Unwilling Warrior: Seasons of Redemption, Book One

Good story but not much romance.

I enjoyed this story and thought it was unique and very well written. The conversations flowed nicely and came across as being realistic. I thought the romance was off to a great start BUT (and here's a bit of a reveal - WARNING) thought the author missed the mark when the groom didn't even kiss the bride before she left and signed the telegram with "sincerely." I know these are minor things but they can effect the story as a whole. I don't think a man in love - that just got married would send his bride off without so much as an "I love you" and a kiss.

I also thought the ending was quite rushed. I thought I had several pages left to read but, no!, that was the first chapter of the next book in the series. Talk about a letdown! Who wants to read the first chapter of a book and then not be able to finish it till you obtain a copy of the book? Not me! I don't need to be enticed to read the next book. If I like the first, I'll get the second.

That being said, I will definitely be getting the 2nd book in the series. I did enjoy the story as a whole and think the author is very talented.

Great Read

At first I almost didn't read this book, what a mistake that would have been. I Loved it! It was a real page turner and a fast read. Interesting tidbits of the Civil War are included in this book.
It has it all History, Romance, Murder, and through it all a Love of the Lord.
I also loved that there is an epilogue in this book, something I wish more books had that don't have a sequel!

Product Description
The War Between the States has Valerie Fontaine frightened about her future. She never suspects she'll be thrust into the middle of it. Benjamin McCabe's got a noble dream of photographing the Civil War - and he never expected to fall in love with a New Orleans socialite.

When Valerie's father is arrested on charges of treason, Ben secures a way for her to leave the city and travel to his family's home in Jericho Junction, Missouri where she'll be safe.Can Valerie adjust to life on the prairie and remain true to her promise to wait for Ben no matter what the cost?

The opinion I have expressed are my own!

Unwilling Warrior

I have read several of Andrea Boeshaar's novels and this one was as enjoyable as the others. Andrea offers a well-written novel that kept my interest from beginning to end. It was nice reading a good story with interesting characters, that you wouldn't be embarrassed to leave laying around on your coffee table.

I am impatiently looking forward to reading the next one in the series due out in October.

An enjoyable book to read!

This historical romance is set during the Civil War period of 1861. Valerie Fontaine, the heroine is 19 years old and struggling with the unexpected loss of her dear mother. She rashly decides to leave her finishing school in Virginia and comes home unexpectedly to New Orleans to be with her father over the Christmas holidays.


Upon arriving home, her dreams of comfort and having a close relationship with her father are dashed when she is met by the bitter and angry man he has become. Saddened, hurt and desperately missing her mother, she pours her heart out to God while she struggles to carry out her responsibilities at home and in the community.


An unexpected guest, Benjamin McCabe offers Valerie a joyful distraction from all that is happening around her. As their relationship deepens, she finds solace, comfort and a love that runs deep and pure. Unfortunately, her father's actions cause turmoil forcing Valerie to go into hiding and run for her life. Can their love survive?


Can't stand the suspense? ...


Stop by your local books store and pick up a copy!

Many thanks to Glass Road Public Relations for the opportunity to review this book.

Unwilling Warrior, A Tale Of Spies, Deceit And Treachery

Andrea Boeshaar in her new book, "Unwilling Warrior" Book One in the Seasons of Redemption series published by Realms gives us a turn the page thriller that takes place during the Civil War.

At the end of the year, 1861, Valerie Fontaine has returned to her home in New Orleans, wanting to spend Christmas break with her father. He is a shipbuilder taken to drink because of the death of his wife. He leaves Valerie to deal with a new house guest, Benjamin McCabe and a potential suitor, James Ladden, with whom she is not in love.

McCabe is a photographer who takes photos of both armies. He is searching for his brother who was separated from him during the battle of Bull Run. He did not expect to come to the Fontaine home and fall in love with Valerie. Now the two lovers must deal with spies, the stalking Ladden, the evil Catherine, treachery and deceit

Ms. Boeshaar is an accomplished writer who knows how to deliver true to life dialog and create characters that you fall in love with. I like stories that have the Civil War as a backdrop, they always seem more dramatic somehow and this book is no exception. Benjamin and Valerie have to learn to trust each other as well as trust God to get them through their troubles. Psalm 55 plays an important part of this story. This is an excellent read, a page turner and a thought provoker. And it is only Book One in this new series. Book Two is due out in September so let us count down the days together. Until then we have this first book.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Glass Road PR and Realms. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Spellbinding

Andrea Boeshaar is one of my favorite authors and in Unwilling Warrior she returns to writing historicals. Unwilling Warrior is set in New Orleans in the first year of the Civil War. Valerie Fontaine is a young, wealthy socialite who has returned home from boarding school to be with her father following the death of her mother. Her father, however, views her as nothing more than a nuisance. He has determined to marry her to James Ladden.

Then Ben McCabe, the son of an acquaintance of the Fontaines, arrives as a house guest, driving all thoughts of James Ladden from her mind. But will their love survive the accusations of conspiracy against Valerie and her father or Ben's search for his missing brother?

