The Sunflower sisters is a story told from multiple perspectives. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War, this is the story of the Woolsey family and the impact of their actions during wartime.. When the war begins, the Woolseys immediately begin efforts to bring aid to soldiers. In their work, they cross paths with a young slave, Jemma, that was conscripted by the Union troops. She is seriously wounded. Once she recovers, they take her into their care. Over time, they gradually learn from Jemma of the difficult life of slaves. Compassionately, the Woolseys work to reunite Jemma with her family and be freed,. The Woolseys and Jemma learn so much by helping each other and working together.

This story shows the horror of slavery. Jemma was supposed to be free. When her mistress dies, the heir to the estate refuses to honor the deceased’s promise. Jemma’s new mistress is vain, self important and cruel. She fails to recognize the humanity of her workers. Jemma and all the slaves on the Peeler Plantation are routinely abused. There is no way to gloss over this cruelty.

Martha Hall Kelly does a masterful job using fictional characters alongside historic figures such as the Woolseys. The conclusion of this story is satisfying and thought-provoking. So much has been written recently about WWII, learning about the many hardworking people that played pivotal roles in the Civil War is refreshing. I recommend this book to anyone interested in historic fiction. This is an excellent choice.

There are always lessons to be learned in a novel by Ms. Kelly. Having met Caroline Ferriday in "Lilac Girls", it was good to be introduced to her amazing ancestors. I was glad to find the slavery aspect was located in Maryland - a chance to learn more about a border state that dealt with the horrors of war and slavery. I would wish that at least one character in and around Hollywood, MD had some redeeming qualities. Fergus Watson seemed to have a good heart but was not a central figure. There were good and bad people in every situation. I liked the alternating perspectives from Georgy, Jemma, and Anne-May. Great story, great characters - historical and fictional.
Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the chance to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Sunflower Sisters" by Martha Hall Kelly is a solid book, but does not live up to Kelly's earlier works for me. The book alternates between three different narrators and perspectives and these characters are all intriguing in their own right.

First there is "Georgey Woolsey, who is a union nurse from New York City. Although she is from a well to do family and certainly does not have to partake much in the war effort, she insists upon it. She is a fascinating character and one whos perseverance is admirable. When many Civil War stories are focused on the men, this gives insight into a strong willed woman. Even better, she is an abolitionist.

Next, there is Jemma. She is unfortunate enough to be a slave on the Peeler Plantation in Maryland. You get to know her struggles and hardships as she tries to adjust from her former master to her new cruel one. Jemma is dealt obstacle after obstacle, but there is a point in the story where she has a sliver of opportunity to reach for her freedom.

Lastly, the perspective of Anne-May is a troublesome one. I often thought to myself could someone really be that horrible of a person, but sadly enough, I fear the answer is yes. She was raised in the deep south of New Orleans, so when she takes over and begins presiding over the Peeler Plantation, she governs with an iron first. She is as cruel as cruel comes in her dealing with her slaves, particularly Jemma. Without giving away any spoilers, Anne May makes some traitorous decisions in this book that are a highlight of her story.

If you are interested in historical fiction, particularly the Civil War era, and one that focuses on women's stories, I believe you will enjoy this book. Although a good read, it was not a standout for me. I believe the book was rather long and could have been condensed and still told the same story. I do look forward to reading the next book Martha Hall Kelly writes.

I received an ARC of "Sunflower Sisters" by Martha Hall Kelly from Netgalley and Ballatine Books in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed “The Lilac Girls” by this author so I was anxious to read this new novel. First off I want to state that a 3* from me means it’s a good book, just not a great one for me.

The story is told from three points of view. First we have plantation owner Anne-May Watson. She is as cruel as could possibly be depicted. She whips her slaves, feeds them poorly and trades them without a second thought. She is probably a compilation of many such owners in the south at the time. She has an even worse overseer who is an evil man and seems to enjoy whipping and torturing the slaves.

This takes place in Maryland which remained neutral as a state during the civil war. There were many families who fought brother against brother, father against son, etc. That is what happens here, with Anne-May’s husband fighting for the union and her dear brother Harry fighting for the Confederates. Anne-May does have some secrets that will come out later in the book.

Second point of view is that of Jemma who is enslaved on the Peeler Plantation owned by Ms. Watson. She has her mother and father on this plantation and a sister, Patience close by at a neighboring plantation. She has suffered much abuse at Anne-May’s hands and when she has a chance to escape, she takes it. But she’s not totally free yet, Anne-May will stop at nothing to get her back. Jemma has something that she wants and will do anything to get it from her.

