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Measure of Devotion
Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, this intricately woven novel delves into the life of Susannah Shelburne, a thirty-six-year-old woman residing in South Carolina with her older husband, Jacob. Their son, Francis, defies his parents' wishes by enlisting in the Confederate army, sparking bitter familial discord. In October 1863, devastating news Francis has been critically wounded near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Susannah embarks on a perilous journey to bring her son home, finding Francis delirious with fever and haunted by the horrors of battle. Their reunion is overshadowed by the conflicts at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, culminating in Francis being captured as a prisoner of war. As the war exacts its toll and tensions escalate between mother and son, Susannah confronts impossible choices amidst harrowing revelations from home. This gripping narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound impacts of war on family bonds, painting a vivid portrait of one woman's relentless fight for survival and reconciliation in a time of unprecedented turmoil.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
11 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 7, 2025
Measure of Devotion is an excellent debut novel! The writing is beautiful, haunting, and incredibly well researched. The characters are richly developed and the story is vividly told. Set during the Civil War, it centers on a mother whose son joins the Confederate army against his parents wishes. When he is badly wounded, she risks everything to bring him home. Soon after, he is captured as a prisoner of war, and their relationship grows even more strained. As the war continues, she faces difficult choices while fighting to protect her family. An emotional and engaging read, filled with quiet suspense that keeps you turning the pages. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this new author!
February 21, 2025
I enjoyed an Advance Reader Copy. This book is set to release May 20th, 2025.
This is a Civil War novel that captures one mother's unyielding efforts to save her son, and in doing so, is subjected not only to the many hardships of this time period (lack of basic necessities - such as they were) but in making sacrifices above and beyond, all in the effort to prevent him from ending up in a prison or dead. Joslin's research was impeccable. When we travel today, we climb into our soft cushy vehicles with all sorts of creature comforts, from a/c to heat/heated seats, to music/podcasts, and on and on. We might not think about how difficult travel was for the population back then, but Joslin uncovers this as Susannah first travels to get to her son, and then beyond.
There's something about this time period that, while sad and often dismal, is entrancing in a train wreck kind of way. I think maybe it has to do with the determination on both sides of the fight, the nuanced conversations at the highest levels (Demon of Unrest by Erik Larsen brilliantly provides this) as well as the unbelievable heartbreak of battles on home soil.
When my own novel, When the Jessamine Grows, was about to release last year, I was told "we need more Civil War stories." As most historical fiction readers know, WWII is saturated in the market - yet, savvy writers continue to give fans of this era new and untold history. This is the thing about war. While a reader might find common themes (suffering, heartbreak) and plot points (son runs off to war against parents wishes - this has happened a lot in all wars) there is always something new, a different approach, and historical information that is fresh and intriguing.
Highly recommend for those who enjoyed reading When the Jessamine Grows (by yours truly 😊) Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles or Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.
***Another Civil War story coming out this year is The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian - I've already pre-ordered! Releases March 11, 2025.
This is a Civil War novel that captures one mother's unyielding efforts to save her son, and in doing so, is subjected not only to the many hardships of this time period (lack of basic necessities - such as they were) but in making sacrifices above and beyond, all in the effort to prevent him from ending up in a prison or dead. Joslin's research was impeccable. When we travel today, we climb into our soft cushy vehicles with all sorts of creature comforts, from a/c to heat/heated seats, to music/podcasts, and on and on. We might not think about how difficult travel was for the population back then, but Joslin uncovers this as Susannah first travels to get to her son, and then beyond.
There's something about this time period that, while sad and often dismal, is entrancing in a train wreck kind of way. I think maybe it has to do with the determination on both sides of the fight, the nuanced conversations at the highest levels (Demon of Unrest by Erik Larsen brilliantly provides this) as well as the unbelievable heartbreak of battles on home soil.
When my own novel, When the Jessamine Grows, was about to release last year, I was told "we need more Civil War stories." As most historical fiction readers know, WWII is saturated in the market - yet, savvy writers continue to give fans of this era new and untold history. This is the thing about war. While a reader might find common themes (suffering, heartbreak) and plot points (son runs off to war against parents wishes - this has happened a lot in all wars) there is always something new, a different approach, and historical information that is fresh and intriguing.
Highly recommend for those who enjoyed reading When the Jessamine Grows (by yours truly 😊) Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles or Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.
***Another Civil War story coming out this year is The Jackal's Mistress by Chris Bohjalian - I've already pre-ordered! Releases March 11, 2025.
May 23, 2025
5.0
*Thank you to Caitlin Hamilton Marketing for this gifted copy and a spot on the tour!
Defy, telegram, sacrifice…
In 1863, Susannah leaves SC and her gravely ill, 25 years older husband Jacob to tend to her critically wounded son Francis.
