About the Book
Book: Her Rebel Heart
Author: Sharlene MacLaren
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Cristina Stiles is left to fend for herself and her two young children while her husband goes off to fight in the Confederate army. She also has to deal with two rogue Yankee soldiers who’ve beaten her, stolen her food, and keep coming back to cause more trouble.
Jack Fuller is a God-fearing Christian fighting for the Union. During a surprise encounter, he shoots and kills a Rebel soldier. In his final breaths, the Rebel asks Jack to deliver a letter to his wife—and he agrees. But when he arrives at Cristina’s small farm in West Virginia, she assumes Jack is one of the Yankee trouble-makers, trains her rifle on him, and fires. As he lies on the ground bleeding, he explains the purpose of his visit, and out of a sense of obligation, she decides to nurse him back to health.
What will happen when Cristina discovers Jack is the one who made her a widow? Will her rebel heart forgive him—or finish him off?
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Her Rebel Heart by Sharlene MacLaren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, this is a clean, Christian, historical romance, and I can guarantee there is nothing unsuitable or offensive within the pages of this book. The Christian message is expertly woven into the very framework of the book, and I found this book to be exceptionally well-written.
The characters are depicted realistically, and there is even some diversity amongst those characters. The story is sweet, slightly action-packed, and full of heart. Moreover, God is central to the entire tale. I rejoiced about everything contained within this book. I have read a wide variety of books from the time period of the Civil War, but inserting a Hispanic widow into the forefront of the story certainly raised the stakes for this book. I have never read anything by this author before, but I have to declare that after reading this book, she has become an instant favorite.
Additionally, this book flows smoothly, and I never struggled to understand what was happening. The characters were three-dimnsional, and the gospel message flowed from the story. I would venture to say that the author could give a master class on how to write Christian historical fiction!
About the Author
Born and raised in west Michigan, Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. Upon graduating with an education degree in 1971, she taught second grade for two years, then accepted an invitation to travel internationally for a year with a singing ensemble. After traveling for a year, she returned to her teaching job, then in 1975, she reunited with her childhood sweetheart, and they married that very December. They have raised two lovely daughters, both of whom are now happily married and enjoying their own families. Retired in 2003 after thirty-one years of teaching, Shar loves to read, sing, travel, and spend time with her family—in particular, her adorable grandchildren!
Shar has always enjoyed writing, and her high school classmates eagerly read and passed around her short stories. In the early 2000s, Shar felt God’s call upon her heart to take her writing pleasures a step further, so in 2006, she signed a contract with Whitaker House for her first faith-based novel, Through Every Storm, thereby launching her professional writing career. With more than twenty published novels now gracing store shelves and being sold online, Shar gives God all the glory.
Shar’s novels have won numerous awards. Most recently, Their Daring Hearts was named a 2018 Top Pick by Romantic Times and her last book, A Love to Behold, was voted “Book of the Year” in 2019 by Interviews & Reviews.
Shar has done numerous countrywide book signings and has participated in several interviews on television and radio. She loves to speak for community organizations, libraries, church groups, and women’s conferences. In her church, she is active in women’s ministries, regularly facilitating Bible studies and other events. Shar and her husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan, with their beautiful white collie, Peyton.
More from Sharlene
Dark-haired, independent, and tough to the bone, Christina cares for her two young children in a ramshackle cabin in Ripley, West Virginia. When the Yankee who killed her husband pays her a visit, she has to decide whether to forgive him—or finish him off. Will this tough Southern woman find grace in her rebel heart?
Blog Stops
Inklings and notions, March 4
My Devotional Thoughts, March 4
Genesis 5020, March 5
Emily Yager, March 6
Texas Book-aholic, March 7
KarenSueHadley, March 7
Christian Bookaholic, March 8
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 9
Rebecca Tews, March 9
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 10
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 10
For the Love of Literature, March 11
For Him and My Family, March 12
deb’s Book Review, March 12
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 13
Betti Mace, March 14
Blossoms and Blessings, March 15
janicesbookreviews, March 15
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 16
Artistic Nobody, March 17 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Bigreadersite, March 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Sharlene is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a finished copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/f6fc/her-rebel-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway
2 Comments
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What an interesting and sad synopsis. Since I like Christian fiction, I sure want to read this book.
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Looks like another good one!