My Daughter's Legacy

Cousins of the Dove #3

by Mindy Starns Clark, Leslie Gould

Women of Unfailing Conviction

Virginia, 1864

Therese Jennings cannot abide the thought of her family owning slaves. When her wealthy grandfather dies during the Civil War, leaving his slaves and estate to Therese's widowed mother, Therese flees to Richmond. There she works as a tutor by day and a nurse by night. But when trouble befalls her family, how can she reconcile her duty and beliefs? And where does James Talbot—a long-time family friend—fit in her broken world?

Virginia, present day

After years of substance abuse, Nicole Talbot's life is back on track. She's found work at an equestrian therapy center and returned to college with the help of her wealthy grandmother—but that help comes at a price. Nicole must decide between honoring her bargain and doing what she knows is right, even if that could mean losing her new start, her family's trust, and a future with her handsome boss.

* * *

From the Christy Award-winning team of Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould comes a thrilling tale of two women longing to make the most of second chances and find true love at last.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Christian

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2017

About the author

Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, both fiction and nonfiction, and has received numerous literary honors, including two Christy Awards and RT Book Review Magazine’s 2012 Career Achievement Award. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

From spies to war to family obligations and dedication, to possible love, a murder mystery and more, this story is so great that I couldn't put the book down. I wanted to keep reading and find out what would occur next. A wonderful action packed story that concludes the mystery that started in the first book of the Cousins of the Dove series. The story is told from the characters in Virginia 1864 and Virginia present day. The way the two time periods are related is amazing. Great story. I received a copy of this book from the authors and this is my personal honest opinion.

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This conclusion to the Cousins To The Dove series will have you page turning right to the end as answers begin to unfold.
When this book opens we are with Nicole as she has completed her college year and is heading home to again live with her sister, and life is looking so much brighter.
The story in all three books are about strong Talbot woman, and this like the former books spans generations, with one being current time and the other during the Civil War.
As we span the centuries we are caught up quickly in each of the stories that come together and conclude over an artifact, but how it ends is amazing. I was quickly absorbed in Therese life and her beliefs against slavery, and how she played a part in fighting the injustice.
Then we have current day Nicole, she has fought and will continue to take her life back from her addiction, and this summer she is an intern at a horse stable. Loved how the horses are used to help people, and will this hold answers for Nicole, and will she be able to offer help to the horses?
There is a bit of romance, as we cross the centuries and we hope with some trepidation that these women will pick the right man, and one will have you wondering.
This is a book that will be lingering long after the last page has been turned.
I received this book through Lit Fuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Cheryl Baranski · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Daughter's Legacy is book three in the Cousins of the Dove Series by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. This book is a wonderful piece of historical fiction. Take a visit back to 1864 in this captivating story. Then travel back to modern times. Be sure to order your copy of My Daughter's Legacy today. I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review is my honest opinion. 4 stars!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up LOVING this book! It did start out slow for me and it took awhile for me to really get into the characters and the story. But the more I read the more I wanted to read!

I admired both women in this story. Therese faced so many challenges to her values. As well she faced so many frustrations and loss. Although I wanted to slap her mother around more than once, I understood her fear and how it is easy to slip into the familiar. Therese on the other hand stood firm in what she believed. I loved her integrity.

In the modern timeline, I was rooting for Nicole. She had been such a mess in the earlier stories that I really wanted to see her succeed. The more the authors revealed about her history the more I could understand how she got to the point she did.

After the first few chapters the pace of both timelines moved well. More than once the authors switched timelines and I found myself screaming "NO! You can switch now!"

I found the historical timeline both interesting and educational. The modern timeline finally answered the on going question throughout the series. I loved the role Nicole played in solving the mystery.

If you enjoy dual timelines by all means read this series. I do recommend reading them in order. You could get the fullness of the historical timelines reading them in any order, but to truly appreciate the modern timeline, reading them in order is a must.

Disclaimer:  I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, I was not required to give a review and the opinions here are my own.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Daughter's Legacy is the final book from the Cousins of the Dove series. In this installment, Therese is living in Confederate Virginia in 1864. She is fighting against her family over their beliefs of being slave owners. I was fascinated with this story and was hoping she was able to overcome everything she endured to do what was right.
Fast forwarding 150 years, brings the reader to recovering drug addict, Nicole, who is working at a horse therapy facility. I have personally volunteered at these facilities and know how well the horses can help heal. These scenes were definitely true to life and I enjoyed them. There is, also, a murder that needs to be solved, bringing some mystery and suspense to the story.
It was interesting how Therese and Nicole's stories evolved and I was not expecting how it all ended. This is most definitely the best book of the series.
4 stars.
I received this book from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Karen R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to a fascinating series! Book three begins a year and a half later, featuring Nicole's story in another dual timeline setting in Virginia. An ancestor from the Civil War era and a priceless missing heirloom add to the mystery, as the Talbots continue to search for the truth in the cold case investigation begun in book one. To fully enjoy this series, it is best read in order, though a nice recap is included.

Written in the first person point of view from Nicole, the present day story fills in quite a few facts from the cold case investigation, and some big secrets are revealed. It was inspiring to read about Nicole's success in overcoming addiction and see how she had the courage to move forward, learning to trust God. Trust was an important theme in both past and present stories, being trustworthy, knowing who to trust, and ultimately learning to trust in God. Her ancestor Therese's tale was fascinating, living through the Civil War, facing conflict in her family with the courage to live by faith and not fear, a theme in both character's lives. The conditions of the hospital and forced poverty of the war, plus her conflict of doing the right thing despite the opposition, made her situation seem so dire. Her bravery and faith were inspiring as she followed her convictions.
The romances involved were tender, and not the main focus of the story, though I enjoyed that aspect. The way the authors tied the past and present stories together, with the mystery made it an interesting read overall. It seemed like there were a lot of facts laid out quickly compared to the other books, bringing everything to a satisfying conclusion.

Highly recommend the whole series to readers who enjoy a historical mystery with some romance and faith. 4.5 stars

(An e-book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.)

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the Cousins of the Dove series this is by far my favorite! The modern day story of the Talbot family flowed seamlessly, and blended with the family history of their ancestors through Civil War times.

Nicole's story is a difficult one, plagued by memories from her past, and the battle against alcoholism in recent years. Her character is well defined and the experiences she encountered were so descriptive that my emotions took several turns. The events delineated in her family life were very well characterized and believable.

Nicole's ancestral family from the mid 1860s featured Therese, whose father was anti-slavery. In the southern states slavery was accepted as the norm, but Therese fought that reality throughout her life. The Civil War was a time of hope for her, and she followed her heart and dreams. The authors captured her essence throughout her story, and she became a favorite character. My love of Civil War literature was sated throughout Therese's story. The authors brought her to life through detailed images of her experiences.

I highly recommend My Daughter's Legacy. It won me over in so many ways. Hope and diligence are highlights of this particular book in the series.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Daughter's Legacy by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould is a Christian contemporary and historical mystery romance and I loved it. It is the third book in the Cousins Of The Dove series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The action alternates between present day and 1864, as secrets in the past are unearthed today. The two stories are linked by common ancestors, a love of history, old photographs and the desire for truth. Both have similar themes in their different time periods.
There is the theme of healing - both literal healing for those in the American civil war and mental healing today from the addiction of drugs and alcohol caused by a past event. God heals souls as we seek Him out. We can discover a God who loves us.
There is the theme of sacrifice. During the American civil war, people sacrificed their needs and comfort for others. Their "freedom was more important than her happiness." Today people sacrifice their free time to help others. "They can't get to church so [he] brings church to them." This reminds the reader that we are called to be the church. The church is not a building but a group of people.
The novel deals with images of war. "A generation of young men - dying, maimed or forever changed by war." War is horrific. Mothers on both sides lose sons. "If only everyone aimed to save lives and not destroy them." War is always about loss. Everyone suffers. Everyone loses.
The wounds of war fester. Likewise our souls can fester when the focus is not on God and others, but on personal gain, power and wealth.
The novel discusses Jesus. Too often our image of Him is clean, surrounded by smiling faces. The reality was, Jesus got down with the people who needed Him most. "Why do we have to make Him neat and tidy? He was in the streets... doing miracles and delivering addicts from the gutter." Jesus wants us to go out and minister to others. He wants us to get our hands dirty. He wants us to be His church to a hurting world.
Jesus brings hope. "Her hope was waning, but she wouldn't stop praying." He asks us to fix our eyes on Him and continue to trust, even though life is hard.
There is the subject of PTSD. A horror in childhood has lasting effects into adulthood. The escape came in the form of drugs and alcohol. It was a short term fix and not a long term solution. Love, care and professional help is needed to recover.
Family is important. Family who will love and support us. Family ties bind.
There was the subject of slavery. The American civil war was fought on this issue. All men should be free. No one should be judged or treated differently because of their skin colour. We are all born equal and we all bleed the same.
The novel wove fact and fiction together, teaching the reader about the American civil war.
I really enjoyed My Daughter's Legacy. It was a fabulous tale with a mystery that kept me guessing. A compulsive read, with brave and selfless characters.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an impressive dual timeline My Daughter’s Legacy was. Written by two authors I was taken back to about three years into the Civil War and I received Therese Jennings story. She was against slavery but still loved the South, in which she was raised, and did not want to see her state of Virginia lose its power. Looking forward to meeting her long time secret love, Michael Talbot, she becomes disappointed in him and the way his views seemed to have turned. Adding to that she has met his very handsome cousin, Alec Talbot, a doctor and Quaker from the North who has come to the South to help the wounded soldiers. The historical aspect of this story was riveting and I liked how the authors showed how difficult it would live in that very turbulent time with differing views yet unwilling to fight against family, friends, and neighbors.

In the contemporary timeline we see through the eyes of Nicole Talbot’s life. She is a recovering addict and has decided to expose a secret about her family that has weighed on her since she was six years old. When she tells all she knows we are then given information about a murder and a crime scandal that took place some twenty years ago.

Both timelines were complete stories in and of themselves. Putting them together with connections to the same family, showing how both present and past heroines must deal with what life throws at them: old loves, new loves, spies, counterfeiting, and murder. I enjoyed the back and forth between the timelines and stories and appreciated the extra art that was included with the heroine’s name to put us in the right mood for the time and story of that chapter. Sometimes the past seems so distant and the problems not like today. Even though the dates were different, across time and place we are all still human, with hearts and dreams and sometimes very complicated lives to live. Both the past and the present came alive for me in this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel through Litfuse. I was not required to post a positive review and the views and opinions expressed are my own.

https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Cousins of the Dove series with the Talbot cousins. In each story, the authors have woven together the stories of ancestors from specific eras that tie them to the modern-day cousins. The cousins have been close since childhood and enjoyed many fun times together but one experience was very traumatic to them and has remained unsolved for almost twenty years. Nicole is the key character of this story which opens with her returning to Richmond for the summer after her first year away at college. The trauma of the past had turned her to drugs as an escape from the memories. She has been keeping a secret since childhood that her grandfather told her she would have to take to her grave, but she knows the time has come that she must tell her grandmother and the authorities. The story is quite involved as Nicole and her sister spend time together with their grandmother and an aunt who has all the inside scoop on their family members who lived through the Civil War. As the story moves back and forth from present day to the last months of the Civil War, loose ends start coming together. But will they ever find enough information to discover what really happened in the Dark Woods when they were children? The land where their grandmother lives was once the plantation that belonged to their great-great-great-grandparents. The book is classified as historical fiction but suspense and romance play an important role in the story. After all, what could be more romantic than spending the night helping a handsome man take care of a valuable horse that has been diagnosed with colic? If you are curious, you will have to read the book to see what that is all about. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Debora Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible conclusion to a fantastic series!

This is part of a “true” series. To understand the contemporary story you have to read the series in order.

This book has dual time periods. Part of the story is set in 1864 Virginia. The other part is contemporary. I really like how the authors weave the stories in such a way that you flow back and forth between them smoothly.

I absolutely love the characters in this wonderful book! There is an amazing depth to them that really captured my interest. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the progression of life for the contemporary characters. Nicole shows remarkable growth since the last book.

In the historical story we are shown in great detail what life was like in Richmond, Virginia near the end of the Civil War. The constant struggle to get the food and other supples that were needed comes to life. It amazed me to read about how simple people developed courage and strength to keep on living and doing all that they could to live as they believed God wanted them to.

It was wonderful to see the four cousins come back together in the contemporary story. They worked together to sort out the details from the traumatic experience that they shared as children. Each one had grown and developed their own talents. All of their strengths had an opportunity to shine as they contributed to the final solution.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great dual storyline, that unites a young recovering addict with the story of a distant relative from the Civil War as she uncovers the final clues to an unsolved mystery. Nicole Talbot suffered a traumatic experience when she was very young. As more details of this experience come to light, the Talbot family realize this is somehow tied to a valuable missing heirloom. Aunt Cissy has spent much of her life researching the family history. Details of Renee Jennings' struggle during the Civil War come to light.
Renee is a southern belle who holds strong convictions against the practice of slavery. As she takes a stand for her beliefs, she finds herself working as a governess and nurse in Richmond during the final year of the Civil War. Will she find the courage to maintain her convictions in the struggle to survive this horrible chapter of war? Will she learn to forgive others in a world that has destroyed many family relationships? Can Therese and Nicole both gain the courage to place their trust in others? This story has it all; an unsolved murder, missing heirlooms,spies, wartime espionage and romance. But mostly this tells the story of a family legacy, one of faith that seeks to rectify pass sins.
While this is the third book in a series, the talented author team of Clark and Gould provide enough of the back story for me to find this an enjoyable read. I have to admit that I have not read the first two books in this series. That is something I intend to rectify soon. I can't wait to read the previous stories of the Talbot ancestors.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Third book in the cousins of the Dove series and they just keep getting better! This one stars Nicole in present day Richmond, Virginia (she is the youngest of the 4 Talbot cousins) and Therese Jennings in Civil War Richmond. I thought it was neat that both young women often were at the same location but over a 100-year difference in time, which not only affected the topography of the location but also their attitudes. Once again, the authors beautifully weave a story flowing back and forth from the past to the present, often using old photographs to connect them.

I truly love this series and am only bummed knowing that this is the conclusion. I enjoy learning different aspects of American history but also reading about different contemporary issues – as well as the wonderful romances and mystery! In this book, the authors bring in some notable Civil War leaders, showing their humanity. Therese finds that although the rumors were that one highly positioned wife treated people harshly, she hadn’t seen that the night she reflected on. She reminisced that everyone, herself “included, was capable of doing good or bad. She’d like to think that it simply came down to one’s choices, but she feared, as with Mother, that perhaps it became more complicated than that as one aged. She sincerely hoped she’d take the moral high road and she guessed that marrying a man of principle would help her do so.”

Great book, Mindy and Leslie! I loved it and highly, highly recommend it! I had my bookclub read the first in the series and now many are looking forward to reading this one! I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher to help promote it. No review was required but I am freely writing one. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[VikToriya Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story unites two distant relatives in one beautiful tale… Nicole Talbot and Therese Jennings.

Nicole Talbot is in sobriety program, and free from the forbidden liquid for a year. Keeping her promise to her aunty, she does even more than she signed for. But when she receives such a precious gift on her graduation day, a car, yet it threatens to stop her from the telling one heavy secret she carried her whole life… Would be she able to spill the beans and loose the car, or will she keep the secret to her grave and have a chance to drive the car; that is the toughest choice she ever made… She knew on the line is her deceased grandfather’s reputation… And with a new job, she finally met the most stubborn and untrusty man she ever knew… Why he doesn’t like her and always look for the excuse to make her life miserable and hostile on the ranch? Diving deep into the past…

While Nicole questions her shaken name and history, she learns undying truth about her great-grand ancestors… What a courage they had. Will she be able to outlive the brave legacy and be worthy for the name she carried from the birth? Or will it crumble from the accusation she was ready to reveal to the current investigator?

Therese Jennings was Nicole’s great-gran-granmama…

I love how the two stories combined in one timeline… The author has a great skills in storytelling, and there were no confusion on who is who, and what happens when. Two strong women in one bloodline, that’s a power of strong legacy and well-developed character. The details of the plot instantly transferred me into the story time… Amazing book.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Daughter’s Legacy # 3 Cousins of the Dove
by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

Virginia, 1864…Richmond, Virginia…Therese Jennings, governess by day, tends to wounded soldiers at night and prays for this dreadful war to end. She is drawn to one of the doctors attending the wounded soldiers, but her heart grieves over the change in a childhood friend, James Talbot, now a soldier, who she had given her heart to long ago. Therese’s heart aches for those who are enslaved and hopes to help free them, if only she can find a way, prays to find a way. We get a glimpse, in great detail, of the constant struggle to get food, clothing and daily needs, but also medical supplies and medicines for the hospitals/field hospitals as well. There are secrets and things going on behind closed doors, or rather “underground”, that could be life-threatening if found out. Surprises and suspense moments add to the story-line as we follow Therese, Polly and those caught in Richmond in the last days of the Civil War. I admire Therese’s courage and integrity and how she held onto her faith in difficult times. Therese is my favorite character, along with her best friend Polly, in this story.

Virginia, present day...Nicole Talbot is home from college for the summer and has found work at an equestrian therapy center. She has finally gotten her life back on track after years of substance abuse and is ready to reveal a shocking secret. A secret she has carried with her since that long ago traumatic experience she had as a child, along with her cousins. But will they believe her? Once revealed, will this cast doubts on a loved one’s integrity and legacy? Will it help in unraveling clues to the, as yet unsolved, mystery? Nicole has come a long way since My Sister’s Prayer, book 2 in the series. It is good to see how much she has turned her life around and the direction she plans to go. I admire her courage in finally opening up and revealing this long-held secret, knowing that her family may not believe her. It is good to see all the cousins come back together to gather more clues on this long ago mystery and hope to finally discover who is responsible. There are more clues uncovered that may help solve the as yet unsolved mystery. However, will the clues reveal involvement of a beloved family member? Oh, the surprises and suspense that awaits the readers as the clues are unraveled revealing that person!

My Daughter’s Legacy is the third in the Cousins of the Dove series, but can be read as a stand-alone book. However, I would recommend reading the books in order, to better understand and follow the thread of the mystery (from the first book, My Brother’s Crown and has continued throughout all three books) and appreciate the history of the Talbot family.

The story-line goes back and forth from Virginia of 1864 to present day and back again, but is easy to follow the time-lines as they are clearly marked. I love the historical elements in this story, as in the other two books (my favorite part of the story/series) and the way the authors tied the two time-periods together bringing the past to the present in this family's lives. This is an amazing historical story full of suspense, mystery, romance, danger, love and strong faith. The strong characters drew me into their lives—on a journey of adventure, betrayal, joy, slavery and indentured servants, guilt, healing, forgiveness, and love—and kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I love the theme of strong family, faith, prayer and God's grace. The authors’ research is shown in the historical details and descriptions...I felt as if I walked among the characters. A well written and captivating story (actually two-in-one).

~I received a copy of this book from the authors and publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness from two well-known storytellers!

My Daughter's Legacy is the third, and final, installment in the Cousins of the Dove. The entire series is an excellent read, with this final book being a perfect ending to a fantastic story. I'd love to see the entire series as a movie or made for tv short series.

Secrets...do you have secrets? Are they good secrets or not so good secrets? What if you kept a secret your entire life only to find out that things were not quite what they seemed when you were a very young child? What if the secret was so distressing to you that as an adult you are creating a new life for yourself after substance abuse rehab?

Nicole Talbot is rebuilding her life but the secret won't let her alone. Nicole isn't the only one that discovered the body in the abandoned cabin that day; she had cousins with her. Together, NIcole and her cousins are determined to put this whole thing rest. In the second book of this series, it is proved that indeed a man was killed in the cabin but no one has ever found a body nor identified him.

Nicole determines she must share her secret with her beloved grandmother, followed by telling her cousins for it is a secret that only Nicole knows and shared with her grandfather. Revealing the secret, leads them on the adventure of their lives. And love. And grace.

While My Daughter's Legacy can be a stand alone, I recommend the reader start at the beginning with the first book in the series, My Brother's Crown.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeeep!!!! Dual Timeline alert and I'm in a tizzy of reader euphoria. This conclusion to the Cousins of the Dove series is that exceptional!

First off, if you haven't read My Brother's Crown and My Sister's Prayer, you won't have a problem reading this one as a standalone BUT it will spoil some of the mystery in the present day timeline so reader beware if you plan to play catch up with the first two books.

Love how the two timelines are presented and how they mesh together by the end. I'm not sure which heroine I connected with more -- usually timid Therese finding untold depths of courage through her convictions during the last years of the Civil War or Nicole who is bravely battling her way back from substance abuse. Let's just say I was consumed by both stories and leave it at that.

And the heroes both past and present made things all the more interesting. :-) There's intrigue and romance and a centuries old mystery that needs to be solved. What's not to love, right? A perfect blend that makes My Daughter's Legacy an absorbing read.

[Rosalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading My Daughter’s Legacy, which is the satisfying conclusion to this wonderful series written by Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould.
If you like historical Christian fiction, then you won't want to miss this book, or the Cousins of the Dove series.

This book is the story of Nicole, the youngest of the cousin group you get to know in the modern-day chapters. She’s made some huge changes in her life, and come a long way from the girl she was in the earlier books. I couldn’t help but love her! Part of the healing process she’s going through in overcoming her substance abuse involves telling her family about a secret she’s carried for many years. A secret that directly relates to the cabin mystery.
In the history chapters, this book goes back to Civil War days. This main character Therese, is also an unforgettable person. She finds herself in the middle of the war, in a land surrounded by people who are on opposite sides of the slavery issue. She has to make a choice between two men. This part of the story involves soldiers, nursing, Underground Railroad, helping slaves, spying, and more.
There’s the ongoing mystery from the earlier books in the series. What the four young girl cousins experienced so many years before. It was great to finally reach that conclusion. There are many unexpected twists along the way.
Then there’s also the way the earlier generations fit into the current day mystery.
I’ve loved each and every one of Mindy Starns Clark’s mysteries, and this one does not disappoint!
My greatest regret was that this had to be the end of the series, when I’d just come to really know the characters!

[Rachel Lundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Daughter's Legacy is the third, and final, book in the Cousins of the Dove series by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. Each book follows two stories, one historical, and one modern day. The historical story is new in each book, but the modern-day mystery is woven throughout all three books. Fans of the Cousins of the Dove series will appreciate this final book and the exciting way the past and present combine in the solving of the decades-old mystery.

Enough background information is given in My Daughter’s Legacy that you can read this book without having read the first two novels. However, I would recommend starting with the first book to gain the most background information on the cousins and the mystery.

The historical story in My Daughter's Legacy is about Therese Jennings, a young woman living in Richmond, Virginia during the Civil War. Therese works as a governess, and she uses her spare time to work at a hospital caring for wounded soldiers. Despite the difficulties and dangers of war, Therese stands for what is right, even when it means personal sacrifice and risk.

The modern day story in this book primarily follows Nicole Talbot, one of the cousins who is a descendant of Therese Jennings. Nicole is a recovering drug addict who is working to keep her life on the right track and finally open up to her family about past secrets. Nicole finds much healing, and the four cousins find answers to the murder mystery that has burdened them since childhood.

Mindy and Leslie weave these two stories together in a way that flows seamlessly. The modern day cousins learn about their ancestor, Therese, through pictures and letters passed down through the family. Therese's hard work, ethics, and faithfulness in hard times had an impact on future generations. She left a legacy for her descendants, and this story inspires readers to consider the legacy they are leaving for their children and the generations to follow.

If you like historical fiction and mysteries, you will love this book series from Mindy and Leslie!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Becky Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning Conclusion...

If you like Christian historical fiction, in particular franco- american fiction(the Huguenots, Colonial Americal, Civil War); all entertwined with equally suspenseful contemporary fiction, DO NOT miss this brilliant series!

Clark and Gould bring their amazing franco-american Cousins of the Dove series to a stunning conclusion in this final book, My Daughter's Legacy. Told from two different points of view, one hundred fifty years apart, this is a book and series not to be missed.

The book starts out presenting two seemingly loosely related cords,that of recovering addict Nicole Talbot and her Civil War relative,Therese Jennings. Yet the authors skillfully maneuver their opposing stories through twists and turns with surprising outcomes,until the two accounts meld into one shocking whole.

Truly, Richmond sounded like an exciting, dangerous place to live in Civil War times. Loyalties were not always what they seemed, then or in the contemporary section of the book,either.

Emotionally, this book will cause you to feel everything the characters endured. Fear, decisiveness, stealth, righteous anger, protectiveness towards a child, confusion, certainty, love, hate, and the list goes on. Be prepared.

Two quotes I enjoyed:
"...perhaps life was never as simple as it could appear for anyone-not now and not back then either."

"Remember,if you save the lives of one hundred men, you will have done more for your country than if you had fought a hundred battles."- Jefferson Davis

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I have left a review voluntarily, and all opinions are solely my own.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although i didn't read the first two books in the series, it didn't make any difference to my enjoyment. I love stories based around the Civil War and slaves. I shall definitely read the first two books and will be watching out for more books by these two talented authors. I do highly recommend, and unlike myself, i do suggest that you read in order.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers. This is my honest review.

[Stella Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally the #3 book in Cousins of the Dove Series. Although I thought the #2 book was a little slow Clark and Gould made up for it in this final book of the series. Wrapping up a 20 year old mystery in modern day Virginia and finding love under difficult circumstances in 1864 Virginia. This book encompasses Civil War Richmond and the trials of a southern woman who does not believe in owing slaves with a modern day woman who tries to unravel the mysteries of her past while dealing with the present day problems. You are sure to enjoy this whole series and the books do need to be read in order so as to understand what is happening. I won the whole 3 book series in a drawing with no requirement for a review. All views stated are my own.

[Vickie McDonough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I'd like this book because I'm not a fan of first person stories, but after reading just a few pages, I was sucked into the story and curious to see what happened at the cabin so many years earlier. I especially enjoyed the historical subplot. My Daughter's Legacy is a fabulous tale of family secrets, traditions, and heritage.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own. This is such a wonderful book to read. I was so glad that I have read the other two books so the characters back stories were easy to think back too each sentence and chapter I read. It gives you closure on an incident that was described in the first novel but also about the history of families that lived through all kinds of tragedy. It was great to see how each has grown in the beliefs and strengths both in faith and each other. I would recommend this whole series to anyone who loves good writing and a lot of historical reference, both now and in the past. Thank you for writing such a wonderful series.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Mindy Starns Clark out does herself!! Intrigue, romance, suspense - a real page turner! Make sure you read all three of the Cousins of the Dove series!

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Daughter’s Legacy was an amazing story with the time slip and how the characters' lives were intertwined. This book was a page turner with all the history and characters that kept me spellbound while reading. The connection of ancestors and solving a mystery added depth along with an intriguing plot. Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould are a great team together. This is the first book I've read in the Cousins of the Dove series, which is actually the final book in the series. Now I must go back and read My Brother's Crown and My Sister's Prayer. Readers of historical fiction will find My Daughter's Legacy filled with action, unexpected events and characters working together for a cause.

I received a complimentary copy of My Daughter's Legacy from Harvest House for a book club discussion. This review is my own thoughts of this well written story, as I was not required to write a positive review.

[Susan Snodgrass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very satisfactory ending to the Cousins of the Dove series begun in My Brother's Crown, set in in 1685 and the present day. The series continued with My Sister's Prayer, set in 1704 and the present day. And now we come to the conclusion, which answered all the questions readers have had since Book # 1. The story begins in the present day with Nicole Talbot, who has gotten her life back on track after years of substance abuse. She is finally ready to share a quite shocking secret with her family, one that will raise new questions about a traumatic childhood experience. However, will this shared secret cast doubts on her family's legacy? Will she have a fresh new start?

The book is told in different POVs, beginning in 1864 during the midst of the Civil War with Therese Jennings' telling the story. When her widowed mother inherits a plantation, Therese flees to Civil War Richmond, where she works as a governess by day and tends to wounded soldiers at night. Trouble soon befalls her family and Therese has trouble reconciling her obligations with her beliefs.

This was a great series and I enjoyed it tremendously. Clark and Gould bring it to a satisfactory conclusion, too.

*I was given a preview copy of this book by the publisher. My opinions are my own.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole Talbot is doing so well in her post-addiction life. She has kept a secret since she was a little girl and feels that to totally heal she must let it out to the rest of the family. Nicole is working with horses at a therapy farm for the summer before she returns to school in the fall. She is worried about talking to the family but soon realizes she is not the only one with secrets.
Teresa Jennings, Nicole's great, great, great grandmother is so against slavery and is trying to convenience her mother to let the ones free the family has left. The Civil War is on an dher mother just can't seem to let go. Teresa gets a position in Richmond as a governess. Polly, her friend also has one and helps at the hospital when she can. Teresa also decides to help. Polly's brother & cousin are both interested in Teresa but she has loved Polly's brother most of her life and now she is not sure what to do. The mystery which is part of the present is also part of the past. A great read and a look at the Confederate side of the war.

[Dana Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing ending to this wonderful trilogy! I just finished the book and all I could think of was Wow!! There was history, mystery, and romance. The ending was so precious. I had tears in my eyes. I loved it! I could go on and on. But I won't. I will say I wholeheartedly recommend this book!!! Enjoy!!
*I was given this book by the publisher and was under no obligation to leave a review.

[JoAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc via Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

A very well written book. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I throughly enjoy his author's books and this book did not disappoint.