Beloved Enemy: Battle of First Bull Run

Battles of Destiny #3

by Al Lacy

Jenny's allegiance lay with the Confederate Army. But her heart belonged to the enemy. Faithful to her family and the land of her birth, young Jenny Jordan covers for her father's Confederate spy missions. But as she grows closer to handsome Union soldier Buck Brownell. Jenny finds herself torn between devotion to the South and her feelings for the man she is forbidden to love. Overwhelmed by pressure to assist the South, Jenny agrees to carry critical information over enemy lines. But when she is caught in Buck Brownell's territory, will he follow orders to execute the beautiful spy or find a way to save his Beloved Enemy?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian, Historical Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Civil War

356 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

Al Lacy has written more than ninety novels, including the Angel of Mercy, Battles of Destiny, and Journeys of the Stranger series. He and his wife, JoAnna Lacy, are coauthors of the Mail Order Bride, Hannah of Fort Bridger, and Shadow of Liberty series. The Lacys make their home in the Colorado Rockies.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beloved Enemy by Al Lacy is book one in his Battles of Destiny series. This beautiful and captivating story felt like I was reading poetry rather than a story about the beginning of the Civil War. My head usually starts spinning after reading the long list of generals, colonels, and other important officers in each of the battles, but that didn't happen this time. Instead, I was transported to that time and while seeing the outbreak of the Civil War and the major battle at Bull Run my attention was focused on the central characters of Jenny Jordan and Buck Brownell. I watched memorized as the various events of the coming war brought these two people together who likely would not have met under normal circumstances. Then as I continued to see their story unfold, I was amazed to see a sweet and touching romance grow between them.

Since most if not all romances in stories don't survive without being touched by pain and conflict, my heart became wrenched at the next part of their story. Jenny Jordan was pushed by her father into a Confederate spy ring right underneath the noses of President Lincoln and his government. Jenny's part in the spying was out of loyalty to her birth state of Virginia and to her Southern family heritage. She was torn by her love for Buck, a Union soldier, and her admiration of President Lincoln and all that he was trying to accomplish. It was her father and their Southern heritage that began keeping her and Buck from making any plans of marriage.

If that wasn't enough and when her heart could take the deceit no longer, she was captured for being a spy while on her way to deliver a message to General Stonewall Jackson of an impending battle from the North. Since the penalty for spies at war time is death by firing squad 24 hours after being captured, she was sure she and Buck had to future without a true miracle from God.

For the end of this story you need to read the book yourself, but let me just say that you will NOT be disappointed or even bored by this story. Your curiosity will propel you all the way to the end in no time. You will actually be disappointed that the story has come to its conclusion long before boredom will ever set it.

While I don't normally read Historical or Romance stories, I truly have to say that I enjoyed every minute of this book and am quite eager to read more books in this series. This story will have you on the edge of your seat asking and anticipating what comes next. All the while you are seeing history in a brand new light. If only we learned history in light of the lives of the people who lived back then. I think that it would become much more memorable to us. After all, the human story is one that we can relate to and enjoy hearing about.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Even if you aren't a History or Romance buff, you will find something in this book that will touch your heart and leave you wanting more. The gentle manner in which this story is told will put a desire in your heart to go back to that time and live a lifetime there. It was a chivalrous, innocent, and truly American time that we can all appreciate.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series a couple of decades ago. I saw this book in a book sale and couldn't resist. It makes a book more interesting to me when they include actual people in the story. The Civil War leaders, spies, and places we know, mixed with fictional characters, makes a better read. It brings reality to the page.
It has a little too much romance for me but , that is okay. I survived.
A good little book in all.

[Aubrey⁠♡ Matching with Emma T ( Daughter of Aslan 2362) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book! It was thrilling, and exciting,and romantic. I enjoyed how clean this book was. The kisses were not detailed which made the book even better. I wish I could read this book for the first time again and would strongly recommend it.

[Bev W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice not to have sex scenes or swearing.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not one of my favorites. Why did he have Jack Egan killed off? Also, in real life, Franics Brownell didn't have 2 siblings. He had seven.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you know I love reading historical romance novels. Such is the reason that this novel drew me in.

