The Rebel Bride

This is a "MUST READ" book!! It is very well written and grabs you on the first page. This book is full of emotions and the author did an excellent job at describing the pain and heartbreak of war. The way this book is written you feel like you are there, it plays like a movie in your mind as you are reading. This book deserves more than 5 stars.
Thank you Barbour Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this awesome book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have enjoyed the Daughters of the Mayflower series immensely. With each book being a standalone story and often written by a different author, this has been a joy to follow.

And what a history lesson in the process! From the Mayflower's landing to the Civil War, I have learned much. In The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear, we meet Pearl MacFarlane, who is forced to care for Union soldiers in her home. As the war drags on and injured men continue to arrive, Pearl struggles with her desire to not help the enemy with her willingness to obey the Scripture that says, "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head." Being raised in a godly home, she obeys the Lord and finds herself seeing her enemy in a new light. Especially in one Yankee who steals her heart.

I loved the characters in this story and the questions it raised. Both sides prayed to God. Both sides had Christian believers, and yet only one side could win. On whose side was God? God does not involve himself in politics. But He does involve Himself in our lives and our hearts. How we respond to people who are against us, says a lot about our relationship with Him.

Our two main characters, Pearl and Joshua, find that true love conquers a lot of things, and when God's Word and His ways are uppermost in your mind, anything can happen.

I received this book courtesy of Barbour Publishing through NetGalley.

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!

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 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.

This is a beautiful stand alone book, but is also the 10th in the Daughters of the Mayflower series. I don't know when I have enjoyed a series so much. Ms. McNear has done a excellent job of writing about a very hard time in America's history. She has a special way of bringing light into the darkness. I have learned more about the war between the states, as I have with all the other books in this series. I will not miss out by not reading the authors notes at the end. There are so many great details there. I found myself shedding tears as well as laughing out loud a few times. I thought this was an outstanding story and a great addition to my favorite series. I received a copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A unique look at a complex issue
The Rebel Bride was a fresh and captivating novel set in the South during the Civil War. I appreciated that different sides of the dilemma and complexities were presented without declaring who was ultimately right or wrong. Another question explored was what do you do/think when there are godly people on both sides of the war who are each praying for the Lord's protection and intervention? Despite these heavy topics, this was ultimately a romance about two people from opposite sides who come to realize that love can bridge the gap and bring you together regardless. I really liked the message of serving others with grace and in Christ's name despite the fact that they are your enemy. It was an interesting and engaging read that whilst historical still felt relevant and something that modern day readers can relate to.

Whilst the authour's notes at the beginning and end of the book were very factual, I thought they were far too long and a bit apologetic in nature.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I know that I say it all the time but I just adore this series. For anyone who appreciates family lineage and stretching their knowledge about lesser-known history of our country, this series is amazing. Each of the stories are standalones but the characters are connected through a bond of lineage.

One thing that I love the most about this series is that it slowly takes readers through American history in a way that stretches their knowledge while awakening a deeper appreciation for our nation's lineage. I cherish the fact that even the authors who have written in the more popular time periods, have searched for events and storylines that are unique in ways that they are still able to stand out from the norm. In her note to the readers, Shannon McNear expresses this very intent. The Civil War is easily one of the most common time periods for historical fiction but her hope was to find a story with a unique yet respective narrative.

When we think of war we tend to think in terms of "good guys" and "bad guys." For the Civil War we consider "North" and "South" or "Unionists" and "Secessionists," but do we really consider what it was actually like when it was brother against brother, father against son, etc? I wish I had highlighted the quote, but there was a part in the novel where it was said that both sides used the same Bible and had the same God. It was sad that it had to come to war in the first place. But what's unique is seeing multiple people from opposite sides of the battle still able to connect and develop friendships with one another through their circumstances despite the war raging on around them.

I really appreciated how the relationship between Pearl and Josh developed. At first the animosity that existed was tangible, but as she was convicted to "love her enemies," her feelings slowly changed. The more she was able to see Josh as another person instead of simply the enemy, the more she was able to see that there was more to him than his political opinions. It's amazing what happens when we actively choose to love others despite our differences.

Again, I don't think I can recommend this series enough. I have adored each and every one of them and can't wait to continue with the next one. If you haven't read any of them yet you need to change that!

*I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

I can’t get enough of this series! I love how each one highlights a different period of time in American history. With there being so many Civil War stories out there it can sometimes be challenging to find a story that is original. I think that Shannon McNear did an excellent job with her story! She gives us a fresh look at what life was like for families on the home front. I hadn’t read any stories about anyone being forced to open their homes and to care for those they consider the enemy. She did a great job describing hospital life and also military details. This book was so good! 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.

Wow! This book grabbed my attention right from the beginning when you could almost smell the gun powder and hear the screams of those injured in the Battle of Chickamauga. With so many wounded, they were taken to homes in the area for care, once the surgeon had done what he could. Joshua Wheeler, who lost part of his arm in the battle, was taken to the MacFarlane home where Miss Pearl was expected to care for him and those who arrived with him. Just imagine the feelings of disgust on the part of this southern belle drafted to care for Yankees!

