A journey toward a new beginning.

Picking up in the aftermath of Mountain Laurel Ian Cameron and Seona have made the best of their situation, but a chance encounter gives glimmers of a new start, but is it too late?

The powerful conclusion that not only brings closure to Ian and Seona's story but that also serves as a sequel to other stories in this author's cannon as well, but can be read just with Mountain Laurel.

Ian and Seona work to move past the things between them in this intricate and complex historical novel of new beginnings and fighting for love. The author does a wonderful job of showing realistically human characters, and the challenges of holding to faith when its hard. An intense read, with deep emotions, and a rustic frontier spirit!

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

I have always enjoyed this author's books. They are so well researched.
There were some wonderful faith messages, and the characters were all endearing.
The story will get to you emotionally and you will feel invested in their stories. Recommended reading.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a tremendous story.
This is one of those books that I almost don't even know where to start to share a review.
I loved the book. It's a satisfying conclusion to this captivating series by Lori Benton.
The beloved characters are back. The storyline follows both Ian and Seona, and the choices they must make regarding their lives.
Well written, well thought-out, deep and realistic characters. Charming, detailed setting.
All around, this is an amazing story.
(It definitely requires being read after Mountain Laurel, but that is another book not-to-be-missed)

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
2 likes

A wonderful conclusion to an epic drama on the frontier! I love Lori Benton's books, they are filled with rich history and such solid faith I always feel encouraged and comforted by the time I get to the end. Shiloh was a bit slow compared to some of her other works but it had such a dramatic conclusion and a lovely ending. I loved being reacquainted the old characters from Burning Sky as it's one of my favourite Lori Benton books. I'm going to miss all these characters but look forward to meeting new ones in her upcoming books, whenever they release.

Shiloh was a great sequel to Mountain Laurel. The first book was such a complicated story and didn't really leave you with a "happily ever after", so I was hopeful this one would have a happy ending.

This story yet again pulled on the emotions. I felt like the characters were real and enjoyed following them along on their journey. The story has some really intense moments where I didn't know if something bad was going to happen - and I enjoyed that element of suspense.

All in all, Shiloh was a very good read and I thought the ending was good. I do look forward to reading the next book when it releases.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

Well researched. Historical fiction readers will enjoy this in-depth story but will want to read the first book in the series to fully sort out the vast number of characters. The story moves rather slowly but is enjoyable.

Shiloh is a fabulous continuation to Ian and Seona’s story from Mountain Laurel. After finishing the first book, I was desperate for more of their story and was thrilled when Shiloh was released. I was equally as thrilled to discover familiar characters from a previous Lori Benton novel during the story. The author does an amazing job of pulling you into another world while bringing to the forefront faith and reliance on the Lord. I honestly can’t say enough good things about the Kindred books and would read 100 more if they were written.

When you read a Lori Benton book, you expect a beautifully written book. This book lived up to that expectation. This was definitely a unique story line and love story. Hardships abounded. Grace and forgiveness were needed. We follow Ian from North Carolina to Boston and New York. As he yearns to be reunited with Seona and his son Gabriel. Gold and greed threaten Ian. A story filled with danger, trials, joys and resolution. I listened to the story on audio. The narrator did a good job drawing me into the story and each character. I also received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All views stated are my own.

In Shiloh, after suffering a great loss, Ian Cameron leaves Mountain Laurel in North Carolina to join his family in Boston. After arriving and reuniting with not only his family but Seona, the woman he was hand-fast with, and their son, Ian decides that he will settle in New York, and chooses a large plot outside of Shiloh. After payment for the land has been made, word gets out that he paid with raw gold, attracting the attention of Aram Crane, a known trouble-maker. Upon getting settled, Ian asks Seona and their son to join his settlement with the hope of winning back Seona’s heart and eventually marrying her. But after she arrives, he learns that her trust may not be easy to win back. And when troubles arise with Aram Crane, challenging his ability to keep them safe, will Seona choose to leave and return to her life in Boston?

I was looking forward to this book after having read other books by Lori Benton, and I was not disappointed. I find Lori Benton’s books so easy to enjoy, as her descriptions paint such clear pictures, and her characters are so well built and developed. I loved this story about Ian and Seona. There is so much emotion, action, and drama. I love the theme of trust, not just in others but especially in God, that serves as an undercurrent of the story. Shiloh is another beautifully written novel by an author who has become one of my favorites.

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

Not realizing Shiloh was a part of a family series, I might have thought it a complicated book. Crowded with a large cast of characters, making up the many and varied branches of the family tree. Complicated by Scottish, slave and Indian language, traditions and cultures there were many times when I needed a translation, but the spiritual faith and revelations were universal.

This book was a bit slow at times and overall long. I think it could have benefitted from a sharp and critical editor making for a crisper and better paced telling.

It was, however, a well researched and solidly written work revealing what to me was a piece of little known historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and the chance to offer my review.

With her typical flare for bringing frontier history and romance onto the page and holding readers in a grip until the end, Lori Benton continues her story of redemption and love begun in Mountain Laurel. While Ian and Seona rediscover love and carve a new beginning in the wilderness through faults and stumbles, other characters' stories come to life too. I also loved how this story intertwined some of the authors earlier works (while not being a sequel to them in itself). Especially enthralling to me was the return of characters from her novel Burning Sky. (Oh, how I loved that story!) I've always imagined a happy ending for one particular character from that book. (Can you guess who I mean?) Anyone else who has loved that story will enjoy finding that and other happily-ever-afters in Shiloh. Adventure, danger, suspense, along with second chances and new beginnings--you'll discover them all in Lori Benton's rich historical.

A compelling conclusion to the series begun in Mountain Laurel.
Seamlessly adding characters from other books to join Ian and Seona's journey, made this feel like one epic family saga. The index of names for reference in the introduction looks rather daunting, but it wasn't hard to follow the storyline. Highly recommend reading Mountain Laurel first (and Burning Sky also) to avoid spoilers.

Well written, pulling on every emotion, this author never fails to create a masterful novel full of historical detail and human struggle, but leaves a path of hope and faith to follow to the end. The elements of parenting, rocky romantic relationships, and the pull of family ties were something I could latch onto and identify with. Added adventure with danger, and bravery shown from many characters, brought exciting parts towards the end. There are so many lovely lines to savor, especially the wisdom and faith of Malcolm. Watching Ian and Seona struggle and grow in faith was inspirational; genuine faith in action.

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

Highly recommend for historical fiction fans who enjoy early American frontier stories, with faith and romance.
4.5 stars

3.5
If you enjoy a good historical, Lori Benton is an absolute must read! Her research is impeccable and her writing stunning. Her descriptions are so vivid, you feel as if you are there. I thoroughly enjoy her work and recommend it.

My thanks to Tyndale House for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.

I truly think I could just sit and read Lori Benton’s books and be content. There is something so unforced and natural about her writing that calls me to just settle in and stay.
I along with everyone else (who has read Mountain Laurel) I’m sure was more than ready to follow Seona and Ian to their happy ending.
This book is Seona’s journey physical and emotionally from Mountain Laurel to Boston to Shiloh. There were so many complexities here for Seona and all the characters in this story. The Indian, whites and slaves all came from different viewpoints and many of them overlapped. Untangling feelings was a huge task.
Some things I loved about this story: the other romance stories that you may not see coming, the fact that Judith was in story throughout and all the scriptures that led the way for the characters to become whole.
I really feel that The Burning Sky and Shiloh should be read before you read this book.
I recommend it.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

Most of the time I love Lori Benton's writings. Her early American novels are well-thought out and well-researched, and they give an accurate glimpse into the history and events of the era. Shiloh does all this, but it does so with a slow-moving plot--almost as slow as molasses in January.

Ian Carmichael has watched his wife and son die during childbirth, and has made the decision to move back to Boston, where his son and his "hand-fasted" wife live with his parents. He wants to make a family with Seona, the mother of his son. He has to overcome the animosity of his brother, as well as Seona's reservations toward him. Every movement Ian makes is explained in excruciating detail, which makes the reading a slog through mud.

Lori has included the good guys, the bad guys, the hurting guys, and the not entirely good or bad guys. She has included a couple of romances happening in unexpected places, a kidnapping to make tension in the plot, and a welcome return home. But, the reading is slow, and I found myself finding excuses not to read the book. This is not to say that Lori has lost her touch in writing, rather, it is to say that this didn't fit my reading mood. I just didn't enjoy it as much as I had reading her other books. Three Stars.

I do want to say that this won't be the last book by Lori Benton I will read. Tyndale House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

SHILOH BY LORI BENTON is the second novel in the Kindred duology and it forms a fitting end to the complicated saga begun in Mountain Laurel. It is a story about family dynamics which starts in 1995 with Seona's life in Boston and Ian Cameron leaving Mountain Laurel after Judith's death in childbirth to find her and their son Gabriel, and carries on with the move to Shiloh in 1796. This fresh start amongst former slaves, Indians and whites, one of whom used to own said slaves, takes time and patience as they learn to walk in true freedom with faith and trust in the Lord, overcoming the fear of people's judgment. The introduction of the MacGregor family is a nice touch. There is also a great deal of suspense with at least one villain in the mix.
The characters are well portrayed and their hopes and fears are sensitively told. It is a story about second chances, undying love and restoration. I like the scriptures that flow through the book giving it real depth.
It is an enjoyable and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. the opinions in this review are completely my own.