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Mischief and Magnolias
In 1863, Natchez, Mississippi, peacefully surrendered to the Union Army—but not everyone surrendered peacefully, especially not Shaelyn Cavanaugh. With both her brother and her intended off to war, her home, Magnolia House, and her beloved steamboats are taken over by Major Harte and his small contingent of men. Shae will use every mischievous weapon at her disposal to show Major Harte he has chosen unwisely. She begins by putting vinegar in his coffee.
But instead of being upset with his doctored drink and later molasses in his boots, Major Remy Harte is intrigued. Actually, he finds Shae’s attempts to make him leave her home amusing and he doesn’t feel slighted in the least. What the major does feel is a growing attraction, one that Shae shares as well, despite the fact she is a spoken for woman of the South and he is most definitely an available man from the North. Making circumstances worse, Shae is accused of espionage and they are ultimately betrayed—by one of Remy’s own men.
But instead of being upset with his doctored drink and later molasses in his boots, Major Remy Harte is intrigued. Actually, he finds Shae’s attempts to make him leave her home amusing and he doesn’t feel slighted in the least. What the major does feel is a growing attraction, one that Shae shares as well, despite the fact she is a spoken for woman of the South and he is most definitely an available man from the North. Making circumstances worse, Shae is accused of espionage and they are ultimately betrayed—by one of Remy’s own men.
302 pages, ebook
First published March 17, 2014
15 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 18, 2025
3.5
The romance was a medium-burn (if there's such a thing). There was an instant attraction on both sides. The meet-cute occurs on page 1 (well, I thought it was a meet-cute.) The heroine tries to fight the attraction since she's promised to another man who has gone off to fight in the war (on the Union side, even though he's from the South). She also feels animosity towards the hero since he's taken over her home and the steamboats. Between the animosity, there are stealing glances, feelings they'd never felt before, innocent brushes of the fingers, and eventually kisses.
It’s a light read for the most part till the last 20%. The rising action was thrilling; it had me on the edge of my seat (this is the reason for the extra star), and that plot twist 🤯. I should have seen it coming, though.
What a heartwarming reunion and wedding (the heroine’s mother’s wedding) for the epilogue.
The romance was a medium-burn (if there's such a thing). There was an instant attraction on both sides. The meet-cute occurs on page 1 (well, I thought it was a meet-cute.) The heroine tries to fight the attraction since she's promised to another man who has gone off to fight in the war (on the Union side, even though he's from the South). She also feels animosity towards the hero since he's taken over her home and the steamboats. Between the animosity, there are stealing glances, feelings they'd never felt before, innocent brushes of the fingers, and eventually kisses.
It’s a light read for the most part till the last 20%. The rising action was thrilling; it had me on the edge of my seat (this is the reason for the extra star), and that plot twist 🤯. I should have seen it coming, though.
What a heartwarming reunion and wedding (the heroine’s mother’s wedding) for the epilogue.
March 1, 2014
I love books that take place during the Civil War and I love anything about Natchez. So, I was eager to read "Mischief and Magnolias." I thought the title was a little hokey, but the book pulled me in from the start. It, of course, takes place on a plantation in Natchez and the storyline revolves around a spunky young woman whose home is invaded by a Union Major. Then the sparks start to fly. We read about love, hate and some pretty frightening moments. This book has it all. It's a fun read from an author I had not read before.
Thank you to F+W Media/Adams - Crimson Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed it tremendously!
Thank you to F+W Media/Adams - Crimson Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed it tremendously!
February 16, 2019
I've got this book in a bundle with 6 war-time romances and I've started reading this one sometime last year and put it down a few times. The story didn't grip me right away even though it had a good opening. It took me a long time to get into the gist of it. At first, I found Shaelyn a bit immature, with her putting vinegar in Remy's coffee, filling his tub with cold water, and his boots with molasses. At first, I wrote it off to her still being a child but living through the war and now her house getting overtaken by the enemy's forces. Yet, at other times she's portrayed as too mature due to the war that robbed her of her youth. Also, the scene where she's falling asleep in the tub then in her half-asleep state going into her 'old' room and straight into Remy's bed. I found falling asleep in the tub a bit far-fetched. Yes, it's relaxing and all but to actually fall asleep while immersed in the water is not realistic unless she was floating on some inflatable, even then. Anyhow, the story picked up for me when the steamers started to disappear without a trace. And then her old flame surfaces and not in a best of circumstance. I could do a bit less with gushing over how handsome Remy is and sex scenes, but that just me.
