This book was a gem to read. Love and war. How does love survive? This is a rare and exquisite story, and one of the most atmospheric novels I have read in a long time.
Many thanks to Barbour Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with an grieving Confederate family forced to take care of wounded Union soldiers. Pearl has lost three brothers but with her father's encouragement nurses the soldiers after the fierce battle of Chickamauga. When Josh, one of the Union soldiers arrives in critical condition, Pearl must overcome her grief to save his life. This novel is well researched in history and scripture. I loved the author's historical note at the end. Recommended!

On the surface, The Rebel Bride seems like a typical Confederate-Union romance of opposites. But McNear provides so much more.

Pearl MacFarlane is not your stereotypical Confederate. She doesn’t believe in slavery, and she respects African-Americans. But she does have a deep-seated love and allegiance to the South.

Joshua Wheeler is a devoted Yankee. Convinced that God is on his side, he has no qualms that the Union cause is the right cause. Until he meets the MacFarlanes.

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?

While not my favorite Shannon McNear story, I can’t deny the pull that made me keep turning pages. By straying away from the stereotypes and assumptions, McNear presents the emotionally-charged turmoil of a war-ravaged countryside. Her characters are captivating and sympathetic. There’s also a poignant aspect as McNear strips away the glory of war to reveal the impact of a nation torn asunder. As she presents the negative aspects of both sides.

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.

(The review on the blog will go live Nov. 29 at 5:00 PM)

This book was the first I have read by this author and I enjoyed it! It was a unique perspective on the Civil War because it was set during the battles rather than immediately following or leading up to. The love story was sweet and historical elements interesting. I was a little disappointed with the ending as I felt it was a bit rushed and would like to have seen more of the characters story. Overall, I would recommend this book!

I liked the approached this author took in regards to the Civil War. There is no clear cut way to view this era in American history. A great number of ideas and beliefs went into this dark period of our nations history. The prayer of both the Union and Confederate was for God to let their "righteous" side win the conflict.
This story takes you to the hills of Tennessee. Where the poor, non-owning slave families lived, supporting themselves. But war would come to them. Forced to take in wounded Yankee soldiers, Pearl, a loyal Southern girl, must not only care for the wounded enemy, but come face to face with some hard questions about the war and beliefs of both sides. Falling in love with Josh, a Yankee, humanizes the northern men fighting to keep the Union together.

This book had all the feel goods for me - the Civil War and Chattanooga. It was a perfect book to continue the Daughter of the Mayflower series. I whooped at the mention of the Wisconsin/Minnesota family - Halvorson - I will forgive the author for choosing this variation because it is common in that area, even though mine is Halverson (NE/NW Iowa).

This is the story of Pearl MacFarlane, the granddaughter of Kate and Thomas MacFarlane from The Cumberland Bride, along with her father and younger brother, Clem, whose home becomes a "hospital" for Northern soldiers injured in the Battle of Chickamauga. How she is trying to keep the farm going even after it has been savaged by soldiers on both sides, care for an ailing father, keep her younger brother in line, and morn the loss of three of her older brothers - all in different battles.

It is also about Josh Bledsoe a soldier from Ohio who looses part of his arm during the battle and is sent to the MacFarlane home to be nursed back to health before possibly being sent to prison in Richmond. But once he lays eyes on Pearl he knows he has to avoid being sent away at all costs. Even if that means having to leave and rejoin the Northern forces for the upcoming Battle of Chattanooga. But Josh is not going to let anything harm Pearl.

The Christian faith both Pearl and Josh have keeps their spirits high. But it is not easy when each thinks their side is the right one to fight for.

If I haven't said it before, I think this is my favorite of this series, although I think I say that about every book in this series. This one just had so many positives in it for me. Chattanooga is a favorite vacation spot for my family - we go at least 4 times a year, we have had a private tour of the battlefield at Chickamauga (3.5 hours long!), and the Civil War is such a diverse time in history that you learn something new in each book you read. This is a 5 star read for me, and I would highly recommend it.

I was given a free copy of this through Netgalley and Barbour Publishing. All opinions are my own.

The Rebel Bride is the tenth book in The Daughters of the Mayflower series. If you haven't read any of the books in this unique series, you need to know that they are all loosely connected by the Lytton family tree and each book can be read as a stand alone. I have enjoyed that the books are written by different authors and because of this I was introduced to new authors I have come to enjoy reading including Shannon McNear. I have also enjoyed the covers and how they highlight the progression of fashion throughout history.

The Rebel Bride is set in Southern Tennessee during the Civil War. The time period was well researched by the author and this translates in the way the story leaps from the page and the casualties of war are presented honestly instead of candy-coated. The main theme of this novel is grace. One of the characters says, "God is full of grace, is He not?" and as the characters find themselves on opposite sides of this war, they must decide if they will extend God's grace to each other. "If thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst give him drink." I enjoyed the humor Shannon McNear interjected with the rest of this verse "and so heap coals of fire on his head." Often it is difficult to extend grace to an enemy, but extending grace can also bring us blessing as the characters in this novel discover. I really enjoyed reading The Rebel Bride. It is a book in this series I can see myself returning to again.

This is a sweet, encouraging story set in Tennessee during the Civil War. With heartache of her own, Pearl is told to take in and care for Union soldiers. There is a previous, slow romance that develops. Between all their differences, will they be able to one day live their lives together? I was encouraged by Pearl’s seeking the Lord and Scripture throughout the book.
I received The Rebel Bride through NetGalley as an arc.
4.25 stars

The 10th novel of the Daughters of the Mayflower series, "The Rebel Bride" takes place in Tennessee during the Civil War. A rebel family is forced to house and tend injured Union soldiers, a common practice then. This fact always surprises me.

Pearl MacFarlane is no simpering Southern belle. She's religious and while a Confederate, she does not believe in owning slaves. Her Yankee love interest Josh Wheeler is a wonderful hero. The characters are well-drawn. Little brother Clem is sweet, and while it appears Mr. MacFarlane suffers from dementia, he is a lovely man and sometimes very clear-headed. The Reverend is a huge hypocrite.

This novel was well-researched. Descriptions of the countryside are vivid and due to the war, are not always pretty. All in all, this is a fine novel with clear prose and very few grammatical errors. This is a great addition to the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an ARC of this novel.

This was a great book! I enjoyed the civil war setting. The two main characters drew me in and I couldn’t wait to see what ended up happening. Two people that shouldn’t have ended up together, thrown together in the worst circumstance. Can love win out?

What a stunning story that weaves the heartbreak of war and the fresh hope of love. The American Civil war is not something I know much about as a Brit, but McNear allowed me to understand how both sides truly believed in the cause.

The Rebel Bride is a slow burn romance taken place in Tennessee at the time of the Civil War. Pearl MacFarlane is a nurse and meets an amputee soldier. I haven’t read a novel surrounding this era before and i quite enjoyed it! This is also the first time i’ve read one of Shannon McNears works and i’m interested in read more in the “Daughters of the Mayflower” series.

I received a copy of The Rebel Bride from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I am enjoying the entire Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book builds my knowledge of history and appreciation for our country. While each book stands alone, I eagerly look forward to each new installment.

The Civil War is not an easy subject. There is so much emotion (even still today) on both sides. The author did an excellent job presenting both sides. The protagonists struggled with the issues, but also presented their viewpoints to the other characters. I appreciated seeing the war through their eyes.

I’ve read other books set during the Civil War, but this one was one of the best. I have rated the other books in this series with a 3-4 star review. This one, I’m giving all five stars. I learned more about the Civil War than I’ve learned in others. And, of course, I enjoyed the story.