Follow her journey across several state lines with little more than a “mother’s fervor” to the area near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Susannah has grit with courage and passion to follow through with her goals. Even when she is not appreciated, is faulted for her every action, and scorned relentlessly with unwavering criticisms.
A tale of the love of a mother and her determination to press on - all during a “wartime landscape.”
THOUGHTS:
*If you are reluctant to read this because of the Civil War backdrop - please reconsider. This is a captivating story, beautifully written , about a mother’s love. She is determined to find her Confederate soldier son and to heal him. “CAN’T IS NOT AN OPTION.”
*CHARACTERS:
Susannah - grit / can-do attitude
Jacob - gentle
Francis - unappreciative / intense zeal
Letty - healer / perceptive
*Very descriptive writing. You can see & hear the sights and sounds. You can feel Susannah’s heartbreak for her husband and son.
*Liked the alternating chapters of Susannah/Jacob’s
backstory with current times dealing with Francis’ treatment and possible recovery.
*I found the descriptions of traveling, meds, food prep, and medical procedures fascinating!
*Meticulous research.
*I saw a question-and-answer with the author. YES - I would love to read more about what happens to Susannah in the future!
*I checked Lookout Mt and Missionary Ridge online. I have been on battlefield tours of Gettysburg and NOLA.
*BRAVO - a great debut!
*Thank you to Caitlin Hamilton Marketing for this gifted copy and a spot on the tour!
Defy, telegram, sacrifice…
In 1863, Susannah leaves SC and her gravely ill, 25 years older husband Jacob to tend to her critically wounded son Francis.
Follow her journey across several state lines with little more than a “mother’s fervor” to the area near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Susannah has grit with courage and passion to follow through with her goals. Even when she is not appreciated, is faulted for her every action, and scorned relentlessly with unwavering criticisms.
A tale of the love of a mother and her determination to press on - all during a “wartime landscape.”
THOUGHTS:
*If you are reluctant to read this because of the Civil War backdrop - please reconsider. This is a captivating story, beautifully written , about a mother’s love. She is determined to find her Confederate soldier son and to heal him. “CAN’T IS NOT AN OPTION.”
*CHARACTERS:
Susannah - grit / can-do attitude
Jacob - gentle
Francis - unappreciative / intense zeal
Letty - healer / perceptive
*Very descriptive writing. You can see & hear the sights and sounds. You can feel Susannah’s heartbreak for her husband and son.
*Liked the alternating chapters of Susannah/Jacob’s
backstory with current times dealing with Francis’ treatment and possible recovery.
*I found the descriptions of traveling, meds, food prep, and medical procedures fascinating!
*Meticulous research.
*I saw a question-and-answer with the author. YES - I would love to read more about what happens to Susannah in the future!
*I checked Lookout Mt and Missionary Ridge online. I have been on battlefield tours of Gettysburg and NOLA.
*BRAVO - a great debut!
May 14, 2025
Do you know how you read a book and you can’t help but think “why does this character keep trying?” This is that book. The simple answer here being that Susannah is a mother. And apparently, this mother will keep facing death and horror over and over for her pitifully ungrateful son. I had to refrain myself from reaching into the book and knocking this kid out myself. Overall, I found myself drawn into the story and the survival of our FMC.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
August 16, 2025
Finished it in about a day. Very sad but very good writing
June 4, 2025
The novel is structured with a plot alternating between the past and present, and this is very effective because we witness how Susannah and her husband Jacob are at crossed-purposes with each other. Their son Francis rejects his mother's devotion (from the time he was about five years old) and instead scrabbles for his father's perfunctory attention. This plot structure exacerbates the tragedy of the story during the war because the Shelburnes squandered so much time and opportunity to be a close-knit family during peaceful years.
I also enjoyed the historical details Joslin inserts into each scene. I appreciate it when authors heavily research historical minutiae, and each scene immerses the reader in the sights, smells, tastes, textures, and sounds of the era. Also her vivid depiction of the natural world both at the Shelburnes' home Ardwyn and the battlefield near Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga is a horrifying juxtaposition with the violence both on and off the battlefield.
Susannah is a relatable, likable, and flawed main character. She put aside her beliefs in order to aid her son, and she goes to great lengths to save his life and freedom. Her resilience, care, and love for those in her circle are all admirable qualities. Rooting for her until the very end makes this book bearable because it's a tough read, y'all. But the ugliness of war is always tough for me to read, especially a war that tore our country and families apart.
I recommend this book if you enjoy reading historical fiction, family dramas, descriptive historical details (think Diana Gabaldon), and beautiful, lyrical prose.
