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veteran book reviewer, Cheri Rosenberg, reviews Nann
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The
War Between the Hearts by Nann Dunne
ISBN: 1-933113-27-8
Intaglio Publications
P.O. Box 357474
Gainesville, Florida 32635
Paperback, 292 pages, $17.95
Review by Cheri Rosenberg
Rave reviews about Nann Dunne’s The War Between the Hearts understandably tout the epic as the author’s best work to date.
A courageous Sarah-Bren Coulter decides that sitting idly by while her country is embroiled in a war between the North and the South is not an option. Sarah wants to join the fight and realizes that the only way to accomplish her goal is to pretend she’s a man. She disguises herself as Bren Cordell and, against her family’s wishes, goes off to war. Strong-willed and stubborn, Sarah-Bren has never been one to follow anyone’s whims except her own.
Sarah-Bren’s family lives in what eventually becomes West Virginia, a new state affiliated with the North, and she immerses herself in the task of spying for the North dressed as a man while working as a scout and soldier for the Confederate army.
Faith Pruitt is a widow who teaches school and has a young son named Benjamin. When Sarah (disguised as Bren, a Confederate Soldier) is shot, Faith saves her leg and nurses her back to health. Faith’s late husband fought for the Confederacy, but she is an independent thinker and tends to believe a united Union makes more sense than a divided country. She has no way of knowing that Bren is actually spying for the Union, a fact that is pivotal to what happens in the story. The clash between Sarah and Faith is often as wrenching as the war itself. Two strong-willed women who clearly have intense feelings for each other, fight it out until the end. Will they surrender to their hearts’ desires or will misunderstandings win out?
Dunne has obviously done her homework. The period of the Civil War is accurately depicted with an easy to read, enjoyable, contemporary flare; it effortlessly transports readers back to the 1860s. Even the methods for wound care that were available at the time are accurate.
Dunne also displays a strong hand at characterization. Sarah-Bren Coulter has been added to my list of admirable characters. She is someone I can look up to, a brave woman who puts the safety of others before her own; a true heroine who is willing to fight for a cause despite the cost. Faith Pruitt, forthright, nurturing, and independent, captivates the reader as much as she captivates—and frustrates—Sarah-Bren.
In addition, The War Between the Hearts presents a diverse and well-defined supporting cast, each with an integral contribution to the story.
Lindsay, Sarah-Bren’s sister-in-law, is the type of “sister,” friend, and confidante we all wish we had. She is supportive, smart, and always there for Sarah no matter what. Scott, Sarah’s twin and Lindsay’s husband, loves his sister very much. Always the stronger twin, Sarah goes off to war while her brother stays home to run the Coulter Foundry. Will Scott get past his jealousy of Sarah’s capabilities and his disbelief when he discovers the truth about his sister’s secret desires?
Sarah’s suitor, Captain Phillip Showell of the Union Army, would marry her at any given time. Sarah loves him too—just not in that way. His brother, Colonel Theodore (Theo) Showell also fights for the Union. When Sarah tells Scott, and her friends Phillip and Theo, of her plans to fight in the army they automatically think she has gone mad, but also realize that they would be wasting their breath to try to stop her.
Bren meets and befriends Leah, a prostitute who becomes Sarah’s ally and eventually becomes more like family when she and her daughter Amy bond with Sarah. They end up saving each other, in more ways than one.
Prescott and Cynthia Coulter, Sarah and Scott’s parents, are not privy to Sarah’s involvement in the war, but when they find out, do they shun or admire their daughter? Cynthia does her best to make a socially acceptable woman out of Sarah, but alas, Sarah’s personality and true nature prevail, and her spirit remains intact. In a gripping scene, mother and daughter face their issues. Dunne pulls it all together perfectly.
The War Between the Hearts has prose that flows, an engrossing plot using both intrinsic and extrinsic conflict, and impeccable editing. Every scene has a purpose, moving the story forward apace and making it a compelling read. The protagonists are believable with traits and flaws that make them human. Dunne has also achieved a high level of sexual tension between Sarah and Faith that keeps the reader rooting for true love to win in the end. With wonderfully rich characterizations and vivid descriptions that jump out of the page, The War Between the Hearts is a true winner that moved me every turn of the page. My highest praise goes to Nann Dunne for her achievement. Don’t miss this five star novel.