The start of a new historical romance series by Sandra Merville Hart, whom I have the pleasure of knowing through ACFW.
As someone who usually doesn't read historical, unless there's some fantasy element involved, I'm probably the last reviewer readers should listen to. Especially since I'm biased because Sandy is a friend. I agreed to read and review because I've read other stories she's written, and I knew I was guaranteed a touching story, well-written.
That being said, this is a captivating novel of intrigue and heartache, and a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a painful period in our country's history. Even if you don't normally go to the historical or the romance section of the bookstore, you really should consider reading this.
Who are our longsuffering heroine and hero?
Annie Swanson is the daughter of an influential banker in Washington, D.C. Her father is immediately under suspicion because he has roots in Rebel territory. Things get worse when her brother, who married into a Southern family, musters into the Southern army. It's a painful development for their entire family, and becomes the first of many secrets Annie must keep.
Then along comes John Finn, her brother's friend. They met at her brother's wedding and shared not just a slightly forbidden kiss, but several dreamlike days. He has been striding through her dreams ever since. John is a sergeant-major in a Boston regiment picketed near her home. Their reunion and the rekindling of her romantic hopes are overshadowed by an unpleasant assignment handed to John: spy on the Swanson family, take advantage of his friendship with them, to determine if they are loyal.
Mr. Swanson's actions seem suspicious, colored by the concerns of John's spy master. Whose side is he on? Will his actions destroy Annie and her sister Beatrice's futures? What about their brother, serving in the army? What happens when the fateful day comes that he and John come face-to-face on the battlefield?
Not going to tell you. Because you really do need to follow Annie and John's journey of learning to trust and hope, and yes, suffer from a situation they can't control.
Take it from someone who usually doesn't read this genre. Dive in and enjoy the bumpy ride to true love.
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