::A bit about the novel::
One of the main characters, Jenny Jordan, takes a job with the federal government, and at the same time covers for her father's Confederate spy missions. Her father warns her never to get involved with a soldier, and that's just what happens. Jenny's father accepts a job offered by Abraham Lincoln, but is not honest in his motives. He feigns loyalty to the North while in reality his loyalties lay with the South. Jenny meets Union soldier Buck Brownell in her line of career and her life is forever transformed by love at first sight. Jenny's loyalties are with her father and her land, but she can't help but carry a forbidden love for Buck despite her father's warnings. Buck equally reciprocates the love feelings between the two and desperately wants Jenny to be his.
Determined to keep her forbidden love and still hold loyalty with her father in some way Jenny tries to please both parties. She agrees to help her father carry a message, but gets caught by Union soldiers over enemy lines. Buck has orders to execute her, but tries to find a way to save his true love.


::My Thoughts::
It took me awhile to get swept up into the story. This is part 3 in Battles of Destiny series, so maybe it was because I didn't read the first 2. I felt that it dragged on a little longer than necessary. This novel has a good mix of battle and romance, but I think it could have shown a bit more detail to some of the characters. Still for a novel centered on the Civil War it was a good read. It isn't one of my favorite novels, but if you are curious you should definitely give it a read.
I really enjoyed Jenny's character and understood her dilemma as far as trying to please her father while trying to please herself and Buck. The endings for all characters were mixed, some good and some bad. I don't think I would want to change the endings though and felt that it was all as should be although some were quite surprising. I won't go into details on that so as not to spoil anything.
I have to admit I was hoping for this novel to be a little more meaty, not meaning that there should be sex scenes or anything, but I felt things could definitely be more heated between the love couple to make their love seem more realistic.
Still this is a well researched novel and despite some of the characters use of wording in conversations I didn't feel like it was set in any other time frame other than the Civil War.
I am glad I did give this book a chance though as now I won't be curious and although it isn't one of my favorites I did still enjoy it.


If you want to read more reviews feel free to VISIT MY BLOG


DISCLAIMER: I was provided this book for free through Waterbrook Multnomah publishers in exchange for my unbiased review. Opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Sherrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I selected Beloved Enemy by Al Lacy for my next WaterBrook Press review, I was tempted by the Civil War history referred to as well as the chance for a little romance in the reading. However, upon receipt of the book and jumping right in to it, I struggled to be drawn in by the story line and writing style.

I will confess I had never read one of Mr. Lacy's books before and therefore didn't know what to expect. What I didn't expect though was to find some inconsistencies that quite frankly bothered me. If a writer is going to write historical fiction, it is my belief he or she should remain tied to the time period in language, casual lifestyle references and its historical stance.

Once or twice in Beloved Enemy, when scenes include Mrs. Lincoln and her two boys, Willie and Tad, the boys refer to their mother as "mom." When this didn't seem absolutely timely, I checked online resources ([Merriam-Webster][1] regarding the origin of the word "mom." Here, we are told that the word's first known use was circa 1894. Since Beloved Enemy opens in the early part of the 1860s and continues only through that same early period, it is highly unlikely that the Lincoln boys called their mother "mom."

At one point in this same early part of the book, one character is read in dialogue to say: "Let's have a cup of coffee at the cafe." Another language form that, in my own opinion, doesn't seem to ring true with the times.

Also, I found it difficult to maintain a record of the many Confederate and Yankee officers named throughout the book. Mr. Lacy often refers to each in a multitude of names, sometimes using their titles, often only first names. This would make it difficult for a reader unfamiliar with the war itself to track very well.

References to the women spies during the Civil War seem to be completely accurate. Rose Greenhow was chief among the Confederate women spies as reflected here. It is with great pride as a woman from the South to know that women played a strategic, if costly, role in the Civil War.

I'm reluctant to say that I will step out again and read one of Al Lacy's publications, but have done as WaterBrook Multnomah asked and have given my honest opinion of Beloved Enemy.

* * *

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

http://not-just-a-name.blogspot.com/2...

