A Rebel Heart by Beth White

A Rebel Heart by Beth White ISBN-13: 9780800726898 Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Revell Released: June 5, 2018

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Five years after the final shot was fired in the War Between the States, Selah Daughtry can barely manage to keep herself, her two younger sisters, and their spinster cousin fed and clothed. With their family's Mississippi plantation swamped by debt and the Big House falling down around them, the only option seems to be giving up their ancestral land.

Pinkerton agent and former Union cavalryman Levi Riggins is investigating a series of robberies and sabotage linked to the impoverished Daughtry plantation. Posing as a hotel management agent for the railroad, he tells Selah he'll help her save her home, but only if it is converted into a hotel.

Selah isn't sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee, but she'd do almost anything to save her home. What she never expected to encounter was his assault on her heart.


My Review:
A Rebel Heart is a Christian romance set in 1870 in Mississippi. The setting and historical details immersed me in the story. The story touched on how difficult it was for former slave owners and ex-slaves to form new, equitable relationships. The story also looked at how Southerners each reacted differently to a Yankee, Levi.

The characters were complex and acted realistically, and I cared about what happened to them. Selah and Levi brought out the good in each other. They were attracted to the other's character as well as looks. They respected each other and worked well together.

There was some mystery since Levi was trying to determine who caused the train wreck. We know whodunit since we get scenes from their point of view. This increased the suspense since we know there is danger to Levi (and others). The main characters prayed before making major decisions, and their Christian beliefs were reflected in how they treated others. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.