The third point of view is that of Georgy Woolsey who lives in the north and is from a wealthy family. She is not content to stay home and knit socks!! She becomes a nurse and joins the Union army. As most women nurses back then, the doctors treated them often with disdain and thought them more suited just for making beds and emptying bedpans. Georgy however likes to stay at the side of the surgeons, assisting and helping with the patients. She and her sister Eliza discover the many dark truths about slavery and the horrors of war. They travel with the army from New York, to Washington D.C. and also serve at Gettysburg, as you all know was a terribly bloody confrontation.

The problem I had with this book is that it didn’t show or tell me about anything new. I have read historical fiction for many years and have read a lot about slavery and the nurses heroic deeds during the war. I had hoped that with the mention of “spying for the Confederate army” that there might be a lot of mystery here. However there wasn’t enough of that to keep me interested.

At 528 pages this is a long read. More editing to shorten this novel and condense some of the overly wordy descriptions and parts of the story.

I would recommend this to someone who hasn’t read a lot of history about slavery or women’s roles in the Union army.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
The novel is set to publish on March 30, 2021

Will post to Amazon upon publication.

Starting chapter 8 and truly enjoying the 3rd book in this series. Martha Hall Kelly has drawn me into Caroline Ferridays ancestor Georgeanna Woolsey who was a Union nurse during the civil war. I can't wait to continue reading to find out what happens with Jemma. a women who is ensalved and sold off to the army and Ann-May Wilson a southern plantation mistress who's husband enlists .

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly is outstanding! I first discovered this author through her novel, Lilac Girls. If you've read Lilac Girls, you'll know Caroline Ferriday, whose ancestor Georgenna Woolsey is one of the main characters of Sunflower Sisters. I love reading historical fiction, but I find the majority of novels are based on WWII. This story based on the times of the Civil War is superb! I highly recommend this book.

I have read author Martha Hall Kelly’s two previous books – “Lilac Girls” and “Lost Roses” so I jumped at the chance to read her newest book, set just before and through the Civil War. This one is based on the same Ferriday family that we meet in the other two books.

One set of characters features the unique Woolsey/Ferriday family, staunch abolitionists, many of them work as nurses. It was fascinating to read about women breaking into the nursing world as I didn’t realize that all nurses used to be male as well as doctors. Georgey is the main Woolsey daughter featured in this story.

The other storyline features a slave family and the owners of one particular plantation, Peeler Plantation in Maryland. Ann-May Wilson owns the plantation, and she is quite despicable along with her overseer LeBaron. Some of my favorite chapters feature Jemma, a slave who is brutally beaten by Ann-May. I really grew engrossed in Jemma’s family and I rooted for them to have freedom from slavery and this plantation.

The two storylines eventually intersect, and I found the second half of this book much more engrossing. There are battlefield scenes and quite a bit on Gettysburg and the aftermath. There are some espionage subplots, blackmail, Underground Railroad, and the people at the heart of a country torn apart.

Sunflower Sisters is Martha Hall Kelly’s last book in the series about the Woolley Women. I’ve read both Lilac Girls and the The Lost Roses and I think this one is my favorite. Kelly tells the story from the perspective of three women during the Civil War.

Georganna Wolsey, an ancestor of Caroline Ferriday, is from Connecticut and New York City. She becomes a Union nurse at the beginning of the Civil War serves in battlefield hospitals throughout the war. A staunch abolitionist,she works tirelessly to help Jemma, a young girl who has escaped slavery in Maryland.

Jemma lives on the Peeler Plantation in the border state of Maryland with her parents and sister Patience. She is owned by Anne-May Wilson, who inherited the plantation and all its slaves from her Aunt Tandy Rose. Anne-May is a cruel and abusive character who has an even worse overseer named LeBaron. Jemma is sold away from her family and is eventually conscripted in the Union Army where she meets Georgie Wolsey.

These three women tell the story of the war from their own perspective. It is a very well constructed book and very honest in portraying the ghastly conditions of the war. The research that went into writing it is very impressive and be sure to read the Author’s Note on this. I highly recommend Sunflower ! I received this as an arc from NetGalley.