[Sara Nowlin-Edens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al Lacy has been writing books for a number of years. He did not shirk his duty in grabbing his readers on this one. Beloved Enemy is the first in his Battles of Destiny / Bull Run series. It opens with Lincoln going to Washington to take office. Young Jenny Jordan, daughter of a Union colonel begins work in the White House as a receptionist in Lincoln’s administration. Her father is on the Military Council to prepare for war against the South. Ironically, the Jordans are originally from Virginia, yet chose to stay in the Union army. Their hearts, however, stay with Virginia soil. Jenny falls in love with a daring, dashing Buck Brownell of the Zouave military units of the North. This is the beginning of the intrigue this book brings.
As the approach of war draws near, Jenny becomes more enchanted with Buck, her father determines that he will begin a Confederate spy ring. He presses Jenny into service, albeit reluctantly. The punishment for traitors in wartime is execution by firing squad. Jenny is reluctant, partly because of the punishment, but also because she fears for her father’s life, and for the life of the man she loves. She knows this is a dangerous game they are playing. She is able to successfully avoid carrying messages for a long time. You can only know what happens when you read the story!
Lacy treated the historical facts well, and allowed his characters to interact with real historical figures in a believable manner. He brings actual Confederate spies into the story, along with their real roles. The action, the intrigue, the love, the hope, and the fear are very real when allowing yourself to immerse into the wonderful tome brought forward by Mr. Lacy. America’s streets and homes were filled with the Civil War, whether one was actively involved or not. This book brings that war to your home as well.
Lacy’s treatment to both the North and the South is respectful, yet factual. This book gets a 5 out of 5 stars from me.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

[Bethany Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow. Okay. My thoughts on this book are mixed. It's like throwing my emotions and writing opinions into a mixing bowl, and spinning them all up into a gooey mess. So maybe that's not the best analogy... but...

When I first had the opportunity to review this book, I snatched it up pretty quick. I do like historical fiction, and the fact that it was about the war between the states, and spies, and such things only interested me further. But when I started reading, I wasn't the most happy camper. It IS an interesting story. At least it should be. All the elements are there. Everything's in place. Before I say more, I should tell you one thing. This book took me almost an entire YEAR to read. I'm sure for any book lover this is very odd. I was constantly reading something else that I found more interesting. I would feel bad, and try to finish it, but would soon tire of it. So, you ask, what was so bad?

It wasn't allll bad, of course. But there were a few elements that threw me off. Al Lacy has a certain way of writing that doesn't really appeal to me. I suppose I should have known this after reading a bit of one of his other books, but the thought never occurred. I love history, as I said, but the way Mr. Lacy incorporated the history was distracting to the story line. He would have a chapter with a bit about the main characters, and then lots and lots of paragraphs and chapters dedicated to unimportant characters who usually just died at the end of the chapter. It wasn't the most fun experience. I could have enjoyed the book without reading about the guy and his dog who died, or such. I don't know if it was of historical significance, but it really just made me sad and want the book over with!

The positive side of things is that when I could push myself to read, I did enjoy it for the most part, even if the writing style and storyline were a bit off. I rate the book three stars, and I say that I'm being generous sometimes. :D Don't just take my opinion, though, because many people have rated this five stars.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love history, especially Civil War history. Beloved Enemy by Al Lacy is a wonderful historical romance set in the beginning of the Civil War. Mr. Lacey sets the story around the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln and the events following. This is the story of Jenny Jordan who is a receptionist at the Capitol building. Her father, a hero in the Mexican War, has been named an advisor to the Senate Military Committee. Colonel Jordan is also the head of a Confederate spy ring, along with Rose Greenhowe, who uses young ladies as spy couriers. Jenny has fallen in love with a Northern soldier, Buck Brownell. Buck is quickly advanced in the military for his bravery under battle. Beloved Enemy begins as the First Battle of Bull Run is being contemplated by both forces. The interesting aspect of the Civil War is that the forces were so close together. Washington, D.C. and the southern state of Virginia were right next to each other. Sympathies ran high for both sides in those states bordering the north-south division. Interesting also is the fact that the First Battle of Bull Run was viewed as a spectator event by those in Washington who took picnic baskets and wanted to make a day excursion of viewing the battle. They had to run for home when the Northern soldiers were routed by the Confederates. The author provided many little side stories that could have taken place during this battle. Colonel Jordan tries to persuade his daughter to join the spy ring, even though the punishment is death by firing squad no longer than 48 hours after capture. You’ll have to read the book to find out how Jenny responded to her father’s requests and also to find out if love can truly exist between two opposing political foes.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Mulnomah Publishing Group for this review.

http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com/...

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Al Lacy's latest Civil War masterpiece, "Beloved Enemy," starts off slow but picks up steam and plows you right through it. Once I got into it I was hooked and couldn't put it down. My only regret is that I didn't know about the other books in the Battles of Destiny and started with this one instead of reading the other two first. That being said I had no problem following the story-line and I think my not having read the other two volumes didn't impede my ability to understand what was going on.

