ENEMY OF THE VALLEY

Author: L.R. Bliss ISBN:1587494507 1/2004 HISTORICAL/INSPIRATIONAL Publisher: AWE-STRUCK BOOKS
Time Period: Civil War

The Union Army has burned the Shenandoah Valley, leaving the people filled with hatred for anyone who has northern ties. Even so Nathan Wendall falls in love with a fine northern woman, Sally Dartland. Because of the relationship he meets resistance on all sides, even from his closest friends. When a missing Confederate soldier returns to the valley, carrying his own hatred for the Yankees, Nathan's friends join him in forming a militia. Nathan's worst fear is recognized when their first order of business is seeing the Dartland family driven from their valley. Can Nathan douse the flaming fire of revenge before it's too late.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

When their house was destroyed by a storm, Sally Dartland, along with her parents, twin brother and younger sister, were forced to move. They traveled from Maine to the Shenandoah Valley, Yankees moving to the war-damaged South among the rebels.

Nathan Wendall could not believe his eyes when he first met the Sally. She was everything he had ever dreamed of in a woman. From the moment their eyes met, he could not keep her out of his mind. With his belief in God, the fact that she was from the North did not matter. But the people in the valley showed their hatred for the way the Yankees had destroyed their lives and killed their loved ones.

Hate boiled throughout the valley and the Dartlands kept their faith to try to live as good neighbors. Could they survive a militia intent on destroying anyone associated with the hated soldiers of destruction? Could two people from opposing sides grow to love one another and overcome what has gone on before?

In the ENEMY OF THE VALLEY, L. R. Bliss writes an inspirational story of healing the wounds of prejudice. She teaches that putting your life in God’s hands can solve all problems of hatred. For a believer, it is a wonderful story and I would recommend it highly. It has adventure, a real feel for the South at this time in American history, and the character of Buster Laudin came close to stealing the hero’s place.

I look forward to reading any other novel this author may write, as I would gladly read her next one.

Mariah LeGrand