Sandy M’s review of The Yankee Widow by Linda Lael Miller
Historical Romance published by MIRA 7 May 19
I’ve not read a lot of historical romance lately, only because the few I have read let me down and left me wanting more. But old favorites like Linda Lael Miller have relit the fuse I need to get back to history when I read. This book is one of the best I’ve come across in a while. And because I didn’t realize it’s also the start of a new series for her, I’m already anxiously waiting for the next one, and I have a feeling it’s going to be as great as this story.
The backdrop of the Civil War has never been a favorite era for me when reading, but this book has perhaps changed that. Gettysburg is still one of the deadliest wars in U.S. history, three days of devastation, and it’s done very well here from the soldiers’ point of view, as well as those it directly affected at the time. Jacob is a young soldier gravely wounded and is holding on by a thread. When his wife Caroline learns of his injuries, she makes her way to Washington D.C. to locate her husband and bring him home, no matter what. The prologue from Jacob’s point of view is heartbreaking and so insightful. We learn in the first chapter how strong Caroline is, and we see it again and again throughout the book.
Making it home, she has to defend the land that has been in Jacob’s family for generations, all for her young daughter Rachel. The war is coming ever closer to Gettysburg, and Ms. Miller does a wonderful job of relaying the fear and strength of Caroline and her little family, which includes Enoch, a freed slave, and now Jubie, a runaway slave. Throw into the mix two soldiers, one Union and one Confederate, and this story goes up an emotional level.
Rogan is the Union officer who first meets Caroline when she’s in D.C. He’s also part of the army that will clash with the Confederacy on the battlefield at Gettysburg. It’s when he meets his childhood friend Bridger during the conflict that Caroline becomes undecided which man she may have a future with. It is also a dilemma for both gentlemen because of their friendship and their feelings for Caroline. She feels a kinship with Rogan because he’s fighting for what she also believes in. Bridger is fighting for the south to save his home and legacy, all the while also believing slavery should be abolished. But it’s Bridger who lights a fire within her, something she didn’t feel with Jacob. There are so many personal conflicts during the recuperation period after the Gettysburg battle has ended, and Ms. Miller does one heck of a job making those issues and emotions jump off the page, leaving the reader with unresolved feelings along with the characters. Enoch and Jubie also have their problems, so much different than those around them. No one is left unscathed.
Of course the war is not over and both men must return to their duties, leaving Caroline to wonder, hope, pray that they will both survive, leaving her with the feeling she’ll never see either of them again. It’s Bridger, however, who knows better and proves her wrong when victory is achieved months later. I like how Ms. Miller works in the Gettysburg Address and how it affects Caroline and her grandmother as Abraham Lincoln is giving his speech. Then there’s Amalie, one of those strong, no-holds-barred Southern women and sister of Bridger. Rogan is in for it with her when the next book is released, and that’s all I’m going to say about that!
So much happens in this wonderful story that I keep thinking of scenes I liked so much, but there’s only so much space and time to tell everything. Pick this book up soon. I highly recommend it and I know you won’t be sorry one bit.
Grade: A+
Summary:
A richly layered, emotional novel about one woman’s courage and the choices she must make in the face of a dangerous war.
Caroline is the young wife of Jacob, who together live on a farm raising their daughter just outside of Gettysburg. When Jacob joins the Northern army, no one anticipates he will not return. Then Caroline gets word that her husband is wounded, and she must find her way alone to Washington City and search among the thousands of casualties to find him.
When Jacob succumbs to his injuries, she brings his body home on the eve of the deadliest battle of the war. With troops and looters roaming the countryside, it is impossible to know who is friend and who is foe. Caroline fights to protect those she holds most dear while remaining compassionate to the neediest around her, including two strangers from opposite sides of the fight. Each is wounded… Each is drawn to her beauty, her kindness. Both offer comfort, but only one secretly captures her heart. Still, she must resist exposing her vulnerability in these uncertain times when so much is at risk.
In The Yankee Widow, gifted storyteller Linda Lael Miller explores the complexities and heartbreak that women experienced as their men took up arms to preserve the nation and defend their way of life.
Read an excerpt.
