All Through the Night
By Tara Johnson
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 5, 2021)

Book Cover:

With her stammering tongue and quiet ways, Cadence Piper has always struggled to be accepted. After the death of her mother, Cadence sets her heart on becoming a nurse, both to erase the stain her brother has left on the family’s honor and to find long-sought approval in the eyes of her father. When Dorothea Dix turns her away due to her young age and pretty face, Cadence finds another way to serve . . . singing to the soldiers in Judiciary Square Hospital. Only one stubborn doctor stands in her way.

Joshua Ivy is an intense man with a compassionate heart for the hurting and downtrodden. The one thing he can’t have is an idealistic woman destroying the plans he’s so carefully laid. When the chaos of war thrusts Cadence into the middle of his clandestine activities, he must decide if the lives at stake, and his own heart, are worth the risk of letting Cadence inside.

Everything changes when Joshua and Cadence unearth the workings of a secret society so vile, the course of their lives, and the war, could be altered forever. If they fight an enemy they cannot see, will the One who sees all show them the way in the darkest night?

My thoughts:

This book takes place during the early days of the Civil War. Originally from Boston, Cadence and her father moved to Washington, D. C. to escape grief and scandal. Both Cadence and Joshua are damaged people trying to outrun childhood pain by helping to ease the pain of others.

After meeting at the hospital where Joshua is in charge, they are immediately attracted to each other. Of course, the path of true love isn’t an easy one, but they do manage to bring out the best in each other and eventually help one another heal past scars.

This is a well-written book and the Civil War history is interesting, albeit grim. The characters are interesting and I enjoyed watching them get to know each other while working through family and cultural obstacles. When I requested this, I thought it would be more mystery than romance, but that is not the case. It is actually heavier on romance and the mystery is light. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a nice romance, a touch of mystery, and a bit of history, this book is perfect. Kick back with a cup of tea and enjoy!

https://www.booksaboutbookssociety.com/also-reading/all-through-the-night

With her stammering tongue and quiet ways, Cadence Piper has always struggled to be accepted. After the death of her mother, Cadence sets her heart on becoming a nurse. Joshua Ivy is an intense man with a compassionate heart for the hurting and downtrodden. Everything changes when Joshua and Cadence unearth the workings of a secret society so vile, the course of their lives.
I have not read too many books set during the War between the States. I grew up and one of those border states where they frequently said brother brought against brother. In this book, the author illustrated that through Cadence and her brother, Tate. I must admit that toward the end of the book I feared for Tate’s life as he chose to support his Brother-in-law. To my knowledge, my family never owned slaves even though they owned farms. I did learn some things about how hard this war was from the time the doc and Cadence were in the field. It has given me a different perspective for when I visit the battlefields.
The use of some well known songs throughout the book had me singing along as I went. And slipping the name of one of the most well known hymn writers was very creative.
I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy of the book for my review. The comments are my own.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.

This is one of the best Civil War-era stories I’ve read. It isn’t for the faint of heart as amputations and other medical procedures occur often throughout. This is a story of faith, family, overcoming obstacles, abolition, and sweet romance. It was a wonderful story that pulled me in from page one and never let me go. The atmosphere was so immersive, the cast amazing, the plot superb. This was a book easy to fall in love with, despite its being one of my least favorite genres (Civil War). The cover model should have had large hoops beneath her skirt, but that’s a small gripe. The cover is gorgeous and hooked me in, but it doesn’t say “Civil War.”

Content: a few expletives, gambling, alcohol

If you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction then you will love All Through the Night. I seriously believe it to be author Tara Johnson’s best work yet, and that’s saying a lot. This novel is beautifully written, even the parts of it that are raw and bold.

Covering an incredibly difficult part of American history, Johnson tackles slavery, prejuidisim, and the horrible group of men that wanted things to stay the way they were, even to the point of killing those who worked against them. She also writes about the heroes of the underground railroad and the horrors of battle. And yet through it all is God and His mercy. Love and compassion that Cadence and Joshua show towards others. And a beautiful romance.

