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The Bregdan Chronicles #2

On To Richmond: 1861-1862

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On To Richmond is the second book in the Bregdan Chronicles historical fiction series. As of today, there are 10 books in the series. Make sure you start reading with # 1 – Storm Clouds Rolling In. It's readers like you who have turned the series into a world-wide best-seller. Thank you!
Book Description: Burdened with the responsibility of running an entire plantation, Carrie Cromwell fights to understand the forces tearing her beloved country apart. As battles rage around her, she watches as her life slowly unravels and she discovers truths she would never have imagined.

Will her actions and decisions push her even further from those she loves? When the danger she dreads becomes reality, will she find the courage and strength to escape?

Robert is pulled into battle, facing things he would never have imagined. Moses and Rose face a great loss, and then make a decision that could claim their lives.

Everyone struggles to survive and live in a country that has exploded into Civil War.
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This second book of The Bregdan Chronicles historical fiction series will pull you in and never let you go. You'll experience the Civil War era (and all the years to come) through the eyes of both White and Black, free & slave, Southern & Northern - and you'll fall in love with every character.

How many books will be in the Bregdan Chronicles? No one knows yet… Ginny intends to write these character's stories, one year at a time, for as long as she is able to write. She is passionate about bringing history to life through historical fiction. Since she is amazingly healthy, that could be for a very long time! She doesn’t like stories to end any more than you do. This one won't end for a very long time!

Review: I enjoyed this book as much as the first in this historical fiction series. Ginny, you are a wonderful writer. I get so engrossed in your Chronicles that I cannot put my Kindle down. I have gotten so connected with the characters and the history is superb. I have already purchased the next and really shouldn't start on it now if I plan to sleep tonight! Thanks!

Review: Ginny Dye delivers again!!!! What a fabulous book!!! This book carried more suspense than the first book, as it should!! The author is taking on the Civil War in a way I have never read before. The author is covering every aspect of the Civil War. South perspective, slave perspective, North perspective, abolitionist perspective, and some I would never have dreamed of. These books are thought provoking and uplifting. The author reels you in and you feel everything! You can just see the smoke of gunpowder hanging over the battles, you could feel Ike Adams' hatred. I could say so much more, but "Spring Will Come" (book #3) has finished downloading. I must continue with this absolutely phenomenal series!

Review: This is the second book in the Bregdan Chronicles and in my opinion, the series just keeps getting better! I’m not usually a fan of a series, but I’m hooked on this one. The individuals from the first book just keep getting more stimulating. Their storyline, as well as their characters, keep evolving. Add to that, the introduction of new individuals and scenarios and you have the recipe for a book that you can’t put down.


Again, this book comes with a high recommendation from me. All ages will enjoy.

488 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1997

3690 people are currently reading
1804 people want to read

About the author

Virginia Gaffney

10 books132 followers
Pseudonym for author Ginny Dye.

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5 stars
6,455 (60%)
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3 stars
857 (8%)
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85 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
Profile Image for Gloria Johnson.
233 reviews
October 17, 2014
Number 2 of the Bregdan Chronicles was even better than the first and I have ordered Number 3. This series is, I believe, mistakenly classified as historical romance. I would prefer it be labeled historical fiction, as romance is not the most important ingredient. The author has meticulously researched the Civil War and I am learning a lot as I read the fascinating stories of the Cromwells, their slaves, and their friends. Highly recommend, and excuse me while I check my Kindle for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Vikki Vaught.
Author 12 books160 followers
April 2, 2015
My Musings

The saga began in Storm Clouds Rolling In and continues with On To Richmond. I am so glad I found these excellent books. This second story in this amazing series is a fantastic addition, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from the first sentence to the last. What I particularly like about these books is that even though each story is a continuation of the last one, Ms. Dye leaves the tale on a positive note, no cliffhangers!

Carrie Cromwell is determined to help her father’s slaves make their way to freedom when they so choose. Her lifelong friend, Rose and her husband continue to help her run Cromwell Plantation, and her father is still in the dark that the overseer, Ike Adams is no longer in charge.

When Rose’s mother, Sarah, dies, it is now time for Rose and Moses to travel on the Underground Railroad to freedom. As much as they hate to leave Carrie, when her father writes to say he wants Moses in Richmond, the time is upon them.

After a journey fraught with peril, Rose and Moses find their way to Carrie’s dear friend, Aunt Abby, in Philadelphia. She takes them in, and Rose finds a Quaker school to attend, and Moses finds work, although Moses burns to do his part to help the union in the War Between the States. When he gets the opportunity to spy for General McClellan, he takes it, leaving Rose with Aunt Abby.

Back at the plantation, Carrie carries on with her work, raising produce for the confederacy, even though she is still opposed to slavery. It has become increasingly more difficult to keep her secrets from her father. She now has had to lie to her father to protect what is happening on the plantation. It grieves her heart, knowing how hurt her father will be when he learns what she has done, but her convictions will not allow her to do anything else.

As the north takes a path to Richmond that leads the Union army to Cromwell Plantation, Carrie is saved by the help of Moses who is with the northern army. He helps Carrie escape through a hidden passage. Carrie is shot as she makes a mad dash on her steady stead, Granite. Along the way, she meets Warren Hobbs, the young man her father and Robert Borden had sent to bring her to Richmond.

What a whirlwind of emotions this book has been. On several occasions I had tears rolling down my face, at the loss of Rose’s mother, the conductor that helps Rose and Moses in their bid for freedom and Opal’s relative, Fannie and her husband, leaving their four children orphaned.

This story is steeped in historical detail of the Battle of Bull Run and the winter operations of 1862. Ms. Dye brings to life the fears and emotions of the people, black and white, that are living through these events in history.

I can’t wait to continue this amazing journey in the next story. If you are looking for a well-written historical fiction with strong romantic elements then you will want to read this epic saga of the south torn asunder and the north fighting to restore the union. I do want to mention, these books are not stand alone. You do need to read them in order to fully enjoy this rich reading experience. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms).
512 reviews72 followers
June 12, 2015
I did not care for this book as much as the first one. I finished this a few weeks ago and should have reviewed it right away, so this will be short. I am enjoying the history in these books, but the personal stories of the characters are almost tedious and in some areas I really got bored. I think the book and the first one too would have been better for me if there had been less detail. When there is action the writing picks up and I did enjoy the politics of the war and seeing it from the position of the South. It was probably a 3.5 for me but I could not round it up to a four.
Profile Image for Barbara Zenger.
86 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2016
I have learned so much about conditions in America during the civil war. I have loved the 1st 2 books looking forward to book three. Ginny Dye is a fabulous historical writer and story teller.

Merged review:

I am loving this series of books(The bragdan chronicles). Such wonderful characters,easy to fall in love with. Definitely a page turner.
Profile Image for Beth Bogle.
7 reviews
September 18, 2015
Good read

This book kept my interest; however, it wasn't a page turner until the very end. I will continue reading the series. Very good read.
980 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2017
I am continuing to read the novels by Ginny Dye in The Bregdan Chronicles series. The novel that this review concerns is “On to Richmond – 1861to1862”. I am determined to read all the books in this series because they flow so well from one to the next. One would think Ms. Dye would run out of material and ideas, but that is certainly not the case. Even though the characters continue from one book to the next, the plots are different and expanded so that the reader’s interest is intact throughout. I am delighted to know that Ms. Dye can find a myriad of stories to tell about events that occurred during the Civil War. I’m sure that there is an indefinite number of plots and plans to write about. This is the second novel in the series. It is better to read them in order, although a synopsis of previous editions are conveniently displayed so that you can keep up if need be. However, if you don’t read the whole book, you will miss out on too much.

You can find this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-pl, and also other reviews on my blog at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com.
Profile Image for Lynette Chambers.
Author 7 books22 followers
March 8, 2015
I actually enjoyed book 2 more than the first book. The story drew me in and kept me wanting to read more. I especially like the character of Moses, and the way he is caught between the love of both worlds, and the love of two women. His is a strong character who stays true to itself.

It will be interesting to see how things move forward in book 3.
Profile Image for Nancy.
124 reviews
February 28, 2017
Great story and good feelings throughout! (with just a little suspense too!)
2 reviews
March 7, 2017
Love a good historical fiction.

On to Richmond is a great read for a bit of civil war history, romance, struggles and family. Worth your time.
375 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2021
This was the second book in this series. There are probably 17 or more books. I had heard this was the best series of books ever written. I don't think I would go that far but they are interesting enough books about the Civil War to read the whole series. I am prejudiced as that is my favorite period.
Profile Image for Stacy Regennitter.
73 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2024
This book never really captured me. I'm enjoying the history and I care about the characters but it seems like the tense situations always diffuse in an unrealistic way. I will definitely continue the series but need a little break.
7 reviews
July 10, 2017
A continuance of a great story!

I thoroughly enjoyed the continuance of Carrie Cromwell's life and her amazing strength and fortitude in a time in our history when women had little or no control over their lives.
Profile Image for Kathy Rhode.
369 reviews4 followers
September 17, 2018
Continuing to enjoy this series! Can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!
Profile Image for Jennifer Hines Hansel.
213 reviews3 followers
April 23, 2025
Another excellent book about the South during the Civil War. The War has started. Carrie has become an Abolitionist!! South wins first battle but the Winter hurts them badly.
Profile Image for Mary.
922 reviews38 followers
April 22, 2023
Thid is the second book in this series.
14 reviews
August 6, 2017
I'm loving these books. They should not be classified as Historical Romance. They are vibrant Historical Fiction and much research was obviously done to go into this saga. I can't wait to start #3!!
9 reviews
March 17, 2017
Second installment in series. The Civil War has started.
Profile Image for Donna.
825 reviews4 followers
Read
May 30, 2017
Book 2 of the Bregdan series finds the Civil War just starting.
147 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2017
Ready for the third book

As the unions solders make headway , Carrie is in danger. Will she make it to Richmond? Moses gets to help the union. Rose getting closers to being a teacher, Adams the slave hunter is still full of hate.
Will Carrie tell her Father the Truth? Continue this story about the Cromwell family, the Civil War, and the ones affected. Love this story and the characters. Will be starting the next one soon, Highly recommend. You can tell a lot of research went into these books, history, romance, drama, great read, and clean.
Profile Image for Shirin Afrasiabi.
190 reviews5 followers
June 29, 2017
much better than the first volume. hard to put down. a little preachy, but can be easily overlooked. The God helping parts are a little reaching, but a truly fun book to read.
472 reviews
March 4, 2017
On to Richmond is during the years 1861 and 1862, the historical saga that encompasses the first year of the American Civil War. The Confederate Army thinks they are stronger than the Union because they win the scrimmage. But the Union is taking more time to increase their military.
Carrie Cromwell is burdened with the responsibility of running an entire plantation while trying to understand her own internal war. She is tied to the South by family tradition but pulled North by her emotions and beliefs. She still loves the Confederate soldier but will she push him and her father further away as she attempts to help slaves find their freedom? She is determined to remain at the plantation until it becomes dangerous from the invasion of Union troops but will she wait too long?
74 reviews
August 16, 2017
They gained some wins and suffered losses but love continued.

The South fought hard as the north seemed to elevate the wins. Thru the struggle the slaves serviced and slowly were becoming free.
Profile Image for Susan Shay.
184 reviews
August 14, 2017
Fabulous and well written. A must for all historical fiction lovers.
301 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2015
This is the second book in the Bregdan Chronicles and in my opinion, the series just keeps getting better! This story picks up where Storm Clouds left off. Thomas Cromwell is still playing an intricate roll on Governor Letcher’s staff in Richmond and Carrie is continuing to run the Cromwell Plantation with the help of the slaves. Lieutenant Robert Borden is fighting with General Stonewall Jackson. Carrie and Robert love each other but as with a lot of people in the South, they still cannot reconcile their differences over slavery. Ike Adams continues to be a thorn in Carrie’s side, creating trouble and havoc for her every chance he gets. New characters are added to keep the story interesting and we also say goodbye to some others.

I’m not usually a fan of a series, but I’m hooked on this one. The individuals from the first book just keep getting more stimulating. Their storyline, as well as their characters, keep evolving. Add to that, the introduction of new individuals and scenarios and you have the recipe for a book that you can’t put down.

Again, this book comes with a high recommendation from me. All ages will enjoy. It could be read separately from the first because the background is expanded on sufficiently enough that you could pick up the plot, but I do recommend starting with the Storm Clouds Rolling In for maximum enjoyment. Just a warning though, I stayed up till 1 a.m. cause I just had to find out how this one ended!!
Profile Image for Sandra Cesolini.
8 reviews
July 28, 2017
Great read

I have became attached to the Cromwell's and Robert Gordon and of coarse Rose and Moses an can't imagine not knowing what happens next.
727 reviews
October 17, 2018
Burdened with the responsibility of running an entire plantation, Carrie Cromwell fights to understand the forces tearing her beloved country apart. She battles her own internal war; tied to the South by tradition, but pulled North by the emotions of her heart. Will Carrie's actions push her further from her father and the Confederate soldier she loves? will her attempts to aid her friends Rose and Moses end in tragedy for all? And, what will happen when acting on the truth puts her in grave danger?
The characters are now becoming more developed. Their individual as well as collective stories well described. Able to love the historical fiction of the Civil War and the South.
322 reviews
June 29, 2016
I have enjoyed the first two books of this series. The author uses strong female characters as well as a strong Christian ethic in her writing. That being said, this book would fit not only under the genre of historical romance, but historical fiction, Christian fiction, as well as Women's fiction. Much research went into the creation of this series. I was shocked to learn that gas stoves, while not largely available to the masses, were in fact available to the well-to-do at the time of the Civil War. I couldn't believe it! I actually double checked this and learned that the first gas stoves were developed in the 1820s. Amazing!
Profile Image for Shawn.
10 reviews
August 14, 2015
This is a good book. I love the historical setting of the Civil War era. The opportunity to see the origin of people's feelings about the war, slavery and blacks is absolutely fascinating to me. Carrie's self discovery and courage to take action going against everything she has been taught since childhood is inspiring. Getting the viewpoints of the slaves and slave owners in addition to Carrie's point of view really gives the book dimensions you wouldn't have otherwise. All in all a very good read.
30 reviews
July 17, 2016
Enjoyable, light reading with a history lesson on every page. Although the story doesn't take a lot of concentration, (historical fiction, not literary fiction) I'm learning a lot about the Civil War that I didn't know. I appreciate the way Ginny Dye accurately depicts the history of the time entwining accurate historical facts with likable characters. This book is written simply and would be wonderful juvenile reading as well as a page-turner for any reader who wants to briefly escape into the time machine of a good book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews

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