A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar
Shenandoah Valley Saga #1
Visit Author's Website HERE
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Publishing Date: November 27, 2015
A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off--only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.
Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally--and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar's extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.
Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.
Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally--and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar's extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.
My Thoughts:
For those who enjoy reading Civil War Era novels, this story is for you! I enjoyed the author's research into the area and it's specific history as I was reading. The battles were accurate and tastefully written. I really enjoyed seeing how people lived in town while the war was going on. Feuding neighbors could still have such civil interactions. Life basically went on while war raged around the towns, yet there seemed to be a an overshadowing sense of danger at all times. These little bits of social life, and the regiment trains, were probably the most interesting to me out of all the book. War was so different back then. Bloody, messy and dangerous, but so much more...polite and worthwhile. But oh the spies! One never could trust who was on what side!
The pacing of the novel was a bit on the slow side, perhaps even sluggish. It sort of meandered here and there while the main story continued quietly in the background. I suppose in this way it felt very 'Southern' :)
Peyton, our hero, was the picture of "gentleman". Kind, caring, respectful, and full of strong convictions Peyton is just the sort of man I wouldn't mind meeting. His meeting with Carrie Ann was quite unique and I enjoyed how much it set a precedent for the rest of their relationship throughout the story. His Aunt Ruth was a bundle of joy! Her attitude toward her neighbors, and even Confederate soldiers in town, was the very definition of Christian hospitality. I would love to meet her in person and pick her brain!
Carrie Ann was bookishly smart. Running her father's newspaper press while he was off covering war news, Carrie Ann was quite knowledgeable about the war and it's major players. But this knowledge certainly did not translate to the real world. I found Carrie Ann's actions to be incredibly risky, and I will boldly admit: stupid. She certainly had the right reasons but the execution was a terrible idea. Of course it lead to officially meeting Peyton, so for the sake of story it works. As Carrie Ann receives a more hands on experience to the war by working in the hospital tents, I think she gains a bit of common sense about what is truly going on around her.
Perhaps my biggest issue with the story was that I needed more of Carrie Ann and her stepmother. This could have been provided through actual interactions or even through memories. Supposedly her stepmother treated Carrie Ann poorly, but we never truly get the whole story. And unfortunately, these 'strong' feelings Carrie Ann has towards her stepmother plays a big role near the end of the novel. Since I didn't have a good precedent, I couldn't understand Carrie Ann's actions at all and again found her character to be incredibly dense.
Overall, 'A Thousand Shall Fall' is not my favorite historical romance, but I suppose nears the top in Civil War Era novels. I want to read more historical fiction books in this era after reading this one! Still, Boeshaar's book has merit. Although the pace was sluggish, the story was interesting, historical, and romantic. The time period and geographical area Boeshaar has picked are fun and will undoubtedly produce many fantastic stories. The end of 'A Thousand Shall Fall' features a preview of book two, 'Too Deep for Words', and seems to be about Carrie Ann's sister Margaret. I loved the preview and will be reading book two when it releases in 2016. 3.5 stars.
The pacing of the novel was a bit on the slow side, perhaps even sluggish. It sort of meandered here and there while the main story continued quietly in the background. I suppose in this way it felt very 'Southern' :)
Peyton, our hero, was the picture of "gentleman". Kind, caring, respectful, and full of strong convictions Peyton is just the sort of man I wouldn't mind meeting. His meeting with Carrie Ann was quite unique and I enjoyed how much it set a precedent for the rest of their relationship throughout the story. His Aunt Ruth was a bundle of joy! Her attitude toward her neighbors, and even Confederate soldiers in town, was the very definition of Christian hospitality. I would love to meet her in person and pick her brain!
Carrie Ann was bookishly smart. Running her father's newspaper press while he was off covering war news, Carrie Ann was quite knowledgeable about the war and it's major players. But this knowledge certainly did not translate to the real world. I found Carrie Ann's actions to be incredibly risky, and I will boldly admit: stupid. She certainly had the right reasons but the execution was a terrible idea. Of course it lead to officially meeting Peyton, so for the sake of story it works. As Carrie Ann receives a more hands on experience to the war by working in the hospital tents, I think she gains a bit of common sense about what is truly going on around her.
Perhaps my biggest issue with the story was that I needed more of Carrie Ann and her stepmother. This could have been provided through actual interactions or even through memories. Supposedly her stepmother treated Carrie Ann poorly, but we never truly get the whole story. And unfortunately, these 'strong' feelings Carrie Ann has towards her stepmother plays a big role near the end of the novel. Since I didn't have a good precedent, I couldn't understand Carrie Ann's actions at all and again found her character to be incredibly dense.
Overall, 'A Thousand Shall Fall' is not my favorite historical romance, but I suppose nears the top in Civil War Era novels. I want to read more historical fiction books in this era after reading this one! Still, Boeshaar's book has merit. Although the pace was sluggish, the story was interesting, historical, and romantic. The time period and geographical area Boeshaar has picked are fun and will undoubtedly produce many fantastic stories. The end of 'A Thousand Shall Fall' features a preview of book two, 'Too Deep for Words', and seems to be about Carrie Ann's sister Margaret. I loved the preview and will be reading book two when it releases in 2016. 3.5 stars.
****************************************************************************
The search for her runaway sister goes awry when Carrie finds herself arrested during the Civil War for impersonating an officer in Andrea Boeshaar's A Thousand Shall Fall. Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel who arrested her. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally—and more than that, someone she could love. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?
Andrea is celebrating the release of A Thousand Shall Fall with a Kindle Fire giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Thousand Shall Fall
- A Kindle Fire HD 6
No comments:
Post a Comment