Because this book deals with many truthful things from the Civil War, it’s not always easy to read but I couldn’t put it down. It fascinated me from page one, and I was sorry to see it end. I do think she could have given us a few more details in the epilogue, but it did end in a satisfying way. I can’t recommend this book enough!

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

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley and Tyndale House Publishers. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really liked this book! This story takes place during the War Between the States. Cadence Piper, who suffers from a stutter, decides she wants to be a nurse. Unfortunately Dorthea Dix turns her down because she is too pretty and too young. She has a beautiful voice so she comforts the soldiers at the Hospital by singing to them. At the hospital she meets a doctor named Joshua Ivy. Together they work to help the soldiers and grow to love each other. It was a great story-well written with believable characters! I want to read more by this author!

My Rating: 2 stars
Cadence Piper longs to belong and to be needed. When the war between the North and the South breaks out, she answers the call for nurses. At first she is dismissed from the relief effort because she is far too young and pretty. She finally gets her wish when she is asked to help a local army hospital when they are short-staffed and at full capacity.

Dr. Joshua Ivy, brooding and passionate, oversees an army hospital in Washington, DC during the war over slavery. His life is full of secrets and he feels a deep sense of duty to help abolish the slave trade and the evil that it breeds. He doesn't care to have the pretty, altruistic nurse Cadence help him in his hospital, but realizes he needs her help, even if he doesn't want it.

Over time, Cadence and Joshua develop a bond, both in their professional and personal lives, that helps them find the hope that comes from Jesus' love amidst horrors of war, personal shortcomings, and evil men intent on destroying anything good.



I just have to begin this review by saying how I initially hoped to give this book a higher rating because it had so much potential. In the end, there are too many aspects of this book that disappointed me. I will get into that later.

For now, I want to highlight some of the things I really appreciated about this book: the message, the setting, and the research that the author underwent to make sure this story has historicity and meaning. I loved those aspects.

This book is set during the American Civil War and brings certain details to light about that time period that would likely be difficult to imagine unless you have experienced them firsthand. When the main character, Cadence, witnesses a slave auction, Tara Johnson effectively communicates the appalling lack of respect for humanity. When Cadence helps wounded and terrified soldiers on the battlefront, Johnson illustrates how so many real, everyday people have sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom, and that war has horrors that no person, however imperfect, should have to experience.

I also loved the message of God's love. This was a highlight for me because it resonated with me and also acted as a catalyst for some character development within the story. Cadence struggles with feeling like she is enough, but learns to rely on God's love as her source of worth, rather than people's opinions of her.

Although this book is primarily a romance, the romance itself disappointed me. From the outset the characters seemed very driven by physical attraction and physical chemistry. There were numerous incidents of passionate kissing and physical expressions of affection, and the beginning of a sexual encounter was described. Although the sexual encounter happened after the couple involved was married, it was still disappointing to me that something so sacred and private would be described in print. I also feel that the pre-marital passionate kissing was contrary to what the characters professed--discipleship of Jesus Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "the fruit of the Spirit is...temperance." A synonym for temperance is self-control. Pre-marital passionate kissing walks along and pushes the boundary of self control. Any married couple can vouch that passionate kissing is the very threshold for sexual intimacy, and therefore passionate kissing should be saved for marriage if chastity is a person's goal.

Admittedly, I did not continue reading this book after it described the aforementioned beginning of a sexual encounter. I don't feel I can give this book a rating higher than 2 stars because I don't feel comfortable recommending it to someone to read. This is primarily because of the physical affection between two of the characters--outside of that, I felt the story was compelling and I enjoyed learning more about life during the Civil War.

Content Guide:

Sex & Affection--Passionate kissing, beginning of a sexual encounter described, physical tokens of affection (kissing a lady's hand, etc).

