DREAMS OF SAVANNAN by ROSEANNA M. WHITE is a historical romance novel which takes place in Savannah during the American Civil War.
Cordelia Owens is a beautiful young lady with a vivid imagination, who loves reading and writes the most fantastic stories in which she is often the heroine who is saved by the dashing hero, in the form of Phineas Dunn. He finds this enchanting, but when hard times come will their tenuous relationship be strong enough? She has dreams which her beloved slave, Selena, also has, which either frighten her or give her hope, and lead her to pray even harder for Phin when he is away at war.
When Delia takes an interest in her parents' slaves and their stories, she is ashamed that people can be owned by someone else and seen as inferior beings because of their skin colour, even though the slaves in their household have always been treated relatively well.
When Phin finally comes home from the war, injured and somehow different, with a huge mute black man called Monty, Delia sees a big change in him.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
There is a really good Christian message of redemption and God's protection and the importance of knowing and following the Scriptures. It is a really lovely book and well worth reading.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. the opinions in this review are completely my own.

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White is an excellent historical fiction novel that has it all: history, action, suspense, romance, obstacles, beautiful landscapes, and faith.

I loved the beautiful images and descriptions of the trees, gardens, landscapes, buildings, plantations, and homes that made up the richly historic Savannah, Georgia in 1861. The author was impressive in her ability to place the reader within that time and into that location.

I love that Ms. White places us within the lives, minds, and thought processes of the people that make up the Confederate. One does not have to agree with the mentality of those one reads about to appreciate experiencing their way of thinking. Many were brought up within this society and through multiple generations, accepted this way of life. In no means am I condoling this acceptance of ideals and customs, and neither is the author, but in placing oneself into the thoughts of another, one can see how it is not black and white for anyone. There were decent, hardworking people caught up within the South that were lumped together with those that were wrong. There were families that were afraid, that had inner battles of their own of what was right and was wrong, that were also caught up in circumstances not of their choosing. While I will be supporter of the Union without a doubt, it was interesting to read about characters from the Confederate and how they felt what they felt to justify and rationalize their beliefs.

I really like Cordelia (Delia) and Phineas (Phin). They were wonderfully depicted and complex characters that were flawed, imperfect, and realistic. They were down to earth, like able and had a moral compass that helped guide them toward one another, growth, and towards the right paths as the book progresses. Their passion, love, and faith was evident throughout the story.

My personal favorite characters were Salina and River. They were strong, positive people that were able to find one another and help others during this horrific time of oppression and of limited opportunities in the South. They were able to use their education to help others and find happiness for themselves. I would love to read a book that followed them from this book onward. That would be truly enjoyable.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for this arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/5/21.

Roseanna M White includes everything in her books--underdogs, bad guys in sheep's clothing, conflict, the girl who knows her own mind, dreams, fairy tales, historical components, and sometimes the kitchen sink. That is what makes her books so compelling and intriguing.

The Underdog--Phineas "Phin" Dunn
The Bad Guy--Julius James
The Conflict--the War Between the States, or the uncivil Civil War
The Girl--Cordelia Owens
The Dream--for Phin it's to marry Cordelia, and for Cordelia it's to marry Phin; but there are other dreams involved with other characters: Luther, Eva, Salina, River, and Rock
The Fairy Tale--Rescuing the damsel in distress
The Historical Components--Savannah during the Civil War is accurately portrayed with research into the times and area being spot on.

Cordelia's father wants a match for her who will enrich the family coffers, and Phin is not that man in his eyes. When her mother's cousin, Julius, comes to town, he seems to fit the bill. But, Cordelia sees beyond the smooth exterior to his truly dark nature. She tries her hardest to tell her father what Julius is truly like, but until he sees it for himself, he won't believe anything bad about Julius.

Roseanna is such a good writer, I love reading her books. This is a five star book with two thumbs up and your favorite superhero--Underdog!

Bethany House Publishing and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

An incredible, heart-wrenching story of humanity and life from Roseanna M. White! Some extremely difficult topics are present in Dreams of Savannah, especially considering the current political climate, but White does a fantastic job of exhibiting growth in thought and action in her characters, and brings attention to the people behind the broad American Civil War era.

I cheered, I cried, I swooned, I reflected—I simply felt. White’s story forces the reader to take into perspective the way they are living their own life, and how they can grow and truly listen to what others are saying. It will open your eyes to privilege and the sides of history we’d like to ignore, but are still all too real and painful. It’s by no means an easy read, as terrible things happened and continue to happen in this country, but it is an utterly necessary story.

Every character is incredibly written. Some are completely and utterly horrific, some are completely and utterly remarkable. No matter which end of the spectrum they fall at, each character will make a distinct impression on the reader. I personally related most to Cordelia, with her tendency to romanticize and dream, but also to her growing desire to create great change and cultivate her own awareness. The intertwining stories and relationships often brought tears to my eyes. White’s incorporation of multiple points of view, both black and white characters, adds a depth to the story that is heartbreaking and illuminating.

Dreams of Savannah is a story I needed. It is impossible to ignore what is going on in the world right now, and I appreciate this story in this moment more than I can say. It is incredible as a story, but it will hopefully start a journey of individual self reflection that will lead to absorbing more points of view on this topic. From the characters to the history to the narrative, White has truly created something phenomenal. 5/5 stars

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

Very intense emotional story set during the Civil War. Told in different perspectives, this historical account is eye opening. Such a hard time in our nation's history. My favorite character was Luther. This who enjoy this historical time period will be impressed with this book. Not light reading.

This was a different sort of novel after coming off of the codebreakers series. I think this story was very authentic to history, even though at times that made it hard to read. The storyline was pretty intense and serious. I think it would be hard to read this book and not be sympathetic for so many of the characters and their difficult situations, which unfortunately are historically accurate. I don’t think I was expecting how heavy this book felt.
The different points of view in this book allow the reader to experience the thoughts and feelings from several perspectives which offered a lot of depth to this story. My favorite characters were Luther and Phil. Their unlikely friendship was the heart of this story for me. I think readers who like a more serious and emotional story will really be impacted by this novel.

Whenever I read a Civil War romance, I can't help but hear characters from Gone With the Wind in my mind, often because the characters seem to be somewhat one dimensional. This book was a refreshing surprise for me. When I received a net galley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, I was amazed at how much I really enjoyed it. The characters both Black and White were intelligently written, thoughtful, and well rounded. The story was very compelling and had me staying up late into the night to read "just one more chapter."

This story of the struggle of the Civil War was enhanced by the strong cast of characters and the interesting plot. There was the free Black man from England who was well educated searching for his wife mistakenly sold into slavery, the Southern gentleman fighting for states' rights yet fighting his own views of slavery and the war, the evil rogue who disrespects all women, the obtuse father who loves his daughters including one from his relationship with a slave, the Southern wife who overlooks her husband's flaws, the idealistic daughter who can't wait for her soldier to return and lives to write fantasy novels all the while becoming increasingly aware of the brutal reality surrounding her, the daughter who is half Black half White but doesn't fit neatly in either world, the slave who pretends he is less intelligent than he is yet willing to risk his life for others, and those who are just trying to find ways to survive as the war comes ever closer to Savannah.

Filled with romance, suspense, betrayal, and the ever soul-wrenching conflict of the Civil War, this book tells the struggles of several couples both Black and White in epic proportions. It is a must read for all those who enjoy historical religious fiction. The religious aspects of the story are nicely woven in throughout the story and are a natural part of the characters' lives. Highly recommend this book and hope that a sequel is in store because I can't wait to see what happens to these characters.

