Daughter of the Regiment

February 9, 2015
Whitson (A Captain for Laura Rose) celebrates the strong but unknown heroines who marched off to war with their men, as well as those who maintained the home front, in this Civil War–era inspirational. When the war reaches the divided state of Missouri, Maggie Malone watches her brothers join the boys in blue. Soon she travels to the front to tend their wounds and remains with the regiment, where she becomes an invaluable source of encouragement and support for her brothers and their comrades. Her strength and courage impress their sergeant, John “Colt” Coulter, who courts her, much to her surprise. Meanwhile, back home, Libbie Blair must play hostess to her brother’s Confederate comrades at their prominent plantation, despite her own Union sympathies. When battle comes to their door, pitting neighbor against neighbor, it is the women of war who shine brightest. Without gratuitous descriptions, the inevitable, sobering losses that war brings—of life and limb, property and security—are honestly portrayed. Based on true events, this story will capture the hearts of historical fiction fans.

Starred review from April 1, 2015

Irish immigrant Maggie Malone and wealthy plantation mistress Elizabeth Blair would never be friends in the pre-Civil War South. Maggie runs a farm and cares for her elderly uncle and two brothers. Elizabeth throws lavish cotillions. When war breaks out, Maggie's brothers leave to join the Union Army's Irish Brigade. After Confederate soldiers ravage her farm and attack her uncle, Maggie travels to her brothers' camp in St. Louis, pleading for them to return home. But realizing how much she could contribute to the cause by caring for sick and injured Union soldiers, she remains with the Irish Brigade as a Daughter of the Regiment. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's cruel and abusive brother, Walker, has transformed their plantation home into a Confederate stronghold. Elizabeth must find the strength to defy her brother and protect those she cares about. VERDICT Whitson (A Captain for Laura Rose) depicts the Civil War from the point of view of two women from very different backgrounds. Her novel is an inspiring story of discovering courage and friendship through tremendous adversity. Drawing on the actual histories of women who found ways to work on the battlefront during the Civil War, this outstanding historical will attract fans of Janette Oke, Lisa Wingate, and Tamera Alexander.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.