Thank you to #Martha Hall Kelly #NetGalley #Randon House Publishing #Ballentine Books

How do you choose a favorite? Lilac Girls and Lost Roses were both brilliant books. Now we have Sunflower Sisters which may possibly be the best, especially if you are into the Civil War era.
The story is told by three strong female perspectives, The novel takes you from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut to New York and even to President Lincoln in Washington.
Martha Hall Kelly did an outstanding job writing this historical, passionate story. You will easily resonate to most of the characters. Some you will despise, others you will cheer on. I will never quite look at a Sunflower the same.

Another remarkable novel by this author! Based in the real life Caroline Derrida, a philanthropist during the time of the Civil War. The story is told through the lens of a few characters. Well researched and character driven. A marvel.

Alternating from three different perspectives, we learn about life in a border state, Maryland, during the Civil War. Both the northern and southern causes are explained through three different character’s experiences while the United States fights remain intact.

Georgeanna “Georgey” Woolsey, a Union nurse from New York City, is a staunch abolitionist after a traumatizing accidental witnessing of a slave auction while traveling with her mother. Despite facing many men who think women have no place on the battlefield, Georgey and her sister Eliza continue to volunteer their nursing services detailing a particularly gruesome battle in Gettysburg. While tending to her patients, Georgey writes a book describing her experiences and recommendations for nursing, in hopes of one day opening a nursing school for women. The only male who seems to trust her abilities is long-time family friend Dr. Frank Bacon, who despite their distance remains a faithful admirer of Georgey.

Jemma is a slave on the Peeler Plantation in Maryland, where she lives with her mother, father, and a handful of other slaves. Her sister Patience is enslaved on the neighboring plantation. All live in fear of LeBaron, the overseer who has nothing better to do than taunt them relentlessly. Jemma is sold away from her family, at the same time the Union army is coming through town as sees her opportunity to escape, but in doing so she leaves her family behind. Jemma, having been taught to read and write, has a fighting chance as she flees for what she believes is a safer haven North.

Anne-May, raised in the deep south of New Orleans, is willed the Peeler plantation by her Aunt Tandy Rose. She is a cruel woman who is not only verbally abusive, but physically abusive to her slaves, in particular Jemma who works inside her household. Addicted to snuff and despising her husband who fights and favors the Northern cause, Anne-May makes some traitorous choices during the war that seal her fate.

All three women’s stories were so interesting to read. Georgey fights to be respected in a vocation that does not approve of her presence, Jemma fights literally for her life only wanting the freedom she and her family deserve, and Anne-May fights with herself behaving in piteous ways merely to further her status.

The Civil War era is not one I read often, but Ms. Kelly did an excellent job of drawing the reader in. I particularly enjoyed the author’s notes on her sources researched while writing this novel.

With an expected publication date of March 30, 2021, I recommend you pick this one up! Thank you to Martha Hall Kelly, Netgalley and Ballatine Books for the advanced copy.

Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly was a fantastic book! I loved it. This is historical fiction at its best. A long book, but I enjoyed every chapter and was sad when the book was over.

The synopsis:

Georgeanna “Georgey” Woolsey isn’t meant for the world of lavish parties and the demure attitudes of women of her stature. So when war ignites the nation, Georgey follows her passion for nursing during a time when doctors considered women on the battlefront a bother. In proving them wrong, she and her sister Eliza venture from New York to Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg and witness the unparalleled horrors of slavery as they become involved in the war effort.

In the South, Jemma is enslaved on the Peeler Plantation in Maryland, where she lives with her mother and father. Her sister, Patience, is enslaved on the plantation next door, and both live in fear of LeBaron, an abusive overseer who tracks their every move. When Jemma is sold by the cruel plantation mistress Anne-May at the same time the Union army comes through, she sees a chance to finally escape—but only by abandoning the family she loves.

Anne-May is left behind to run Peeler Plantation when her husband joins the Union army and her cherished brother enlists with the Confederates. In charge of the household, she uses the opportunity to follow her own ambitions and is drawn into a secret Southern network of spies, finally exposing herself to the fate she deserves.

Inspired by true accounts, Sunflower Sisters provide a vivid, detailed look at the Civil War experience, from the barbaric and inhumane plantations, to a war-torn New York City, to the horrors of the battlefield. It’s a sweeping story of women caught in a country on the brink of collapse, in a society grappling with nationalism and unthinkable racial cruelty, a story still so relevant today.

Coming out in March, don’t miss this one! Get it here.

The final book in the series does not disappoint! Set in the Civil War, Martha hall Kelly again writes in three narration points - a slave, Jemma, her plantation mistress Anne-May, and a Northern abolotionist turned nurse Georgy. A strikingly deep, real look at the time period, SUNFLOWER SISTERS was hard to put down. I realized I read way more WWII books than Civil War fiction, and that perhaps that should change. A stark reminder of how far we’ve come in America, and yet haven’t at the same time.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book for my opinion. This is the third installment of Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls and Lost Roses trilogy. Each books focuses on a member of the Ferriday family as we go further back in time. This book is set in Civil War America and introduces us to Georgie Wolsey who becomes a nurse helping with injured soldiers. Jemma is a slave owned by Anne-May who is the villain of the story. The story is told by each of these narrators. The book is beautifully written and is a welcome addition to the author’s trilogy. The characters stay with you long after you are done reading. I have read all of the authors books and find this one of my favorites. I will definitely be rereading it along with the other two.

I was 10% into the book on my Kindle and still not connecting with the characters or various storylines so I did not finish book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars
I've read all of the author's previous books, and this one was by far my favorite. This is a book about extraordinary women, and I could not put it down. I loved the multiple perspectives - from Georgy (nurse/activist), Jemma (slave), Anne-May (slave owner). Georgy was by far my favorite - I loved how candid she was. She knew what she wanted and wouldn't settle for anything less, and that was very inspirational.
I thought setting the book in the border state of Maryland was a good choice, as it helped the reader to understand just how divided the country was during the Civil War. This hit very close to home for me, given today's current political climate.
I encourage you to read the Author's Note, which goes into more detail on her research. An astounding amount of hands-on research was done, and it shows. I was blown away by the level of detail put into the book.
If I had to change one thing, I would have liked to read at least one chapter at the end from Euphemia's perspective.
I would definitely recommend this to others, and I think it would be a great book club discussion.

Beautiful story. I can't believe I've never read any of Martha Kelly's books, They seem to be right up my alley! I loved the era of this book and especially reading about Georgy as a nurse during the Civil war. So fascinating! I definitely felt as though this book read as a movie, the characters were so real to me by the end. The Woolsey sisters definitely have me a Little Women vibe which I loved. Jemma's story is heartbreaking over and over again, but her spirit and love for her family kept me believing she would find happiness one day.
Loved this book! Will 100% be reading more of this author's books after this one!

If you've read The Lilac Girls or The Lost Roses, the author follows the same formula. She creates a well researched book that includes someone in the Caroline Ferriday family (either herself, an ancestor, or a descendent). She has 3 female narrators; one is a do-gooder socialite (the Ferriday connection), one is a victim, and the final one is a flawed villain. In her other books, you found some sympathy for the flawed villain. In this book, it is a little harder to do that. The story focuses on Georgy Woolsey (the Ferriday connection), Jemma, a young slave girl, and Anne-May Watson, a plantation and slave owner. As in the author's other books, there are some incredibly difficult sections to read and you might want to read a few passages with your eyes closed. Our history of slavery and our treatment of black people is truly heart wrenching, and the author doesn't hold back. The highlights of the book for me were the forays into the early days of women nurses. The author clearly did a lot of research and I had no idea how hard it was for women to break into nursing, the type of training they received, and the work required of them during wartime. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it. It may follow a formula, but the formula works!

A beautifully written, well researched story told from the viewpoint of three women with diverse backgrounds. At times I felt the story was moving a bit too slow. I’m glad that I stuck with it. Certainly worth the read.

Martha Kelly's third book of the outstanding Woolsey/Ferriday family, is mainly about Georgeanna Woolsey. She is the great aunt to Caroline Ferriday who was featured in the Lilac Girls. Caroline helped young girls released from Ravensbruck concentration camp. Georgey is a story of a Union nurse who joins the war effort during the Civil War. Her sister Eliza signs up also to nurse the troops. The story of the Woolsey sisters, inspired by a true account, gives us details to the inhumane plantation life for the southern slaves. The racial cruelty and the horrors of the battlefield do not make for a light read. The one that I enjoyed most, I grew up in the Maryland area that the plantation is suppose to be located. My brothers picked tobacco during the summers. So it brought back great memories. I thank Ballantine Books for allowing me through NetGalley to read this great book. The opinions express in this review are my own.