CFBA: Songs of the Shenandoah

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 THOUGHTS
This is the third book in the Heirs of Ireland series...I have not read any of the previous books.  (hmm, wonder why?...what was I thinking?!)  For the second book of my year I'm still off to a great start!  I'm really going to have to read the previous books.

On to the book....you really don't need to read the first two books in this series, but wow...with a book this good you just SHOULD!  On a serious note, not reading the first two did not make me feel confused or wonder what was going on...definitely a stand a lone book.

I had a hard time with the beginning, I just couldn't get into the book, but I'm glad I kept going because it was well worth it.  The Civil War story line will draw you into the horror of battle between brothers, friends, slaves and the love story is simply divine.

At the end....I was so in love with the characters and the story line that I didn't want it to end....I think you'll enjoy this book, especially if you like reading about the Civil War era.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from CFBA