Eternity Between Us

by Stephenia H. McGee

Two sides. Two hearts. And a gulf between them as deep and wide as eternity.

Virginia, 1861
After being forced to use a pistol against invaders, Evelyn Mapleton is no longer the timid girl her extended family expects. The more her aunt and cousin resent her new independence, the more Evelyn is determined she'll make her missing father proud by taking up his cause and aiding Confederate soldiers—even if she has to outmaneuver the Yankees guarding her home to do it.

Samuel Flynn's life is consumed with two learning to become a proper guardian for the young orphans he's adopted and obtaining his physicians license. When his final testing sends him to a Federal Army field hospital, the last thing he expects is to be entranced by a mysterious woman. But when Evelyn's misguided exploits put her life in danger, will he risk everything he's worked for to save a woman he thinks is his enemy?

Based on first-hand accounts from the Civil War and with a strong romantic thread, this is a tale of faith, espionage, hope, and courage historical fiction fans won't want to miss.

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

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

Stephenia H. McGee is a multi-published author of stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. She lives in Mississippi, where she is a mom of two rambunctious boys, writer, dreamer, and husband spoiler. Her novel The Cedar Key was a 2021 Faith, Hope, and Love Readers’ Choice award winner. A member of the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), she loves all things books and history. Stephenia also loves connecting with readers and can often be found having fun with her Faithful Readers Team on Facebook. For more on books and upcoming events and to connect with Stephenia, visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com.

Reviews

[Jocelyn Green]

In Eternity Between Us, Stephenia H. McGee displays not just her passion for history, but her respect for it. Thoroughly researched and convincingly told with the detail readers are sure to appreciate, this tale brings a turbulent time to life with nuance and sensitivity.

[Fiction Aficionado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eternity Between Us is an engrossing story of torn loyalties and espionage set during the beginning of the Civil War. What makes it even more fascinating is that many of the events in the story are based on historical accounts. Why make stuff up when history provides all the drama you could ask for?

This story also has one of my all-time favourite dilemmas: Characters who fall in love despite being on opposite sides of the political divide. It doesn’t just create delicious romantic tension; it also creates engaging intellectual tension as the characters consider what is driving their loyalty to a particular cause and how to meet each other on the middle ground. And in this case, there was one scene in particular where Evelyn and Samuel discussed their conflicting loyalties that may just be my favourite in the whole book!

And the espionage. Who doesn’t love a bit of espionage? Boy did that get interesting in the last quarter of the book. All of a sudden it was all happening!

If you love historical fiction, make sure you don’t miss this one. Engaging characters—including two very lovable and believable children—vivid historical detail, and a story that will keep you turning the pages.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Beth | Faithfully Bookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on FaithfullyBookish.com

If you're a fan of Civil War era fiction, like me, this story's intriguing intersection of medicine and espionage is sure to please. As an added bonus, readers who aren't necessarily fond of the battles themselves can dive in with eyes wide open. It's refreshing to read a Civil War book set neither on a battlefield nor a sprawling plantation.

Evelyn's failures make her a more authentic and relatable character. Samuel has all kinds of distractions (seen and unseen). The author's careful research and entertaining story go hand in hand and I encourage my fellow readers to read Eternity Between Us as well.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Elaine Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a pleasure to read a historical novel that is so well written, interesting in its plot, and with characters whose transformations are believable. All this, plus “Eternity Between Us” contains a sweet love story and two orphans in need of a family. Romantic and clean, this latest release from Stephenia McGee is a gem worth your time.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In the middle of a war that sought to divide, love had found a way to unite.”

First, can I say how much I love that cover?!? So pretty!

Second, I have two words for you: Closet. Kiss.

That’s right. Cue the fans and the fainting couches because there is a supply closet kiss you won’t want to miss!

