I Heard the Bells

by Angela K. Couch

Virginia, December 1864
Three years ago, Gabriel Morgan left his home in Virginia to fight for the Union army, despite his family and his fiancée’s loyalties to the South. Now, with battle fresh in his mind, and the war still raging, he chances a quick trip home with one prayer…to make peace this Christmas.

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction, Historical, Romance, Civil War

22 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2016

About the author

Fascinated by history and in love with creating fiction, Angela K Couch has been lost in writing novels most of her life. As a passionate believer in Christ, she can't help her faith from permeating the stories she tells. Often her martial arts training, love of horses, and appreciation for good romance sneaks in there as well.

To learn more and to see her latest news, please visit:

Reviews

[Christine Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite quote from the book was,

“You’re one of them.” She clamped her eyelids closed against the pain etching itself into his handsome features.”

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Heard The Bells by Angela K Couch is a short historical Christian story. Set in 1864 during the American Civil War, it shows how war divided families. God's love is for everyone regardless as to whose side one is on. God's love covers all and conquers all. Jesus came to set us free. He brought and continues to bring gifts of love, grace and forgiveness.
This sweet story is set at Christmas and shows by focusing on our Saviour's birth, all horrors and divisions of war can be put aside as we celebrate Who Jesus is and what He's done.
A gentle read and highly recommended.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet Christmas story of a family torn apart during the Civil War. As with many families, this family had members fighting on both sides of the war. Can they find that their love is strong enough for forgiveness?

Angela Couch is a new author to me. I found that she skillfully pulled me into this short story. I am looking forward to reading more of her works.

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this a Christmas story? Yes. Am I one of those people who does Christmas year round? Absolutely.

This short story paints a grim reality of the heartache that happened when family members ended up on opposite sides of the American Civil War. But Christmas is a time for peace, love, and forgiveness. A lovely read!

[Nadine Keels · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate this author's polished writing style, and I enjoyed Gabriel in this story.

I could have done without the romance, though. Partly on account of the story's length, which requires Clara to do some super-fast switching from one brother to the other. And partly because the story doesn't give us time to actually like Clara before she gets romantic. It's clear that Gabe loves her on account of their past, but the reader wasn't there for the past. In this present story, Clara is angry, spiteful, anguished, and engaged to one man, and then she's kissing his brother a few minutes later. Without the love triangle...

...I think the characters' question of possibly coming to a place of acceptance and goodwill would have been a strong enough plot on its own.

[nancy Lanham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forgiveness

I loved this story. Both armies are filled with loving compassionate men despite the killing they inflict on each other .Likewise in the war in Ukraine I pray for the end of the war and for the lives of Ukrainians and Russian soldiers who detest the killing of each other. And those family members at home praying for them like wise. The real hero is Lawrence who sends Clara back to hos brother out of love for them!

[Debb Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely little novella. The story of two brothers on opposing sides colliding at Christmas is really moving.

The book is skillfully written, allowing the reader to feel the anger and anguish as emotions surface and conflicts resolve.

I’d highly recommend this book for a quick dose of hope.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brothers at Christmas

Very well written short story! I can't imagine having children on opposite sides of war. This is a brief moment of Faith, Hope, Love and Forgiveness at Christmas.

[Pegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good Christmas story with a heartfelt message. This novella is a quick read that will stick with you after you're done. Angela Couch is a wonderful author who brings her characters to life for the reader.

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue or grey - family!

A sweet story during those awful years that set brother against brother. Christmas came and the hope for peace traveled across the fields on the chime of the bells. Forgiveness and love won the day!

[Andrea Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe a good author will give you a satisfying ending while leaving you wishing for more. That's the way it was for me with this one.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet short story of civil war brothers who fought on opposite sides.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short story but not lacking in substance.

This could be a great chapter in a larger book. It is that interesting!

A Yankee soldier returns home for Christmas during the Civil War. He hopes to make ammends with his family, who fought for the South.

It showed the conflict very well and how love and family triumph over insurmountable odds. It deals with the question of loyalty and the character’s struggle to seek out which side God was on!

[Jolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brother vs. brother

The horror of civil war and families divided yet faith and love can still triumph. Wonderful Christmas story capturing this hope.