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Tobacco Republic
What if… The 13 colonies never united?
In the twenty-first century, the nations of Virginia and the People’s Republic of Pennsylvania are vassals in a proxy war between the world’s superpowers: Francia and the Soviet Union. Olivia Braxton of Virginia and Brody Linn of Pennsylvania are covert enemy operatives thrown together by the swirl of pre-war intrigue. Can their sudden attraction survive as their nations rush headlong into war?
Woven into the twenty-first century story are scenes from the past. In a vivid narrative that imagines thoughts and dialog, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte and other seminal figures reveal the events behind this alternative history.
In the twenty-first century, the nations of Virginia and the People’s Republic of Pennsylvania are vassals in a proxy war between the world’s superpowers: Francia and the Soviet Union. Olivia Braxton of Virginia and Brody Linn of Pennsylvania are covert enemy operatives thrown together by the swirl of pre-war intrigue. Can their sudden attraction survive as their nations rush headlong into war?
Woven into the twenty-first century story are scenes from the past. In a vivid narrative that imagines thoughts and dialog, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte and other seminal figures reveal the events behind this alternative history.
- GenresAlternate History
262 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 2025
About the author
R.A. Moss
2 books32 followersI earned my keep as a writer long before penning KING ROBIN and TOBACCO REPUBLIC. Under my birth name, I've authored four novels in other genres that earned accolades from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today. In my new presence on Goodreads, I look forward to exchanging book reviews with readers and other authors.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 11, 2025
I received an ARC but was not otherwise compensated for this review.
I love alternative history, and I was really interested in the premise that the 13 colonies never united. (I'm currently reading John Adams by David McCullough and I'm learning that was actually plausible!)
The book itself is in two parts. One part is a fairly conventional present day thriller/romance set in this alternative history, told from various POVs. The other are interspersed chapters at pivotal points in American history explaining what had happened then.
I'm not much into thrillers, there wasn't much of an alternative history component to that, and I sometimes found the multiple POVs hard to follow. I really liked the interspersed sections on the alternative history.
I love alternative history, and I was really interested in the premise that the 13 colonies never united. (I'm currently reading John Adams by David McCullough and I'm learning that was actually plausible!)
The book itself is in two parts. One part is a fairly conventional present day thriller/romance set in this alternative history, told from various POVs. The other are interspersed chapters at pivotal points in American history explaining what had happened then.
I'm not much into thrillers, there wasn't much of an alternative history component to that, and I sometimes found the multiple POVs hard to follow. I really liked the interspersed sections on the alternative history.
September 28, 2025
Disturbingly well researched and thrilling sums up R. A. Moss’s newest novel, “Tobacco Republic.”
Recovering from surgery is a mixed blessing. Lots of time to read but wallowing in discomfort with flashes of outright pain is often not a great time to concentrate on something new. To really distract me, It takes a lot of razzle-dazzle. “Tobacco Republic” had me hooked after the third chapter, also known as page 10. Completely engaged with the espionage shenanigans and plausible flashbacks (that I’m thankful didn’t actually happen); “Tobacco Republic” took my mind off the throbbing and swept me up into the action. I devoured this in an afternoon.
This is a book you want to share with your book club. You want to discuss the clever, the alternate history, the “what ifs.” Makes me want to take an English class again and do the assignment to write my own chapter of “what ifs.” I’ve always appreciated the fortitude and thought it took our forefathers to draft up our Constitution, to have the vision to forge a more perfect Union, to envision a New World.
Moss’s work just highlights how blessed we are, that our path is still ours to make. At the end, our main characters ask, “What difference did it make?” I found this a profound question and it brought to mind King’s “The Stand.” At that book’s close, Stu asks, “Do people ever learn anything” and Fran replies, “I don’t know.”
If you need comparisons, “Tobacco Republic” is a combo of Jasper Fforde’s “Tuesday Next” series, Leon Uris’s tales grounded in historical facts, and Ian Fleming’s action-packed plots.
Recovering from surgery is a mixed blessing. Lots of time to read but wallowing in discomfort with flashes of outright pain is often not a great time to concentrate on something new. To really distract me, It takes a lot of razzle-dazzle. “Tobacco Republic” had me hooked after the third chapter, also known as page 10. Completely engaged with the espionage shenanigans and plausible flashbacks (that I’m thankful didn’t actually happen); “Tobacco Republic” took my mind off the throbbing and swept me up into the action. I devoured this in an afternoon.
This is a book you want to share with your book club. You want to discuss the clever, the alternate history, the “what ifs.” Makes me want to take an English class again and do the assignment to write my own chapter of “what ifs.” I’ve always appreciated the fortitude and thought it took our forefathers to draft up our Constitution, to have the vision to forge a more perfect Union, to envision a New World.
Moss’s work just highlights how blessed we are, that our path is still ours to make. At the end, our main characters ask, “What difference did it make?” I found this a profound question and it brought to mind King’s “The Stand.” At that book’s close, Stu asks, “Do people ever learn anything” and Fran replies, “I don’t know.”
If you need comparisons, “Tobacco Republic” is a combo of Jasper Fforde’s “Tuesday Next” series, Leon Uris’s tales grounded in historical facts, and Ian Fleming’s action-packed plots.