I follow the GoodReads rating system. Please note that this means even the 3-star books are ones I liked.
1 star – didn’t like it
2 stars – it was OK
3 stars – liked it
4 stars – really liked it
5 stars – it was amazing; I’ll read it over and over and/or it will impact my daily life.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Rebel Bride is an excellent addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower series. The descriptions of battle scenes and the needed care of the wounded along with the emotional response of the characters in this book played out on a movie screen in my mind. The subject matter was difficult, yet the author was able weave hope into a tale that told of loss and destruction while presenting many biblical truths, though not through the annoying reverend.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story which I received an ARC copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.

Another excellent installment of the Brides series! This was a beautifully written account of a young woman, Pearl, who, as a part of a confederate family, is forced to take care of enemy wounded in her home. One of the wounded, Josh, befriends her, and at one point, protects her from unwanted attention. As their friendship grows, the war comes closer, and he has to return. Great story I couldn't put down!

A very sweet, slow romance between a Union soldier and a Southern young woman, “The Rebel Bride”, by Shannon McNear (Barbour Publishing), addresses the ravage and horrors of war and features a wounded soldier who wonders if he’ll ever have the chance of “a plain, ordinary life”.
Josh is a great character, solid, kind, level-headed. Pearl is an amazing heroine, too, her strength and braveness coexisting with her fears and vulnerability.
I liked the realistic way Josh’s amputation was handled, and the humor the leads showed sometimes about his injury, saying, for example, he could become a pirate.
I enjoyed their romance more in the beginning, all tentative and shy, and I thought afterwards it slowed down too much and it seemed nothing relevant or intense was happening in the romantic front.
I also liked the writing style and how the author tries to give voice to different and conflicting sides.
There is a group of good secondary characters, too; I especially liked Portius, with his powerful, beautiful voice, and young Clem.

Another entrancing novel in the continuing Mayflower Brides series, A Rebel Bride was a study in contrasts: North versus South, Union against Confederate, slave versus free, love against hate, foe or friend. Did God assign favor to the Confederates or the Federalists? How did a southern family find the strength needed to care for several wounded Union soldiers? Pearl MacFarlane pondered these many questions as she and her small family were forced to do just that from their home in eastern Tennessee. In her developing relationship with wounded Yankee soldier Josh Wheeler, Pearl had to decide if a future was even possible for two souls from opposing ideologies. The juxtaposition of contrasts throughout the story was thought-provoking and poignant and I could almost feel myself caught up in the characters’ struggles. Such an engrossing tale of loss and redemption, forgiveness, and a slow-simmering clean historical romance you don’t want to miss!

I do love a historical romance book and this one is the first one I ever read with confederate and union romance. I did enjoy it and liked the character development. Felt a little rushed in the last couple of chapters however.

This was my first time reading a novel by Shannon McNear, and I was pleasantly surprised! Her book centered around Pearl MacFarlane, a strong Confederate sympathizer who is forced to care for dying Yankee prisoners of war. Pearl has to decide whether to hold to her strong beliefs or allow love to soften her stubborn sensibilities. I greatly enjoyed this book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another captivating story in the Daughters of the Mayflower series! A grieving family is prevailed upon to harbor wounded enemy soldiers in their home near Chattanooga, Tennessee in the fall of 1863. Nursing the enemy challenges Pearl to put her faith into action in ways she'd never imagined.

“If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink...”
Great characters that grew in depth as the story progressed, and descriptive writing drew me into this interesting tale. I felt like I was there, watching and listening from the sidelines. Much more than a historical romance, the author's careful research of the time and complexity of the issues, is cleverly woven into the story. The extensive notes at the end were interesting to read, filling in details of the real events.
I like how questions of faith were a part of their struggle, and the use of scripture was used to bring hope and guidance. What an awful time that must have been with families divided, with so much grief and loss. The romance is a tender one and seemed believeable given the circumstances.
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart..."

Recommend for fans of Christian historical romances based on real events. 4.5 stars