The Prodigal's Welcome

Two stories set in the South at the beginning of the Reconstruction period, dealing with rebuilding lives, moving on after the war, finding faith, hope, and love.

"I don't think anyone really wins a war. Not when you weigh the cost."
The first story was about a son returning after the war was over, and finding his brother betrothed to his former fiance. Emotions run high, and there is a bit of melodrama at times. Reminded me a little of Gone With the Wind, with the plantation backdrop and the 'South shall rise again' theme. I enjoyed the second story more, with a daughter struggling to keep up her family's farm and care for a mother who did not always seem in touch with reality. It flowed better, plus the characters seemed more realistic and down to earth. It made me think about the lingering prejudices on both sides that must have been hard to overcome, especially when families were divided over the war. A bit of a twist with a treasure hunt made this interesting too.

The South in 1866 was an interesting setting for both stories, unconnected except for the link of rekindling faith and finding hope and love after the horror of war. The aftermath of the Civil War left a lot of wreckage, with families torn apart, severed relationships, the need to forgive, as well as people struggling to survive on the little that was left of their homes and towns; also the social struggles of race, class, and financial loss. Both stories conveyed this well.

Civil War buffs who enjoy clean romances and like a story with a Southern viewpoint will probably like this one. 3.5 stars

Kristen Billerbeck and Peggy Darty have each contributed a novel to this book. And both novels have similar actions in their respective plots. Both of the novels were fun enough to read, but I nearly got whiplash from the speed at which the heroines changed their attitudes about their beloveds.

In the Prodigal's Welcome, Nathaniel comes home after the war to find that his brother is going to marry his sweetheart. At first she would have nothing to do with him, then she proclaims her love for him within a day.

Grace is working herself ragged on her family's farm when a stranger comes bearing a message from her father. She and her mother ask him to stay for the night and share their meal. By the end of the evening, Grace is falling in love with him.

Both of the ladies in these novels fall into and out of love with their heroes with amazing speed. If the men haven't made a bone-headed mistake, they've said something that have made the ladies mad. Overall, the novels are quick reads, I just wish they spent more time developing the love story. Four stars.

My thanks to Barbour Books for allowing me to read and review this book

The Prodigal’s Welcome by Kristin Billerbeck is paired with the bonus story My Beloved Waits by Peggy Darty. Both stories are uplifting and based on biblical principles and set just after the Civil War.
The Prodigal’s Welcome is similar to the bible story in that the oldest son requested his inheritance and left Misssissippi for California where he squandered his money leaving behind the woman he was expected to marry. He returns six years later to find she is engaged to his brother. Everything is not just as it seems and there are many twists and turns that keep the story exciting and makes the reader want to read more.
My Beloved Waits is set in southern Alabama. Elizabeth Cunningham has lost her son to the war but is certain her husband, Fred, will return and watches for him every day. Her daughter, Grace, feels her mother is losing her mind as it has been months since they have heard anything from or about him. A Yankee named Jonathan Parker arrives to return Fred’s bible, at his urgent request, and to let the ladies know that he left him dying in a hospital. Though on opposite sides of the war they had saved each other’s lives at different points in the war. What will the community think of a Yankee in their midst? Is there a secret message in the Bible; is that why Fred was so insistent his wife must get it? There are again many twists and surprises to the story.
I enjoyed this book very much. I rate it 5 of 5 stars and recommend it highly. The writing flows very nicely and the characters are portrayed as realistic people who might have lived at that time.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.