cover image The Yankee Widow

The Yankee Widow

Linda Lael Miller. Mira, $26.99 (432p) ISBN 978-0-7783-1641-1

Miller (A Lawman’s Christmas), a prolific romance author, delves into historical fiction with this revealing Civil War–era story detailing the devastating impact of the war. Union soldier Jacob Hammond is wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1963, but his wife, Caroline, doesn’t find out for nearly six weeks that he has been taken to the hospital in Washington, D.C. Once she finds him, Jacob dies within hours. Caroline returns to their family farm outside Gettysburg, Penn., and arranges for Jacob’s funeral. When the Battle of Gettysburg rages nearby, Caroline relies on the help of Enoch Flynn, a freed slave who works on her farm, to help treat the wounded. Union commander Capt. Rogan McBride asks Caroline to care for Captain Bridger Winslow, Rogan’s old friend who also happens to be a Confederate soldier wounded in the battle. The attraction between Bridger and Caroline grows during his recovery, though she knows that there is little chance for a future between them. Miller balances character and history well and keeps the pages turning with a fast-paced plot. This is a must-read for historical fiction fans. [em](May) [/em]