Susan Pope Sloan

Loving Lydia by Susan Pope Sloan is a work of Christian Historical Romance. This is the second book in the Rescued Hearts of the Civil War series. I definitely recommend reading the first book in the series Rescuing Rose first.

Southerners find themselves thrown together thanks to the Union Army. Lydia Gibson finds the lives of herself and her stepdaughter disrupted when the Union Army comes in and burns down the factory where she and her stepdaughter worked. As they are forced to travel north by the army, they find themselves in Marrietta, Georgia, where Lydia, along with some other women they are traveling with, find themselves working to care for and keep Seth Morgan safe in his family’s home.

Seth Morgan, a Southerner and a Confederate soldier, while serving in the army also works to find the man who murdered his wife. I feel the author does an excellent job of bringing Seth and Lydia together. The author weaves the entire cast of characters together beautifully. Backstories, current events, and more pulled me into this book.

With twists and turns, redemption arcs, and more, this book kept me reading. I found the acts of kindness and charity that occurred at unexpected times to be the perfect element to this story. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book and want to read more about the other characters in these stories. I look forward to reading this third book in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own… (más)

This second book in the Rescued Hearts of the Civil War does not disappoint. It is almost hard to believe some of the experiences people had to deal with to continue to live. Lydia, along with her stepdaughter Millie, joins with a number of other displaced women and some elderly folk. They are all attempting to stay away from the fighting. Moved from one place to another by the Union soldiers, they become a family.

The story shows what can happen when vengeance is all you want - how it can eat away at you. But it also shows how wonderful forgiveness can be, when you ask for it. Forgiving oneself is perhaps the most difficult but it can bring about second chances.

This ebook was received through WildHeart Books, BookFunnel and CelebrateLit. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.… (más)

This has been a wonderful story that captures the historical facts in a way that brings them to life. Being driven out of her home by Union Soldiers changed Lydia’s life. Her first thought is to get as far away as she can and protect her step daughter. Their journey finds them in a new town unsure what would happen to them. I can’t image the turmoil Lydia’s life took as she tried to survive on meager supplies. I liked how she and a group of other women came together to look out for each other. Lydia has been told that her husband died so she is on her own now.

Seth is my favorite character because he is kind, willing to help others and watches out for the women who took over his home while he hides in the basement. Seth has longed to take action against the man who murdered his wife and that bitterness may cost him a future. I liked how the author incorporates historical facts in the story such as the assassination of President Lincoln. This news affects everyone and Seth wonders what will happen to him when he himself becomes a prisoner.

The relationship between Seth and Lydia is slow and I appreciate how the author nurtures this bond with faith. It is not always easy for our main characters to see eye to eye but they sure go through a lot on their journey. One part of the story illustrates about forgiveness. Lydia will face a hard decision when someone she never wanted to see again needs help in their final days. Seth will be face to face with the man who has caused him pain and anger. I loved how the author uses faith in these moments to show how important it is to forgive and also be able to ask for forgiveness.

The story is not without a bit of action and a look at a war that pitted friends and families against each other. The research of this era is evident with the details used to make the story realistic. I loved the writing and how the author use this story to help one person become more confident in themselves and demonstrates how peace allows both main characters to give grace and find happiness.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (más)

Rescuing Rose by Susan Pope Sloan chronicles the lives of two sisters during the War Between the States. The sisters live in a small town in Georgia and work in a mill. When soldiers from the north destroy the mill, the sisters – Rose and Celeste Carrigan, along with the town’s other residents, find themselves forced to a prison. As they attempt to make lives for themselves, some find jobs while others care for the children.

Union Captain Noah Griffin hates the part of his job that requires him to destroy the lives of innocent civilians as the residents deal with the aftermath of their mill and lives being destroyed. Noah is drawn to Rose and feels compelled to protect the sisters and their fellow prisoners.

I appreciated how Rose, Celeste, and others in the book worked to help those around them. The book took some twists and turns that created a captivating story.

I loved how the author developed the story and characters in this book. I found myself unable to put the book down. I want to read more about the other women and men in this book. I feel more stories need to be written.

So check out this book for yourself. I definitely enjoyed it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (más)