January 23, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book that is set during the Civil War but it does not focus on the war. It is centered around a mother and daughter left to their own vices after the war had taken the husband and son. The daughter Shay is trying to keep herself and her mother alive and save their ships. When the Union army shows and and takes over her home and ships she will do all she can to make them leave. All of her antics are funny and with each Major Remy Hart is falling in love with the little spit fire. Little do they know there is danger lurking amongst them, the question is who is behind it.
March 28, 2014
RATING - 4-1/2*
It’s 1863, and Natchez, Mississippi has peacefully surrendered to the Union Army. However, not all Natchez citizenry were happy about it especially Miss Shaelyn Cavanaugh who had just been informed by Major Remington “REMY” Harte and his small contingent of men that the Union Army was going to appropriate her three remaining steam ships as well as her home - Magnolia House. Luckily, rather than being tossed out on the street, Shae grudgingly made an arrangement with the Major for her mother and herself to do the cooking and cleaning if they were allowed to remain in their home. However, what she didn’t promise was that she would do her best to make the Major so uncomfortable that he would want to leave!
*** Marie Patrick is a new author for me and I am stating right from the start - I truly enjoyed MISCHIEF AND MAGNOLIAS. Anytime I can read something that weaves a great love story with actual historical events I am always pleased and with this we had not only a great period of history with the Civil War, but a lovely romance with some fun escapades and a bit of a mystery stirred in to boot.
I truly enjoyed both Shae and Remy, although I was somewhat surprised at Shae’s resistance against the Union (Yankees) since both her brother and her fiancé had joined the Union rather than the Confederate armies. I could understand how she didn’t appreciate the Union coming in and taking over her steamships and home, but thought under the circumstances Ms. Patrick went overboard with the angst but that is only my opinion, and it didn’t hamper the story in any way which I thought was great.
As far as the mystery and knowing who the mole/spy was, the author didn’t keep the secret very well and it was easy to figure out and was part of the reason I lowered my rating. (I like surprises) However, Ms. Patrick did keep one big one and it was kind of a doozy, so the rating went back up.
Bottom line: A new author and a great little story - good humor and lovely romances!
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
It’s 1863, and Natchez, Mississippi has peacefully surrendered to the Union Army. However, not all Natchez citizenry were happy about it especially Miss Shaelyn Cavanaugh who had just been informed by Major Remington “REMY” Harte and his small contingent of men that the Union Army was going to appropriate her three remaining steam ships as well as her home - Magnolia House. Luckily, rather than being tossed out on the street, Shae grudgingly made an arrangement with the Major for her mother and herself to do the cooking and cleaning if they were allowed to remain in their home. However, what she didn’t promise was that she would do her best to make the Major so uncomfortable that he would want to leave!
*** Marie Patrick is a new author for me and I am stating right from the start - I truly enjoyed MISCHIEF AND MAGNOLIAS. Anytime I can read something that weaves a great love story with actual historical events I am always pleased and with this we had not only a great period of history with the Civil War, but a lovely romance with some fun escapades and a bit of a mystery stirred in to boot.
I truly enjoyed both Shae and Remy, although I was somewhat surprised at Shae’s resistance against the Union (Yankees) since both her brother and her fiancé had joined the Union rather than the Confederate armies. I could understand how she didn’t appreciate the Union coming in and taking over her steamships and home, but thought under the circumstances Ms. Patrick went overboard with the angst but that is only my opinion, and it didn’t hamper the story in any way which I thought was great.
As far as the mystery and knowing who the mole/spy was, the author didn’t keep the secret very well and it was easy to figure out and was part of the reason I lowered my rating. (I like surprises) However, Ms. Patrick did keep one big one and it was kind of a doozy, so the rating went back up.
Bottom line: A new author and a great little story - good humor and lovely romances!
Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com
March 16, 2014
Set in 1863 on a plantation in Mississippi, a mother and her daughter's lives change forever when soldiers arrive. Shaelyn, the lovely daughter, thought her brother had come home from the Civil War but found herself in the arms of a major. Her hopefulness turned to wonder.
With the women owning three boats as well as the large house, this was a perfect place for the major and his men to live while helping the war efforts. As soon as the men entered the house, Shaelyn took it upon herself to make a deal with the major.
How would you feel if someone invaded your home and had no care in the world for what was in it? That's how she felt. She made a pact where she would take care of the housekeeping and her mom would do the cooking so that they could stay in the home and take care of it. She was terrified that they were going to be forced out of their home.
Living with men and having to deal with their needs was a challenge. Her mom kept her as happy as she could.
This is a story of the history of our nation. It's a story about war, survival, love and acceptance. It's a story about what's important in life. It's a story that kept me reading until the end.
Everything is in real time. The style of clothing and shoes, the way horses were cared for and taken care of when one went off on a jaunt. Respect is also a major part of this book. Listen to the horses as they trot on by. Hear the men's boots as they walk across the wooden floors. The boots shine. It's a way of life way back when.
