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The Belle and the Officer
Must read Southern Writers Magazine September/October 2015 edition. Historical romance. A Mississippi plantation. A southern belle. A Union officer. Brothers. Three reared in the South, the other in the North. Would they ever see eye-to-eye? The turmoil of the Civil War rips a country asunder as lives are transformed. Alice Caldwell is young and in love in the midst of the raging war that disrupts her world. She hopes to soon become engaged when the Civil War destroys her plans, and her beau leaves to fight. Bert Russell, a Union officer, invades her life when his wounded men are moved to Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and he turns it into a hospital for his soldiers. When there is not enough room for his men and the Confederate soldiers, he confiscates Cotton Grove Plantation, Alice’s home, as a hospital for his remaining men and encamps on her front lawn. With her beau missing in action, Alice works at the hospital as well as her home hoping to see his face among the other arrivals. Working in the hospital with wounded and dying men changes Alice’s once-sheltered life. She’s no simpering southern belle batting lashes behind a sandalwood fan, but becomes a woman who finds the courage to go on. Through it all, the magnolia trees continue to bloom, majestic live oaks curtained with Spanish moss wave their limbs, the great Mississippi River continues to flow as the North and South battle for its control, and somehow, people go on with their lives.
- GenresHistorical Romance
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
32 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 16, 2015
Along the banks of the Mississippi River, in the deep south state of Mississippi comes the historical romance from Barbara Robinson who brings the trials and tribulations of the Civil War to the lives of a Southern Belle, Alice, two southern planters Lonnie and Sonny,a Union soldier, Bert, who was from the south and their slaves, Polly, Sam, and Elise. You are drawn into their lives and until the end pray that Alice, Bert, and Sonny can survive the horrors and changes. I look forward to a book on Sonny during reconstruction to continue this stressful time in the life of our country. Barbara once again has written a story that pulls at your heart strings while connecting it to God, family, and the history of our country. A 5 star in my opinion.
June 6, 2015
A Gripping Novel Full of History!
Award winning author B.J. Robinson brings to life a very devastating time in American history when brothers fought brothers. While this is a romance it is so much more. Her characters are developed with skill and passion as you relive their journey through the Civil War. You are drawn into their plight as they live and rebuild their lives during and after the Civil War. The leading characters hold firmly to their faith as they work to stop people who don't want to move forward to freedom for everyone in the North and the South.
Award winning author B.J. Robinson brings to life a very devastating time in American history when brothers fought brothers. While this is a romance it is so much more. Her characters are developed with skill and passion as you relive their journey through the Civil War. You are drawn into their plight as they live and rebuild their lives during and after the Civil War. The leading characters hold firmly to their faith as they work to stop people who don't want to move forward to freedom for everyone in the North and the South.
June 10, 2015
I really enjoy B. J.'s characters. Her characters come alive on the page and touch the heart of the reader. The Belle and the Officer is a perfect example of the passion and energy that this author brings to her novels.
July 15, 2023
What’s it like to know your life can change in a blink of an eye because other people make a moment in time bigger than it should ever be? Well Alice finds out what that’s like when the Civil War ruins all of her plans for her future. First her beau goes missing and so she decides to work at the hospital taking care of soldiers that are brought their. When a union soldier arrives with his men and there isn’t enough room at the hospital she offers her family home to him and his men. All does not go well but Alice does fare well in the long run.
July 6, 2015
The Belle and the Officer - Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat; Think With Your Taste Buds; A Book and A Dish
Alice held the cold metal key in her palm. She'd keep it on her until her beloved returned. He didn't have to tell her to visit and remember him. Memories fought each other in her mind. Visions of them on picnics, at family barbecues, fishing in the great Mississippi River that ran behind their homes. He didn't have to tell her to remember. How could she ever forget?
Lonnie was the love of Alice's life but there was a war going on and he had decided to defend the South. He promised her that it would be a short war and over in no time, then they could announce their engagement, be married and love forever in the home he had built for her. 'Oh please let that be true, she prayed.'
To pass the time and be of help Alice worked in the hospital that housed the southern boys who were wounded. She became the light in the eyes of some of the patients giving them hope and encouraging them to hang on and get well so they can go home to their own families. Then came a Union Colonel named Bert Russell with his own wounded and needing a place for them to be care for.
As Alice got to know Colonel Russell, she couldn't help but feel a slight tingle in her heart but how could that be when she loved Lonnie. So when Lonnie shows up in the hospital in a Union uniform instead of a Rebel, Alice found her whole life about to change.
This is a beautiful love story as well as a story in history. The feelings Lonnie had for Alice as well as the feelings Bert developed for her had me cheering both on and wanting more. The outcome will leave you wanting more too.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
Alice held the cold metal key in her palm. She'd keep it on her until her beloved returned. He didn't have to tell her to visit and remember him. Memories fought each other in her mind. Visions of them on picnics, at family barbecues, fishing in the great Mississippi River that ran behind their homes. He didn't have to tell her to remember. How could she ever forget?
Lonnie was the love of Alice's life but there was a war going on and he had decided to defend the South. He promised her that it would be a short war and over in no time, then they could announce their engagement, be married and love forever in the home he had built for her. 'Oh please let that be true, she prayed.'
To pass the time and be of help Alice worked in the hospital that housed the southern boys who were wounded. She became the light in the eyes of some of the patients giving them hope and encouraging them to hang on and get well so they can go home to their own families. Then came a Union Colonel named Bert Russell with his own wounded and needing a place for them to be care for.
As Alice got to know Colonel Russell, she couldn't help but feel a slight tingle in her heart but how could that be when she loved Lonnie. So when Lonnie shows up in the hospital in a Union uniform instead of a Rebel, Alice found her whole life about to change.
This is a beautiful love story as well as a story in history. The feelings Lonnie had for Alice as well as the feelings Bert developed for her had me cheering both on and wanting more. The outcome will leave you wanting more too.
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
September 29, 2015
First in a series, THE BELLE AND THE OFFICER is a historical romance set during the American Civil War. It's a story about family and war, struggle and salvation, love lost and love found.
Alice Caldwell, a southern belle, is reduced to working in a Civil War hospital and an infirmary for the enemy (once her Plantation home), an experience through which she blossoms as a woman. We follow her path as she aides the wounded from both sides, sees her world literally turned upside down, and witnesses the cruelty of warfare. While waiting for the love of her life to return—a confederate soldier named Lonnie, she encounters Yankee Officer Bert Russell. This dynamic is particularly interesting. Affections develop between individuals from conflicting sides, making the story uniquely different from other Civil War romances.
Fantastic writing, in-depth character development, and historically accurate accounts and descriptions put me in place and time. After reading this novel I had a much greater understanding (and better appreciation) for the struggle experienced by individuals during this ugly conflict. The story is a great introduction to a series, definitely leaving me hungry for more. Though one in a series; truly this book can stand-alone as a novel.
Alice Caldwell, a southern belle, is reduced to working in a Civil War hospital and an infirmary for the enemy (once her Plantation home), an experience through which she blossoms as a woman. We follow her path as she aides the wounded from both sides, sees her world literally turned upside down, and witnesses the cruelty of warfare. While waiting for the love of her life to return—a confederate soldier named Lonnie, she encounters Yankee Officer Bert Russell. This dynamic is particularly interesting. Affections develop between individuals from conflicting sides, making the story uniquely different from other Civil War romances.
Fantastic writing, in-depth character development, and historically accurate accounts and descriptions put me in place and time. After reading this novel I had a much greater understanding (and better appreciation) for the struggle experienced by individuals during this ugly conflict. The story is a great introduction to a series, definitely leaving me hungry for more. Though one in a series; truly this book can stand-alone as a novel.
July 22, 2015
A Historical Sweet Romance.
I loved the book cover; it and the title suggested a historical novel set in the southern US states during the Civil War. The blurb said Christian historical and I’m fine reading ‘light’ religious messages, as long s they are humanitarian ones running through a story and I barely noticed the religious aspects within this novel as being any wore than simply character development, so the story would not be restricted to only Christian literature reads, any might enjoy this story.
The romance is sweet. I liked that for this story, it suited it. The story is well executed and will be loved by readers of sweet romance, historical romance and Christian inspirational.
I loved the book cover; it and the title suggested a historical novel set in the southern US states during the Civil War. The blurb said Christian historical and I’m fine reading ‘light’ religious messages, as long s they are humanitarian ones running through a story and I barely noticed the religious aspects within this novel as being any wore than simply character development, so the story would not be restricted to only Christian literature reads, any might enjoy this story.
The romance is sweet. I liked that for this story, it suited it. The story is well executed and will be loved by readers of sweet romance, historical romance and Christian inspirational.
June 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this wonderful novel set in the civil war time.
I felt like I learned something about what took place in Mississippi back then, as actual battles and other events were mentioned.
The story is fast-paced and held my interest. The dialogue also revealed much about the time. My only criticism would be that I would
have liked more description to help me to better visualize what was
going on, especially since what was used was very well done. For example, "the land scarred by battles and left pooling in blood".
Also appreciated was the good used of scripture and the characters'
Christian perspectives.
I felt like I learned something about what took place in Mississippi back then, as actual battles and other events were mentioned.
The story is fast-paced and held my interest. The dialogue also revealed much about the time. My only criticism would be that I would
have liked more description to help me to better visualize what was
going on, especially since what was used was very well done. For example, "the land scarred by battles and left pooling in blood".
Also appreciated was the good used of scripture and the characters'
Christian perspectives.
September 5, 2015
It has so much potential but I just couldn't get into it and it didn't hold my interest, as I would have liked. Therefore, around 47% after putting it down for the night and then never getting the urge to read it again is what made me stop reading this novel for good. In addition, as I read from other reviews this novel acted like a non-fiction at times because of the way the storyline was written, making it feel like Ms. Robinson wanted to get the information out without having a character's "personal experience" included, which was a little disorienting at times.
Nevertheless, I do recommend this novel to those looking for a unique historical romance.
Nevertheless, I do recommend this novel to those looking for a unique historical romance.
August 28, 2016
Can't wait to read more books from this talented author!
B. J. Robinson has a flair for bringing characters to life while compiling accurate history along with the gospel. Sure to become one of my favorites!
B. J. Robinson has a flair for bringing characters to life while compiling accurate history along with the gospel. Sure to become one of my favorites!
July 9, 2015
Good book, it kept my attention. I was glad to see Alice getting some happiness in the end.
July 15, 2015
I felt like I was back in my 10th grade American history class. The history overshadowed the romance.
March 27, 2023
LR
Good story line but it was too simply written. Sentence structure was very minimum. It definitely wasn’t one I couldn’t put down.
Good story line but it was too simply written. Sentence structure was very minimum. It definitely wasn’t one I couldn’t put down.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews