NO GREATER GLORY by Cindy Nord

Blurb:

Amid the carnage of war, he commandeers far more than just her home.

Widowed plantation owner Emaline McDaniels has struggled to hold on to her late husband’s dreams. Despite the responsibilities resting on her slender shoulders, she’ll not let anyone wrest away what’s left of her way of life—particularly a Yankee officer who wants to set up winter camp on her land.

With a defiance born of desperation, she defends her home as though it were the child she never had…and no mother gives up her child without a fight.

Despite the brazen wisp of a woman pointing a gun at his head, Colonel Reece Cutteridge has his orders. Requisition Shapinsay—and its valuable livestock—for his regiment’s use, and pay her with Union vouchers. He never expected her fierce determination, then her concern for his wounded, to upend his heart—and possibly his career.

As the armies go dormant for the winter, battle lines are drawn inside the mansion. Yet just as their clash of wills shifts to forbidden passion, the tides of war sweep Reece away. And now their most desperate battle is to survive the war with their lives—and their love—intact.

Warning: This novel contains complex emotions and battlefield gallantry wrapped around the inherent risks of falling in love with one’s enemy.


My Review:

“No Greater Glory” is the first novel I’ve ready by Cindy Nord, and I’m so glad that I randomly searched Civil War historical fiction novels and found her book! I have always been incredibly interested in anything to do with the Civil War, but over the past few years, I’ve gotten away from reading books based on events from that time period. I have kind of been “stuck” in the Medieval England time period when it comes to my reading choices. I randomly found Ms. Nord’s novel on amazon, and decided to give it a chance.

I loved the book from start to finish. Emmy and Reece’s story is extremely compelling, and there was the perfect amount of romance and adventure throughout. I liked that she kept it historically accurate, mentioning important battles and people who were main figures in the Civil War. I love when historical fiction novels give you a history lesson, without you even being aware of it!

Emmy and Reece are the perfect couple for a work of romantic fiction. Emmy is a strong, independent woman, who also has an aspect of vulnerability that makes her a likable character. Reece is the strong, intelligent man, who makes mistakes when it comes to love, but does everything possible to be with the woman he loves. Of course, there are mishaps that keep the couple apart, as well as bring them together. However, the author keeps the story realistic, which is where I think a lot of romance novels struggle. I also like that she balances the action and romance in this story. The book isn’t all SEX, SEX, SEX! There is a perfect balance between the obstacles that Emmy and Reece go up against, their adventures, and the hot, steamy scenes.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical romance. I think that it’s a great novel, and I’m so happy that I stumbled across it!

I give “No Greater Glory” five out of five stars.

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UNEASY LIES THE CROWN, A Novel of Owain Glyndwr by N. Gemini Sasson

Blurb:

The story of Owain Glyndwr, the last Welsh Prince of Wales.

In the year 1399, Welsh nobleman Owain Glyndwr is living out a peaceful gentleman's life in the Dee Valley of Wales with his wife Margaret and their eleven children. But when Henry of Bolingbroke usurps the throne of England from his cousin Richard II, that tranquility is forever shattered. What starts as a feud with a neighboring English lord over a strip of land evolves into something greater--a fight for the very independence of Wales.

After a harrowing encounter on the misty slopes of Cadair Idris, the English knight Harry Hotspur offers Owain a pact he cannot resist.

Peace, however, comes with a heavy price. As tragedies mount and temptations loom, Owain questions whether he can fulfill the prophecies and lead his people to freedom without destroying those around him.

For centuries, the bards have sung of King Arthur's return, but is this reluctant warrior prince the answer to those prophecies?


My Review:

I have yet to be disappointed by one of N. Gemini Sasson’s novels. Her novels have the perfect balance of romance, adventure, and historical accuracy. This is the first novel I’ve read about the Welsh struggle for freedom, and I was able to learn so much about it from this book. 

The characters/historical figures in this novel are written so incredibly well. As a reader you are completely pulled into their lives and struggles. Their stories are so incredible and well written.  More than once, tears came to my eyes while reading.  I found the story of Owain Glyndwr and his family to be absolutely fascinating. His long struggle for the freedom of his country is so inspiring. His family went through so much during his struggle for freedom. From the early years of love and happiness, and then through the years of sadness and pain while Owain struggled for the freedom of his country. It reminds me of the struggle that Robert the Bruce went through while attempting to save his country, Scotland.

I love Sasson’s writing style. The way she describes the setting of the story, takes the reader right into the action. I was able to clearly picture the terrain of the Welsh lands while reading. I was able to ‘see’ the battles taking place, and the different journeys that they were taking through the land. I love that she is able to describe things so clearly, without bogging the reader down with unnecessary details. The thoughts and feelings of the characters are described so clearly, that as a reader you almost feel what they’re going through.

N. Gemini Sasson is an amazing author of historical fiction. She keeps the events historically accurate, and gives the characters personalities that are so real, that you can believe they might have actually been like that when they were alive.  I would recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction, regardless of the time period of your interest. I knew absolutely nothing about the Welsh struggle for freedom, but by the end of this novel, I feel like I had a pretty good understanding. Overall, I thought this was an amazing book, and I’m looking forward to all future books by N. Gemini Sasson.

I give this book five out of five stars.

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