The story starts off following Jenny Jordan and her father as they get jobs in the White House serving President Lincoln. Jenny takes a job as secretary and her father Jeffery Jordan , a famous Mexican War hero, became a member of the Senate Military Committee. They start working at a hectic time as hostilities grow between the Union and the Confederacy. Jeffrey and Jenny felt torn as they were native Virginians and decided to stay loyal to the Confederacy by working as spies. Jenny's father would pass classified information he learned at the committees on to beautiful young woman who would then pass the information to the rebels by charming their way past Union soldiers.

Jenny becomes worried as father gets more involved with the spying and fears for her life. She becomes even more confused when she starts falling for a Union soldier. Her loyalties were all over the place.

The story isn't all about espionage and romance, in fact a good majority of the story is centered on the Battle of Bull Run and on the bravery of Buck Brownwell, Jenny's love interest.

It's a very compelling and historical read. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed! If you even remotely liked "Gone With the Wind" then you will enjoy this short read.

“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Jordan is from Virginia but moved to Washington for her father’s job. After his success in the Mexican war President Lincoln put him in charge of the Senate Military Committee. As the Civil war breaks out the Jordan’s find it difficult being proud southerners and living in the north. President Lincoln is impressed with Jenny, not only because she is beautiful but smart and he offers her a job as a receptionist at the White House.
When the Union troops were attacked by an angry mob on a train heading to Washington, all the wounded soldiers were taken to the Capitol. Jenny volunteered to help and when Corporal “Buck” Brownell carried one of the wounded into the rotunda, Jenny quickly came to assist. When Buck looked at Jenny their eyes locked together. Buck Brownell was a tough solider but at that moment he couldn’t remember his own name. He was captivated by her beauty. Jenny smiled sweetly and turned away to concentrate on her work. Buck asked her out and they instantly hit it off. Jenny’s father was against her getting involved with someone from the North. “Right now isn’t the time to fall in love,” her father warned. Jenny couldn’t help it; Buck was different than anyone she’d ever known. Colonel Jordan was in the perfect spot to become a Confederate spy and he needed Jenny to help. Jenny is terrified as the punishment of being caught as a spy is death by the firing squad. When Jenny is asked to bring classified information to the Southern camp she is torn between doing what her dad wants and following her heart.

Al Lacy did a lot of great research. It was a history lesson along with a wonderful love story. Beloved Enemy was a thought provoking read as I learned about a war that separated our nation. You’ll have to read this Romeo and Juliet tale to find out if it’s a tragic ending or a happily ever after.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love historical novels and the Civil War is a fascinating time in American’s history. My first book about the Civil War was Gone With the Wind, and I have to say that I was hooked with that one. I read many more and have seen most of the movies out there about that time in history. Brother fighting brother, a nation against itself, Gettysburg Address and so many stories and adventures seem to surround that time period. We have taken our family to Bull Run, Gettysburg and Antietam to tour the Civil War battle fields and learn about their history. I love history and adding fictional stories and characters just makes it come alive for me.

Now for this book. The main character, Jenny, is torn between her loyalty to her father, herself and Buck. That is being stuck between a rock and hard place for sure. I found the story interesting and yet lacking in some areas. I would have liked the characters to be more fully flushed out and more interactions between the lovers for the romance part of the story….not necessarily sex, but some more romance. I found the book to be inaccurate in a few areas and wish the author had done a better job of researching the era. Some of the language usage seemed a bit modern also. With so many books written about this time an author needs to be careful not to mix up facts.

I haven’t read the first two books in this series and maybe if I had I would have jumped right into the story. As it was I struggled to really get a grasp of the story and the plot. If you want to know what happens you will have to read the book. Of course we all know what happened at the end of the war, but the stories leading to that are fun to read and imagine. A different time, a different era and I loved the clothes. This book didn't do it for me, but it might for you. If you enjoy historical fiction then give this book a try.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Civil War was a horrible time in our nation, and Al Lacy takes a fresh look at its impact in his new book, "Beloved Enemy." Abraham Lincoln has just been sworn in as President, tensions have continued to mount, when finally they overflow and the first shots are fired at Fort Sumter. Now it is time for Americans to choose sides.

