The Lion of the South

by Jessica James

One woman holds the fate of the country in her hands. Can she allow her brother to die so that others might live?

A tale of espionage, intrigue and deception during the Civil War.

AS THE CIVIL WAR grinds into its second year, an audacious and mysterious figure known only as the Lion of the South emerges from the shadows to rekindle the Confederacy's spirit of defiance.

With no one to turn to and nowhere to run, Julia is caught in a tangled web of secrets and deception. The only way to save her beloved brother from the hangman's noose is to unmask the Lion. But who is he?

When she finally discovers the enigmatic hero's true identity, Julia sets off on a desperate journey to stop the vengeful plot she unknowingly helped set in motion. But time is running out. The elusive Lion is walking straight into the Yankees' trap.

Despite the danger, Julia is determined to save the two men whose lives hang in the balance—and redeem herself from the deadly mistake she has made.

From award-winning author Jessica James comes another suspenseful historical fiction that will keep you turning pages.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Fiction, Historical Romance, Romance, 19th Century

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2018

About the author

Jessica James is an award-winning author of suspense, historical fiction, Christian fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day.

She is a four-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and was featured in the book 50 Authors You Should Be Reading, published in 2010.

Her novels appeal to both men and women and are featured in library collections all over the United States including Harvard and the U.S. Naval Academy.

When not writing, Jessica James can be found on the back roads of the country, finding new historic sites to blog about on www.PastLaneTravels.com.

Her new novel, The Monarch Alliance, is a dual-era mystery that takes place at a real hotel in the Hudson Valley. It releases in April of 2026.

James resides in Gettysburg, Pa., and is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, the Independent Book Publishers Association, and NINC.

AWARDS:
2020 John Esten Cooke Award
2020 Finalist HOLT Medallion Award
2020 Finalist Greater Detroit RWA Booksellers Best Award
2019 Finalist Indie Excellence Award
2019 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2018 Silver Falchion Award Finalist in Suspense
2017 Rone Award for Best Cover (Deadline)
2017 IndieBRAG Medallion Winner
2016 Gold Metal Military Writers Society of America
2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance – Suspense
2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine’s IndieFab contest
2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award
2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist
2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2014 Reader’s Crown Award Finalist
2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2013 USA “Best Books 2013” Finalist in Fiction/Religious
2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year in Romance
2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction
2011 USA "Best Books 2011" Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance
2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction
2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction
2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme
2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction
2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction

Reviews

[Amy Cummings · Rating 1 out of 5]

This starts off boring, and remains unremarkable. A book about the Civil War set in the South, and enslaved people aren't even mentioned? I can understand not wanting to get into that topic, but perhaps don't write about the Civil War, then? I can't even finish it.

[Christina Michaels · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lion of the South is Confederate-based tried-and-true sweet romance, which tells the story of childhood romance coming to fulfillment. This is a straight-down-the-middle you-get-what-you-expect love story. The history is accurate, the love wholesome, and Virginia described with the beauty it deserves. The Lion of the South is a fun, easy, read.

The female lead, Julia, makes little noticeable impact on the story. She rarely has agency. The book hints at her Washington secrets, leaving the reader to guess at who she really is and who holds her loyalties. When her secrets are revealed, I wanted to go back and read the dispatches and stories of what she had done in Washington. That untold story hinted at felt vibrant, dangerous, exciting, and worth reading. Sadly, the book focuses on her social visit to Virginia. I wish the author exposed more of Julia’s efforts and activities regarding the war. This same story could have focused on Julia being a major actor who changes the future, rather than her being an eternal damsel in distress that requires rescuing.

The male lead, Landon, is the typical strong-but-broken-and-will-be-saved-by-her-love hero who is good at everything. While a stereotype, he’s still fun to crush on. His foes, the Union Generals, are too stupid to be believable. Only Julia’s opponent is well developed and smart, yet he is defeated (by the hero) off-screen.

