. I have never enjoyed learning about or reading books set during the Civil War. However, since I had already been reading and reviewing the other books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, I decided that I would read a book set in the Civil War just because it was next in the series. I kept seeing it in my list of books to be reviewed but kept putting it off because, well, it was about the Civil War. But I finally read it. And while it was not my favorite book in the series, The Rebel Bride is probably my favorite book set during the Civil War. Shannon McNear does a wonderful job of showing both sides of the Civil War. The historical details were amazing. I really enjoyed how she listed the true historical details at the end of the book for the reader to learn from.  I also enjoyed the romance between Pearl and Joshua. I can't even imagine how hard it would be to be on separate sides of the war and yet love each other.  Another aspect I really enjoyed were the Bible verses and passages that were included in the book. They fit so well with the story. In conclusion, while I still don't want to read books set during the Civil War, I thought that Shannon McNear's The Rebel Bride was worth reading. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Civil War era historical fiction.

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

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear, 256 pages.
Barbour Publishing Inc., 2019. $13.
Language: PG (6 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
When Josh signed up to fight for the Union, he couldn’t have imagined the suffering he would witness and go through for the cause. As a good, Christian Southern woman, Pearl cannot refuse hospitality to the wounded enemies placed in her home for care -- even if they fight against the Confederate cause her family supports. Josh and Pearl both believe in the cause of their side of the war, but will those beliefs blind them to the good that can be found on either side?
I love the unique perspective that McNear’s book gives to the Civil War (continued beyond the fiction to the historical notes she gives after the epilogue). War is always messy, and I feel that civil war is especially so because countrymen fight against countrymen for the land they all love, all of which is illustrated and felt through the struggles of Pearl and Josh. However, I found the title to be misleading as the main characters are not wed for most of the book, which irritated me as I read and anticipated the time when the title would prove true.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

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, I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

The Daughters of the Mayflower series had taken us into the civil war and the perfect story to continue this legacy. This is an emotional and captivating story with a unique twist on the time period that showcases another side of the issues of the day. It blends well with the rest of this fantastic series.

I think that the setting being in the Civil War, with all of its complexities, saved this book. McNear did a really great job showing how things were not as black and white (no pun intended) as we'd like to make them.

Being removed from an event, it gets easier to say "it was about slavery" or "it was about states' rights" and to assume that everyone fighting for the South was pro-slavery. It reminded me of reading Bonhoeffer and seeing, for the first time, how complex it was to be German in WWII. A lot of men felt compelled to fight for their homeland and their loved ones, regardless of politics.

The conversations between Josh and Pearl about the war were enlightening to me and the information that a lot of Northerners didn't even care about the slaves was maybe something I'd heard but definitely hadn't stuck in my mind. They're always painted as all being abolitionists.

Everyone is not going to hold all the views of a side. It'd be easier if they did, but that's not reality and I appreciated Shannon's willingness to portray that.

All of that is what made me give it four stars. Honestly, I felt like the book was kind of slow through the middle. Just men convalescing and Pearl at war within herself. Now, a lot of those great conversations happened in the slower parts, but like I said, that saved it for me.

The Rebel Bride begins with the Battle of Chickamauga, on September 20, 1863, with the opening scene stirring compassion in the reader. This was brilliant and necessary because without compassion the tone of this book would have been completely different.

I have enjoyed all the books in the Daughters of the Mayflower series and this one had all the elements I've come to expect. It had interesting characters, descriptive settings, tension, and bits of history. In spite of this and although I really liked the story, this one was not one of my favorites in the series.

It was easy to like the main character, Pearl, because she wasn't a frivolous woman and she had reason to feel negative things. Known as "Pearl of Great Price" to her father, she strives to do the right thing when wounded Yankee soldiers are brought to her for nursing. She, being a Rebel, harbors resentment because Yankees killed her brothers. Pearl's resolve was tested and I cringed as she fought exhaustion and grief. Her interaction with the soldiers and her responsibilities as a daughter to an aging father mad me tires as I read this book.

The descriptions put me in the house and walked me on the battlefield, but neither the characters nor the settings kept me from being aggravated. I liked Josh Wheeler. He was a wounded Yankee soldier under Pearl's care and some of his story aggravated me because some scenes surrounding him seemed repetitive. and overused.

Overall The Rebel Bride was good and I would recommend it to anyone who likes historical novels. Shannon McNear wrote this book and another book I adored in this same series called The Cumberland Bride. If you haven't started the series with The Mayflower Bride, don't be discouraged. You can read these books as standalones.

Thank You, Barbour Books, for a free ebook arc via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This story perfectly encompassed what we all should be practicing...compassion for our fellow humans, no matter what. The civil war was an ugly time in the history of our country and the facts within this this book were evidence of that. It warmed my heart to think that there very possibly people like the characters in this book, who despite their political standing, viewed all men as God's creations who were worthy of care and love. It is something we all should remember and incorporate in our lives!
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Pearl is a young woman living in Tennessee with her ailing father and young brother during the Civil War. Raised in the Confederate States and with three brothers lost in the fighting, she does not feel sympathetic to the Northern cause or their soldiers. But then she is called upon to turn her home into a makeshift hospital and nurse Yankee soldiers, among them is the handsome Union soldier, Joshua Wheeler.

In bringing him back from the brink of death and later working alongside him as more soldiers are brought to her home to nurse and care for, she begins to see that the divide between the North and South is not as big as she may have initially believed. That every man and woman is simply doing what they can to protect who and what they love.
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<i>The Rebel Bride</i> is the tenth book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. This series is co-authored by several different authors across various settings of place and time since the Mayflower came ashore in the New World. <i>The Rebel Bride</i> is authored by Shannon McNear, who also authored the fifth book in the series, <i>The Cumberland Bride</i>. The MacFarlane family, whom this story focuses upon are actually connected to the characters from </i>The Cumberland Bride</i>, as Pearl and her siblings are the grandchildren of Kate and Thomas MacFarlane.

I would like to start this review by clarifying that although I do read some Christain ficiton, it's not really something I seek out when picking a book. And I certainly do not read many Christian Fiction books that are quite so heavy on Scripture as the books in this series are, but I do love any and all historical fiction so I will always give a book a shot.

I received an email inviting me to review this book from NetGalley as I had read and reviewed a previous book in the series. I was a little wary if I was going to enjoy this book, but the writing and storyline really hooked me. I was not much a fan of the previous book in the series I had read, <i>The Express Bride</i>, but I really loved this one from start to finish.

I really felt for Pearl, so much was thrown at her at once and had to bear the weight of so many responsibilites. She was such a strong character, emotionally and mentally. And throughout the many trials she must face, she is struggling to find compassion in her heart for men who do not share the same ideals and ways of thinking that she does and has been raised to see as right.

I loved the dual perspectives working together to tell this story; Pearl and Josh, Confederate and Federal. There is always more than one way of looking at a conflict and the author beautifully portayed this.

I'm so glad the author did the research that she did to weave her story with historical fact and to base characters off of real people who loved through the battles in the very area where our story took place. I believe fact and fiction together always make for a more powerful story and so I enjoyed reading the historical note at the end of the book.

I will be looking into reading the other book in the series by this author and will keep an eye out for upcoming books by her, as well as checking out some of the other books in ther series that intrigue me. I haven't read many of the books, but this is my favorite in the series thus far. I am happy that I decided to read this book and I recommend it to fans of historical fiction or Christian fiction.
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Many thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc for sending me an eARC of <i>The Rebel Bride</i> by Susan McNear. This is my honest review.