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Cheney Duvall, M.D. #4
Toward the Sunrising
With New Orleans as their destination, Cheney Duvall and her nurse, Shiloh Irons, leave behind the glittering lights of New York City and travel first to Charleston, South Carolina, intending to stay for only a short time. But the purpose of their stop immediately draws them into the plight of this war-torn Southern city, in the painful throes of Reconstruction and carpetbagger policies after the Civil War.
Cheney finds herself in conflict with the most respected doctor in Charleston, who is also the hospital administrator. She discovers that his old-school medical practices are not only questionable but are positively harmful. He refuses to acknowledge Cheney as a lady, much less an accredited physician.
Meanwhile, Shiloh finds strong evidence that one of the most powerful businessmen in Charleston is cheating Southern merchants and is likely stealing from Cheney's father, Richard Duvall.
As Cheney and Shiloh are embroiled in the political, social, and economic troubles that plague the city, they also are drawn into events related to the beginnings of the Knights of the White Rose, a fraternal order of white supremacists. Cheney and Rissy, her companion, find that they may not only be involved in social conflicts their very lives are in danger!
Cheney finds herself in conflict with the most respected doctor in Charleston, who is also the hospital administrator. She discovers that his old-school medical practices are not only questionable but are positively harmful. He refuses to acknowledge Cheney as a lady, much less an accredited physician.
Meanwhile, Shiloh finds strong evidence that one of the most powerful businessmen in Charleston is cheating Southern merchants and is likely stealing from Cheney's father, Richard Duvall.
As Cheney and Shiloh are embroiled in the political, social, and economic troubles that plague the city, they also are drawn into events related to the beginnings of the Knights of the White Rose, a fraternal order of white supremacists. Cheney and Rissy, her companion, find that they may not only be involved in social conflicts their very lives are in danger!
368 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
18 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Morris
42 books112 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Lynn Morris (born 1954) was a Christian fiction author. She was the daughter of Gilbert Morris and co-wrote with him on some of her books.
Series:
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Gilbert Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Gilbert Morris)
* The Creole (with Gilbert Morris)
* Omega (with Gilbert Morris and Alan Morris)
Lynn Morris (born 1954) was a Christian fiction author. She was the daughter of Gilbert Morris and co-wrote with him on some of her books.
Series:
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Gilbert Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Gilbert Morris)
* The Creole (with Gilbert Morris)
* Omega (with Gilbert Morris and Alan Morris)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 24, 2026
This was a disappointing installment in the series. I was excited for Cheney and Shiloh to travel to Charleston, hoping we’d uncover a bit more of Shiloh‘s history – and we do, a few pages in the beginning and a few pages at the end. Cheney is sent to the town to investigate a problem with her father‘s business and to inquire about Allan Blue– actions which take up a few pages in the beginning and are covered in a few pages of exposition at the end.
The other 95% of this book is (as other reviewers have said) essentially a love letter to General Nathan Bedford Forrest and a look at Reconstruction politics in Charleston. And while he was a fascinating character, and the war stories were all very interesting, the majority of this book had little to do with Cheney. She was an observer to events that had nothing to do with her and would have occurred whether she was in Charleston or not.
The beginning and end of this novel were quick reads but the majority of it was a slog for this reader. I do want to finish this series but think I need to take a little break.
The other 95% of this book is (as other reviewers have said) essentially a love letter to General Nathan Bedford Forrest and a look at Reconstruction politics in Charleston. And while he was a fascinating character, and the war stories were all very interesting, the majority of this book had little to do with Cheney. She was an observer to events that had nothing to do with her and would have occurred whether she was in Charleston or not.
The beginning and end of this novel were quick reads but the majority of it was a slog for this reader. I do want to finish this series but think I need to take a little break.
September 14, 2012
** This is just a QUICK REVIEW of my thoughts on the book **
I was hoping this one would have more romance than the last two (in which it's been conspicuously lacking), but no suck luck.
It was, quite simply, boring. It wasn't really about Cheney, or anything, at all. It seemed more like it was supposed to be a tribute to the historical figure of General Nathan Bedford Forrest!? If I wanted that I'd read a biography, not a Cheney novel. Boring. So much so I can't really recall ever having read it the first time!
Is there a Happy Ending? I don’t remember, but the series continues on so it really doesn’t matter at this point.
Content Rating: The usual; men with fists and guns. Also as usual, no bedroom scenes, or anything else really…
Romance Rating: Non-existent?
I was hoping this one would have more romance than the last two (in which it's been conspicuously lacking), but no suck luck.