The Lion of the South starts too slow and ends too fast. The last chapters reveal secrets, but not the human emotions caused when truth is uncovered. Overall, the book is a fast, safe, and easy to read civil-war romance. I enjoyed it.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a clean fiction romance novel set during the civil war. Although it’s fairly predictable, it is overall cute. I enjoyed the background the two main characters had from growing up with each other.
Julia is an orphaned girl who moved with her brother into a home of a family friend when she was only nine year old. She lived in Virginia until she was sixteen, when the lady of the house shipped them off to an estranged relatives home in Virginia. It is alluded that she did so because of the close relationship between Julia and her son, Landon.
Now she is back in Virginia after living amongst Yankees, and it’s the second year of the civil war. Can she be trusted, or is she a spy? Who is this Lion of the South everyone is talking about?
The novel is confederate biased. It makes the Union leaders either vicious and evil, or bumbling idiots. Julia is alluaded to helping the South, but it’s never really mentioned how. Instead, she needs to be constantly saved. Landon is the handsome, southern rich gentleman who after war trauma is not the same carefree loving man and needs to be saved by Julia.
The prologue and first couple chapters were disjointed and I didn’t understand what was going on. After I understood the plot, I had to go back and read them. I didn’t enjoy when the story would flip over to the Lion’s escapades, maybe because it wasn’t actually told through someone’s POV.
All in all, I’d recommend it if you like lighthearted, easy read, clean romance without deep substance.

I received an advanced copy from NetGallery for my honest review.

[Missy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book through NetGalley for my honest review. The book sounded like something I would like, mystery, romance, Civil War. However, this book took me long while to get into, say about 75%, but I stuck with it to the end and wished it had been the beginning. The book in general was A LOT of description, and lots of big words. I am used to big words, I work in the legal field. But these were words I had to actually stop and sound out and really concentrate on them. I loved the relationships between Landon, Sally, and Julia -- I just wish they were developed more. We truly did not really get to know them until almost the end of the book. The relationship between Landon and Julia would have been so much better had it been developed much sooner. The character of The Lion of the South was interesting, but very predictable from the very beginning, and though was the main idea of the book was not developed as much as it could have been, it gave you bits, but lots of time left you hanging before moving on. This could have been a great book had the plot, characters, and storyline been developed more.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

With beautifully descriptive language, an amazing eye for historical detail, and a great love of subject, author Jessica James transports her readers into the very lives of characters who lived long ago. "The Lion of the South" is a compelling Civil War-Era romance--filled with thrilling history and suspense, and enriched by a poignant love story. Near the midpoint of the Civil War, Julia Dandridge comes home to Virginia from a life in Washington City to a find world in turmoil. People and places held so very dear are now forever changed. A bold and mysterious figure known as "The Lion of the South" makes daring, seemingly impossible strikes against the Union Army to rally the Confederacy. As Julia's concerns grow for her despondent friend, Landon Graham, and for her own brother, Gideon, she becomes enmeshed in a web of intrigue and great personal risk. When circumstances force her to choose between her brother's life and the fate of the man who has stolen her heart, how can she bear to lose one to save the other? A highly recommended treat for lovers of historical romance, as are Jessica James other works "Noble Cause" and "Above and Beyond".

Book Copy Gratis Author

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

After really enjoying The Scarlet Pimpernel, I thought this would be a fun read, since it claims to be The Scarlet Pimpernel meets Gone With the Wind. However, instead of being merely influenced by the classic tale, the plot and characters seem to be complete imitations. Okay at first, but it made too much of the book predictable.

After reading this one, I don’t think I will pick up any of the author’s other work. Her writing is overly embellished with adjectives and adverbs that cross into superlatives and leave character and setting descriptions out of balance and without dimension. The “Lion of the South” and his men are courageous, honorable, clever, etc., while characters on the Union side of the war are idiots, and the Moxley character is given such a sinister description, it was almost cartoonish. As for the Priscilla character, I’m not even sure why she was included.

Ultimately, the most difficult for me was having a “hero” on the southern side of the war. I get that this author is southern, but do people there really think they were fighting the union on high moral ground?? It seemed incredibly tone deaf for a book written in the 21st century.

[Candace Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica James you did it again! James is one author that never disappoints. This book kept me enthralled from the moment I read the first sentence.
I love reading her books because she always has the strong female lead that takes the unbeaten path no matter the danger to herself. Patriotism demonstrated at its finest.
Jessica immerses you in history although she's writing nonfiction. She takes you back in time when women were shackled with limitations due to the period of time but she shows you that they still paved their own way. The storylines she creates are based on actual events. Names are changed and some things may be embellished but her books are still based on history.
I'm inspired after I finish reading. I'm captivated by the history lesson and love diving into the suspense filled pages. I highly recommend this book and any of her other previous novels if you are looking for a strong male and female lead that will not leave you disappointed.

[Kathleen Brunnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a roll with this author's book. And read her bio and found out she is a graduate of Shippensburg University. Ship is it!

[Joleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, well, well....I really enjoyed this book. A twist on other Civil War books I’ve read.

In this book the main characters were Southern sympathizers, but it had nothing to do with slavery. In fact, the words slave or slavery are never mentioned.


The Lion In the title was an unidentifiable rebel leader the northern army desperately wanted to catch and hang, if only they could find a way to find out who he was.

This Lion didn’t fight. Instead, he and his men simply slipped into northern Army camps or even prisons to escape with southern soldiers and return them to their troops or find medical assistance.

Characters and story:

Julia and her brother Gideon had been childhood friends of the Graham siblings (Landon, Sawyer and Sallie). When she and Gideon lost their parents, Mr. Graham took them in as part of their own family at his wife's objection. In their home Julia's life was one of opulence with society events, servants and many wonderful memories. After the death of Mr. Graham, Mrs. Graham sent Julia away to relatives in Washington.

There her life became quite different...something we're not privy to until most of the way through the book, but it's quite a surprise. Always she missed Landon, the older Graham brother with whom she had a special bond. After six years in Washington she ran into Sallie and was invited to the Graham's home in the hills of Virginia for a visit. But what she faced was a broken and severely altered Landon. After the report of his brother's death in the war, he came home to grieve, remove himself from all society and stay in his room most of the time, and allowed very few visitors.

He was suspicious of this childhood friend who had been involved in Washington's society, and could barely look at her, seeming to disdain her very presence. As much as she tried to rekindle their friendship, he would have none of it.

Going with Sallie to a few social events she was the object of much attention, but one society dandy became a threat to everything in her life when he threatened harm to her brother, who was in a northern prison, if she didn’t help to find out who this Lion of the South was.

Not as appealing:

Although there was prayer and mentions of God, I wouldn’t call this Christian fiction.
Lies to cover things up seemed to be a way of life for characters.
The dramatic inner dialog of some characters pretty much tells the reader what was coming up. No big surprises there.
It was very clean, nothing even suggestive as I recall. Not even so much as a kiss. I guess it’s not really a romance, although there was certainly love on the horizon.

Good book.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you loved the Scarlet Pimpernel, then you are going to love this book.

Julia Dandridge is back to visit friends in the state of Virginia. Around them, the Civil War is raging, and many families have been torn apart by the ravages of war. As she attempts to fit back into the mold of familiar surroundings, she is struck by the coldness of her once dear friend Landon Graham. Instead of welcoming her back to the home she lived in as a child, he seems angry that she is even there. Living with the weight of the death of his brother, Landon cannot seem to rejoin the world that he once so enjoyed. Instead he drinks heavily and hides himself away in his room.
With Julia there, small snippets of the past seem to slip through, only to be replaced with the cold contempt that has become his norm.
But the war is not one where women sit silent. Many women are involved in listening to the conversations around them and gain valuable information that can be used for military intelligence. Julia has been told that her brother is being held in prison, and that he will be hanged as a traitor if she does not help figure out who the Lion of the South is.
The Lion of the South has been raiding behind the enemy lines, making off with prisoners and officers alike. No one knows where he will strike, and he seems to come and go like a ghost. Julia is offered her brothers life in exchange for the Lion of the South. As she prepares to give the information, she finds that someone she is extremely close to may be involved, and may cause her to not only lose a brother, but the love of her life as well.

I enjoyed reading this book, but from the middle of the book on, it read just like the Scarlet Pimpernel in a different setting.
Thank you to Netgalley for an early copy for my honest review.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Torn

I love The Scarlet Pimpernel. I'm a bit torn on this review because this book has many (very) similar elements to the original; however, they did not fit together as well. The tension between main characters and their torn loyalties just weren't as compelling for me. For example, Julia didn't have as many reasons to doubt Landon and Landon had more reasons to doubt Julia. I also think having the Lion be in the same beneficiary circle of his actions is less impactful than if he had been more of an outsider (British, Canadian, French, even Union) fighting a specific corruption or wrongdoing (killing families, subverting the law). The separation of primary antagonists also diluted the layers of personal intrigue.

The novel is written in a way that evokes an older type of descriptive storytelling. In general I liked the mood this created; however, at times it just seemed to add an air of confusion or distortion for the reader, while the characters should have always had the information (like Julia and Landon's past or how Landon knew 'everything'). This was a bit frustrating at times as it seemed overused in that regard.

Overall, this book did not live up to my hopes. It was an interesting setting idea that I don't think quite worked in execution. There was a lot of rhetoric on the ideals of the Lion and Virginian/Southern Gentlemen without any real exploration of why he was fighting the way he was or what he/they were fighting for (other than Virginia, but then Julia's condition doesn't make much sense).

Some minor issues I had were the errors contained in the text (typos) as well as the repetition of many characters' thoughts, sometimes mere paragraphs apart. The ages of the characters also were unclear or stated to be different at different times, which was frustrating and distracting.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Lion of the South: The Scarlet Pimpernel Meets Gone With the Wind: Romantic Civil War Novel: Clean and Wholesome is by Jessica James. This novel is very well written and easy to read, however, be ready to read it at one time. It is difficult to put down. You keep reading to find out who the Lion is. Don’t be too sure you have it figured out.
A new menace is added to the Southern army that is causing the North to panic and despair. A man who calls himself “The Lion” is attacking the North to free prisoners, capture its men, thwart the armies, and generally disrupting the war. No one sees him nor can catch him. How he gets in behind the lines is unknown. How big his army is, no one knows. The new Pinkerton agents and all the spies can’t locate him or his identity.
Julia Dandridge has returned to Wellbourne in Virginia to the only true home she had ever known. The Grahams had taken her and her brother Gabriel in after the death of their parents. Mr. Graham said it would be their home forever; however, after his death, his wife sent them to an aunt and uncle they had never known in the North. She lied to Julia telling her it was her son Landon’s idea and told him that it was Julia’s request, so neither wrote the other. Now, she is back to ask for help; but Landon has changed. He is a drunkard and is very bitter over the death of his brother, Sawyer in the war.
Julia is drawn into the question of who “The Lion” is by Preston , who wants to find out who “The Lion” is. He threatens her with the death of her brother if she doesn’t find out who the Lion is. She has to decide between her brother and who she thinks “The Lion” is.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed Lion of the South, I believe I would have enjoyed it more with a bit more depth of the characters.
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Julia spends a lot of time daydreaming about what had been and could be with her friend, Landon. She spends so much time that the author revisits this theme multiple times.

Julia tells the reader she has a secret, which takes a while to come to light. The secret is barely touched upon, but the story screams for the secret to be fleshed out a bit, especially when other important characters have been mentioned tied to Miss Julia.

Landon appears as a sad, drunken, rich man who has lost his brother. Each time Landon appears he’s either drunk or on his way to getting drunk. His sister harps on him each time she’s in a scene with him about his drinking. The concern about drinking takes up so much real estate in the story I quickly discerned it was a ruse.

There are others places with repetitive phrases are used. The character in one place is supposed to be intimidating, but repeats so many times he’s simply annoying.

Even with the repetitiveness, I did enjoy the story. I would have liked more intrigue.

[Cindy Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written from two differing views. One being the romantic side of the Civil War, of friends and family, life and death. The other of espionage, the spies, the suspense, the mystery. While I am not a fan of politics of any sort, this was a very key part of this book. These parts were not always easy to read, and I found I re-read to fully grasp the meanings within. Without the more difficult parts, this book would have been very similar to most other books of war. However, adding the element of espionage, made this book stand out from the rest. Very well done, Jessica James.

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely well-written with numerous descriptive analogies, although somewhat repetitive at times. Action and adventure picks up as it goes. A bit fantastical, yet entertaining. Can't imagine the Union forces being so easily duped nor races and a ball being held in Virginia towards the end of the Civil War, especially with the blockade and so-much ongoing starvation. More-than-likely, Union forces would be inhabiting plantation and surroundings by that time with ongoing conflicts. However, overlooking the deteriorating societal issues of the time, the novel built with suspense and was an overall enjoyable read.

[Linda DuPont · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a little different, since most books seem to side with the Union in the Civil War. I suspected early on who the Lion was so it was a little discouraging when Julia couldn’t see it. Maybe if I had been in her shoes instead of having the advantage of reading the book (which offers insight into the different characters), I might have been just as clueless.

I will admit I didn’t see the book ending the way it did. At least not until the action began, that is. The book kept my interest even when it seemed implausible. (That’s when temporary suspension of disbelief comes in handy.) All in all, I am glad I read The Lion of the South.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting of this book in Virginia during the Civil War. I wanted to like the characters, but they just came across as whiny and I was annoyed that they wouldn't confide in each other. I also guessed the identity of the Lion right away, which took a lot of excitement and anticipation away from the story. If you like cutesy and predictable, this book is for you. If you want something challenging and thought-provoking, I would look elsewhere.

[Bernard Holler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a drunkard possibly be the Lion of the South?

Story of the Civil War that keeps one guessing as to whether loyalties lie with the South or the North. As Julia Dandridge tries to save both her brother and Landon Graham, whom she discovers is the Lion of the South, she is also trying to save herself.

[Elizabeth Sintes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lion of the South

I really did not think I would enjoy this book but guess what I did not want to put it down once I started to read it. Yes Ms Jessica James is quite a writer. She puts the reader right in the midst of the story and you feel every pain,disappointment,and nervous moments of these war stories.

[Jean Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Jessica James

This book about the Civil War was full of twists and turns making it an exciting read. It was also a love story. The story is clean without cursing or graphic violence or explicit sex scenes. I have read several books by MS James and each one has been an excellent read.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filled with historical detail, this book transports the reader more than a century back in time, to the civil war era.

Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Darlene A. Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book by Jessica James that I have read and enjoyed it as much as the first one. She's a keeper. The Lion of the South also had me thinking about another book/movie that I enjoyed, The Scarlett Pimpernel. So this book was a win win for me all the way.

[Anita Rohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

War

Hearts are weary and the war ravages on while struggles of honor and loyalty are tearing the lives of people asunder. It is intrigue and family struggling to make sense of what has little sense and trying to survive and thrive and heal from the horror of civil war.

[Barbara Hoffmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lion of the South

Very good story! I enjoyed this book so much I am planning to read more of Jessica James books about civil war and what happened to do many people who loved through this horrible experience.

[Trudy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Historical Fiction

Jessica James has done it again. With engaging characters and suspense that builds to the last pages, this tale of a legendary hero makes it hard to put down.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

A fantastic book. A lot on civil war information. The Lion reminded me somewhat on the movie Zorro. Lol. Loved the romance between the two unknowingly working for the same reason.

[Pamela Sweazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read! Loved every minute. Read way too far into the night and fell asleep with IPad on my lap several nights until I finished and hated for it to end...cannot wait to read another by this author. She’s great!

[Raberta Beckwith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a man of character...!

Loved this book ! I’ve always loved the civil war stories,and this was very intriguing! Lance and Julia were meant to be together,and I could see this story actually happening....

[Readin Resa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book !!! Love the characters !! Wish there was more of Julia and Landon !!! Give it a read.. You will not be disappointed .. It does take place in the Civil War but it's not about the Civil War so take that in mind before you read it .

[EvilAntie Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous read

What an extraordinary Civil War story that legends are made of come true. Beautifully written dealing with interconnecting stories. Suspenseful even to the last line. One wants this story never to end.