I won’t say much more about it but whew. There’s so much outer & inner turmoil-tension that builds between Samuel and Evelyn, a mix of the danger of the war & the intrigue and heightened alert all around them – not to mention that they are on opposite sides of the fight. After all, one is a doctor for the Federal Army, and the other is almost a spy for the Confederates. All of this translates into deliciously romantic, curl-your-toes, blissful-sigh tension. And Samuel’s mental nickname for Evelyn & the inspiration behind it? Oh! Be still my heart.

Speaking of… the kids in Eternity Between Us will swoop right in and steal your affections right away. They are precocious and precious all at once, and their relationship with each other (as siblings) as well as with Samuel and then Evelyn is the source of both humor and a few tears. Can i put in a request now for follow-up stories with Benjamin and Emily as protagonists, all grown up?

Bottom Line: Civil War fiction is always thought-provoking for me, especially stories like this one that really focus on the complexities of both sides of the war and the internal struggle for truth and direction that went on in the hearts and minds of many key players. McGee presents these inner battles with as much care as she does the physical battles and war-time situations she has so keenly researched. In Samuel and Evelyn, she has given us two dynamic and layered protagonists with strength beyond their own realization – and a tender love story wrapped in history, grace, romance, and faith. I loved the ‘real’ tidbits of Civil War espionage history & I definitely want to read more about these women spies on my own. A story full of heart with a smartly-done plot and great characters!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eternity Between Us by Stephenia McGee is a top notch historical book set during the Civil War.

This book focuses on a Southern girl, born and bred, and a Northern man at the end of his medical studies. Can the gulf between them be crossed?
Evelyn Mapleton is beholden to her Aunt and cousin while her father is away reporting on the war. They have no real fondness for her, she is more of an obligation to them. She is outspoken about her support of the South and intends to help in some way.
Samuel Flynn, a Yankee, has one desire: to finish his practical requirements under his Mentor, Dr. Porter, and go back home to help his father in his medical practice. His job for the foreseeable future is to tend to the broken soldiers at a field hospital near Washington D.C.
This book has a different slant of usual Civil War stories. The reasons for loyalty to one side or the other is not so clear cut. It shows the everyday problems that occur when war rears its ugly head.
Stephenia writes a very detailed account of certain happenings. She has researched well and tells us of women spies and how they helped their chosen side.
Each of the main characters has a strong faith in God and staunch reasons why they believe as they do. But they can always be led by the Spirit of God. God comes through and keeps them and shows them the best way to resolve their differences and carry on.
The author’s lyrical prose and characterization is a joy to read. And there were a few surprises just to keep the reader on his toes! Stephenia McGee is fast becoming a favorite author!

I recommend this book to fans of Civil War stories. You will not be disappointed!

*I was given an ebook ARC of this novel by the author. I was not required to give favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[Patricia Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the first page. I could literally feel the rumble of wagons and the hear the drumbeat as the Union army advanced on Martinsburg, Virginia. And then the heroine, Evelyn  Mapleton, shot a drunken Union soldier when she feared he would attack her cousin.  Evelyn is no shrinking violet and her impulsiveness gets her into trouble sometimes.

From there, the scene switches to Samuel Flynn as he tends to wounded soldiers and two orphans who are about to be separated. My heart hurt for those two children who had already been through so much. I cheered when this bachelor doctor took them in, which causes more problems for Samuel. When the Union doctor and Southern sympathizer meet, sparks fly.

I loved watching their journey as they puzzled out the complexities of the war and their parts in it. It is a thoughtful love story that examines both sides of the War. 

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eternity Between Us is a beautiful written historical by Stephenia H McGee. I love reading Civil War era novels and this one does not disappoint. I love Evelyn from the start. I enjoyed her strength, bravery, and courage. I, also, enjoyed getting to know Samuel. I thought the two captured the turmoil and struggles of how it was for their time in history.
I am giving Eternity Between Us a well deserved five plus stars.
Highly recommended.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Hope Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read my first SHM book earlier this year for a challenge. I quickly read another. I sorta put her books on pause for a bit before looking on Hoopla to see what other stories she has on there. When I read the synopsis of Eternity Between Us well... it had me at Samuel adopting orphans. I started the audiobook. I'll be honest i had a hard time keeping focused on the audio. Halfway thru i switched to the ebook version. The narrator was wonderful! I think the "issue" for me was that the vocabulary and descriptions are very accurately set in the 1860s and are a bit more complex or fanciful than im used to 😆 READING it made it easier for me to keep up with than listening and i really struggled putting it down after that. Hardly matters cuz i LOVED THIS BOOK! I havent really let myself dive into the Civil War era of literature (i typically hang out in Revolutionary War and WWII time periods historically speaking) so it almost felt like another world i entered 😆 Which was cool. I'm looking forward to reading more Civil War books in the future.
The romance in this book? 10/10. I could not get enough of Evelyn x Samuel. I typically dont like romances between two people on opposite sides of things but SHM wrote this amazingly well and believable. i was rooting for them as soon as they met!
Evelyn and Samuel individually had my affection as well. They were such likeable characters and i loved seeing them grow in different ways.
The underlying story of varying father issues really gripped me. This is probably the reason it's gonna be a long time favorite for me and quite possibly in the top 5-10 reads of 2025.
Highly recommend. Can't wait to read more SHM! I heard she has some time travel-esque books. I think I might dive into those next 👀

[MJSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Stephenia McGee and I can't believe it's taken me this long to discover this wonderful author of historical romance! If you are a fan of historical romance and you haven't yet read her books, you absolutely must. The author combines fluid descriptive writing with deeply-layered characters, well-executed plot with twists and turns, and well-researched historical facts and background. Eternity Between Us focuses on the beginnings of Civil War and tells the story from both Federal and Secessionist side. The difference of opinions and passions misdirected into violence and injustice rages on both sides of the war and the author clearly knows how to pull these emotions to form the core of the storyline. There is plenty of intrigue and espionage in the story as Southern women band together for their war effort.

Samuel, the steady, determined, kind, loyal, compassionate medical student, is a Northerner who only wants to earn his degree and license so that he can heal and comfort, no matter the skin color or loyalty. Evelyn is a gently-bred Southern lady who has been taught that Northerners are evil and wrong. She is young and naive, though compassionate and passionate about what she believes is right. Samuel is the swoony hero in the story and easy to love. Evelyn, in her self-righteousness, is a little more difficult to connect with; however, she does mature in her ways and does indeed become a woman worthy of Samuel. The two children in the story are quite endearing and bring joy to the darkness that envelopes Samuel and Evelyn's world as war descends.

I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eternity Between Us by Stephenia H McGee is a fabulous Christian novel set in 1861 during the American Civil War. The action is a mixture of fact and fiction and keeps the reader entertained. I read the book in just one sitting as I could not put it down.
War is fought under many guises - the abolition of slavery, taxes, political gain- but the sad truth is, everyone loses. How can a country become so divided as to fight its own? Families were torn apart as sides were chosen. Hospitals were set up to tend the wounded from each particular side. "Shed the colour of their coat and they were the same underneath." Some medical personnel chose to heal from just one side. Others chose to heal all men.
There is a search for a father which reminds the reader that we need to search for Our Father - and He will always be found. This links to a search for love and to belong. We all want a home where we are loved. Our home will always be found in His Arms.
Within the novel there are spies and those who work undercover. There are no lengths to which some will not stoop. War brings out the very best and the very worst in people.
There is the theme of taking care of the widows and orphans. Two darling children just moved into my heart.
With the men away fighting, the women step up. They were seen as weaker but some certainly proved to have moral backbones. Some were lacking in moral fibre and content to use others for their gain.
I adored Eternity Between Us with its likable characters and fabulous storyline. I loved the hospital setting where soldiers of all sides could be treated. Vivid descriptions bought the landscapes to life. More please Stephenia H McGee.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was blissfully whisked away to a bygone era on a tidal wave of literary enjoyment! Resplendent in historical details, yet not too cumbersome as to be weighty, this engaging story is sure to appeal to those who enjoy stories set during the Civil War.

I especially enjoyed the true story roots and first-hand accounts from Civil War journals. Stephenia McGee pens a story that you won't soon forget, by breathing new life into history and inviting us to come along for the journey.

Dynamic characters that when faced with life-altering decisions will have you either cheering in approval or cringing in dismay. With deep soul searching conversations that will have you thinking how you would answer the same questions if you were there yourself.

The first quarter of the book focuses on setting the scene and building up the characters, then the action really ramps up in the last quarter and I was fully engaged in the drama! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories set in the Civil War period.

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

[Jeanne Alfveby Crea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting civil war story that held me captive as I read about torn loyalties, spy rings, and a love story involving two people on opposite sides of the war. Historical fiction fans do not want to miss this! I love the author's historical notes at the end, and how fascinating history made it into her book. Stephenia McGee is one of my new favorite authors.

[Marian Baay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written, this novel kept my interest from page one till the end. Wonderful characters, believable storyline, not a dull moment. A great read!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young woman is sent to live with relatives who consider her beneath them and don't want her around. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father is a newspaper man, and decides she cannot stay with him as it is too risky. While she believes slavery is wrong, she also believes in state's rights and so stands with the secessionists. Unwilling to face the extent of her relatives' disdain, unaware she can do nothing to olease them, she defends her cousin by shooting her cousin's would-be rapist, for which she is condemned. Eventually, they part ways, her with a farm girl who works with her at the hospital, in an attempt to find her father in D.C., via the leader of a confederate spy ring. The relatives go back to their home. The 2 girls do spy for the confederacy, but soon she realizes that there are both decent and evil men on both sides of the conflict. Unable to reconcile that and soyung, she backs off.
Samuel Flynn can't get signed off as a practicing physician by his professor/mentor. It will be a while before he finds out the real reason, but his sensitive nose has trouble with the smells associated with illness and disease, death and injury, and the filth of war, and this is counted as a weakness when it is, in fact, a gift...he can detect infection of wounds, incipent disease, impure water, and food poisoning far sooner than most and ends up preventing many epidemics within the walls. He understands the argument for state's rights, but believes the war is God's punishment for America allowing slavery to continue and that, unless one side or the other starts talking instead of shooting, the war must be won by the abolitionist side.
For a while, before soldiers came to the hospital, it was a general hospital and had kids as patients. Siblings catch his eye. The little girl, who doesn't recall her mama (who dropped them at an orphanage when the girl was a baby), and her brother, are inseparable and he protects her from the bullies, esp. the mean girls. She will only speak to him. Unable to let them go when he knows the nuns will separate them, he becomes their guardian and hires a nanny, an older woman who also tends the house and cooks for them, who lost twins in infancy, and was never again able to conceive. She dotes on the children.
These unlikely souls come together in unlikely ways over time, and the question becomes, for what purpose has God called them togehter, if He has called them?
A pleasure to read, this balanced book presents, up close and personal, the different viewpoints prevailing even today, and the difference between those who listen to God's voice and those who don't.

[Janice Robinson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh this book.

It's partially my fault. I ordered it from Amazon when I was in a hurry to put in an Amazon order before leaving on a trip. I didn't pay enough attention, and didn't realize it's a Christian book published by a Christian publishing house. I wanted something to read, I like historical fiction, I like The Civil War era, again was in a hurry, and so I ordered it. When I received it, I realized that it's "Christian fiction." I am not a Christian and not a fan of Christianity, so I indicated that I wanted to return it. But I never took the steps to return it and pretty much all along knew that I wouldn't. My bad.

Well, still not happy that I'd given my money to a Christian publishing firm but having paid for the book, I decided I'd read it. I knew there would be no sex in it, but that's fine, I read a lot of books that don't have sex in them. Other than that, I didn't know what to expect.

What I got was overuse of similes and one dangling modifier which no professional author should ever be guilty of. Also, two puke provoking orphans who never misbehave and who don't and never are going to suffer the attachment disorder which common sense dictates they should. They make their appearance at the beginning, then thankfully disappear from the narrative throughout its middle, giving me false hope that I will never hear of them again, only to come roaring back with renewed strength at the end.

Also, quite a few instances of unrealistic dialogue. If you were unexpectedly caught in the middle of a war skirmish, your life put in jeopardy, believed your friend was dead, and right afterward were explaining all this to somebody, would you use the words "Chaos ensued"? Oh yeah, and in the year 1861, Samuel Flynn uses the word "virus" in sense 1a of Merriam Webster's dictionary, a use which the word would not acquire until 30 years later in 1891. Okay. Evelyn finds out from her aunt something about her parentage which she never knew before, and asks not one question. Really?

An ending sickly sweet enough to rot all of your molars in ten minutes.

But worse than all of this is Evelyn's blathering about "taxation, the government being more powerful than the States, Lincoln's true agenda, and removal of our raw goods from Northern factories."

This is Southern apologist crapola. None of it was why the South seceded and none of it was why Rebel soldiers fought. It's been concocted by liars who don't want to admit that their ancestors seceded and fought to preserve slavery. But of course our heroine Evelyn trots this garbage out as to why she's a secessionist but she is very, very against slavery. Pffffftt.

Oh yeah, so I also should have noticed that this author specialized in stories about The Deep South.

The one positive thing I can say: Religion is not mentioned that frequently. The book is not in-your-face about religion, which is what I most feared before I read it. Little did I know, there are worse things than that.

So I started out by saying that the fact that I was subjected to this is partially my fault for not paying enough attention before I bought this book. True, but I am still laying some of the blame at the feet of Stephenia McGee for writing this crap.

[PAMpublish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and extensively researched Civil War Spy and romance novel that promises to maintain your attention from beginning-to-end. Most interesting that the author incorporated many actual people of the time into her characters. Evelyn, who did not fit into the Washington social scene, was left with an aunt and cousin due to her father's traveling reporter job. After a frightening experience with a Yankee's invasion of her Martinsburg home, the women fled to Front Royal. Through her work in various hospitals, she met Samuel, a Yankee medical student during the time she contemplated becoming a spy. However, without spoiling the story, it caused much upheaval endangering her, especially as she is set-up by way of a friend. A recommended novel for all those who enjoy a fast-paced Christian-based clean Civil War spy story.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives us two characters on different sides of the Civil War and how they wound up entwined together.

Evelyn Mapleton has not had an easy life, she lost her mother, her father left her with his sister, and her aunt and cousin treated her as lesser than themselves. She tries and tries but she never fits in. When faced with protecting her family from the invaders from the north she is led down a path that will take her north looking for her father but the man she finds is Samuel Flynn instead.

Samuel Flynn is finishing his medical training and is thrust into treating the wounded soldiers. It seems at every turn Miss Mapleton is showing up where he is. Is this fate or is there more going on with this enticing young woman?

Great story with mystery and bits of history mixed in.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn is an independent young lady in the time when women were expected to be DEpendent on whatever male person was in charge--just don't do anything on your own. So of course she sets off for Washington DC in the first year of the Civil War to find her father who has gone missing. From her time as a caregiver in the military infirmary that was her home, now occupied by Yankees, she meets a serious young doctor, Samuel. When she arrives in Washington she suddenly finds, much to her dismay, her roommate is a confederate spy and in cahoots with her great aunt at that! By this time the doctor Samuel has come back to DC and they meet again. The story is fiction, but the research on the time period is spot on. Excellent book.

[RCH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook (mostly - read the last part).

I liked the audiobook more than the ebook. In fact, I enjoyed the audiobook but definitely did not enjoy the book - so it makes it a little bit hard to review.

The critique I have with both versions is that the love story doesn't happen until almost the end of both characters' journey, and even then, it's a sort of weird insta-love kind of thing. I mean, they ran into each other a few times during the book, but then at the end, they don't spend a lot of time together or really getting to know each other, but - boom - eternal love.

I did like the individual story lines and I did like the historical aspect of the book. I also liked Evelyn's character arc throughout the book.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Highly Uncivilized War

From the rat-ta-tat of Yankee drums as waves of blue uniformed men march through Martinsburg, Virginia on July 4, 1861, to a Washington, D.C. infirmary, Stephenia H. McGee betrays her strong sympathies in her telling of this tale. Well researched, she presents the reader with a balanced perspective on the civil war era. Her main characters express the moral sensibilities of the times and their views are historically accurate. While modernity has moved away from long held ideals, "Eternity Between Us" remains faithful to the past and holds unapologetically to a Christian worldview.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A worthwhile story during the Civil War

A story of daring , beliefs, wanting and struggle. Evelyn desperately wants to be loved and accepted, especially by her father. When Yankees invade her aunts home and threatens them she reacts with courage. Thinking she could be a spy would help her father and make him proud of her, she gets entangled with another girl and a dangerous plot. Meeting Dr Samuel, a Yankee, makes a change in her life.
The plot is thick, filled with danger and many twists. It holds your interest and is well written and edited.

[Elsa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this which is really sad because I read everything I can about the Civil War Era.
After Evelyn uses her pistol against a Union officer in the house, she is determined to try to help her Father and the Confederate cause. Can she become a Spy?
Samuel is doctoring the wounded even though he's not a a full Doctor yet. He hopes to make his Father proud. He also wants to adopt 2 orphans to keep them together.
I read and read and was just too bored to continue. It took forever for Samuel and Evelyn to even meet. I skipped to the end.

[Lois Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eternity between Us: A Tale of Faith, Espionage, and Impossible Love

Very interesting take on the Civil War. A young southern woman meets a young northern medical student. The storyline is good, allowing both young people to recognize the war is ugly & not necessarily being fought over just one thing.

Good storyline, good characters, stories for yet another view of the Tanks & the Rebels. Read & enjoy.

[Robyn Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I enjoyed this American Civil War story told from the point of view of a Southern sympathizer who comes in contact with a Northern doctor. This tale told of spying during that time, the practice of medicine and the political climate. There were struggles, personal and national. I enjoyed reading the author notes at the end to learn how many scenes were based on documented events.

[Anne Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Keeper

I loved the way this story developed. I can’t get enough of these civil war stories. In a time where just surviving was hard enough, two people from vastly different backgrounds navigate through what appear to be opposing beliefs to find love and discover that their hearts were on the same side all along. I loved watching Samuel and Evelyn’s journey together unfold. Ah.....

[Denise Troutman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie McGhee is an excellent writer of Civil War themed books. This one especially showed the problems endured when family members took opposing sides during the war. I love to read stories based on true events that took place during the war, and espionage and women spying was all part of it. This is a sweet love story with a lot of action and finding out what truly makes us feel loved and valued.

[A Busscher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusual to read about a southern sympathizer, however when I read about Samuel, I knoew she was going to move to the northern side and they were going to end of married. It was an unusual ending in the fact that she was arrested for being seen with Mrs. Greenham, how the gov't was watching said people. I found it quite ironic also that Dr. Porter was Sam mothers admirer and was using that to prevent Sam from graduating- plot twist.

[Sandra S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Civil War story

I love the fact that Stephenia does so much research and weaves some real people and events into her writing. These characters seem so real you can feel them. I fell in love with Benjamin and Emily. A really good read. Thank you again as I love Civil War stories!

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed in this book!

I had a difficult time finishing the last third of this book! I found the stupidity of the heroine repeatedly monotonous! An avid reader, this came as drudgery to finish. I have always determined to see a book to it's end. I did. Worst book. I have read in years. Patricia