Language--None

Drugs, Alcohol, and Substance Use--Tobacco use, alcohol consumed in social settings, coffee consumed.

Crime & Violence--Descriptions of wounded soldiers and the horrors of slavery and war, a man is murdered, a man and his family are threatened multiple times, a secret society tries to manipulate and undermine the Union.

I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.

Wow! This book! I loved it! Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop! I loved Cadence and Joshua! Tara Johnson does such an excellent job of including detail to her stories that they just come to life! I highly recommend this book!



I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Omg! What a beautiful and deeply touching story! This is definitely now a favorite of mine!
Tara Johnson weaves a deep and compelling story set in the War between the States in Washington. And she does it in a touching way that captures you from page one until the end!
Candace Piper has always struggled to be accepted, especially by her father. Because of her stammering tongue she was diagnosed as a child as if she had a slow brain, or some malfunction that could not be fully explained. After her mother dies, and her brother Tate leaves the family’s honor tattered, Candace and her father transfer to Washington, where he opens a new toy store. But Candace is not allowed to help him in the store and she wishes to do something purposeful with her life, something that will bring honor and pride to her father. So when the War commences, and she feels compelled to sing to the wounded and dispirited soldiers, she becomes a light in the darkness and the voice of hope. A Congressman takes her by his wing so she can sing in Patriotic Events. But Candace wants to do more. She wants to become a nurse. So she goes to Dorothea Dix, who’s in charge of the nurses, but she rejects her because she is young and pretty… But the Judiciary Square Hospital compels her, and she finds herself singing to the soldiers, until Dr. Ivy, the head of the Hospital, scares her away with his hard and cold ways.
But behind Dr. Ivy’s cool manners, lies a compassionate heart of gold, closed to most people. His heart hurts for the downtrodden and for the slaves that are being sold and abused, and he has found a clandestine albeit dangerous way to help some of them.
After the war continues, and the soldiers are too many to attend, Dr. Ivy concedes and asks Cadence to become his nurse and train her. They slowly develop a growing friendship, but there’s a mystery to Dr. Ivy that Cadence wishes to unearth. Until Providence throws them together on a dangerous spot and she finds out exactly what lies inside Joshua’s compassionate heart. A mission that is as beautiful as it is dangerous, and Joshua doesn’t want Cadence to be involved in order to keep her safe, but it seems impossible to keep her out. But when they start to uncover an evil secret society, their lives and many others are at stake. Can they discover who is behind is in time to expose them, and if they do, can Joshua protect Cadence and keep them safe from harm or even death?
This was a heart-wrenching story that tugged deeply at my heart. The way you get to envision the pain and grief of the war and its devastating consequences on the lives of the soldiers fighting and their families. It was all too vivid and yet still embraced with hope. With Cadence and Joshua’s hope and desire to make a difference in people’s lives, in any measure, and the conviction that every life is a treasure. So, by saving lives in the hospital, making the pain of the wounded soldiers less through the best possible care, a beautiful comforting voice, and love, they both find purpose and solace from their own fears. They were truly a light through the night, as the title hints.
Both the main characters were amazing, I truly fell in love with both! Cadence’s kindness, innocent and compassionate heart to the core, her determination to do something for others and not remain idle while nobody asked anything from her. Her eagerness for approval from her father tugged at my heart, when it was something she wholly deserved. Joshua’s constant sacrifice and giving with selflessness to his patients and to his mission with barely time to sleep and rest was admirable. Yet, they didn’t come out as out of reality characters: Cadence with her insecurities and desire for approval and Joshua also wanted to prove his worth and his apparently cold character at times was also a way of defense. They had flaws, but they strived in doing good for others and doing God’s will too. There was a deep inspiration and strong faith behind this story.
Another thing that kept me engaged was the mystery about the evil secret community. It was intriguing, and it sadly amazed me that it was based on real facts. As was Joshua’s work, which I beautifully admired. I love books that are inspired on true events and Tara Johnson is a wonderful historian and seems to have researched deeply! So many details made it so easy to imagine the setting, almost as breathing the war atmosphere! Amazing!
A novel I highly recommend! To historical lovers and to everyone. It’s a must read for me!
I received a complimentary copy from the author via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

If you are anything like me this story will make you cry. It shows how badly words and bad diagnoses can mess up a person for life. Both Cadence and Joshua were helping people for good and bad reasons. They each had lessons to learn. I loved the songs that were chosen throughout the story. I did not want to put this book down. I love the time period and I enjoy reading about the doctors and nurses. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Tara Johnson is a powerful storyteller! I was immediately drawn into the book from the first page and found myself invested in the characters and their relationship throughout the story. I really liked the timeline of the novel and how the characters had lots of instances to realistically develop their relationship over a reasonable length of time. Their struggles and spiritual journeys were relatable and genuine. The author’s descriptions of the history, the scenery, and the interactions of the characters were all very well written and made it easy to envision the story unfolding. I appreciated the author’s research and the fact that the characters were loosely based on real people and events. There are several secrets and surprises as well that made the plot interesting and not at all predictable. This is the type of story that stays with you after you close the last page. I really enjoyed this novel and I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Cadence is desperate to make a difference to others, and the war seems to provide an opportunity for her to help by being a nurse. She never anticipated being rejected for being young, beautiful and unmarried! Then, an attempt to help comfort a wounded soldier by singing gains her a reputation as a singer, while at the same time helping her to obtain entrance to a hospital - with the help of the surly Dr Joshua Ivy. But as the two begin to conflict, and her father tries to push her into marriage, Cadence is forced to face the question of why she is doing what she is doing, and what she really wants to do with her life.

This is not a light read, but it is an interesting and enjoyable one. Despite covering the horrors of war and the associated nursing, the story never gets too graphic, though a good imagination will readily fill in the gaps from what is said. I particularly enjoyed watching Cadence develop over the course of the story, though her father's treatment of her was infuriating at times. The gradual unfolding of Joshua's secrets was also done well. All in all, a touching story of war, nursing and self-discovery - and, of course, romance!

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

It was fun to learn that main character, Cadence Piper was inspired by a real-life Civil War nurse named Elida B. Rumsey. The author says, “She desperately wanted to serve as a nurse in the war but was denied by Dorothea Dix because of her young age and beauty. Elida found another way in…by singing to the wounded soldiers….She was the first person to ever publicly sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

The author talks about the stories leading man, “Joshua Ivy was created completely from my imagination but was inspired by the heroic abolitionists of the time. …All Through the Night is a weaving of real events, including an evil secret society, with fictional characters, all of whom are grappling with spiritual struggles…the need to be accepted and loved.”

I admired Cadence Piper"s determination to find a way to help in the war effort. She would find her way, no matter what her father said. Joshua was just as determined to help children (knowing his life would have been much different if someone had helped him). I liked the realistic approach this author took in writing this novel, and how she shed the light of hope in the dark places. This would make a great book club pick as there is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. 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!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

WOW! Just wow! This book is absolutely enthralling. I was completely captured from page one and never wanted to put it down! Tara Johnson's writing is beautiful, the story is extremely well paced, and the setting and characters are perfect. The time period of the Civil War is such a difficult and painful part of our history. This book is written with tenderness and grace.

Cadence Piper has a stutter and struggles with feeling inadequate and unusable. She desperately seeks to earn the love and approval of her father. When she decides to become a nurse, she is crushed when Dorothea Dix turns her away due to her young age and pretty face. Her strong nature will not allow herself to give up though, so she volunteers to help in any way possible at the local hospital.

Dr. Joshua Ivy works at the Judiciary Square Hospital. When he discovers Cadence Piper and her incredible singing voice, he's determined to keep her away from his patients. But as his need for help grows, he relents and asks her to allow him to train her. As their relationship grows, they find themselves in some very difficult situations. Their work relationship leads to a growing admiration for each other and discovering that love is worth the risk.

