Songs of the Shenandoah by Michael Reynolds Review

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Songs of the Shenandoah B&H Books (January 1, 2014) by Michael Reynolds

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Michael K. Reynolds is a writer with more than two decades of experience in crafting fiction, non-fiction, journalism, copywriting and documentary production. He is the author of a series of Irish historical novels published by B&H Publishing Group. These highly acclaimed books are available in bookstores and libraries across the nation and beyond.

Michael is the writer and producer of an Emmy and Telly award-winning series of documentaries titled, Crystal Darkness. These thirty minute anti-meth films have been heavily promoted and broadcast in cities and states throughout the United States and Mexico. They have been viewed collectedly by more than 10 million people and the message has reached more than 30 million to date.

He also has wide experience as a speaker and on-air personality and has been interviewed on a variety of newspapers, radio stations and televisions networks throughout the nation. Michael earned his B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of California, San Diego and lives in Reno with his wife and three children. He is active in marketplace, marriage, small group and men’s ministries as a leader and speaker.

ABOUT THE BOOK

At the onset of the Civil War, Seamus heeds his wife’s wishes to return to her beloved family farm in the South, where he takes a post as chaplain for General Stonewall Jackson’s brigade. As Seamus ministers to the troops, his sister Clare ministers in a different way—by being a powerful voice in the Northern cause toward freeing the slaves. All this while their youngest brother Davin, who became wealthy during the Gold Rush, struggles to find love and identity in a fallen world. It’s a clash of loyalties and beliefs that threaten the entire family, each of them trying to hear God’s encouragement in the midst of the tragedy of war. The dramatic conclusion to the acclaimed Heirs of Ireland Series.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Songs of the Shenandoah, go HERE.

My Review:

This was a great story about how the Civil War divided the states and people. What is even harder to live with is that families were divided and some had to fight against each other. There were people that moved from the North to the South and the opposite. It was very difficult to know where their loyalties were. Especially when you have a soldier as a friend or family member. This book is about a family that has to deal with the above and all the other drama that comes with war. The characters were likable and although I did not read the previous books in the series I still felt as though I knew where they were coming from. There are so many facets to this book, and so many different people and things to be loyal to that I had to keep reading to find out who was going to do what. I liked Seamus the best and I loved how the author wrote the relationship with his wife.  I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.