Andrea Boeshaar left me sitting on the edge of my seat, desperate to turn the page and find out what happened next. Her plot is rich and well developed. She populates the story with interesting characters. She has proven again why she is a popular and multi-, multi-published author. Book two in the series is due out in October and I can't wait!

**A copy of this book was provided to me free of charge for review purposes.

Can true love be found in the midst of the Civil War?

The War between the States has Valerie Fontaine frightened about her future. And when her wealthy father is charged with supplying Federal gunboats in order to save his shipping business, Valerie is suspected of conspiracy. Suddenly she's forced to flee her upscale New Orleans home or be taken into custody by Confederate troops.

Benjamin McCabe has a noble dream to make his mark on the world and has decided that photographing the Civil War is the way to accomplish it. But since the Battle of Bull Run, his brother Luke has been missing and Ben is determined to find him. His stop in New Orleans is supposed to be a temporary one - until he meets and falls in love with Miss Valerie Fontaine.

When Valerie's father is arrested, Ben secures a way for her to leave the city and travel to his family's home where she'll be safe. He promises that as soon as he finds Luke, he'll be home and they can begin their life together. But once Valerie steps off the train she finds herself caught up in a web of lies that threaten to imprison her more than Yankee steel bars ever could. (excerpt from back cover).

My Review:

In Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar, we meet Valerie Fontaine who is the daughter of Edward Fontaine, owner of a shipping company that has provided very well for her family. Valerie comes home from boarding school after learning of her mother's death and finds she can no longer concentrate on her studies. When she arrives home, she finds her father has turned to Bourbon as a way of dealing with his grief and loss and wants nothing to do with Valerie.

Benjamin McCabe arrives at the Fontaine household as a guest of Edwards while passing through town in search for the brother he became separated from while photographing the Civil War, while his brother preached to the soldiers. Little does Benjamin know when he meets Valerie, how their lives will completely change and what the future holds for either of them.

I received this book compliments of Glass Road Public Relations in exchange for my honest review and can say I would easily rate this one a 10 out of 10. This wonderful story set during the Civil War here in the states, shows just how prayer affects the outcome of anything life would hand us.

If you would love to know more about this wonderful novel, the author and where to pick up a copy, simply click here:

http://www.andreaboeshaar.com

Excellent story-telling

There is nothing I love better than to curl up with a good book and be transported to another time & place to meet new "friends" and experiences. Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar did not disappoint me. From the start I was held captive by Valerie Fontaine and Benjamin McCabe and their obstacle strewn romance. Both are very believable characters that the reader identifies with and comes to love throughout the course of the story. Yankee vs Rebel intrigue, possible imprisonment-in a real prison as well as a loveless marriage, loss of life, uncertainty, all play a part in keeping the reader turning the pages to find out what happens next. Being a history "buff" myself, I found it obvious that Andrea had done her research into the Civil War and photography during that time period. There were good people on both sides of the issue surrounding the war and the author presents this well, without taking away from the basic story line.
I wanted to stay involved in the lives of Benjamin and Valerie and all the others, but "the end" came and with a sigh I closed the book and laid it down. I definitely can't wait for more in the Seasons of Redemption series.

A great inspirational tale

Although the War Between the States makes it unsafe to travel, following the death of her mother, Valerie Fontaine leaves her Virginia boarding school to come home to New Orleans. However, her father makes it clear she is unwelcome.

Her dad decides to marry Valerie off perhaps to neighbor James Ladden who she despises. She prefers his guest combat photographer Benjamin McCabe who is in town searching for his missing brother Luke who vanished during the Battle of Bull Run. He is nice to her and falls in love with her. When her dad is arrested, he sends her to his home promising he will follow her once he finds Luke. However, she finds his home unwelcoming while her beloved continues his search for his younger brother.

The first Season of Redemption, Unwilling Warriors is a strong inspirational with a message that God is there for those who are there for the Lord even at the darkest loneliest moments. The story line transports readers to the Civil War in which many people feel God abandoned them, but those who find their way back or who have never lost their way will find the Lord helping them with their grief, sorrow and remorse. With a strong cast especially the heroine and a wonderful sense of time and place, Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar provides an insightful opening tale as Valerie logically knows how untrue her feelings are yet still feels abandoned by her father, her beloved and even God.

Harriet Klausner

Civil War Romance

Unwilling Warrior is a Civil War romance. Valerie returns home to New Orleans from her young women's school in Virginia after her mother's death only find that her father doesn't want her there. His house guest is a young man who is a photographer photographing the Confederate army and battles while he searches for his younger brother. It is a delightful book full of anxious moments, good character development, surprises, spys, personal dramas, and realistic descriptions of areas as well as the lives of those who weren't actually involved in the fighting. A reminder that life continues and God keeps working things out for those who follow him no matter what the political agendas of the times. It is the first in a series and promises future intriguing stories for the family of characters.

Special thanks to Anna Coelho Silva | Publicity Coordinator, Book Group | Strang Communications for sending me a review copy for the FIRST blog tour. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

No text was provided for this review.