Jenny's father is a well-respected war strategist from Virginia. When he is tapped to help President Lincoln with the problems of possible war, he affirms that he will stand with the President should war break out. Will that affirmation stand when the war begins? Buck is a soldier in the Union Army, who meets and falls in love with Jenny. When Jenny is captured as a war spy, that love is severely tested. Will Jenny and Buck find a way to make their love work from opposite sides of the war? What will be Jenny's punishment? How will her father's choice affect her life?

This story captured me from the beginning. I love the style Mr. Lacy uses to tell his story and introduce his characters. The plot and characters were life-like, the poignancy of the story was palpable. It was fun to be "introduced" to President Lincoln's sons, even in this fictionalized account. I highly recommend this book to history lovers everywhere, and can't wait to pick up more books by Mr. Lacy. I received my free review copy from the Blogging For Books program for an honest review.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Al Lacy has a distinct voice as a storyteller. His words reflect his strong personal beliefs and love of history. "Beloved Enemy" is a compelling Civil War era romance which shows the humanity behind the horror of Americans fighting each other on American soil. Jenny Jordan and her father move from VA to Washington, DC when her father receives a prestigious post in President Lincoln's cabinet. Jenny finds work as a receptionist in the White House. Loyal to her family and homeland, Jenny covers for her father as he spies for the Confederate Army. When Jenny meets handsome Buck Brownell, a Union officer, her heart is torn between her new love and the life she has always known. Pressured to assist in the cause of the Confederacy, Jenny agrees to carry important information through enemy territory. When she is caught, Buck Brownell is ordered to execute the beautiful spy--the woman he loves. How will honor and duty make peace with love and loyalty? "Beloved Enemy" is an involving and intriguing historical romance, one that brings home the powerful division among Americans which brought on the War Between the States. The numerous real life historical figures which appear throughout the story line add resonance to this tale of honor, tragedy, and hearts so true. Lovers of historical romance will be pleased to know that there are over a dozen books in Al Lacy's "Battles of Destiny" series.

Review Copy Gratis WaterBrook Multnomah

[Jess Wigal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beloved Enemy by Al Lacy starts out at the beginning of the Civil War again. The main character and her father get jobs with Honest Abe; however, her father mainly turns out to be not so honest and brings his daughter down with him. The main character falls in love with a Union soldier. Her and her father makes her love interest believe her father just doesn’t want his daughter dating a soldier during war time. The true story is he doesn’t want her dating a northerner because he wants her to join him being a spy for the Confederacy.
Some common traits among Al Lacy’s Battles of Destiny series seems to be it takes a while to build up to the main plot of the story. He also invents many twists and turns that will have you crying and fearing the worst before turning everything around. The many twists and turns are what make his stories so great. They keep you hoping and wondering how it will turn out. The one thing Al Lacy could have done differently was leave out the part where one of the confederate soldier’s dog runs to find him and battle and gets killed attempting to protect his master.
I would’ve recommended making this the second book instead of the third book. However, I would definitely recommend the series to other readers. If you give the books a chance you won’t regret it by the end.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is got me hooked as soon as I started reading the Preface. This book is great for though that love the Civil War. I got this book and started reading before the other two in this series. This book is Fiction somewhat. There is some true folks from our true american History that is in this book along with some fiction folks.

This book is backed on the start of the Civil War. It starts out with Abraham Lincoln traveling to the White House. Then it goes into the Battle of Bull Run. There is some really interesting things and our history in this book. I do not want to spoil the book by giving any thing away. If you have not read this book I strongly read it. My mom is quite interested in reading the book and she barely picks up the same books as I do. If you want to read about the Civil War then I suggest that you read this book called "Beloved Enemy".

You read about the Lincons In Aungration and the Battle of Bull Run Creek and who start the Civil war.You learn about Confederate Spies and what happens to them. This is something I would recommend to everyone to read.

[Jami Bennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beloved Enemy, written by Al Lacy, is a historical fiction novel in the Christian market that takes place in early Civil War 1861, particularly covering the Bull Run battle. http://jamiswords.blogspot.com/2012/0...

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Al Lacy writes Christian novels like no other. A mixture of love and suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat in this Christian historical novel.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in High school but loved its easy read and history:)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beloved Enemy is the book that got me into the Civil War.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

good-suspense and love-continue Civil War series

[Mark]

not a great book, but interesting for historical perspective.