Disclosure:
I received an ARC of Measure of Devotion from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I also enjoyed the historical details Joslin inserts into each scene. I appreciate it when authors heavily research historical minutiae, and each scene immerses the reader in the sights, smells, tastes, textures, and sounds of the era. Also her vivid depiction of the natural world both at the Shelburnes' home Ardwyn and the battlefield near Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga is a horrifying juxtaposition with the violence both on and off the battlefield.
Susannah is a relatable, likable, and flawed main character. She put aside her beliefs in order to aid her son, and she goes to great lengths to save his life and freedom. Her resilience, care, and love for those in her circle are all admirable qualities. Rooting for her until the very end makes this book bearable because it's a tough read, y'all. But the ugliness of war is always tough for me to read, especially a war that tore our country and families apart.
I recommend this book if you enjoy reading historical fiction, family dramas, descriptive historical details (think Diana Gabaldon), and beautiful, lyrical prose.
Disclosure:
I received an ARC of Measure of Devotion from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 23, 2025
A telegram that changed everything:
“Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
October 29, 1863
Severe wound near hip joint. Father please come with Dr. Grimes.
-F.L. Shelburne, 6th South Carolina Volunteers”
Gravely ill, Jacob Shelburne was tended to by Hawk, his manservant, and assisted by wife Susannah Shelburne’s handmaid/healer. Hawk and Letty had been given their freedom papers however chose to remain with the family at Ardwyn, South Carolina, earning paid wages. Abolitionist sympathies needed to be hidden. In defiance, Francis, age 18, signed up to fight for the Confederacy. It fell upon 36 year old Susannah to travel to the front to nurse Francis and hopefully prevent his leg from amputation.
Letty shared her healing knowledge with Susannah. “Your hands and eyes and nose show the way. And your ears, too. Fever you can’t get down…spread the goldenseal paste…let it hard(en) seal it with beeswax…then lint and bandages…change bandages every day. Boil them between times. Change the bed every day, and boil them sheets…You got to stay calm even if your insides turning round and round like a squirrel in the road.” Letty, very astute, ahead of her time, with final words to Susannah, “I would not wager against your bringing him home. I would not wager against you for anything that you set out to do. You will be in danger, but you are equal to it.”
Leaving South Carolina by rail, Susannah was bound for Lookout Mountain. Would she be prepared for the challenges of the “wartime landscape?” The kindness of an injured Confederate officer enabled her to locate the small farmhouse/ officer’s quarters where Francis had been taken. From high up on Lookout Mountain, the Union camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee could be seen. Susannah’s great peril was exacerbated by Francis’ verbal rejection of her aid. Susannah would collect herself and “see this thing through to whatever end awaited.” She was allowed to stay in a room with Francis, sleep on the floor and minister to him while experiencing privation including danger to herself. An assigned soldier would help boil bandages and bedding while a Black slave foraged for herbs and cooked meager meals.
In alternating chapters, the backstory of Susannah’s marriage to Jacob and details of Francis’ upbringing came to light. Although small improvements to Francis’ condition were noted, his continued bitter vitriol and determination to rejoin his battalion bordered on madness. The Battle of Chattanooga was a defining moment. The Union Army’s occupation of the farm where Francis and Susannah were housed now made Francis a prisoner of war. Any act of defiance would send Francis to a field hospital and cancel Susannah’s lodging beside him.
In “Measure of Devotion” debut author Nell Joslin maps the devotion of a strong, determined mother who travels to the battlefield to nurse her injured son. Francis’ irritability…absence of gratitude and occasional outright hostility were constant challenges…”. Despite sustaining injury herself, Susannah's efforts would not be stymied.
“A Mother’s love is something that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away…"
-Helen Steiner Rice
Bravo to Nell Joslin for a heartfelt, informative and masterful Civil War novel written from the perspective of a mother nursing her injured Confederate son.
Thank you Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity for Regal House Publishing for a print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Lookout Mountain, Tennessee
October 29, 1863
Severe wound near hip joint. Father please come with Dr. Grimes.
-F.L. Shelburne, 6th South Carolina Volunteers”
Gravely ill, Jacob Shelburne was tended to by Hawk, his manservant, and assisted by wife Susannah Shelburne’s handmaid/healer. Hawk and Letty had been given their freedom papers however chose to remain with the family at Ardwyn, South Carolina, earning paid wages. Abolitionist sympathies needed to be hidden. In defiance, Francis, age 18, signed up to fight for the Confederacy. It fell upon 36 year old Susannah to travel to the front to nurse Francis and hopefully prevent his leg from amputation.
Letty shared her healing knowledge with Susannah. “Your hands and eyes and nose show the way. And your ears, too. Fever you can’t get down…spread the goldenseal paste…let it hard(en) seal it with beeswax…then lint and bandages…change bandages every day. Boil them between times. Change the bed every day, and boil them sheets…You got to stay calm even if your insides turning round and round like a squirrel in the road.” Letty, very astute, ahead of her time, with final words to Susannah, “I would not wager against your bringing him home. I would not wager against you for anything that you set out to do. You will be in danger, but you are equal to it.”
Leaving South Carolina by rail, Susannah was bound for Lookout Mountain. Would she be prepared for the challenges of the “wartime landscape?” The kindness of an injured Confederate officer enabled her to locate the small farmhouse/ officer’s quarters where Francis had been taken. From high up on Lookout Mountain, the Union camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee could be seen. Susannah’s great peril was exacerbated by Francis’ verbal rejection of her aid. Susannah would collect herself and “see this thing through to whatever end awaited.” She was allowed to stay in a room with Francis, sleep on the floor and minister to him while experiencing privation including danger to herself. An assigned soldier would help boil bandages and bedding while a Black slave foraged for herbs and cooked meager meals.
In alternating chapters, the backstory of Susannah’s marriage to Jacob and details of Francis’ upbringing came to light. Although small improvements to Francis’ condition were noted, his continued bitter vitriol and determination to rejoin his battalion bordered on madness. The Battle of Chattanooga was a defining moment. The Union Army’s occupation of the farm where Francis and Susannah were housed now made Francis a prisoner of war. Any act of defiance would send Francis to a field hospital and cancel Susannah’s lodging beside him.
In “Measure of Devotion” debut author Nell Joslin maps the devotion of a strong, determined mother who travels to the battlefield to nurse her injured son. Francis’ irritability…absence of gratitude and occasional outright hostility were constant challenges…”. Despite sustaining injury herself, Susannah's efforts would not be stymied.
“A Mother’s love is something that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain
It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it or take that love away…"
-Helen Steiner Rice
Bravo to Nell Joslin for a heartfelt, informative and masterful Civil War novel written from the perspective of a mother nursing her injured Confederate son.
Thank you Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity for Regal House Publishing for a print ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2025
I had a preconceived idea about the novel from the cover. I thought more could have been done with that. It didn’t really compel me to read further and for some reason I thought it resembled a self-published novel. Let me just say, this book left me gobsmacked (in a good way) and upon reflection, the cover is perfect. (Really study it after you read the book and you will know why.)
One reviewer calls Measure of Devotion a “female-centered Cold Mountain.” I would concur but comparisons could be made to the Odyssey. This novel is truly epic as is Susannah’s journey. She is a force to be reckoned with but in a gentle way. Her sense of duty is astonishing and I wonder if I would have been able to do what she did. That she is even able to safely make the journey and find her son is miraculous. Some of the minor characters that she encounters along the way did remind me of Cold Mountain.
One of these not so minor characters is Letty, her freed housekeeper/cook/caretaker. Letty and Susannah have been together for a long time and while Susannah certainly leans on Letty, Letty is just biding her time until she can be truly free. Susannah is not sure if she can survive without Letty and her wisdom.
Letty is wise but she is also a pragmatist. And, she speaks the truth—Susannah will survive.
Susannah represents almost blind devotion, but she is devoted with a purpose and strength. As she waits to plead her son’s case for parole, she finds an article about Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg. She reflects:
As I mentioned, Susannah’s journey to get her boy home becomes an epic, tragic quest. Is she successful? Does she triumph in the end? My vote is yes but you must read the book. To discuss her trek with any detail would give away the plot. Again, just read the book.
One reviewer calls Measure of Devotion a “female-centered Cold Mountain.” I would concur but comparisons could be made to the Odyssey. This novel is truly epic as is Susannah’s journey. She is a force to be reckoned with but in a gentle way. Her sense of duty is astonishing and I wonder if I would have been able to do what she did. That she is even able to safely make the journey and find her son is miraculous. Some of the minor characters that she encounters along the way did remind me of Cold Mountain.
One of these not so minor characters is Letty, her freed housekeeper/cook/caretaker. Letty and Susannah have been together for a long time and while Susannah certainly leans on Letty, Letty is just biding her time until she can be truly free. Susannah is not sure if she can survive without Letty and her wisdom.
‘We have love. And you got you. And I got me. Come down to it, that’s all we ever had. And if that ain’t enough, then all the rest is nothing but cheap talk.’ (233)
Letty is wise but she is also a pragmatist. And, she speaks the truth—Susannah will survive.
Susannah represents almost blind devotion, but she is devoted with a purpose and strength. As she waits to plead her son’s case for parole, she finds an article about Lincoln’s speech at Gettysburg. She reflects:
The room fell away as Lincoln’s words spilled from the page. I, too, through such full measure of devotion, would claim for myself and my son, for Jacob and Letty and Shadrach and Claude, and for everyone that I loved, a new birth of freedom. I would give no ground. I would move forward today and every day, setting it all against the sharpest teeth in the world. (163)
As I mentioned, Susannah’s journey to get her boy home becomes an epic, tragic quest. Is she successful? Does she triumph in the end? My vote is yes but you must read the book. To discuss her trek with any detail would give away the plot. Again, just read the book.
February 23, 2025
3.5
The mother of a Confederate soldier learns he has been wounded and is a prisoner. She travels alone into Union occupied territory to care for him. She and his father live in South Carolina but are abolitionists, but their son has embraced the ‘Confederate rhetoric’ and angrily defied them to enlist.
Susannah leaves her ailing husband behind, a Harvard graduate, stoic and patient. An orphan, she was forced into an early marriage, and in spite of his continual love for her, she bears him no love.
Their son is aggressively critical of his mother but she continues to love him. Enough to risk her life and health to nurse him in horrendous and threatening conditions. She makes every sacrifice to keep him alive and out of prison, even as he is determined to rejoin his regiment, denying that he is permanently crippled.
Susannah’s husband’s freed slaves stayed with him. Letty is wise in medicinal herbs and life experience. “You lose what you think be the best part of you, but time keeps on passing, and you still living, and after a while you see that what you lost ain’t you. By and by, come to find out can’t nothing scare you because the worst that could happen, done happened, and you still here,” Letty tells Susannah.
Readers will appreciate the suspense and characters and the unique perspective on the Civil War.
Personally, I found that contemporary thinking about Biblical interpretation expressed by Susannah hurt the verisimilitude of the story. While her son proof-texts the Bible to justify enslavement–as was done–Susannah argues one must understand the Bible’s historical context. Scholars were beginning to question Biblical literalism and the Bible as factual history, but it is doubtful that Susannah had access to cutting-edge hermeneutic studies.
Susannah endures much, loses much, but the experience has tempered and strengthened her.
Thanks to Caitlin Hamilton Summie Marketing and Regal House for a free book.
The mother of a Confederate soldier learns he has been wounded and is a prisoner. She travels alone into Union occupied territory to care for him. She and his father live in South Carolina but are abolitionists, but their son has embraced the ‘Confederate rhetoric’ and angrily defied them to enlist.
Susannah leaves her ailing husband behind, a Harvard graduate, stoic and patient. An orphan, she was forced into an early marriage, and in spite of his continual love for her, she bears him no love.
Their son is aggressively critical of his mother but she continues to love him. Enough to risk her life and health to nurse him in horrendous and threatening conditions. She makes every sacrifice to keep him alive and out of prison, even as he is determined to rejoin his regiment, denying that he is permanently crippled.
Susannah’s husband’s freed slaves stayed with him. Letty is wise in medicinal herbs and life experience. “You lose what you think be the best part of you, but time keeps on passing, and you still living, and after a while you see that what you lost ain’t you. By and by, come to find out can’t nothing scare you because the worst that could happen, done happened, and you still here,” Letty tells Susannah.
Readers will appreciate the suspense and characters and the unique perspective on the Civil War.
Personally, I found that contemporary thinking about Biblical interpretation expressed by Susannah hurt the verisimilitude of the story. While her son proof-texts the Bible to justify enslavement–as was done–Susannah argues one must understand the Bible’s historical context. Scholars were beginning to question Biblical literalism and the Bible as factual history, but it is doubtful that Susannah had access to cutting-edge hermeneutic studies.
Susannah endures much, loses much, but the experience has tempered and strengthened her.
Thanks to Caitlin Hamilton Summie Marketing and Regal House for a free book.
June 3, 2025
Susannah Shelburne lives in South Caroline in 1863. She has a much older husband, Jacob, and one son, Francis. Their family does not believe in slavery. Francis left their family to join the Confederate army at the start of the war, much to his parents’ dismay. As Jacob’s health fails, Susannah must leave him in the care of friends (employees that were former slaves that they freed), to travel to where Francis has been gravely wounded in battle. Will Francis forgive her for the cruel words that she said before he left for the war? Will this family survive the war?
My thoughts on this novel:
• This is a very well written, fascinating Civil War story.
• Things were very complicated when people had anti-slavery sentiment and lived in the South. I had never thought about people being killed in the south for their beliefs.
• This novel was told in the first person viewpoint of Susannah. It flipped at first between “current day” of going to help Francis, to back when her and Jacob got together, married, and had Francis.
• A mother’s love is everything. Susannah has many, many trials trying to save Francis, especially after he is captured as a prisoner of war. Francis never seems grateful, but Susannah never stopped loving him.
• The story showed the cruelty of war through all manner of what could be thought of as small incidents. For example, Francis tells his mother the story of how they killed a cow in front of a young mother and her two young children. This poor family didn’t have enough food to survive.
Overall, A Measure of Devotion by Nell Joslin is a beautifully written compelling story of the Civil war.
Book Source: A review copy from Regel House Publishing as a part of the TLC Book Tour.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...
My thoughts on this novel:
• This is a very well written, fascinating Civil War story.
• Things were very complicated when people had anti-slavery sentiment and lived in the South. I had never thought about people being killed in the south for their beliefs.
• This novel was told in the first person viewpoint of Susannah. It flipped at first between “current day” of going to help Francis, to back when her and Jacob got together, married, and had Francis.
• A mother’s love is everything. Susannah has many, many trials trying to save Francis, especially after he is captured as a prisoner of war. Francis never seems grateful, but Susannah never stopped loving him.
• The story showed the cruelty of war through all manner of what could be thought of as small incidents. For example, Francis tells his mother the story of how they killed a cow in front of a young mother and her two young children. This poor family didn’t have enough food to survive.
Overall, A Measure of Devotion by Nell Joslin is a beautifully written compelling story of the Civil war.
Book Source: A review copy from Regel House Publishing as a part of the TLC Book Tour.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...
June 10, 2025
I read a lot of historical fiction about war and its effect on families. In the past, it has mostly been World War II novels but I've recently read two excellent books about the Civil War and realize that I need to expand my reading to more than just World War II and that there are many excellent books that take place in other wars that show the strength and determination of women as they help guide their families through tumultuous war years.
Susannah, her older husband and son live in South Carolina. Susannah and her husband were very pro-Union and had two people who worked for them - former slaves that had been given their freedom. Their son, Francis, believed in the cause of the Confederacy and ran away to join their army when he was 18. He and his mother had harsh words before he left so he only corresponded with his father. When Susannah received a telegram that Francis was critically injured near Chattanooga, Tennessee she immediately left her sick husband in the care of her housekeeper and left to go to her son to help nurse him to recovery. He was not happy to see his mother and talked to her horribly despite the fact that she was there to nurse him back to health no matter what danger there was for her. As he got healthier, all he could talk about was re-joining the Confederate troops to fight for the cause that he believed in. They were in an area that was surrounded by armies from both sides and were in constant danger. When Francis was captured as a prisoner of war, his mother worked diligently to get a pardon for him so she could take him home. Will she be able to get him to safety or will he join the fighting again?
This book is a searing look at a mother's love for her child and her willingness to put herself in danger to protect him whether he appreciates it or not. It's a look at the effects of war on a family but most importantly it's the story of a strong and resilient woman who will face any obstacles to save her family during a tumultuous time.
Susannah, her older husband and son live in South Carolina. Susannah and her husband were very pro-Union and had two people who worked for them - former slaves that had been given their freedom. Their son, Francis, believed in the cause of the Confederacy and ran away to join their army when he was 18. He and his mother had harsh words before he left so he only corresponded with his father. When Susannah received a telegram that Francis was critically injured near Chattanooga, Tennessee she immediately left her sick husband in the care of her housekeeper and left to go to her son to help nurse him to recovery. He was not happy to see his mother and talked to her horribly despite the fact that she was there to nurse him back to health no matter what danger there was for her. As he got healthier, all he could talk about was re-joining the Confederate troops to fight for the cause that he believed in. They were in an area that was surrounded by armies from both sides and were in constant danger. When Francis was captured as a prisoner of war, his mother worked diligently to get a pardon for him so she could take him home. Will she be able to get him to safety or will he join the fighting again?
This book is a searing look at a mother's love for her child and her willingness to put herself in danger to protect him whether he appreciates it or not. It's a look at the effects of war on a family but most importantly it's the story of a strong and resilient woman who will face any obstacles to save her family during a tumultuous time.
June 14, 2025
Thank you to TLC Tours, Nell Joslin, and Regal House Publishing for this #gifted copy of Measure of Devotion.
This year, I’ve been completely fascinated by historical fiction novels set during the American Civil War. It’s a period of history that often gets overshadowed by World Wars, so I was excited to dive into a fresh perspective with Measure of Devotion.
What did you love the most?
At the heart of this novel is the story of Susannah, a woman who married a man twice her age and whose strained relationship with her son is central to the story. 💗 Her emotional and physical journey was both harrowing and captivating, pulling at my heartstrings from the first page. As a mother myself, I felt deeply connected to Susannah’s determination to do whatever it takes to protect her son. 🥺
Joslin’s writing really brings the era to life: the dismal, tension-filled atmosphere of the Civil War is captured so vividly that it’s impossible not to be swept away. 🌎
What to expect:
🔀 Dual timelines that add depth and tension
🗡️ Wartime struggles and survival
🫂 A moving mother-son dynamic
💗 Age gap relationship drama
How was the pace?
For a historical fiction novel, the pace was steady and engaging. The dual timelines kept the narrative flowing, and I never felt bogged down by slow sections. 🙌
Do you recommend this book?
If you’re a fan of Civil War-era historical fiction or novels that focus on family dynamics during times of conflict, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
Perfect for fans of:
📚 Geraldine Brooks
📚 Paulette Jiles
📚 Lisa Wingate
Mood:
🎩 Reflective | 🌅 Haunting | 🫶 Emotional
Read if you like:
📖 American Civil War historical fiction
👩👦 Complex family dynamics
💔 Emotional journeys and redemptive arcs
This year, I’ve been completely fascinated by historical fiction novels set during the American Civil War. It’s a period of history that often gets overshadowed by World Wars, so I was excited to dive into a fresh perspective with Measure of Devotion.
What did you love the most?
At the heart of this novel is the story of Susannah, a woman who married a man twice her age and whose strained relationship with her son is central to the story. 💗 Her emotional and physical journey was both harrowing and captivating, pulling at my heartstrings from the first page. As a mother myself, I felt deeply connected to Susannah’s determination to do whatever it takes to protect her son. 🥺
Joslin’s writing really brings the era to life: the dismal, tension-filled atmosphere of the Civil War is captured so vividly that it’s impossible not to be swept away. 🌎
What to expect:
🔀 Dual timelines that add depth and tension
🗡️ Wartime struggles and survival
🫂 A moving mother-son dynamic
💗 Age gap relationship drama
How was the pace?
For a historical fiction novel, the pace was steady and engaging. The dual timelines kept the narrative flowing, and I never felt bogged down by slow sections. 🙌
Do you recommend this book?
If you’re a fan of Civil War-era historical fiction or novels that focus on family dynamics during times of conflict, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
Perfect for fans of:
📚 Geraldine Brooks
📚 Paulette Jiles
📚 Lisa Wingate
Mood:
🎩 Reflective | 🌅 Haunting | 🫶 Emotional
Read if you like:
📖 American Civil War historical fiction
👩👦 Complex family dynamics
💔 Emotional journeys and redemptive arcs
June 9, 2025
Nell Joslin’s Measure of Devotion is a quietly affecting novel that takes its time, both in pace and emotional impact. The story centers on Susannah, a woman who seems to focus more on the darker corners of her life, choosing to dwell in sorrow rather than seek out the brighter moments and blessings. This choice— whether an act of resignation or strength— is the emotional core of the book.
Joslin writes with clarity and restraint, which suits the introspective tone of the narrative. There is a certain honesty to the story. Readers looking for a fast-paced plot or tidy resolutions may find the novel’s rhythm difficult, but those who appreciate subtle character studies will find something quietly compelling here.
Susannah is not always easy to understand or even sympathize with—one where pain becomes more familiar than joy-- and I often felt I wanted to shake her! There are moments of beauty in the book, but Joslin doesn’t linger on them, much like her protagonist. Whether this makes the novel feel realistic or emotionally distant will likely depend on the reader.
Measure of Devotion is not a feel-good read, nor does it offer resolution in the traditional sense. But it is thoughtful and quietly powerful, offering a portrait of a woman who lives not in spite of her pain, but through it. For readers who appreciate character-driven fiction that resists easy answers, this novel is worth the time and patience it requires.
Follow my reviews on Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for the free review copy.
Joslin writes with clarity and restraint, which suits the introspective tone of the narrative. There is a certain honesty to the story. Readers looking for a fast-paced plot or tidy resolutions may find the novel’s rhythm difficult, but those who appreciate subtle character studies will find something quietly compelling here.
Susannah is not always easy to understand or even sympathize with—one where pain becomes more familiar than joy-- and I often felt I wanted to shake her! There are moments of beauty in the book, but Joslin doesn’t linger on them, much like her protagonist. Whether this makes the novel feel realistic or emotionally distant will likely depend on the reader.
Measure of Devotion is not a feel-good read, nor does it offer resolution in the traditional sense. But it is thoughtful and quietly powerful, offering a portrait of a woman who lives not in spite of her pain, but through it. For readers who appreciate character-driven fiction that resists easy answers, this novel is worth the time and patience it requires.
Follow my reviews on Cerebral Girl in a Redneck World
Thank you to TLC Book Tours for the free review copy.
June 20, 2025
I don’t typically read books in this genre, but I was surprised by how much this story pulled me in. It vividly captured the desperation and harsh realities of the time period—it made me appreciate just how much we take basic necessities for granted today. The author did an incredible job at immersing the reader in the bleak, oppressive setting.
One of the most compelling aspects of the story was how it explored the lengths someone will go to care for another person, even when they’re met with resistance or outright contempt from the very person they’re trying to help. It was raw, complex, and deeply human.
