Joy from Ashes

February 1, 1995
Lacy sets this powerful tale of hated, war, and romance against the backdrop of the Civil War battle of Fredericksburg. Confederate lieutenant Layne Dalton must leave his pregnant wife, Melody, to lead his regiment into battle. While he is away, Dalton's enemy, Steve Heglund, seeking revenge for the murder of his father by Melody's father, raids Dalton's house and beats Melody, causing her to lose her child. Pursuing Heglund from Virginia to Nevada, Dalton gradually learns that vengeance belongs to God. While character development and plot structure are sometimes sacrificed for grander thematic causes, Lacy has captured nicely a slice of history. Recommended for most public libraries.