Native Patriot

by Pegg Thomas

A sweeping historical romance set against the authentic backdrop of the Revolutionary War’s Pennsylvania campaign.

More than just blacksmith, Lenni Lenape Mark Running Bear was raised in a Quaker household since the age of ten. His loyalty was to the pacifist community that took him in until the battle brewing around him robbed him of his last link to the past. Mark must make a decision while surrounded by the chaos of a war he never wanted.

Left by her mother with the camp followers of Major General Nathanael Greene, Grace soon learns that danger and hungry eyes follow her even outside of the backstreets of Philadelphia. She trusts no man and never has, but the young Quaker blacksmith helps her several times without asking for anything in return.

As the savage battles of Brandywine, White Horse Tavern, Paoli, and Germantown rage around them, Grace struggles trust and to survive in the world of the military camp while Mark faces an impossible choice: honor his Quaker upbringing of nonviolence, or embrace the warrior heritage flowing through his veins.

In the crucible of America’s fight for independence, two souls must decide if love is worth fighting for—or if the divisions between their worlds are too great to overcome.

324 pages, ebook

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

Pegg Thomas lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. She creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors who immigrated here in the early 1600s.

Reviews

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

1777 Pennsylvania

Through the eyes of a young woman (Grace) with dubious parentage and a young Quaker/Indian (Mark), readers step back into time. Native Patriot is not only an opportunity to be immersed in the Revolutionary War, but also to better understand other historical details of the time.

Mark shows it was possible to be an instrumental part of a war without fighting. Grace learns to trust. In particular, I loved Mistress Geyer with her kind ways and guiding words. She lived out loving others and seeing the good in them.

Another engaging historical romance novel by the talented Pegg Thomas. Highly recommended!

My gratitude to the author for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Cathy Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and life during the Revolutionary War

This is one of those books that stays with you long after you put it down. One reason is because it presents the stark realities of the sacrifices and the limitations of the Revolutionary War on the Patriots. Second it has twists in it that bring some of the deepest hurts in people's lives to the surface to be dealt with by both them and the people who care for them. Third it points to the amazing forgiveness in our lives from our heavenly Father and the need to extend it to others.
The story itself is a love story about Mark, a Indian and a Quaker, and Grace, a woman with no last name whose mother wanted her far away from her strumpet lifestyle in Philadelphia. These two meet up in the followers camp, which is the camp that follows the army providing medical care, food, laundry and other supplies. Their story is wrought with looking at the past and looking at their future. It is a story you will enjoy. In addition the author includes so much historical information that it gives true insight to the Revolutionary War. At the end of the book, she includes historical information of different people and events that are mentioned in the story.

[Denise Troutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you ever just read a book slowly because it is so rich with details and descriptions? This is one of those books. It makes you appreciate so much more what our forefathers went through to free ourselves from Britain during the Revolutionary War. The story line is wonderful, patiently showing the transformation of the main character’s lives throughout the story. I highly recommend this book. I will definitely reread it again!

[Linda Reville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed reading Mark and Grace's story, especially against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. It is such a tender love story. Historical fiction is not a genre I usually read, but this was recommended to me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So I highly recommend it to you.

[Carolyn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Patriot is a touching Revolutionary War saga rich in history and emotion, steeped in faith. Immersive storytelling, with well-placed twists, compelling characters, and a touch of sweet romance hooked me from the start and kept me reading eagerly to the satisfying end. Thanks to a vividly painted setting, I felt like I was there in Pennsylvania walking alongside the brave American Patriots and devoted camp followers. I love main characters Grace and Mark whose lives are both impacted by societal prejudice. Their journey to find a place to belong, a faith to sustain them, and a fulfilling future together is heartfelt and captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful faith-filled historical fiction by Pegg Thomas! I couldn't put it down. I read it in less than 24 hours! This is a great story to read in light of the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country.

Right off the bat, Grace takes a walk and encounters a panther. A man with hair as black as midnight, very lithe and quiet on his feet, tells her to walk backward. 'Do not turn and run, only walk backwards.' As they back away from danger she meets Mark Running Bear, a blacksmith, a Quaker, and an Indian. In the evening hours, she just sees and hears his quaker clothes and manner of speaking.

This was such an interesting story about the army camp followers trailing George Washington's revolutionary army. They cooked meals for the army, did laundry and mending, and helped tend to the wounded. The author did a beautiful job making the reader feel like they were right there. Eventually as the weather turns, they start looking for a place to winter north of Philadelphia. We visited Valley Forge a few years ago, and this book really gave me an appreciation for the wives, and people who accompanied the army.

Grace's mother did not want Grace to follow in her footsteps as a strumpet, so she drops off this beautiful young adult daughter to help the women in the camp, where learns many skills and has an older Swedish woman friend take her under her wing. Because of where she grew up, she does not trust men. Both Grace and Mark feel as though they don't have a place where they belong. It is physically demanding journey, and it is also a spiritual journey.

I highly recommend this beautiful book! If you love historical fiction, you will love this! I did!

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

[Cindy Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Patriot was a joy to read. The historical research shone through as I found myself in the follower's camp of the patriots during the Revolutionary War. The characters are original, and the plot twists wrapped around actual events as the patriots struggle to break the shackles of the British. Mark is an Indian who embraced Quaker ways. Grace has no last name because illegitimate children whose fathers didn't claim them or were unknown must go through life without one. So sad. Both Grace and Mark must find their place in the followers' camp after being displaced from their homes when the British invade.
We meet some historical characters in Native Patriot, such as General Nathaniel Greene, nicknamed the 'Fighting Quaker.' Thomas digs deep into the characters' spiritual and identity struggles. Each feeling unworthy of the other. No man would want a bride born to an unmarried woman. No white woman wants an Indian husband. Yet, all the clever twists in the plot draw out their inner sorrows and bring healing and a happily-ever-after.
Pegg Thomas uses family research to craft a wonderful story that makes you sigh with contentment as you read the last page. Redemption, forgiveness, and surrendering to God's guidance are themes sprinkled throughout the story. I love the well-crafted you-are-there feel. This story gave me a deeper understanding of those who supported the ragtag group of patriots who fought for America's freedom.

[Kimberly Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy from Author

In Pegg Thomas’ latest, we meet a timid young woman named Grace who has experienced anything but during her young life.

Abandoned by a mother who actually only had her best interests at heart, Grace finds herself traveling with camp followers during the Revolutionary War’s Pennsylvania Campaign.

She prays no one discovers her secret, sordid past that could devastate her present as she struggles to find her place in a strange new world.

Also part of the war effort is Mark, who has been on his own dark journey. From being raised in an Indian tribe to adulthood as a Quaker, his worlds often collide as he is torn between the two.

Mark and Grace struggle with insecurity that God could love the likes of them and find solace in one another while trying to keep the past in the past and find the good in their present. Not an easy feat.

The court of public opinion plagues them and brings destruction from lack of information, preconceived notions, and the prejudicial attitude of the day. Their potential future is threatened as a tangled web of deceit, lies, and astonishing but painful truths is revealed.

Can they hang on to fledgling faith and trust God to bring them through? Read Native Patriot and find out.

[Sunnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. I felt I learned so much about history in this Revolutionary War period. It comes at such a historical year for our country as well! So a perfect book for us at this time. The historical facts and events were so well incorporated into the romance of Mark Running Bear and Grace. Although you could see their attraction, things were not perfect for Mark whose past life events caused him to think about the direction he should follow. Such a well written book and not a dull moment found in the entire book. In my profession as a genealogist I remembered many people looking for their Hessian soldiers in Pennsylvania, many of whom did not return to their home. So that was really an interesting historical read for me as well as the Oneida tribe which plays a part in this book. It was a Christian book showing faith and following God's plan for us.
It was excellent and I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

First believe - with God all things are possible.

This wonderful historical taught me much more about the Revolutionary War, prejudice and what life was like at that time. Mark Running Bear, a Lenni Lenape, a Quaker, a scout and a blacksmith. His non-resistant beliefs would not allow him to shoot to kill, but he certainly could help in other areas.

The role of camp followers was very important for medical help and more. Grace was an illegitimate young lady who was dropped off by her mother in hopes that she would not follow her mother’s choice of career. For Grace, trust in any man was a huge issue. Could she learn to trust a man of principles and believe that God has a plan for her life?

This story of faith, forgiveness, lots of history and a little romance was received through Spinner of Yarns Publishing, LLC and BookFunnel. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Robin Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need 10 stars for this. Excellently good book. A Lenni Lenape Indian who is a Quaker and an illegitimate girl are part of a camp following in Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary war. Each are not fully accepted by the community yet earn their way through hard work and their nature. Interesting and realistic days in their lives as the war progresses and they have to deal with so much to both survive and fit in, even their own personal prejudices. Their journey of faith also grows as the story progresses. Enriching journey to immerse yourself and travel along with. Fulfilling read.

I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#NativePatriot #PeggThomas #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #SpinnerOfYarns #ChristianHistoricalRomance

[Pegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started writing this book in April 2019. The idea was to create a multi-author series with four other writers. We pitched it to our agent, she pitched it to publishers, and ... it went nowhere. So I stopped at about 30k words, and it remained on my computer, ignored and growing lonely.

Then came 2025, and the nation's semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary the very next year. Native Patriot, which had niggled at my thoughts for years, is set during the Pennsylvania campaign of the Revolutionary War. Perfect! Getting back into a story that had slumbered for 6 years, however, was more work than I thought it'd be!

Mark and Grace's story was worth finishing. I love these characters, both societal misfits in their own way, who overcome their circumstances. Isn't that the quintessential American story?

[Mary Mccauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pegg has a wonderful gift of writing revolutionary stories. This one is filled with battles and suspense.
It is definitely faith filled. With God nothing is impossible.
And the romance is woven well into the story, not the main point.
I am grateful for an early rrad and gladly recommend it.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book focusing on a short period in the Revolutionary War not long before the winter at Valley Forge. Two young people from backgrounds looked down upon by most of society learn to see themselves and others through Christ's viewpoint, learn how to forgive, and how to trust God and each other. If you want a good look at every day life in the 1770s, this one is excellent.

[Lana Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Running Bear, a Lenni Lenapi Indian, raised by the Quaker community since the age of 10, finds himself in the center of the Revolutionary War in Philadelphia. There are so many levels of depth in this awesome book, I scarce know how to give a review. Grace was raised by her mother, who was a “painted lady”, but never let Grace participate in her lifestyle. Mark meets Grace one evening when he hears a scream. Running to the sound, he sees a panther and Grace, and he saves her life by teaching her how to back up from the wild animal and tells her to get back to her group. The group was the group of people with whom her mother had dropped her off with and told her to help them with the war preparations. She was taken in by the Major General’s wife to be her special assistant for everything, mostly cooking for the workers and the injured soldiers that came in every day. This is so detailed and keeps your attention all the way through to the end. You will be on the edge of your seat many times while you read this book. I loved it and I know everyone will love it, as well. I was given an advance copy of this book by the author with no expectations. This review is my personal, honest opinion. 📕♥️

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know when I pick up book by Pegg Thomas I am going to read a great story and learn something about history that I didn’t know. This book was no exception. The story was set during the first part of the American Revolution. Mark, a Lenni Lenape by birth, but raised a Quaker must decide if he is going to join in the fighting. Grace was raised in the backstreets of Philadelphia and was dropped off by her mother to join the camp followers of Major General Nathaniel Greene. Because of her background, she didn’t trust men, but after Mark saved her more than once, she began to trust him. This was a great story set during the birth of our country. One of the things that I learned was that the camp followers, who consisted mostly of the wives of the soldiers, played a vital role as they cared for the wounded, did laundry, and other tasks. I could not put this book down.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a positive review.