A Basket Brigade Christmas

Three Women, Three Love Stories, One Country Divided
by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, Stephanie Grace Whitson

"He led us step-by-step, closer together."

During the Civil war, wounded soldiers were sent by train to a hospital in Chicago. The train made several stops, one was in Decatur. The townspeople discovered that these wounded and their caretakers were hungry and their clothes were in tatters. The women of the town decided to meet each train of wounded and take baskets with food to the men, later adding knitted socks and quilts. How this evolved through these women is a very interesting story, as is the story of some of the men. When you have men and women of faith meeting each other in a way they never would have otherwise, it makes things interesting too. I'm always amazed at the depth of a story within a collection like this. This holds three somewhat connected stories of love, all completely different, just as in life. Become immersed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

1865 Michigan
"Cast your cares on Him, honey."
The Civil War has ended but the suffering for everyone in America hasn't stopped. Shortages of food and medicine, men coming home wounded in mind and body. Also a time of healing in many ways. Caroline's father tended a lighthouse and their family lived there. Caroline did the work of taking care of the lighthouse when her father couldn't do it, but people wouldn't approve. After her father drowned she tried to continue but they wouldn't let her, sending Ryan to take over. But he's not in good enough shape to do it either. Excellent story as these people come together for healing and support. Second book in the series.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and Netgalley book review bloggers program. 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

Deeply moving.

It's November 30, 1864, Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee. Lizzie is the Governess to two children there. They look out and see an army forming between their house and the neighbors. The southern army here, federal army drenched in there. Around 20,000 men. The battle was fought over 2 1/2 miles, with nearly 10,000 killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Read that last sentence again. Can you really imagine it?

Their house quickly fills up with wounded. They tear up all the cloth they have - clothes, bed linens, towels, even underwear and Lizzies wedding dress, for bandages. She has skills learned from her father who is a pharmacist, and is able to help the surgeon. She learns that her fiancé is somewhere on the battlefield and goes to look for him - getting an even bigger shock of her life. The hem of her dress is soaked 6 inches with the blood. (Yet just a fraction of what Armageddon will be.) It literally came to their doorstep. Even the children join in helping the wounded in the house. The depth of sorrow and pain, and the eventual joy and love of the living.

Roland was one of the soldiers who had been battered, both legs and much of a hand. He and Lizzie have a special bond that grows through the story, as they both learn how to live with all the changes to their world, their lives. Since they lost the battle there, all of the soldiers on the losing side are supposed to go to Federal prison. They are given permission to stay until better healed, in the care of the McGavocks and local Catholic Sisters. Their mending is difficult, and gives them all a chance to know each other better. Relationships are forged between them all, including two black slaves. An incredible story telling from different angles of those involved. Well done, illustrating an incredible number of people.

#WithThisPledge #TameraAlexander #NetGalley #ChristianHistoricalFiction

Quotes
"Odd how war had a way of leveling out life. Of making what once seemed so important— such as propriety and decorum in conversation—not quite so significant. And in turn, it made what truly mattered— people, taking care of one another, life—of utmost urgency."

“For those who are in Christ Jesus, the best is always yet to come. Believe that.” 

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