Fans of Civil War fiction need to pick up Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson, author of 2019 Christy Award Finalist Engraved on the Heart!
about the book
Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson
Cassie Kendrick is on the run. Her abusive father arranged her marriage to a despicable man, but she’s discovered an escape. Disguised as a man, Cassie enlists in the Union army, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems, especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer.
Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase the darkness and guilt lurking from his past, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships with many of the men he encounters, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding.
Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel learn to forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places?
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my thoughts
Where Dandelions Bloom is a beautifully crafted story. Inside, outside, and sideways, every side of this book is its good side! There are wonderful characters and an interesting plot and vibrant settings and engaging themes. This story’s greatness permeates each individual sentence, page after page is filled with beautiful sentences working together to build a lasting impression on the reader’s heart. The author’s literary artistry paints a word masterpiece worthy of the tears shed on its behalf.
Poverty, abuse, war, and suffering play an important role in this book but the shining stars are hope and redemption. May the beauty found blossoming in the ashes of brokenness inspire and encourage you through this story! Yes, my heart ached as I read but a good ache, a “God is in this place” ache, an adamant reminder that there is no place He won’t go to gather the lost and strengthen the weary. As I place this book on my “all-time favorites” shelves, I strongly encourage my fellow readers to experience Where Dandelions Bloom.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.
about the author
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Let me know if you’ll be adding Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson to your tbr!
I’d love to know what y’all think about this woman soldier and her story!
Faithfully Bookish 