What I especially loved was that, even in such horrible circumstances, there were always characters who brought moments of levity and glimpses of hope—like a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not a light read, but it left an impression that stayed with me.
One of the most compelling aspects of the story was how it explored the lengths someone will go to care for another person, even when they’re met with resistance or outright contempt from the very person they’re trying to help. It was raw, complex, and deeply human.
What I especially loved was that, even in such horrible circumstances, there were always characters who brought moments of levity and glimpses of hope—like a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not a light read, but it left an impression that stayed with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2025
Civil War stories aren’t usually on my radar, but Nell Joslin’s debut novel Measure of Devotion offers something far beyond the accounts of bloody battlefields. It captures the undeniable resilience of a mother and her desperation to get to, care for, and bring home her son, a wounded Confederate soldier whose opinions and oppositions clash deeply with her own. The same despicable acts of men at war that shadow her journey and keep her in constant fear also charge her bravery and resolve. Splendidly written, this edge-of-your-seat saga does not spare us the despair and devastation of war, but it does deliver a ray of hope and warms our hearts with the lasting effects one woman’s courage has on those she loves.
May 31, 2025
A nice love story about a mother and son during the civil war in the US. The young author managed to create an atmosphere that I guess is accurate of the time. The characters are credible and likeable. The story does rather a lot of telling and although I found it interesting it was a bit too mundane and down to earth at times.
The novels best attribute is its illustration of the pointlessness of war within the same nation over purely political differences and what this can do to a family as well as a nation.
The novels best attribute is its illustration of the pointlessness of war within the same nation over purely political differences and what this can do to a family as well as a nation.
June 6, 2025
I’ve been on a Civil War kick lately so when I saw this book I was intrigued and man, it did not disappoint! I think what I loved most was how it showed how mothers can put aside differences for the love of their children.
It was a complicated relationship between Susannah and Francis; she loved him wholeheartedly while he was just desperate for his father’s love and attention. When he was injured in battle, she is the one who rushed to his side to nurse him just to find his mind was truly corrupted by the rebel cause (a cause she abhorred). This is when you really start to see how much she loved him because he is an absolute jerk to her. I was enthralled by the story of her courage and love so if you’re into HF, please do give this a try!
It was a complicated relationship between Susannah and Francis; she loved him wholeheartedly while he was just desperate for his father’s love and attention. When he was injured in battle, she is the one who rushed to his side to nurse him just to find his mind was truly corrupted by the rebel cause (a cause she abhorred). This is when you really start to see how much she loved him because he is an absolute jerk to her. I was enthralled by the story of her courage and love so if you’re into HF, please do give this a try!
May 26, 2025
There is much to admire in this historical novel set during the Civil War—the lovely language, the taut storytelling, and the realism of the settings. Joslin explores the love between a mother and son, husband and wife, even a woman and her freed slave. She does not stint when it comes to revealing the horrors of the war or the costs of fanaticism.
July 15, 2025
A poignant story of a mother's love set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. See my complete review at Reading World
June 16, 2025
A beautifully written and impeccably researched page-turner, this novel succeeds in making the reader feel present in the Civil-War era, through an unusual family story.
June 19, 2025
Wonderful Read
Beautifully written heartfelt novel about a mother’s devotion to her son. If you are looking for a GREAT book, this is it!
Beautifully written heartfelt novel about a mother’s devotion to her son. If you are looking for a GREAT book, this is it!
November 10, 2025
Civil War story which was a good read I would recommend it.
August 9, 2025
Wow. I loved this story.
Never mind the quiet, steady, pull of suspense, never mind the characters so real, and the plot so consistently steady and strong, it is the beautiful writing of this novel that first blew me away. Not once does the writing get in the way of the story, but rather it delights in its descriptions of resilient nature, of words that sting, actions that mystify, and of humanity at its best and worst. Man and wife, mother and son, servant and served, along with love piqued, loyalties challenged, cruelty revenged -- it's all here. Book clubs and lit classes will find much to detangle and discuss and all of us will be reminded of the joy of reading.
Ms. Joslin has written what I genuinely believe is an American Classic. When I closed the book, I sighed, the way one does at the end of a great novel.
Never mind the quiet, steady, pull of suspense, never mind the characters so real, and the plot so consistently steady and strong, it is the beautiful writing of this novel that first blew me away. Not once does the writing get in the way of the story, but rather it delights in its descriptions of resilient nature, of words that sting, actions that mystify, and of humanity at its best and worst. Man and wife, mother and son, servant and served, along with love piqued, loyalties challenged, cruelty revenged -- it's all here. Book clubs and lit classes will find much to detangle and discuss and all of us will be reminded of the joy of reading.
Ms. Joslin has written what I genuinely believe is an American Classic. When I closed the book, I sighed, the way one does at the end of a great novel.
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