Inspired by a real woman, this tale will take your heart through one of the most difficult times in US history. It may make you smile, it may bring tears, and it just might end with a "full-heart" sigh!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tara Johnson has outdone herself with this new civil war fiction. Her characters and the lessons they learned throughout this touching story pulled me in and kept me reading. The story was realistic but not predictable. I especially enjoyed the appearance of actual historical figures within the book. I also appreciated the deep lessons of faith, identity, people pleasing, true love, finding purpose and more. The author beautifully illustrates the value and worth of every individual life while reminding the reader that life is precious. She emphasizes the impact one person can have on another all the while sharing this wonderful tale. There is also a beautiful tribute to the power of music tucked inside. I am truly grateful that I did not miss this story, it will remain with me. I hope that Johnson continues to write in this historical period because she’s got it down! I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful story about nursing during the civil war.

This was my first experience with reading the writings of Tara Johnson, but it definitely won't be my last!
This book brought to life for me in such a tangible way the realities of the Civil War.
It's beauty, it's humanity, and of course, it's tragedies.
Cadence was such a lovely heroine. She's always believed herself to be less than.
She's tried so hard to gain her father's approval, to make up for the loss of her mother, and for what her brother did to them. But it's never enough.
When she hears of the opportunity to be a nurse, she wants that so desperately.
But then, she gets rejected there too. Until their need is so desperate, they are willing to accept her, even if she is too young and too pretty. Cadence discovered nursing was something she could do really well, even if she did have a rocky start (my heart went out to her when she had to stand in on that first dreadful surgery, the one that caused her to faint...).
And then there's Joshua Ivy. So much tension between these two characters.
I loved seeing their relationship grow and change.

I loved seeing real characters from history in this book - Dorothea Dix, Fanny Crosby, to name a few.
Tara Johnson just did a really good job at bringing that day and age to life on these pages. The characters felt real. The setting was beautifully depicted. Nursing in those days definitely had a romance all its own. But it was not a thing of beauty. It was terrible. And tragic.
For lovers of historical fiction, I definitely recommend you read this book!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

When war between the states breaks out, Cadence Piper wants to help in some way, thereby also helping her family regain some of the honor brought on by her brother who ran away after their mother died. But she’s not allowed to be a nurse, because she’s young, pretty, and unmarried. Her beautiful voice, though, opens doors when the wounded soldiers begin to ask for her songs. In the hospital, she meets Dr. Joshua Ivy, a surgeon, who knows Cadence doesn’t belong there and kicks her out. But when Cadence stumbles onto his clandestine activities, the two eventually become linked in ways neither would have wanted or expected.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I had some ups and downs, especially as the story went on for a little while. But I did like the characters and several of the different plots presented. Both Cadence and Joshua were quite spirited, and it definitely caused some issues. But it also has a lot to do with how they got into the situations they got into. I liked the time period and the realism involved in Joshua’s work with the soldiers (heartbreaking, but real), as well as his “other” work.

Most of what bothered me about the book came in the second half or later. I think the story has a little too much packed into it, and that with some trimming, it might have been a 5-star read for me. Don’t get me wrong, 4 stars is still great! Still, there is one arc that never goes anywhere, and another arc that is resolved far too easily for my taste. Both of these probably could have been cut out. There are also a few things that happen that really bug me and make characters seem incompetent or insensitive, when they aren’t otherwise shown to be that way, but I can’t go into detail due to spoilers.

I did like the cameo by Fanny Crosby, which made this Psalty-loving girl really happy. In the end, I liked the book quite a bit, and I would recommend it to fans of Christian historical romance.

"But to have a purpose. To know your task and give your life to it with all your heart. There is nothing more noble or honorable.”

What a beautifully written novel with gritty and raw emotions set during a heart-breaking time in our nation. Once again, Tara Johnson creates an unforgettable fictional world nestled in a very real historical world - this time in Washington DC at the beginning of Civil War - that will draw you in and not let go. The hatred, brokenness, hopelessness, misery, and unspeakable loss are so very vivid and tangible, as are desire to do justice and mercy, love for all mankind, and God's overwhelming grace and provision. I really enjoyed the medical and surgical aspects of the story that made me feel like I was right there on the battlefield, treating and ministering to the soldiers. Tara Johnson never disappoints with her well-researched and profound words; this book is a must-read historical fiction.

I loved Cadence, a multi-talented young woman, who is insecure about her place in the world and striving so hard to prove herself and earn her father's affection. Joshua, a physician passionate about abolition and providing a safe home for children, is a broody, emotional hero with a huge and tender heart who also is working hard to prove himself. Watching their work relationship turn into something more through a host of varying circumstances was absolutely delightful and how they complemented each other in and out of the hospital was heart-warming. Threats hover on every side as the war escalates and Joshua becomes a target; this subplot adds a thread of suspense to enrich a story already masterfully layered with devastation of war, beauty of faith and music, journey to knowing worthiness and tenderness of first love.

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.

When I first read Tara Johnson’s debut novel, Engraved on the Heart, I couldn’t believe it was her first book it was so well written! All Through the Night is another beautifully written story full of complicated human emotions and wonderful God truths.

I’m struggling to find the words to express just how amazing I found this story. I must of highlighted like half the book there were so many lovely quotes in it! I always love Tara Johnson’s imperfect characters, they add a realness to the book that makes it relatable and believable. Cadence is such an endearing person, I felt all her varying emotions and celebrated her triumphs with her and wanted to comfort her during her lows. Joshua was so intense, moving from one extreme emotion to the next in seconds. There were sparks between the two right from the very beginning which lead to some very swoony kisses. Add an evil secret society and some adorable orphans and you have one great story.

This novel is a beautiful love story, not just between Cadence and Joshua, but between God and man. Set during the tumoltuous Civil War, join Cadence and Joshua as they find love, hope and family amid hate, war and death.

I've never read any of Tara Johnson's work, so this book was a surprisingly refreshing read. I immediately understood that the main character had a relationship with Jesus--which, to me, is very important if a novel is going to portray a Christian message. I believe that Jesus's love, grace, and forgiveness was demonstrated very well throughout the novel with both Cadence and Joshua's personal development.

I loved that Scripture was used in more than just a casual mention. Scripture is the Word of God and this book really dove into that with showing how God's revelation through a Scripture can change a person's heart. He did that with Cadence and with Joshua.

Great novel with a great gospel message.

Whilst reading this remarkable book, several words kept popping into my head but the two which linger most are "inspiring", "hope" and "redemption". The story itself is absolutely beautiful and heartwarming with real substance. Set during the Civil War in America, the horrors of war are detailed and thankfully not glossed over but the pulse of the book is hope and being "good enough"...and better.

Spirited but shy Cadence Piper has a speech impediment which has seared fear onto her heart. She grew up feeling inferior. Not good enough. But after meeting specific people as an adult who inspired her she realizes that is untrue. She is desperate to help where she can during the war and doors close on her. However, she perseveres and finds her niche. "Just do the next thing." That phrase really struck me and resonated...I've written it down so I don't forget it. It's so very important.

Compassionate yet somewhat stern Joshua Ivy is also desperate to do what he can during the war but his secrets and past haunt and preoccupy him. He is involved in scary situations but his steadfast faith in God does not waver. He and Cadence meet under interesting circumstances and really complement each other.

The characters are more realistic than many portrayed in books. They are imperfect. I also really like the historical details and that the book is not syrupy fluff. It is gentle in tone yet does sugar coat reality. The author's notes at the back are lovely...do be sure to read and absorb them. Christian Historical Fiction readers will surely be drawn to this inspiring read.

My sincere thank you to Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this inspiring book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.