Roseanna White is an author I normally associate with exceptional novels based in England. However, she deviates from her usual activity in her latest, Dreams of Savannah, a story set in the early days of the Civil War. Here, tension mounts as races, ideals, and dreams collide when circumstances challenge deeply held beliefs. I adored the interplay between characters, but it was only deepened by the racial issues White cleverly brought into play.
Yes, there was a wonderful element of romance within the pages but the story was so much more than that. Rich in history, rich in meaning, and rich in truth, this story will mesmerize any reader. Fans of White will not want to miss this newest release!
I received this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful and complex story. I love historical fiction and Roseanna M. White does it so well. Her stories set in England are fabulous, and I had no idea what to expect from her American civil war story. I loved that I could not tell where it was going for the longest time. This story has it all; the difficult topics of the civil war, betrayal, suspense, history, action, family drama, secrets, obstacles, heroes, villains, and faith.

Phinneas Dunn leaves for naval service for the Confederate States with an understanding with his sweetheart Delia Owens.

Delia is a storyteller and entertains family and friends with her stories. Phin has Delia's father's permission to write to her from war.

"Well, as much as it might disappoint Delia if he wrote the naked truth to her, it wasn't a pretty story. It was just day after day, month after month of doing what had to be done."

Phinneas is injured and ends up being cared for (out of the country) by a pastor and a free black man from England. This time of healing makes an impact on Phin and challenges how he thinks. I love the friendship that develops between Phin and Luther, and the developing faith Phin experiences.
"Do you realize that in a single sentence you called me your friend, quoted scripture, and, in so doing, reminded me to have faith?"

"Mankind can have black hearts, it is true, no matter the color of their skin. "
"Though mankind did have a remarkable ability to be blind to what they didn't want to see."

"It's not that she (Delia) doesn't see the tragedy, she just chooses which stories to tell. " "We need happy stories in the midst of trials. They keep us going. Remind us of what we're struggling for."

"And since then, others had been seeking her out. They all had stories. Stories she was humbled and blessed to be entrusted with the telling of. Stories of heartbreak and injustice, sometimes. Stories of love and family, always. Stories of redemption and sacrifice, more often than not. Stories of.... humanity. stories that had changed her as she heard them, as she wrote them. Stories that made her wonder if that's what stories were meant to do."

I was thoroughly engaged and came to love Delia, Phin, Salina, River, and Luther, and did not want "Dreams of Savannah" to end!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend Dreams of Savannah!

Dreams of Savannah by Rosanna M. White is a stand alone novel, very much different than her previous Code Breaker series.

The Civil War era was a time of conflict. It was a time when society placed high expectations of marriage. Delia waiting for Phin to return from war. All the while her father pushing her to another more suited man. Meanwhile Phin is wounded and cared for by a British black man, Luther Bromley. Their story is very much at the heart of this novel.

As with her other novels, it is well researched by Rosanna M.White. I found the storyline to be a little heavy. Although it moved slow in some areas, the plot moved it along. A good historical novel.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M White grips you with a heart-pounding opening and doesn’t let go until the last satisfying word. I love her skill in pulling the reader in with believable, likable characters, interesting locations, and a message to keep you thinking about the book for days. Highly recommended.
Cordelia had a vivid imagination that entertained her family. Her family owns slaves and her thought process as she works through this was well written.
Phin is the man she has been holding out for. He goes to war and comes back injured and changed. He also does not come back alone.
They story had action and a thought provoking message. I would highly recommend this book.
I have yet to read a book by Roseanna that I haven’t fell in love with.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

Wow! This book what not what I have come to expect from Roseanna M. White as she takes a departure from her usual stories set in England, but I was not disappointed.

Dreams of Savannah carefully depicts life in Georgia during the time of the civil war and describes the plight of the African American slave as well as the struggles some masters undoubtedly felt about the injustice of being a slave owner and the inability to give the slave freedom due to the laws governing the land.
Cordelia has a vivid imagination and a love for writing stories which is both a blessing and a curse after she is separated from her love, Phin, when he leaves to serve in the war. The characters are called to re-evaluate and to consider if the way things are is the way things should still be. If it is time for change not only in society but in themselves.

If you enjoy dramas set in the old South complete with hoop skirts and southern belles, then I think you would enjoy this book.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free copy of Dreams of Savannah. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Roseanna White's books always find their way to the top of my TBR and this should be no exception. I found this book to be very different from her other books, yet still at the high standard, if not higher, that her readers expect. To me a sign of a great author is that they can shift to different historical settings or genres with ease. This stirring tale is a satisfying blend of a fast-moving plot filled with danger and a developing romance that will satisfy every romantic heart.

Under White's skillful pen, it is the individual spiritual journeys that the hero and heroine undertake that is centerstage, as they face a moral dilemmas that questions their way of life. As the foundation of their world is crumbling, they each learn to rely on God's will, guiding them to make a difference in the lives of others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Dreams of Savannah" is a romance set in 1861 in Georgia (and briefly in Cuba). Phineas' family owns a plantation with slaves, though his grandfather had intended to free the slaves at his death. A new law prevented the freeing of slaves. Still, Phineas went off to join the Confederate Navy to defend his home and way of life and in hopes of winning the approval of Cordelia's father. Phineas loved that Cordelia's a storyteller and how she cared for the people around her. When he's wounded, washed overboard, and presumed dead, Cordelia's pressured by her father to marry someone that doesn't respect her and only wants her fortune. Even though Cordelia's world is shattering around her, she bravely stands against the pressure to conform and for what is right.

The main characters were complex, engaging, and reacted realistically to events. I cared about what happened to them. They grew as people as they faced hardship and relationship struggles. I liked how Phineas and Cordelia admired and loved the uniqueness of each other. Events refined that love and showed that they had chosen things more desirable in a marriage partner than power and wealth. The historical details were woven into the story and brought the time period alive in my imagination. There was a lot of suspense from the danger from the war and from those tempted to mistreat Cordelia and the slaves. Blacks (both free and slaves) were major characters with fully developed backgrounds. One major character was a Christian preacher who helped to further shape Phineas' views about slavery. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.

Roseanna M. White continues to be at the top of her game in Dreams of Savannah. She's long been an auto-read author for me and I've read a couple of her past series multiple times. Dreams of Savannah was a bit different from some of her more recent books (all set in England), but wow, I loved this story, loved the romance, and loved the long journey with these characters. There are some very tough pieces of our nation's history included in this book, but the author handled them with care and authenticity—no romanticizing of ugly realities, which I appreciated.

It was interesting reading this book at the end of a year marked with racial tensions in our country. Because of that, I think this book may find mixed reviews. We always want change to come quickly. But it takes a long time for long held beliefs to truly change. This book shows that happening in Cordelia, Phineas, and even Luther. Cordelia and Phineas live in the south and their families own slaves. At this time, owners were not allowed to free slaves. They felt they were doing enough by being relatively kind masters. They come to realize some of their own wrong thinking and prejudices. It's a good step.

I enjoyed Cordelia's romantic nature. She spins stories of adventure and rescue and love. When Phineas is missing, Cordelia's stories "made the impossible seem worthy of hope" (location 4053). Phin's father points out how the world needs happy stories during hard times and how they can be useful in reminding us what we're fighting for.

I would recommend this book. While it may not take things far enough for some, I think it's realistic in showing the beginnings of a heart change. In words Cordelia might use, there was a "dastardly villain" and a few beautiful souls who'd make great "knights in shining armor."

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Once you turn the cover you will be quickly drawn in, and warning, this story just keeps getting better and better!

The time is the beginnings of the Civil War, and we are in the deep South. We are mainly with the Dunn and Owens families, and their in love offspring, Phin and Cordelia, and life that tries to tear them apart!

Warning, you are about to begin a journey that spans Continents, near death, loss and found, and you will be quickly page turning for answers, and hoping for their survival!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

*** COMPELLING HISTORICAL, CLEARLY A LABOR OF LOVE ***
I suspect this book may be seen as controversial/difficult for some readers. It takes place during 1861 Civil War, with a heavy emphasis on slaves & slave owners. While that was a dark time in our history, it nonetheless did happen & should not be forgotten or ignored. The author shares that she literally spent years on this book, coming back to it, reworking & researching it. There are rich details & many struggles shared. I especially liked the relationship that developed between Luther, a free black man & Phin, newly signed up in the Confederate Navy (“Sarcasm doesn’t become you Luth.” “Nonsense. It & I are the dearest of friends.”) & how God used each of them to help the other with their problems & gain better understanding of the other’s race (“Father in Heaven,” he prayed softly, but loud enough that it might slice through the cloud of Phineas’s mind, “place your hand on young Phineas. Heal him, Lord, by the power of the blood of Christ Jesus, who has died so that we might live. Let this young man stand again, walk again. Go home again to the family he misses so much.”). I loved how both Phin & Delia grew in their compassion towards slaves, even to the point of helping them escape. Delia is consumed with writing fictional stories & the joy she gets in sharing them was fun to experience. There are several secondary stories adding to the book’s complexity. E.g., Salina is half black & half white. We see through her eyes the struggle that meant for her. Overall, this was a rich story that made me consider much, but still enjoy the journey of it.
I was gifted a book from the author & publisher for my honest opinions, which are all my own without compensation or further expectation.
Bethany House Publishing, Stand-alone-novel 392 Pages (c) 01-05-2020
((4.5 Stars=I Really Liked It))
#DreamsOfSavannah
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*Warnings*
#1 This is a long review, so pull up a chair and grab a bowl of popcorn. You'll be here awhile. #2 When I read a review, I want substantial information. So I will not skimp on the details. Which will mean some spoilers, so watch out. #3—additional warning reserved only for this review—I’m trying something different. Again. We’ll just see how this works. Hopefully I can contain the stream of consciousness…


First Thoughts
I’ve had a lot of experience with Civil War era fiction, and not all of it has been good. As a born and bred Southern girl who comes from a long line of Crackers (aka, poor white trash) who picked cotton and fought for the Confederacy, my opinions on the Civil War are, shall we say, skewed. Because of that, I don’t see the war as everyone else sees—and writes—it. So I’m very picky about my antebellum, Civil War, or Restoration era fiction. I don’t want to read something that stereotypes Southerners as heartless, racist jerks, or something that glosses over slaves (and Crackers) to focus on a bunch of highfalutin Southern belles. I want the grit, the emotion, and the truth behind the war—not propaganda.
Therefore, I wasn’t too sure going into Dreams of Savannah. Everyone nowadays is very much a “Yankee,” regardless of where they live, so portraying all Southerners with including cliches is very difficult. I know I enjoyed reading White’s Circle of Spies, but if it’s not Gone with the Wind or Eugenia Price, I’m not interested.
Roseanna’s last novel, A Portrait of Loyalty, hadn’t particularly been my favorite and though I really like her last two series (Shadows Over England and The Codebreakers), something in her voice has changed. Her stories haven’t been the same.
That being said, I was very wary about DOS. I’ve found that when I’m wary about reading something, the book is pretty much fantastic. This is true for Dreams of Savannah.
We open with a ball just before the boys leave for war, and at first the story is light and our main girl, Cordelia, is daydreaming about her soon-to-be beau, Phineas Dunn. This doesn’t seem to leave a lot of room for grit, darkness, and a well-formed argument for the South, if you know know what I mean. Another belle of the ball and her adventurous, rich, pampered boyfriend. But you throw in a traitor or two and an Englishman? You got yo’self a story, dat’s what.

The Plot
In her earlier works (not including her biblical fiction; they’re on a whole ‘nother level), I could easily describe Roseanna as a “plot-driven” writer. Now, I’m not so sure. I’m beginning to see how she has a vague plot or an inciting incident that she employs on the first page, then a novel that’s carried to The End by the characters. This system has worked pretty well for her in the past—like with On Wings of Devotion, where in the aftermath of Ara’s abduction, not much happens that isn’t, well, drama.
However, I’m not sure if that’s the best way to go. For her previous books, we already knew the characters—like Camden, who we met in The Number of Love. The character has already be established and, at least a little bit, fleshed out. We understand from Page 1 why Camden kidnapped Ara, simply because we knew the sort of bloke he was. Right?
Not so for Dreams of Savannah. We’ve never met Cordelia or Phin before, so when we immediately dive into him leaving for war and Delia promising to wait for him, we’re not quite certain what kind of characters we’re dealing with. The main event of the plot is carried through ‘til about the halfway point, where we begin to see the characters (both main and secondary, like Delia’s dad, Julius James, etc.) use their drama skills to keep the story going. It’s not a bad idea, but I was left wondering halfway through, who are these guys? That left the rest of the novel kind of flat, I guess.
Still, I enjoyed the storyline. Roseanna stuck with a simple method—war + shipwreck + missing person + scoundrel for a cousin = happily ever after. She managed to stay away from politics and bloody fighting without glossing things over. She stayed true to the South, the Cause, and honor without conforming to the image most people today have of Southerners and Confederates (i.e., sexist, racist white jerks)—and that made for a very interesting, enjoyable read.


The Characters
Remember what I said about not really knowing who Phin and Delia were? Well, that’s what will keep this section pretty short. Phin is describe as adventurous, but he didn’t have much “screen time,” at least as his “old self.” His new self is even harder to pinpoint. I couldn’t get a definite read on his personality. He didn’t seem quiet or reserved, but he wasn’t necessarily talkative and outgoing. He wasn’t rakish, but he was apparently quite the catch. Not really an alpha male but not a beta either. *shrugs* He wasn’t a bad character, but let’s just say he won’t be added to my “Best Hero Ever” shelf.
As for Delia, I actually liked her. She’s not my type of heroine, I guess. She had a little more personality than Phin, but I would’ve liked the simple questions answered—not the difficult ones. It was easy to figure out that she liked people, was curious, and loved to dream. She’s optimistic, but also has a lot of deep-seated fears. But what kind of sister is she? Would she rather be gathering inspiration by socializing with her friends or putting it to paper holed up in her room? Why does she get along with everyone but not her mother? On that note, I would’ve liked to have seen more of her family, Phin’s included. Lacy was a great little sister until suddenly...she’s not. Ginny’s never present in the book. Delia’s relationships with her parents are, to say the least, crazy.
This is what I was saying. We jumped right into the plot, the story, without first coming to understand the main characters and what makes them tick.
Because of this, I really liked Salina and Luther more than Delia and Phin, and I would’ve loved to have seen more of them! Their motives and personalities were pretty clear, and they were so unique (or at least Luther was) and had more interesting storylines of their own.
I would’ve liked a lot more romance. Because Phin and Delia were all but engaged by the first chapter, their first kiss wasn’t all sparks and fire. The conflict surrounding them wasn’t as...conflicting as it would’ve been had they just met or fallen in love. As for Salina, her relationship with River just *poof* happened all of a sudden. I would’ve liked to have watched them fall in love, probably more so than Phin and Delia.
Luther was fabulous, though. A story about him and Eva when they met and fell in love would be SO AWESOME! He had a lot more personality than Phin did, in my opinion, and so seeing only a few scene here and there of him was kind of disappointing.
I was beyond happy when White put in four POVs. Her earlier series usually included four—from the villain to the two love interests to the “other guy,” whether that be the villain’s accomplice or the third point in a love triangle. Even though Phin and Delia weren’t the best characters, Luther and Salina more than made up for it!

The Subject
Speaking of romance, I’m not entirely certain Roseanna was going for a romance when she wrote Dreams of Savannah. Most romance writers don’t dare go for the story where the characters have already fallen in love and everything seems on the fast track to success. The first kiss and meet cute are almost always nonexistent, and that’s pretty much what makes a romance. Because of the way White wrote this book, I’d probably be more inclined to call it just plain historical fiction than a romance.
Without a doubt, it’s more philosophical than anything. And I appreciate that. When one pays too much attention to romance or action, one misses the depth of it all. White’s always been a very thoughtful writer, and even if I may not agree with all of her opinions, I like that she’s not afraid to express them in her writing and carefully craft characters who discover those thoughts and opinions for themselves. It makes the story that much more authentic.
I was so terrified that the Civil War was going to be presented as a bunch of heartless white men fighting for slavery and a group of patriots fighting against it. However, White was very mindful of the Confederates’ and the Union’s true agendas, that the war wasn’t just about slavery—that it was a war of honor. She tackled that subject so well and portrayed Phin’s change without a hitch. Instead of embracing racial equality with unrealistically open arms, he struggled with his views and what he’d been taught, without being a jerk. Make sense? I think the transition was really good. It’s difficult to pull off a realistic transition into anything in fiction, so I more than appreciate the care White put into writing that aspect of Phin’s story.


The Prose
I’ve always loved White’s prose. Her style is unique without being overly so, if you know what I mean. I’d actually say she’s got two separate voices—the one she’s used for her Shadows Over England and Codebreakers series, and the one she’s used for everything else.
The latter has visibly grown since A Stray Drop of Blood debuted in 2009, but it has always retained its sense of balance—between emotion, action, dialogue, and narrative. The flow has always been measured and even, not quite melodic but not at all choppy. Perfect, you could say.
The first, her “new” voice, is choppy and abrupt, like a clipped London accent. Her one or two word sentences make for a sudden jar—not an unpleasant one. An emotional one. I like both styles. I’ve tried them both in my own writing, and I’ve seen where they fit certain characters and situations better than others.
But...I’m really glad she reverted back to her voice. Maybe it’s because she wrote Dreams of Savannah years ago, in 2011, or maybe it’s because she saw that her American accent (not the clipped London one) fit well for her Georgia girls and boys.
Speaking of Georgia, can I just say that I LOVE my state? I know nothing’s perfect (and Georgia certainly isn’t), but DOS release day also happens to be the date for the run-off election for senate, so...prophesy, maybe? For those of y’all who enjoyed (or think they will enjoy) Dreams of Savannah, I HIGHLY recommend reading Eugenia Price’s Savannah. You’ll suddenly understand why Delia dreams of Savannah once you read Price’s take on this historic port.


Long Story Short…
To summarize, Dreams of Savannah wasn’t a perfect book. But it was a perfect reading experience. Not only was I uncertain about White’s novels, I was also uncertain if I could get sucked into anything again. I haven’t been reading like I should (or used to, that is), and I’ve had to force myself to get through some things, so I wasn’t certain if I’d be able to breeze through Dreams of Savannah. (Was it possible that *gasp* I was coming to not love reading as much as before?) But then I got sucked in, page by page, until I was walking around with my face in this book and putting up with the sun through the trees whilst riding in the car just to finish one more chapter. You know how it is.
The highlights of DOS are definitely Luther and Salina and the way White wove everything together like a dream. It could have been better, and Delia and Phin could’ve had more personality—or just more. Maybe the book should have been longer to allow their characters more…“fleshiness.” But…(there’s always a but, you know)…it was worth it. I enjoyed it, I really did. And if you were to ask me if I’d read it all over again, I would. Would I recommend it? I would. Would I rate it five stars?
Yeah. I would.

BookWorm

Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All the opinions expressed above are my own.
Obviously.

PS: I think I actually managed to contain the stream of consciousness this time! Hooray!

Roseanna M. White is one of my go-to authors for historical fiction. She always writes lovely relatable main characters, dastardly villains, and a beautifully flowing story-line that draws you in and makes you want more. This book was no different. While her most recent novels took place in England during WWI, this one actually takes place in the Southern States during the Civil War. Seeing a Christian novel written from the perspective of slave owners was enlightening. I appreciated that in the author's note, she indicated getting critique and perspective from Christian author Toni Shiloh, who has been a strong voice in recent years for POC in Christian fiction. While I felt that the novel depicted history well, it does still speak to the reality of slavery in our nation's history, which felt a little bold. But it's a story that needs to be told.

This book follows Coredelia Owens, a member of Savannah's society and story-teller extraordinnaire. I loved seeing an "author" perspective within the book. While in that timeframe, Delia would not likely have ever been able to be published because she was a woman, I loved that she wrote and told stories for the love of the story and not for personal acclaim. I appreciated how she grew personally in her talent and sought to tell stories that were uplifting and honoring and not JUST entertaining (after all, that's one of the big reasons I read Christian fiction!). Our hero was Phineas Dunn, who went to fight in the Confederate navy where an incident had him convalescing south of the border while everyone thought he was missing and/or dead. While there were several plot lines that kept the book moving, this was more of a character driven novel as the main characters learned to see those enslaved in a different light.

In addition to strong character development, this book had a solid faith thread. Phin found himself convalescing in the home of a minister and he retained the scriptures that were read over him while he was unconscious. Delia learned to rely more heavily on God as she prayed for Phin's safety and well-being. They both grew spiritually throughout the book as well as personally. I would definitely recommend this one to fans of inspirational historical fiction.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced e-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

What a great novel! It was interesting and unique to read from the perspectives of Southerners during the Civil War as their views and beliefs become challenged during the story. I really liked the characters in the subplot in the novel as well. The history is seamlessly woven into the book, creating an interesting and intriguing setting for romance and growth. I really liked Cordelia and Phineas and loved their evolution in the novel. The spiritual truths are relatable to my own life. The plot had a few unpredictable twists and I found it hard to put the novel down! (Also, can we talk about how gorgeous that cover is?!) I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

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

What I loved:

Cordelia was a fun character. She was kind, compassionate, and imaginative. I loved how she turned everything into a story, and I loved the fact that she examined her biases and took the time to educate herself once she was made aware of them, and the moments when she took a stand.

She and Phin had good chemistry and completed each other well, though I feel their relationship could have used more development (more on that in a minute).

Luther was a fabulous character! LOVED him! Salina was a wonderful, strong character. I wish we could have heard even more of her voice.

My main complaint is that, while we got to know both main characters very well, their individual development was great, and they had really good chemistry when they were together...much of their relationship takes place off screen. They don't go through any of these changes together, and it's near the end of the book before they both know they're on the same page over the issue of slavery. When they were together they didn't talk about what was happening in their lives that was changing their outlook on life. I wish we had been able to see more of their relationship at the beginning of the book, and maybe some of their letters.

I think it would have also been helpful to see Phin's character and interaction with his slaves at the beginning of the book before he met Luther so we could appreciate his change a bit more.

The Civil War books I have read on the past fall into two camps: 1. The South is a villain camp 2. Humanizing the south while glossing over the issue of slavery (yeah, slavery was bad, but...*cue defense of slavery or slave owners*) camp.

As the spectrum goes, this book would fall more towards the middle. It does humanize the people of the South, but it ALSO deals with the issue of slavery. It is probably the first book I've read that includes an awakening of the slave owners to the evil of slavery. It has a clear anti-racism/anti-slavery message, while acknowledging the complexities of the day. There a challenge (albeit, subtle) to the reader to examine our own biases.

Overall, it was a very good read. This is a difficult topic to navigate, especially when writing fiction. What I think this book does well is that it does not dwell overly much on defending or villainizing the South. Instead it addresses people living in a broken system and asks them to do their part in bringing about justice.

From the beginning, I was drawn to the characters in this engaging story. I especially enjoyed the two main characters as they struggled and wrestled to establish their beliefs. The lessons of faith which included prayers and God’s Word were much appreciated. I also enjoyed the few moments of humor aptly added against the backdrop of this adventurous tale. The creativity and imagination of Delia, who wants to be a writer, is simply wonderful and demonstrates the power of words and story. Throughout the book, Roseanna White illuminates the beauty of each person’s individual life story. I found this novel to be rich in history and written with respect of the Civil War era. I highly recommend it. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Whenever I learn that Roseanna M. White has a new book coming out, it immediately goes on my must-read list. This very skilled author has an amazing talent for crafting historical fiction that makes me feel like I have stepped back in time into the era she is depicting. In Dreams of Savannah, I was transported to Savannah, Georgia, deep in America’s South, in the early part of the Civil War.
In all of White’s books, her characters are complex, multi-dimensional people with strengths and flaws, making them both believable and relatable. Her characters in Dreams of Savannah are certainly not exceptions. The story follows Cordelia (Delia) Owens, a member of the city’s high society who enjoys writing and telling stories, and her love interest, Phineas (Phin) Dunn, who goes off to fight for the Confederacy.
I enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout the book as they came to rely more heavily on their faith in God while struggling with moral issues impacting their long-held beliefs and way of life. The book beautifully illustrates how all people, regardless of race, creed, or color, are equal in their desire for freedom and have a right to pursue their dreams.
As in all her books, White skillfully paints the setting with rich detail, in this case with vivid descriptions of the homes, trees, and gardens of the era that make you feel as if you are right there. The depth of her historical research is readily evident. The book’s pacing is also perfect, with a storyline that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I recommend Dreams of Savannah to adults who enjoys historical fiction told from a Christian perspective. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers but was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

A moving tale set in the south during the civil war. The backdrop of events is a painful time in our history and Roseanna M. White does a good job of showing how people rose up against this to stand up for what they believed to be right. It portrays how to love your enemy and shows us how love can conquer transgressions. Cordelia captured my attention as a storyteller. Despite the darkness surrounding her, she used stories to bring hope to those around her. She clung to her faith and her devout love for Phin and as result, touched the lives of many around her. Phin, betrayed in the worst way, had to learn about forgiveness and that maybe his way of seeing things has some room to grow. All the characters are challenged and demonstrate growth as a result. A different time period than I have to come love and expect from Roseanna M. White, but the expected faith elements are still bountiful, and you will be blessed, challenged and encouraged as a result.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

Dreams of Savannah is a completely different time and place than the other books I’ve read by this author, but it is a stunning story nonetheless.
Before I begin on my review, I have to say, though, one thing that captivated me about this book right from the start is it's beautiful cover! I just love it, and it goes so well with this story.
This is Delia's story. One might expect her to be a spoiled, southern belle. After all, that is rather what is expected of her, expected of any young lady from a genteel southern household and family, back in the days of the civil war, when the Confederacy was trying to take over the South.
But, Delia is not your typical heroine. In spite of her mother's desires and aspirations for her life, she wants nothing more than to be able to sit and write stories to her heart's content. Well, that and to be reunited with her love, Phin, who is off fighting in the war.
Delia, along with her maid Salina, keep having unusual dreams. Delia is convinced these are a way for her to know that Phin is still alive, even if he might not be doing well.
With Phin away, Delia's parents keep pressuring her to 'make a good match', and by this they mean they want her to forget about the promise she made to Phin and become betrothed to Julius James, a man she really can't stand.
This story is a delight, and has lots of unexpected twists and turns. I kept reading with bated breath....not daring to put the book down, and yet, hardly daring to keep reading.
In addition to Delia's main storyline, there is also the issue woven in of racism, of slavery in all its gory awfulness. Seeing these characters in the midst of all of it, the deep hurts, the feelings of superiority, and much more, well, it really did make me aware in a new way how thankful I am to not be living in those days. And yes, I am aware we deal with racism in some ways in our time period today, but it is not to the same extent as it was back then. It makes me realize more than ever how precious each and every life is in God’s eyes.
Roseanna White has written a beautiful story that brings to life the days of the Civil War as never before. Lovers of historical fiction will be especially drawn to this one.
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

I LOVED this book, as I do most Roseanna M. White novels. It was an interesting read as it reflected a bit on the times we find ourselves in now, though I don’t know that that was her intent.
Cordelia is such a fun character. Her love for stories and creating them in her imagination was so much fun to read about, and a real look into an author’s mind. Phineas is a strong character as well, and the transformation that occurs in both of their hearts was really well done. The issue of slavery and seeing their slaves as they are—human beings with hopes and dreams just like they have—was a real turning point in the book. The spiritual journey they both go on was meaningful and authentic and one I enjoyed reading and learning from.
I liked that there were several points of view that this book was written from, particularly Salina’s. I thought Roseanna handled all of those dynamics well, and looking at the Author’s Note, I could tell she put a lot of thought into honoring the stories of the real people who lived during that time.
The plot was engaging and compelling, the villain a man I loved to hate, and the complex issues addressed handled well. In all, Dreams of Savannah is another great historical read from this prolific author.

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

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White is a unique look at the civil war from the eyes of slave owners and slaves themselves. I applaud the author for being brave enough to take on such a sensitive issue, especially during the times we live in.

Cordelia Owens is a typical Southern Belle with a flair for telling stories. When her sweetheart is lost at sea her stories keep him alive in her heart and in the hearts of his family. As she continues to weave her tales, however, she becomes aware of other stories that need to be told and she secretly begins to meet with the slaves her father owns, to write an accurate account of all they have endured. The more she listens the more she questions her life and she turns to God for direction.

While Cordelia is listening to stories and writing them, Phineas Dunn, her intended, washes up (barely alive) on a beach in Cuba. He is saved by a free English black man, Luther, a minister who is searching for his wife who was kidnapped and illegally sold as a slave. He agrees to help Phineas get home if Phineas will help him find his wife. But first, Phineas needs to stay alive for that to happen.

At the same time, Cordelia's eyes are opened to how she has viewed and treated the slaves in her home, Phineas' eyes are also opened as Luther tends for him and prays for him. More importantly, Phin begins to seek a relationship with God and with His help, he attempts to make it back home to Cordelia.

This story has lots of layers. There is the question of how Southern Christians could justify owning slaves. And how many who owned slaves were forbidden by law to set them free. There is the perspective of the slave owners and the perspective of the slaves as well. There is also the spiritual aspect of how Southern Christians justified themselves before God. Amid all these heavy topics there is a romance in danger of being lost forever because Cordelia's father wants her to marry someone she absolutely despises. There is also a hunt for a free woman sold into slavery. So many stories inside this story!

The journey Phin and Cordelia take in uncovering their own prejudices and their journey back to God and to each other are well worth reading. I highly recommend this book!

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley.

White's works are like the finest tapestry's, the words are woven together so seamlessly.
It takes a talented author that can write about more than one time period so effortlessly.
I will admit I was drawn to the cover of this because yes, I do judge a book by it's cover.
The book covers just get better and better all the time.
The book has chaos and turmoil ,hope,failures but perseverance. A strong faith message that I did enjoy reading. It was heartwarming to see Phin go from being a man of privilege who thought he was entitled to being down to earth and humbled after spending time with Luther.
The romance was sweet and gentle and OH MY.......
I thought all was lost in that romance but at the very end........ Let's just say get your tissues ready you're going to need them.
I really appreciate all the research the author put into this it always makes for an entertaining read.

Published January 5th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I LOVED this book. So many reasons I can’t list them all, but I will list some.

First, I love Roseanna’s books in general but I have to say I don’t think I have read one I enjoyed this much in quite awhile.

Second, it was set during the Civil War and I am Gone with the Wind fan and the first chapter has that kind of flare to it, I was smitten from the first page.

Phin and Delia’s journey is wonderful. Their eyes are gradually opened in different ways, at different time, to the complete atrocity that slavery is. Their love is so strong, they never (or hardly ever) wavered from them steadfastness.

There is even a moment that I had to blink back tears at the beauty that unfolded on the page.

I can not wait to read what will come next in this series and who will be the main character? I have no doubt it will be just as good.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Dreams of Savannah is a captivating story set in Savannah during the Civil War. Delia is a delightful character - a charming heroine and gifted storyteller. She is a little naive at the beginning of the story, but is forced to confront some painful truths when a shameful family secret comes to light. Phin, her sweetheart, is a member of the Confederate Navy and finds himself questioning his long-held beliefs when he is forced to rely on an unlikely hero. He and Delia are both transformed during the course the book and make some difficult decisions about the kind of people they want to be.

This story has it all - from rich historical detail, to a compelling hero and heroine, to a devious villain, to the powerful themes of faith and redemption. I found myself drawn in from the beginning and hard a hard time putting it down. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I wasn't sure at first if I would like Dreams of Savannah as much as previous books by Roseanna White but turns out this is just as great as her other works!

Once I really got into the story of Cordelia and Phineas, I was totally hooked and had to find out what happened to them and their friends. I loved the whole cast of characters...well, except for Cousin Julius! The added storyline of Luther/Monty was wonderful as was Salina's. While there was adventure and romance, this is a book to make you think. It makes you look back on our past as well as think on our future and how we should be.

Kudos to Roseanna White for another great story! It was a great way to spend a rainy day. I'll read a book by her any day!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White is a wonderful story. Cordelia Owens is a story weaver and when the man she loves goes missing in action, she helps his family by keeping them hopeful of his return with the imaginative stories she tells. But her family wants to see her settled and is pushing her to marry a man she doesn't like to increase their lands. Will they force her to marry? Meanwhile, the love of her life, Phineas Dunn, who was injured is trying to find his way back to Savannah to Delia and his family.

Great secondary characters who enrich the story and interesting history surrounding the Revolutionary War, slavery and life in Savannah.

Ms. White is also a weaver of stories and this one is a great read. I enjoy all of her books. They are full of adventure, suspense and romance. I look forward to her next one.

I received this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers and all opinions are my own.

I have read four of Roseanna M White's books set in England during World War I, and loved each one. Dreams of Savannah is set early in the Civil War era; while much different than the author's previous books I had read, it was equally wonderful. Cordelia Owens' and Phineas Dunn's growing faith, and the opening of their eyes and hearts to those previously unseen will warm the hearts of readers as well as inspire them to self-reflect. Cordelia's vivid and active imagination along with her love of words and stories will resonate with book lovers. While I do not know if this is the first book of a series, I certainly hope that it is.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Dreams of Savannah from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

From a shining voice in inspirational fiction comes a tender tale of love, loss, and hope.



What I love about Roseanna M. White’s stories is that whichever era she writes about comes to life as you read. She’s proven her deft ability at writing about England in the Edwardian era and during WWI, and now has shown her talent with the South during the Civil War. It takes a skilled hand and sensitivity to weave a tale that leaves a reader feeling hopeful after reading about the darkest chapter in our nation’s history, and White has both in spades.



The characters in this story feel like people you know in real life. Cordelia was a delightful heroine. As a writer, I totally related to her overactive imagination and true appreciation for words. In the beginning she was a bit naïve, especially when it came to the lives of slaves. Yet there was so much growth for this character over the course of the story. I loved how she came to see that every person has a story worth telling and worked to tell the story of those who were all too often overlooked. I also loved Salina. Brave and strong with a big heart, this young woman was the definition of a heroine. She’s the type that you would want to befriend in real life. In the beginning, I wasn’t so sure about Phin. He didn’t seem to notice the slaves or the way they were being mistreated, which got to me. But as the story progressed, so did this character, and I believe this was the author’s intent; to show that people can change for the better. And then there is Luther. A brave and faithful man, his devotion to Eva was lovely, as was the kindness he showed toward Phin.



While this is very much a character-driven book, the setting is rich as well. The scent of magnolias will curl through readers’ heads and images of Spanish moss dripping off buildings and trees will dance before their mind’s eye as they flip through the pages.



Thoughtful, hopeful, and faithful, Dreams of Savannah is a resilient story that depicts the strength of the human spirit in the face of tragic circumstances. Readers across the board will want to read this book.

I started this book really conflicted. With the eye-opening chaos within the country over the last year concerning racial issues, I had a hard time with a book set in the south during the Civil War. I didn't want to find myself sympathizing with characters who felt like slavery was okay, as long as they treated their own slaves decently, or who really felt like the whole war was over states' rights. I should have known that Roseanna White would do better than that. There are still stories to be told about the south, from both white and black points of view, and there had to be turning points for some to realize that the way of life they were used to was not the right way to live. So, while this book still made me uncomfortable, I think it fell mostly on the side of highlighting just how wrong it really was.

4 stars - I almost put it down early on, but I am glad that I did not. It's tough for me to read stories with characters who are just wrong, and refuse to open their eyes to what's right, but I was glad for those characters whose eyes were open to the people they had chosen not to see before.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

It was fun to get to know Cordelia and Phin in this book set during the Civil War. Even though the war is part of the story it doesn’t overtake it. Cordelia, Phin, and several other characters are front and center without feeling secondary.

I did STRUGGLE to like Cordelia’s family at all. They were not at all the type of characters I like and I feel they were villains in this story.

In this book the characters have to decide exactly where they stand and how they affect others’ stories. What role do they play in each person’s life? This is something that has stuck with me even after I finished the book. What role do I play in the lives of people around me?

I received a complimentary copy of Dreams of Savannah from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Cordelia Owens has dreams of romance and visions of marrying her best friend, Phineas Dunn. He’s the only man who takes her storytelling seriously. The night before Phineas ships out to fight the Yankees, Cordelia promises to wait for him, little knowing what her words might mean in the months ahead.

Cordelia must hold fast to her hope when Phin disappears after his ship engages with an enemy ship in the Caribbean. She must hold fast when her parents insist she considers other suitors. And she must hold fast to hope when she discovers a long-buried family secret.

War turns out nothing like Phineas Dunn expected it to. Instead of glory and victory, he experiences betrayal and abandonment. For weeks he hovers between life and death with only the dream of Cordelia and her love for him to sustain him. As he struggles to return home to Savannah, everything he once thought of as gospel truth comes into question.

Because of his journey, Phin has no idea if a future with the one person who completes him is something he should hope or dream of.

What’s Good About This Book

I requested an advanced reader copy of Dreams of Savannah because of the author. Roseanna M. White ranks up there as one of my favorite historical fiction authors. And then I realized the time period Ms. White chose to tackle and opened the book with trepidation.

For years I’ve read books by Christian authors who glamorize the plantation culture of the antebellum South. Sure, they threw in a token ‘slavery was bad’ message at random, but rarely did an author take on the degradation both owners and slaves suffered under the system of slavery.

For much of the book, the heroine seems to live in the happy-clueless-debutant bubble that plagues so many Southern heroines. Fortunately, she doesn’t stay there. Instead, Cordelia must face the consequences of her father’s actions and reconcile what she thinks to be true to the actual truth—enslaved people don’t enjoy their enslavement.

Likewise, Phin progresses from a likable, if slightly arrogant, hero to a man steeped in God’s word. Word that prevents him from accepting the status quo of his upbringing and deciding if he has the bravery within himself to make changes.

The task Ms. White embarked on proves formidable—especially in our current turbulent times where the veil of history is slowly being peeled away. Old tropes of happy slaves no longer work because more people can clearly see the lie. Ms. White wields her scalpel with a delicate touch and leaves the reader with no doubt about two things: slavery was (and is) wrong and God has the power to change us from within.

This story takes us to Georgia at the beginning of the Civil War. Cordelia (Delia), Lacy, their parents Mr and Mrs Owens, Phineas, Luther/Monty, River, Salina, Eva, Julius, Sassy are the most prominent in the story, along with others that have a more minor role. Beautiful telling that puts us in the heart of the uncertainty and courage and the beginning of the war. A great look at both sides of the struggle through the main characters and the slaves they own, as well as the questions they grapple with. The main characters are likeable and the story moves along at a good pace with the subset of minor characters coming in to play.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dreams of Savannah
by Roseanna M. White
5 stars

Book Blurb: “Cordelia Owens can weave a hopeful dream around anything and is well used to winning the hearts of everyone in Savannah with her whimsy. Even when she receives word that her sweetheart has been lost during a raid on a Yankee vessel, she clings to hope and comes up with many a romantic tale of his eventual homecoming to reassure his mother and sister.

But Phineas Dunn finds nothing redemptive in the first horrors of war. Struggling for months to make it home alive, he returns to Savannah injured and cynical, and all too sure that he is not the hero Cordelia seems determined to make him. Matters of black and white don't seem so simple anymore to Phin, and despite her best efforts, Delia's smiles can't erase all the complications in his life. And when Fort Pulaski falls and the future wavers, they both must decide where the dreams of a new America will take them, and if they will go together.”

In this standalone novel by Roseanna M. White we’re swept into the humid south of Savannah, Georgia during the Civil War. We start our story with Cordelia our heroine saying goodbye to our hero Phin (with a most romantic kiss). A lot of gripping events occur in between Phin’s departure and his return. You’re rooting for him to get home to his sweetheart and for Cordelia as she keeps hopeful that he will come home.

I loved that Cordelia was a writer and looked at people and wondered what their story was. In that time period a woman writer was looked down on and Phin supported her writing and imagination.
I appreciated the faith content as Phin changes after his time at war and when he becomes injured. His faith, demeanor and outlook of how he was raised is changed by his trials. This was such an emotionally gripping story. There were several times that I was almost holding my breath, yelling in my head for a character to do the right thing. I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and the author. All opinions are my own.

Dreams of Savannah was a story that to me shouted hope. Cordelia Owens and Phineas Dunn are two people who love much and fight for that love. Especially in a world where their country is being torn apart by the Civil War.

Both have lived with the shadow of slavery in their lives and I do think since they were raised in the South, that they both were a little naïve about it. But we get to watch their characters rise above their circumstances and even open their hearts up to change. Especially with those they already have in their lives and those they meet on their journey.

Their are many cherished characters that come alive in this story and their stories are just as memorable. Many twists and turns, times of peril, and important social changes. From the way men treated women, the slavery dilemma, to the brotherhood or not of soldiers, and familial obligations. Above all this neither gave up. Even when all hope seemed lost, and others had walked away- Cordelia did not nor would not believe that she and Phineas would not be united. And after what Phin went through, I am just glad that the one who found him was able to show him the Way and a better way.

This story was rich in historical detail, especially concerning the the South's naval battles which I had not read about before. I also think it showed a clear picture of what living in Georgia at that time was like especially in the attitudes of society.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Dreams of Savannah is a stand alone historical romance by Roseanna M. White. Set in Savannah, Georgia toward the beginning of the Civil War, it primarily follows Cordelia Owens and Phineas Dunn as war and family expectations keep them apart.

Cordelia is an idealistic storyteller. But when the man she wants to marry is lost at sea, her dreams begin to shatter. Cordelia’s maid/slave, Salina, is her biggest support, especially when Cordelia’s family wants her to marry another. But Salina harbors her own secret pain and a future dependent on who Cordelia marries.

Phineas washes up in Cuba and is taken in by a black man from England. Luther is on a mission of his own, but cannot leave Phineas to die. Even as Phineas fights to return home, his experiences change him into a different man than the one who left Cordelia with promises of a future together.

There’s so much to say about this story, it’s difficult to put to words. First off, I found Dreams of Savannah a great story. I loved Cordelia’s whimsical nature and my favorite scenes showed the relationship between Phineas and Luther. But the nature of the story means it is not the easiest book to read. It does not shy away from hard questions nor the horrible realities of Confederate Georgia in the early 1860s. Because of that, I would add a caution and trigger warning.

I have long believed in the power of story and believe it is an important aspect of communicating across cultural barriers. Dreams of Savannah is an excellent example of that in so many ways. As we begin to see others’ stories, we begin to see them as fellow humans and can then give them the dignity they deserve.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

What's better in a book than a character that loves and creates stories? This book is so unique. I've never read a story that used the creation of a story in it's plot in this way...and I really enjoyed it! I really liked the Civil War time period and reading about it from the perspective of people that live in the South was interesting. I also enjoyed that the characters are flawed people, who've made mistakes, but want to do better. Cordelia, the story creating southern belle, has a best friend who is also her servant. When her eyes are opened and she begins to see that each of these people who take care of her household have a story of their own, she thinks thoughts she never thought she'd think. When Delia's sweetheart, Phin, who is in the Confederate Army, gets injured by a friend gone rogue, she fears the worst, but hopes for the best. Their love story is so incredibly sweet. I loved how they each went on a journey separately, at the same time. Phin's was not only physical, but mental and emotional. Their stories tie together so very well. This book deals with a topic that is incredibly difficult to read and imagine, but Ms. White does a fantastic job of being real and delicate at the same time!

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

Phineas did a lot growing in this book. Growing from a naive young man who was the product of the society he lived in—and probably one of the better products of it. He wasn’t harsh to his slaves. Yet he did see them as a different class than himself … until the blinders were removed. Slowly. But effectively.

Cordelia (Delia) was a fun character and she too did a lot of growing in the novel. But she almost lived in another world—constantly imagining stories about the people around her. Her stories encouraged and brought joy to others. And she had spunk, which is one of my favorite qualities in a character.

I won’t get into ‘Luther’ due to spoilers. But he was my favorite character.

Roseanna brought to life the stories of the slaves well. The heartbreaking reality of their lives and what they lost. What they loved. And what they craved. Most of all: freedom.

I don’t think I’d recommend younger readers for this novel. There’s quite a bit of difficult themes that make it more of an adult read. Even though I found the novel to be done in great taste, there’s some heavy topics. Topics you can’t shy away from when you’re writing about the civil war. I thought Roseanna did it well.

And the faith thread was spot on. One of the neatest things about it was the way Phineas’ POV changed from the beginning of the book, to the middle, and then of course the end. It was humorous, as well, as he shocked himself with his new and improved thought life.

Of course, everyone wants to know about the love story, right? It was sweet, it was forbidden, it was patient. It had no choice but to be patient—war and all.

Although I quite enjoyed this novel, I hope she’s not done with England anytime soon.

The man Cordelia Owens has set her heart on goes off to serve in the Confederate navy. Her creative storytelling helps keep up her spirits as well as those of her loved ones as she longs for the day when Phineas Dunn will return and they can marry. But it seems too many obstacles arise to prevent that dream from coming true. And their future together isn’t the only thing at stake. Their beliefs and way of live are also challenged as war rages and its effects bring changes and danger to their door. This tale is one to experience and mull over as well as enjoy the great storytelling and all the plot twists and surprises. It took me a little while to connect with these vulnerable, true-to-life characters and their experiences, but they drew me in and made me care deeply. Plus, it made me think about the tragic history in our nation and how slavery and people’s attitudes toward one another still cause problems today. This would make a good book to discuss in school or a book club. I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Dreams of Savannah was so different than I thought it would be. I loved the journey that White took me on, and had a hard time putting the book down. White created a picture of another place and time, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The characters were intricate and unique, and I found myself enchanted by them. This story was so much more than just romance. It has just the right amount of suspense, mystery, and action mixed in. I loved seeing Cordelia’s passion for people, no matter their color of skin or station. Her love for Phineas was true and stood the test of time. I loved the way the Bible was mentioned through out the story, but I won’t give anything away. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Set in Savannah during the Civil War and populated with colorful, realistic, and engaging characters, Roseanna M. White’s latest novel grabbed my interest from the first page and wouldn’t let go. I liked Delia’s spunk, her penchant for storytelling, her slightly unconventional ways for her time, and her disregard for wealth and status. Phineas was an appealing hero with his honesty, his regard for others no matter what their status was, and his courage. The stellar cast of secondary characters showcases White’s talent for creating riveting and intriguing people for her books. I thought the title Dreams of Savannah is interesting as it can be taken more than one way.

With a perfect blend of action, suspense, romance, adventure, and inspiration, this story will appeal to those who enjoy reading fascinating historical romance. I enjoyed the historical detail, and the inspirational messages of courage, hope, and the brotherhood of man. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House. All opinions are my own.

I’ve always been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s books, especially her series set in England, so this was a change, being a standalone story, set in the Civil War between the States Era, in Savannah, Georgia. I’m used to reading books from this era from the Unionists -Yankee- view, so I was eager to learn more about the southern point of view and to find out if it could be as good as her previous books with so different setting, and characters, and it truly was! I was totally immersed in this novel and the deep growing of characters and absolutely loved it!
Cordelia (Delia) Owens is a beautiful blonde southern belle, who you could say she has everything, and is spoiled by her Daddy. Thank God, she has a huge heart, and her friendship with Salina, her “slave” companion, is of a big help to her. First, I thought she was a Scarlet O’Hara type of character, but as the story progressed I was proven wrong. She has fallen in love with Phinneas (Phin) Dunn, a handsome gentleman that has stolen her heart for some time. The story begins when he says goodbye to Delia before joining the Confederate Army, and asks her to wait for him, which Delia sweetly accepts.
But things will not be easy for neither as they navigate the war efforts and its consequences. The theme of racism during this place and era is so well described and it helped me so much understand better the southern part, their errors, as well as the good people that didn’t share the view of treating black slaves like a merchandise without dignity or soul. Delia came to me as a wonderful heroine: she was not superficial, and even with her overprotective background, she has her own mind and determination to do what is right for the people that were being abused. Her writing of slave stories was a generous and courageous thing to do in the circle she moved in, but she did it in an honest and compassionate way. The way she and Phin interact with the slaves was inspiring, with love and compassion, as one treats a friend. They both have some growing to do in the story. Delia wakes up from her constant dreams, which made her optimistic and magnanimous, to face a harsh reality. But this makes her act, instead of hiding under her protective family. Phin faces the consequences of war: injuries, trauma, nightmares, but he also has a progressive and struggling conversion to understand what was wrong with the Confederacy’s principles, but made it all the more inspiring. The faith elements were beautiful and never came out as preachy to me. The story has a beautiful message about love, kindness, freedom, forgiveness and bravery to upstand to what’s wrong.
The romance was truly sweet and genuine, not the typical easy going relationship. I loved this two characters, they were really made for each other. And the ending was so good and touching!
A beautiful soul searching and deep historical romance that you won’t easily forget! Highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White is a stand-alone story centered around the city of Savannah, Georgia during the early days of the Civil War. Cordelia Owens loves to create stories to entertain her friends and family. When her sweetheart, Phineas Dunn goes missing during a raid on a Yankee ship, she weaves stories of his heroism to help his mother and sister cope. Can Delia and Phin’s love overcome all that the war stands for and bring them a happily ever after? Stories from this time period are always hard for me to read. But I loved Delia. Her ability to turn everything into an adventure was very amusing. And Phin’s change of outlook was certainly commendable. The romance throughout the story was very sweet but predictable; although I felt that after Phin’s return, he and Delia never really got to know each other again. The political issues that were part of the time period were handled in a truthful way that didn’t detract from the story itself. I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and rushed though.


I received this book from the author for my honest review.

My very favorite era to read about, the Civil War. I had no doubt whatsoever of not liking this book. Delicate issues wrote about with care. Reading all about Phin’s troubles on the ship I was on pins and needles. Troubles abound and I couldn’t wait to read more.
I absolutely adored Delia and Phin’s story and also enjoyed Luther, Eva, River’s and Salina’s and so many other’s story.
I loved this quote from the book. “There are pauses we all need. Those moments of beauty we can look back on, take strength from, when we’re in the valley of shadows again.”
This book has a spiritual thread along with hope for the slaves freedom and education. Also there was hope for some of the privileged people that had grown up with slaves all their life to actually see slaves as a human being with feelings, hopes and dreams.
Thanks to the author Roseanna White because this book has blessed me.
I received this book from NetGalley through Bethany House Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.