RomanceEverAfter

Historical Romance Column

There are several post-Civil War novels that I would recommend reading. I believe it is important that we understand the difficulty the South went through in those days after the war in the period called "The Reconstruction."

ONE RODE WEST
by Heather Graham (the last book in the series on the Cameron family.)

In One Wore Gray, Graham introduced Callie’s brother, Union Colonel Jeremy McCauley. In One Rode West, he marries Christa Cameron, Jessie and Daniel’s sister. Jeremy has stayed with the cavalry after the war and is headed west to forge a new area of the United States and help to make peace with many of the Indian tribes they would encounter.

I liked this book because Graham spent a great deal of time developing the personalities of Christa and Jeremy. It seemed that by the end of the book, I knew them extremely well. I admired how they came through their struggles with such love and passion for each other.

JUST IMAGINE
by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

When I purchased Just Imagine, I didn’t know that it was a post-Civil War book or that it was Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ first "solo effort." It was originally entitled Risen Glory. The story is about a young girl, Kit, whose mother died when she was very young. Her father remarried a woman who shut her out of the house and her father’s life. Kit’s father was killed in the Civil War and her stepmother died shortly after the war leaving the very large and rich plantation to her son, Baron Cain, whom she abandoned when he was ten. She also left him guardianship of Kit. The fact that this extremely handsome Yankee hero now owns "her" plantation and is her guardian is devastating to Kit.

Due to her lack of discipline and family influence, Kit has grown up to be very independent and a true "tom boy." She decides to go to New York City and kill her guardian, Baron Cain, in hopes of regaining control of Risen Glory. However, when Cain learns of the situation he has been placed in and realizes his new stable boy is actually Kit, he makes a decision that turns Kit into a beautiful, charming young woman.

Just Imagine is different from Phillips’ contemporary romance novels. I have read most of her novels, and it was fun to read Just Imagine because it hinted at the humor which has become part of her more recent books. I think you will enjoy it from the standpoint of understanding more of the southern people after the Civil War and the difficulties Kit and Baron suffer to forge their relationship.

IMPOSSIBLE TEXAN
by Allie Shaw

The story of the Impossible Texan is set in Austin, Texas in 1888. It is about Senator Jason Maxwell whose campaign manager passes away while he is running for office. Mr. Maxwell replaces him with Tyler Hamilton, a Harvard graduate from Boston.

Marlena, Senator Maxwell’s oldest daughter and "frequent aide" in his campaigns, can’t believe her father has hired a "Yankee" to fill the position. However, the problems actually start when the senator’s wife finds out about Tyler. Mrs. Maxwell had an encounter with a Yankee from Boston during the Civil War, which left her with a scar on her face and heart that still haunt her after all those years.

A beautiful and passionate relationship develops between Tyler and Marlena despite many complications. Tyler’s looks, sensitivity and acceptance of Marlena’s abilities make it easy for her to see beyond his being a "Yankee." I also enjoyed the friendship that developed between Tyler and Richard. Richard is a Maxwell family friend and very interested in a relationship with Marlena. Impossible Texan is Shaw’s first book and hopefully she will build on the character named Richard in future books.

I am including this book in the list because it shows how people stilled suffered almost twenty-three years after the Civil War ended. I believe Shaw chose an excellent setting for this novel as so much of the war had been fought in the East. We don’t always think of Texas being part of the war. However, despite Governor Sam Houston’s strong opposition, Texas seceded on January 28, 1861.

AGAINST ALL ODDS and TRUST TO CHANCE
by Gwyneth Atlee

Against All Odds and Trust to Chance are based on the explosion of the boat the Sultana when it was headed north from Vicksburg, Mississippi in April 1865. Gabe Davis and three of his friends, who had fought for the Union, were going home after the war. Gabe and Yvette encounter each other while waiting to board the Sultana in Vicksburg. They begin their relationship before the explosion and amazingly survive to be rejoined after a night in the cold Mississippi River.

It gives me so much pleasure to read a book in which the hero and heroine are able to see the good in each other even though each one is fighting his/her own demons. Their love and care for each other gives them strength and hope. Gabe accepts Yvette as a strong woman and loves her for it. He doesn’t push her into passion but allows her to feel it and then deal with it step by step. They each have doubts and, at times, have problems trusting the other because of their meeting under difficult circumstances. I also liked Gabe because he is willing to put his feelings on the line even while he hopes he won’t have to deal with the pain of rejection.

Sometimes, even though I enjoy a book tremendously or am challenged to learn more about the time and events, I don’t always like the hero and heroine. My feelings about Gabe and Yvette were different. I would enjoy having these two special people as friends.

Trust to Chance was about Jacob Fuller, one of Gabe’s friends, and his rescue after the explosion of the Sultana by a band of renegade Rebel raiders who have already abducted Rebecca. Rebecca had left her wealthy family in Philadelphia to work as a nurse for the Union. Jacob and Rebecca come from totally different backgrounds and yet find a love for each other partly because of, and in spite of, their differences.

The Civil War-Through the Eyes of Heather Graham-8