Find out what happens in the house. Find out what happens with the boats. Find out for yourself. Pick up a copy when it goes up for sale tomorrow. It's so well written, you'll be glad you did!
With the women owning three boats as well as the large house, this was a perfect place for the major and his men to live while helping the war efforts. As soon as the men entered the house, Shaelyn took it upon herself to make a deal with the major.
How would you feel if someone invaded your home and had no care in the world for what was in it? That's how she felt. She made a pact where she would take care of the housekeeping and her mom would do the cooking so that they could stay in the home and take care of it. She was terrified that they were going to be forced out of their home.
Living with men and having to deal with their needs was a challenge. Her mom kept her as happy as she could.
This is a story of the history of our nation. It's a story about war, survival, love and acceptance. It's a story about what's important in life. It's a story that kept me reading until the end.
Everything is in real time. The style of clothing and shoes, the way horses were cared for and taken care of when one went off on a jaunt. Respect is also a major part of this book. Listen to the horses as they trot on by. Hear the men's boots as they walk across the wooden floors. The boots shine. It's a way of life way back when.
Find out what happens in the house. Find out what happens with the boats. Find out for yourself. Pick up a copy when it goes up for sale tomorrow. It's so well written, you'll be glad you did!
March 16, 2014
Marie Patrick delights once again with Mischief and MagnoliasMischief and Magnolias. This beautifully written love story is set in Mississippi during the Civil War, but what is great about this book is that the conflict between the heroine and the hero is not derived from the opposing sides of the war. No, in this story it is much more personal. Remington Harte and his officers have commandeered not only Shaelyn Cavanaugh’s home, but her family’s riverboats as well. No one takes Shaelyn’s riverboats.
The story begins with many events that cause the reader to smile as Shaelyn tries to get Remy to leave her home through various pranks from molasses in his boots to vinegar in his coffee and more. But as her steamboats disappear, one after another, along with the men manning them, the story grows serious until the climatic scenes which will have the reader on the edge of her seat!
The beauty of this story is not simply the historical accuracy we have come to expect from a Marie Patrick book, but also the heartwarming love that develops between the two main characters as they discover that only together can they defeat the Gray Ghost and insure their own happily ever after. This is a wonderful romance that will have a reader flying through the pages. Beware though, it had me up until after 2:00am finishing it!
The story begins with many events that cause the reader to smile as Shaelyn tries to get Remy to leave her home through various pranks from molasses in his boots to vinegar in his coffee and more. But as her steamboats disappear, one after another, along with the men manning them, the story grows serious until the climatic scenes which will have the reader on the edge of her seat!
The beauty of this story is not simply the historical accuracy we have come to expect from a Marie Patrick book, but also the heartwarming love that develops between the two main characters as they discover that only together can they defeat the Gray Ghost and insure their own happily ever after. This is a wonderful romance that will have a reader flying through the pages. Beware though, it had me up until after 2:00am finishing it!
September 6, 2016
More reviews at www.melenasreviews.com
Past reviews at http://melenasreviews.wordpress.com/
Marie Patrick has done it again in a romance that speaks of old romance. You know where the heroine hates the hero yet love comes in a way for both of them it blows them away. I loved that one minute Shaelyn hates Remy and then she can’t get enough of him. It was like seeing the book come to life. I could see Shaelyn putting stuff in his boots, Remy kissing her passionately and most of all the Magnolia House coming to life. This was definitely a book I loved reading and can’t wait for more from Marie Patrick.
Past reviews at http://melenasreviews.wordpress.com/
Marie Patrick has done it again in a romance that speaks of old romance. You know where the heroine hates the hero yet love comes in a way for both of them it blows them away. I loved that one minute Shaelyn hates Remy and then she can’t get enough of him. It was like seeing the book come to life. I could see Shaelyn putting stuff in his boots, Remy kissing her passionately and most of all the Magnolia House coming to life. This was definitely a book I loved reading and can’t wait for more from Marie Patrick.
August 31, 2014
This is a beautifully written Civil War story told from the side of a Southern family who sympathized with the North.
Read full review in the 2014 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2014 September issue of InD’tale Magazine.
March 7, 2015
This was a great historical romance. I love the tension created between the characters. Many great romantic parts.
January 24, 2016
Heroine is annoyingly immature
March 14, 2015
Great story line. Enjoyed this book a lot.
April 5, 2016
Fantastic read!!!
May 2, 2017
I loved the storyline. I love stories about the Civil War. I must say that the sexual scenes left nothing to the imagination so be forewarned that there are sexually explicit scenes. A little too much for me but putting that aside I liked it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews