For Love or Honor Bound

Never before have I been so engrossed in a novel pertaining to the American Civil War!The character development is so very rich, and the complexity of each relationship illustrates that no matter which side one represents, each is "fighting the good fight". The author moves the reader from battle ground, to deep, territorial waters and back again, weaving the tale of two brothers. One fights for the Confederacy, the other for the Union. Throughout their respective journeys, each falls in love with Countess Bario, is honored as a powerful and effective leader, and learns that there are more similarities than differences between them.Every possible emotion is exercised when reading For Love or Honor Bound, and upon turning to the last page, the reader is compelled to think of friends with whom to share this wonderful novel.Well done, Derek!

Okay, now I admit it, I'm not a romance reader. The only reason I bought this book was because a friend recommended it for the Civil War historical fiction angle.However, was I in for a very pleasant surprise. This book is a page turner. I was hooked right away.There are 3 major characters - Sophia Bario, a Brazilian diplomat who is also a Confederate spy, Ian (I like his name) Norton, who commands USS Superior, a Union blockade ship, and Robert Norton, a dashing Confederate cavalry officer. Their lives get entangled for a number of reasons and the Nortons are brothers divided by the war.However, it's Sergeant Lowe I liked best. I wanted more. He was the perfect aide for Confederate Norton and had a great sense of humor and loyalty.Then there's the research that went into this book. I'm a Civil War reenactor and I checked on some of the stuff in this novel. It was written with an eye to accuracy, while still propelling the story along. Sherman's March to the Sea took on a new perspective for me, since I've always looked at it from the Yankee side.Okay, let's get to the romance. I like the fact that Countess Bario was hot and choosey. With all the eligible men chasing her, she falls for the guy on the soon-to-be-losers side. I understand from my mother thant most romances take almost 2/3 of the book for the main characters to fall in love. Well, not here. It's pretty much love at first rescue!Here's a novel for just about anybody. If you like Civil War books, get it. If you like historical fiction, get it. If you like romances, get it, because there's plenty of torrid romance. But especially get this book if you like novels where you care about the characters and the action moves you right to the end.For Love or Honor Bound may not make it on any best-seller list, but if you like a solid story, read it.

This is a high quality, gripping, action-packed novel set in the time period of the War Between the States, from November 1863 through the end of hostilities in April 1865, on to post-surrender migration to Brazil by many disheartened Confederatesoldiers and sympathizers. The story line is written from theperspective of three major personalities, a Brazilian Countesswho comes into the North as a diplomat but is in reality a spyfor the Confederacy, and two brothers, one having chosen to servein the Union Navy while the other has committed to serve in theConfederate cavalry. The Countess becomes involved in a murderof a high-ranking Union naval officer that forces her and herfamily to seek refuge in the South. They are rescued from theirpursuers by a troop of Confederate cavalry commanded by thebrother, Captain Robert Norton. This rescue sets the stage for atorrid romance between the Countess and Captain, even as the South is being decimated by Union General Sherman's invasion ofGeorgia and the torching of Atlanta on his march to the sea. Allof the story's characters are vividly created against the back-drop of accurate time-line events. The author's historical re-search is superb, which enhances the story and prompts the readerto keep turning the pages to read what the next battle skirmishor narrow escape will be, with the action constantly intense and the outcome not resolved until the very last page.

Great Civil War Action & RomanceUnusual Civil War novel, told from the perspective of a Brazilian Countess, who also happens to be a Confederate spy. She enters the North as a diplomat, but is determined to steal the Union plans for their Naval blockade and the secret route of the Federal whaling fleet. Murder ensues and Countess Sophia Bario flees with her family to the South, where they are rescued from their pursuers by the timely arrival of Captain Robert Norton, commanding a detachment of Confederate cavalry. So sets the stage for a hot romance, while Sherman invades Georgia, burns Atlanta and marches to the sea. The historical research is top notch and is also drawn from the author's own family genealogical research. The characters are lively and believable, there's plenty of action, some pretty hot love scenes and it builds to page-turning enjoyment fairly quickly. I highly recommend! This is both a romance and a high-quality historical novel. It is a page-turner, which to me is a sign of a well-written and interesting novel. I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.