‘If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head’. Questioning everything this war stood for, the faith of these well-developed characters shines through. Do we blindly follow just because of geography? Can there be redemption and forgiveness?

The Daughter of the Mayflower series gets better with each offering. As one who does most of her reading on the Kindle app, I have collected physical copies of all of these books, planning to read them again and bless others with the chance to read them as well!

I received a copy of this wonderful book through NetGalley and Barbour Publishing. The comments, impressions and 5 star rating are my own and were in no way solicited.

Wow! Shannon McNear taught me so much about the Civil War in this story, though it only encompassed several months of that terrible time in history. As I read the introduction and the author’s thoughts about writing this story, how she selected a middle-class family instead of one living on a plantation, how the issues leading up to the war went so much deeper than slavery, and especially how she had never even wanted to write a story about this terrible war, I knew that this was going to be an amazing book.

I tend to shy away from books about the Civil War. For some reason, I always think of this war as being far more horrendous than any other. So when I heard that the author of The Cumberland Bride, which I loved, was writing one set in this era, I cringed and debated about whether I should read it. Truely, if I had not already read The Cumberland Bride, I would have passed on The Rebel Bride.

From the very start, I was enthralled!

When Pearl’s cousin delivered a wagon full of Yankees for her to convalesce at her house, she was appalled. Not just at the work, which she was untrained for, or the lack of provisions to feed them, or even the fact she would have to give up her bedroom and sleep in the attic. The very thought of harboring the enemy grated on her every nerve!

Oh, how I loved Pearl’s Pa! His wisdom as he exhorted her with Scripture blessed me.



Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20

Pearl learned so much about how to follow Christ, especially when it wasn’t easy. Her care of the enemy, even if at first her motivation was simply heaping those coals of fire, was pretty amazing.

Josh was one of those enemy soldiers needing care. In fact, he wasn’t even conscious for days after he arrived. The injury he sustained was terrible, yet he adapted. And then began to help the best he could. I loved his very protective nature and the strength of character he exhibited.

Clem, Pearl’s younger brother and the only one who survived the war, was written so well! This young boy appeared to be simply avoiding the work needed around the house. Yet when I found out what this industrious lad was up to … my, my!



Rich descriptions made me feel like I was there, crawling through blackberry bushes, seeing Missionary Ridge, hearing the sounds of battle, feeling the frigid creek, smelling the odors of the house-turned-hospital. I quaked in fear, grieved at the loss, questioned which side was right, rejoiced over the unexpected miracle, and hoped for peace.

Readers who love history will love this story and won’t want to miss it!

I love this particular series because he takes historical events and creates a romance that is plausible to have happened during that time period. This story is just wonderful. It is clean, dramatic, never stopping, and very romantic.

Pearl MacFarlane lived with her father and younger brother in Tennessee during the final days/months of the Civil War. Her three older brothers had left for the war and had been killed. Her father is aging and in poor health and she feels frantic with the situation around her. After a big battle in the surrounding area, she is tasked with housing and treating some of the enemy Union soldiers because there are so many wounded. One of those, is Joshua, who has lost his hand and had part of his forearm amputated by the doctor. He is delirious with pain and fever and not likely to survive his injury but Pearl is determined that he won't die under her care. She spends days tending to him, as well as all the others.

The story is about how she and others of her family who are staunch Confederate supporters learn that the Union soldiers aren't' always the enemy. There are good and bad men among them, too. Pearl and Josh develop feelings for one another that don't seem possible because of the fact that they are on two opposing sides of a civil war. But, sometimes love can conquer all.

This was definitely a Christian based story with scriptures from the Bible scattered throughout the chapters. It wasn't heavy but might offend some that don't like that. There was great character development in the story with a multitude of characters to create a very rich story.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

"The Rebel Bride" was a wonderful addition to the Daughters of the Mayflower" series. The civil war was one of the most bloodiest war ever fought . Families were torn apart because of what side they fought on. It was brother against brother. This is the first book by Shannon MacNear I have read and she didn't disappoint me. Shannon MacNear wrote a great story of love, war and forgiveness.

I would gladly recommend this book to anyone who likes a great book!

I received this complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review

I wasn't sure how this book would go... I was very impressed with the sensitivity that Shannon McNear wrote this book. I have really enjoyed reading each book in the Daughter's of the Mayflower series. There are definitely some books that I want to delve into the history more than others.
With this book I couldn't help but look at the craziness of two sides of an issue... We do find ourselves in a place today where we stand with people on some things and stand with another set of people on others. I always challenge people to figure stuff out for yourself with the guidance or the Holy Spirit! Don't just take anyone's word for it and follow blindly... not a Pastor or a Person. Follow God and fight for the convictions He gives you. I loved how this depicted good people on both sides because there are in what goes on today...


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

This was a fast-paced read, that I found I did not want to put down! The story was original and exciting with characters that were realistic and likable. It is everything you could want in a delightful stroll through the pages of a historical romance and more!

Pearl MacFarlane is forced to take Yankee and Rebel injured soldiers into her home and nurse them. Though at first an unwelcome visitor, PEarl will soon learn that love and compassion do not take sides.