August 23, 2025
An intriguing "what-if" which assumes the colonies did not become the United States, but squabbled amongst themselves and never expanded westward. Rests on a few unlikely events, though of course that is standard for alternative histories. Most of what happens is fairly realistic, and the whole thing is mainly a setup for a modern-day action/spy story. Interesting characters, pretty accurate details, clearly lots of research into what did happen and might have happened. Well-written and-edited. A fun read, and I'll search out the author's other books.
June 19, 2025
In a nation built on smoke and secrets, one truth refuses to burn away.
Tobacco Republic" is an enthralling dive into an alternate America—one rooted in tobacco, built on secrets, and ignited by rebellion. R.A. Moss masterfully weaves rich characters and razor-sharp tension into a bold narrative that challenges the very fabric of history. From smoky backrooms to blood-stained ideals, every page pulls readers deeper into a republic straining under the weight of legacy and deception.
If you enjoy thought-provoking fiction with grit, depth, and a pulse on political stakes, this one's for you. Available now in paperback, "Tobacco Republic" is a riveting addition to any bookshelf. Grab your copy and discover what truth looks like when it's smothered in smoke—and refuses to burn away.
• ASIN: B0DX35QJGP
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: 2/13/2025
• Genre: Alternate History Science Fiction
Tobacco Republic" is an enthralling dive into an alternate America—one rooted in tobacco, built on secrets, and ignited by rebellion. R.A. Moss masterfully weaves rich characters and razor-sharp tension into a bold narrative that challenges the very fabric of history. From smoky backrooms to blood-stained ideals, every page pulls readers deeper into a republic straining under the weight of legacy and deception.
If you enjoy thought-provoking fiction with grit, depth, and a pulse on political stakes, this one's for you. Available now in paperback, "Tobacco Republic" is a riveting addition to any bookshelf. Grab your copy and discover what truth looks like when it's smothered in smoke—and refuses to burn away.
• ASIN: B0DX35QJGP
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: 2/13/2025
• Genre: Alternate History Science Fiction
August 15, 2025
I’ve read plenty of speculative fiction. But never anything like this.
In this provocative reimagining of history, the author takes you on a time-jumping journey to a country – and a world - that’s the same, yet dramatically different than our own.
Are you a fan of alternative history? How about cat-and-mouse spy thrillers? Torrid romances, perhaps? With deft storytelling, Moss manages to include all these genres in a novel that’s fascinating and fast-paced. And he succeeds by employing flawed but sympathetic characters throughout.
As a parting reward to the reader, Moss separates historical fact from fiction in an addendum. By revealing little-known (and not always flattering) facts about our founding fathers, he enables you to see the American origin story in a whole new light.
If you’re looking for an entertaining, informative book that fires the imagination, you’ve found it. Quite simply, Tobacco Republic is unputdownable.
In this provocative reimagining of history, the author takes you on a time-jumping journey to a country – and a world - that’s the same, yet dramatically different than our own.
Are you a fan of alternative history? How about cat-and-mouse spy thrillers? Torrid romances, perhaps? With deft storytelling, Moss manages to include all these genres in a novel that’s fascinating and fast-paced. And he succeeds by employing flawed but sympathetic characters throughout.
As a parting reward to the reader, Moss separates historical fact from fiction in an addendum. By revealing little-known (and not always flattering) facts about our founding fathers, he enables you to see the American origin story in a whole new light.
If you’re looking for an entertaining, informative book that fires the imagination, you’ve found it. Quite simply, Tobacco Republic is unputdownable.
August 21, 2025
Combining an alternate history of the founding of the United States with an imagined future where no states are united, but are instead their own countries on the verge of warring with one another is the most unique alternate history I've read. In Tobacco Republic (a great title!) by R.A. Moss, we get a thriller and a reimagined history. Completely engrossing and highly recommended for fans of alternate histories.
June 19, 2025
In a nation built on smoke and secrets, one truth refuses to burn away.
Tobacco Republic" is an enthralling dive into an alternate America—one rooted in tobacco, built on secrets, and ignited by rebellion. R.A. Moss masterfully weaves rich characters and razor-sharp tension into a bold narrative that challenges the very fabric of history. From smoky backrooms to blood-stained ideals, every page pulls readers deeper into a republic straining under the weight of legacy and deception.
If you enjoy thought-provoking fiction with grit, depth, and a pulse on political stakes, this one's for you. Available now in paperback, "Tobacco Republic" is a riveting addition to any bookshelf. Grab your copy and discover what truth looks like when it's smothered in smoke—and refuses to burn away.
• ASIN: B0DX35QJGP
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: 2/13/2025
• Genre: Alternate History Science Fiction
Tobacco Republic" is an enthralling dive into an alternate America—one rooted in tobacco, built on secrets, and ignited by rebellion. R.A. Moss masterfully weaves rich characters and razor-sharp tension into a bold narrative that challenges the very fabric of history. From smoky backrooms to blood-stained ideals, every page pulls readers deeper into a republic straining under the weight of legacy and deception.
If you enjoy thought-provoking fiction with grit, depth, and a pulse on political stakes, this one's for you. Available now in paperback, "Tobacco Republic" is a riveting addition to any bookshelf. Grab your copy and discover what truth looks like when it's smothered in smoke—and refuses to burn away.
• ASIN: B0DX35QJGP
• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication Date: 2/13/2025
• Genre: Alternate History Science Fiction
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews