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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MY REVIEW

The author has captured a vivid account of the war that pits brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor. It was easy to get captured by the beauty of the writing because it was so enchanting. I loved everything about the book starting with Cristina. Her husband has gone off to fight in the war and left her to care for their two children and keep the farm going. Her strength is impressive as she raises the children alone in territory that could dangerous as soldiers are nearby.

When Jack and Cristina’s lives crash into each other it brings a depth of reality to the story. The author shows two sides of the war and how it can change people. I won’t say how Jack ended up at Cristina’s farm but it will be an emotional adventure for readers. I absolutely loved the faith that Jack shared with Cristina. There are moments in the story where he explains who God is to Cristina that was powerful yet tender.

The story is not without danger and secrets. What happens when Cristina finds out how her husband died? In the story readers will read how forgiveness is something that may be hard for some characters. With outstanding characters and a lesson in forgiveness and trust the author weaves a movie worthy story that will please historical fiction readers. You don’t want to miss this story that promotes this author as one of the best historical fiction writers to follow for 2020.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

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?