It was, quite simply, boring. It wasn't really about Cheney, or anything, at all. It seemed more like it was supposed to be a tribute to the historical figure of General Nathan Bedford Forrest!? If I wanted that I'd read a biography, not a Cheney novel. Boring. So much so I can't really recall ever having read it the first time!
Is there a Happy Ending? I don’t remember, but the series continues on so it really doesn’t matter at this point.
Content Rating: The usual; men with fists and guns. Also as usual, no bedroom scenes, or anything else really…
Romance Rating: Non-existent?
August 1, 2021
Oh my, this book made me chuckle a lot! I actually enjoyed reading the tales that Shiloh told about serving under General Forrest in the war, even though I sometimes skimmed those parts. But they were sorta interesting to read about, just because I found Forrest sort of interesting and captivating. Well, okay, I admit it, not quite captivating, but he was pretty cool to read about most of the time.
And of course Shiloh was still his wonderfully handsome, charming, teasing self. ;) He'll never fail to make me chuckle as I read. It did make me sort of sad to read about his past. Poor Shiloh.
But the book was okay, though like usual I didn't really like the plot much. The characters were still good though.
And of course Shiloh was still his wonderfully handsome, charming, teasing self. ;) He'll never fail to make me chuckle as I read. It did make me sort of sad to read about his past. Poor Shiloh.
But the book was okay, though like usual I didn't really like the plot much. The characters were still good though.
May 23, 2023
This is my least favorite of an otherwise wonderful series. Written by a father/daughter duo, Father Gilbert seems to have taken the reins on this one . . . and I'm willing to bet he was a serious Civil War buff. This story is almost entirely a fictionalized account of a real Civil War general, and all his glorious war tactics - something which does not interest me in the least. We get very little of the Cheney/Shiloh dynamic or of the medical action usually more present in this series. Instead it's a lot of recounting of battles and descriptions of military performances.
October 21, 2022
This is hands-down my favorite Cheney Duvall book. I loooooved the Poe references (this book made me a huge fan of "Israfel"), and omw Shadrach is just ... swoon-worthy, a hard thing to do/be next to Shiloh imho.
August 27, 2008
I love the way the characters are always so funny! And pretty consistent too!
December 15, 2010
a parade of historical characters are met by the two MC in this installment. rather lacking in character development or plot. and they don't even kiss. what good is a book with no kissing?
January 19, 2011
I enjoyed this book very much. Learned some history. After finishing it I did some research to learn more about what I had read.
January 31, 2026
I really struggled with this book of the series. It is a series based around a woman becoming a doctor and trying to find her place and acceptance and yet she did very minimal, if any form of doctoring until one small item maybe half way through and not again until the end. this book definitely helped create a deeper understanding of Shiloh and who he is, where he comes from. he felt more valuable in the story than Cheney who connected characters together but ultimately had no obstacles to overcome and no plot point that had me rooting for her. this series started off so strong but slowly losing my interest.
June 3, 2025
I enjoyed rereading this after visiting Charleston last fall. Little details that I missed before stood out (like shecrab soup, and watching the gullah women weave baskets). Once again, I did not care about the details of certain battles from the civil war, but was interested to read about General Forrest and imagine what he was actually like.
May 28, 2009
This was an enjoyable read - but didn't hold my interest as well through some parts of the story as the first several books did. It was however interesting to learn a little more about Shilo's past. I'm a bit impatient I think - I just want to get to the book where Chaney and Shilo get together :) haha! But, we do learn a little more about each of the characters along the way. Learned a little more about the Blue’s too, so that was interesting as well. I guess I'll go on to book 5 and now skip ahead like I'm tempted to :)!
March 2, 2021
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April 16, 2015
A little hard to keep up with all the military terminology, the significance of it sometimes. Then there was the Knights of the White Rose, the Provost Marshals and Gard's Guards. But it all came together in the end. More insight into Shiloh's birth and where he came from was good to learn about. Rissy falls in love.
May 8, 2017
New Orleans is their destination. Cheney Duvall and her nurse, Shiloh Irons, leave behind New York City and travel to Charleston, South Carolina, intending only a short stay. Their stop draws them into the plight of this war-torn Southern city, in the painful throes of Reconstruction and carpetbagger policies after the Civil War.
May 1, 2015
Enjoyed this book. Fascinating to learn about Charleston during this era and also facts about the Civil War. However, I would have preferred to learn more about Dr Duvall and the practice of medicine rather than what seemed to be endless details about battles.
May 23, 2018
A continuation of the life adventures of Cheney Duvall. Great historic fiction with terrific detail. You'll laugh and cry. I've read this entire series many times and I'm sure will read them again. I'd highly recommend all of them.
May 18, 2020
I enjoy watching Cheney and Shiloh's relationship grow. I also enjoyed learning more about Shiloh's past. However, I felt like it glorified a bit too much a part of American history that does not need to be glorified.
March 7, 2008
this was a light read but interesting story of Charleston, SC during Reconstruction
August 19, 2011
On Chapter 4 of this book, and am still waiting for the story to develop. I felt the entire story revolved around conversations between the characters, without much of a story line, or plot.
November 16, 2012
I really enjoy this series. I like how much history I learn by reading these books.
December 15, 2012
I used to like this series a lot. It does have some funny moments/characters and interesting plot points, but it is also rather on the feminist and romantic side.
May 29, 2013
Those interested in Civil War Reconstruction would undoubtedly find this an interesting story. I would have enjoyed more of the medical aspect.
January 24, 2015
I find this to be a beautiful exploration of historical perception shift.
May 20, 2015
More about history than doctoring. Centers around Lieutenant General Nathan Bedford Forrest, C.S.A.
August 28, 2015
this is my least favourite so far but still love the series!
September 12, 2015
Love this series! I'm re-reading it with my preteen daughter (who reads at a college freshman level according to a reading and comprehension diagnostic).
May 16, 2021
Cheney and Shiloh go to Charleston, South Carolina to find another piece of Shiloh's past. While there they see the after affects of the Civil War. Tension is running high between the north and south still and there seems to be one law in town and that is judge Granger. Unfortunately he is more into the power he wields than into keeping the peace. As always Shiloh and Cheney meet some interesting people. Including Nathan Bedford Forrest. He comes riding into town to help his half brother and a couple of friends who have run into the wrong side of the law. Having an infamous temper it is quite entertaining to read him in action in this novel! The south may have been brought to their knees by the north, but in their hearts they will never bend. Toward the Sunrising shows that proudness and dignity of the southern gentlemen, willing to do what it takes to protect their women and their honor. I enjoyed the history in this novel as well as Cheney's continued maturity in faith and how she shares that with others.
November 22, 2022
I don't know if it's because I'm older and wiser or what, but I definitely didn't enjoy this book as much as I used to enjoy some of the other ones. Cheney seemed particularly stupid to me in this one for much of the book; she didn't really do anything, even doctoring, for almost the entire first half. L Shiloh (as usual in these books) can do no wrong, and it irritated me to death in this one.
I feel like this book is mainly a love letter to the South and the generals of the Confederacy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but there really didn't seem to be any application of Shiloh and co.'s endless stories about the war beyond the obvious glory hounding.
My only other main problem was that Rissy was the only sensible character and no one listened to her.
I feel like this book is mainly a love letter to the South and the generals of the Confederacy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but there really didn't seem to be any application of Shiloh and co.'s endless stories about the war beyond the obvious glory hounding.
My only other main problem was that Rissy was the only sensible character and no one listened to her.
April 2, 2025
Herein, Cheney travels to Charleston, South Carolina. It's interesting to see the South during the Civil War -- especially from such a detailed point of view. There's a lot of military talk, about the generals and important men of the area. Also portrayed in the story is how the blacks were (mis)treated, whether slaves or free.
The story was rather interesting for me, especially the first part of the book, with mostly Cheney, Shiloh, and Rissy. (I live for Rissy's mutterings and comical comments!) The latter part of the book turns more to political issues and military men. It also took a little while to get into some medical situations where Cheney could pull out her doctor's bag, so I really appreciated those scenes when they finally came around.
The story was rather interesting for me, especially the first part of the book, with mostly Cheney, Shiloh, and Rissy. (I live for Rissy's mutterings and comical comments!) The latter part of the book turns more to political issues and military men. It also took a little while to get into some medical situations where Cheney could pull out her doctor's bag, so I really appreciated those scenes when they finally came around.
May 19, 2021
In Toward the Sunrising, Cheney takes a break from doctoring, but she certainly doesn’t get a break from adventure!
With new characters, places and customs, book 4 in the Cheney Duvall MD series was fantastic! The readers finally get some background on Shiloh and we meet one of his old friends!
If you have enjoyed the Cheney Duvall MD series before, then make sure to check out Toward the Sunrising!
With new characters, places and customs, book 4 in the Cheney Duvall MD series was fantastic! The readers finally get some background on Shiloh and we meet one of his old friends!
If you have enjoyed the Cheney Duvall MD series before, then make sure to check out Toward the Sunrising!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews