Mercies of the Fallen

by Eileen Charbonneau

Maryland plantation heiress Ursula Martin is content with her secluded life in a con-vent. Until the bloodiest day of the Civil War brings a downed soldier into her care. Blinded Rowan Buckley only knows he’s in deep love with the woman who pulled him off the battlefield. His superiors claim she’s a spy. He knows she’s full of secrets, but he’s out to prove that treason is not one of them. The two negotiate the crucial times of the Battle of Antietam, Gettysburg, and the New York City Draft Riots. Treachery meets them at every crossroad. Will their love survive?Editorial Reviews “Through tales of love, comradeship and struggle through the Civil War, these stories illuminate women's hidden role in history by a master at bringing the past to life. Not to be missed!” – Joanne Pence, USA Today bestselling authorIn the tradition of Willa Cather…Her women, especially, carry with them a dignity of purpose as inevitable as the story of abolition, civil war, enmity and love that flows through their lives. -- Robert Crooke, author of American Family and The Chastened HeartAt a time when our country was most divided, two lovers earn their happiness through a larger-than-life journey of sacrifice and pure grit. Rich in historical detail…” Jenna Kernan, Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author of Winter Woman

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2020

About the author

Eileen Charbonneau is the author of award-winning historical novels for adults and young people. Her stories explore America through eyes of her immigrants, her native peoples, her women. Eileen’s books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others. She runs a small bed and breakfast inn with her husband in the brave little state of Vermont, where the world appears on their doorstep to see the leaves go glorious evey autumn. Eileen is addicted to maple creemies, period dramas and American roots music.

Reviews

[Michele Wyllie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercies of the Fallen American Civil War Brides Book 2
“Afraid?” “Of this thing that haunts you, makes your eyes so sad, little one. Afraid of your own woman’s power.” My favorite line in the book.
The main character Ursula has to make a choice. Her character you will learn, is very complex for a variety of unexpected reasons. The Civil War is going on and the outcomes are real and vivid in Charbonneau’s writing. As a nurse I always appreciate the correct medical terms and descriptions which are spot on in this great historical fiction.
It’s a love story that’s not perfect. Romance held together by a penny whistle, the senses on hyper-alert and kind voices. A war raging and a myriad of personalities in all of the characters.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It took me to another time in history but away from the reality of working in this pandemic.

[Bill Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

For "Mercies of the Fallen", her second in her “American Civil War Brides” series for Books we Love Publishing, Eileen Charbonneau has written a story with intriguing twists and turns that keep surprising you till the end. It takes place in the roughly year between two major battles of the war in the east at Antietam and Gettysburg. Having spent the first part of my life living in nearby Baltimore, Maryland, I visited both those battlefields, and I find that Charbonneau captured the feel of both those places very well. As she does also in capturing the people and mores of those historic times with their authentic dialog and ways of speaking. There is a certain respectability in their speech as opposed to our more casual ways today. Characters from north, south, Canada, and Ireland are all presented in their own unique ways. This is, I'm sure a reflection of her multi-cultural background that includes a French Canadian name and experience as an Irish storyteller. The book is cleverly plotted as well. She ties the aftermath of the Antietam battle with other events and characters of the era that leads to a conclusion just after the battle at Gettysburg. A Union soldier of Irish ancestry who was raised in French Canada is wounded and left for dead by the Doctors at the battle at Antietam. He is then saved by Marylanders of questionable loyalties since it being a "Border state". A relationship develops with a local woman who helps nurse him in his recovery. Involvement with both their famalies, spies, secret agents, and intrigue then ensues in a fast moving tale that concludes in a surprising ending. Charbonneau's capturing this era so well really shows her versatility. Her previous series “Code Talker Chronicles” was set in WWII with a Navajo hero. Her heritage also includes Shoshone ancestry three of whom were members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and she is a Native American storyteller as well.

[Eileen O'Finlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Eileen Charbonneau has written a stunner of a tale with Mercies of the Fallen. Civil War history, romance, intrigue, danger, and love meld together in a story any lover of historical fiction or romance will find hard to put down.

Irish immigrant Rowan Buckley, wounded and blinded in battle falls in love with Ursula, the nurse he can't see and, therefore, has no idea she is a nun. Yet Ursula's reasons for joining the convent were not due to sincere religious vocation, but to escape a real life nightmare. She's made peace with her choice, or so she thinks, until she meets Rowan. From then on, life will never be the same.

The smitten Rowan, a Union soldier, is informed by his superiors that Ursuala and her brother, Jonathan, are spies for the Confederates. Seeing that he has gained Ursula's trust, they give Rowan the mission of proving her guilt and that of her brother. Will his love stand in the way of duty? Or will doing his duty prove their innocence while uncovering other, more personal secrets? Read the book to find out. You won't be disappointed!

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercies of the Fallen is exactly my cup of tea. The story strikes the right balance between historical fiction and historical romance where there’s a central love story in a historically meaty era.

The second instalment of a standalone series, Mercies of the Fallen is set during the American Civil War. Although a couple of characters from the first book, Seven Aprils, make an appearance, either story can be read and enjoyed in any order.

Ursula Kingsley is a novice and prepares to take her vows, but the war interrupts these plans. Her family’s Maryland plantation becomes the site of a makeshift Union hospital, and Ursula rolls up her sleeves to help the wounded.

Rowan Buckley is a Union soldier regains consciousness after a battle in Maryland. Due to his wounds, he’s unable to see. His eyes are bandaged and he’s not sure where he is, but he’s aware of a kind pair of hands, a soft voice and the comforting scent of lemon balm. Over weeks of recovery (still without his eyesight), he forms an emotional bond with a nurse in this makeshift hospital. Ursula’s brother is anxious for his sister’s future and strangely encourages the man’s interest. Rowan hardly needs the encouragement because he’s smitten, but there’s a mystery here that he can’t figure out.

When he’s transferred to a Washington hospital to recover, his vision is slowly restored and he learns that Ursula is suspected of being a spy for the South and the army recruits his aid to spy on her.

The romance strikes the right notes for me. This is a well-written romance where the circumstances—political and social—complicate the relationship and strengthens the bond. Rowan has an ingrained and unshakable sense of decency. We need more Rowans in this world. Ursula is a healing balm for those who are suffering around her, and her difficult circumstances and her past keep her from being a two dimensional character. At times the events paralleled today’s fraught world.

The author elevates the story by showing us the diverse backgrounds of the men who fought for the Union. Rowan, an Irish Canadian immigrant, decided to fight for the Union because he was opposed to slavery. The side characters were an absolute joy: Ursula’s quirky brother and one of the “Maries”, a French Canadian woman who is a force to be reckoned with, were both favourites of mine.

Mercies of the Fallen has excellent writing, solid pacing and a tender romance. Well worth the read. Highly recommended!


Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[David Fitz-Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Complicated

It’s 1862. He is a French Canadian soldier of Irish descent, serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War. She cares for the wounded, mostly the ones who are expected to die from their injuries. Because of his injuries, he can’t see a thing. She smells of lemon balm, and he makes her laugh. In the darkest of times and the strangest of places, love finds a way. But she’s not who she seems to be. Events conspire to keep them apart even as her beloved brother conspires to bring them together.

This book is as imaginative as its predecessor, SEVEN APRILS. A couple of characters from Book 1 make minor appearances in this book, but the show primarily belongs to a different cast of characters.

This story is beautifully complicated, but I never felt lost. It took several unexpected turns, adding to the suspense. I was sure I knew what was going to happen, and then it didn’t. Days later, I’m still a little surprised at how things turned out.

I learned several new things about the Civil War, and the best part is that the author never seemed to be teaching or explaining. Instead, the events carried the history lessons seamlessly.

I tremendously enjoyed reading Mercies of the Fallen. I’m so glad I read it and I highly recommend this book.

[Rosemary Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel begins on the eighteenth of September in eighteen hundred and sixty-two at Sharpsville, Maryland. “Jonathan Kingsley wanted to escape the sea of bodies … but his sister, Ursula, is leading him on.” He picks up seriously wounded Sergeant Rowan Buckley. When Rowan wakes, he mistakes Ursula’s laughter for that of one of the three sisters who brought him up. His company’s orders were to drive Lee’s army back to Virginia. How did he survive the battle? Why are his eyes bandaged? He takes his tin whistle from his pack, drops it, and suddenly his head is on Ursula’s lap. In October of the same year at Ursula goes to the death ward where, although Rowan is blind, he is shaving himself. He hopes she will not cry for him if he dies. At first, I knew little about the characters, Rowan an abolitionist and Ursula whose family own slaves. Slowly and skilfully Ms Charbonneau reveals their past lives while dangers confront the pair – who seem to be star-crossed lovers. I recommend this unlikely romance set during the American Civil war.

[EB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sat up until midnight last night to finish reading "Mercies of the Fallen". What a marvelous read, and such a relief to escape our current reality via gifted storytelling! The amount of effort and research is evident-- set a scene with appearance, sounds, smells, even the weather. The description of what people wore in those days, the battlefield medicine (glad I wasn't an EMT in those days!!), and all the other details authenticating the story were up to immaculate standards. Even the size of the print was perfect, and the entire book's presentation was lovely - not too heavy to hold while reading in bed, light enough for travel. It was lovely to read a story about the Civil War which had a happy ending, too. I'm a very romantic soul, and love to read about couples overcoming adversity and finding true love and hopefully living happily ever after. Absolute marvelous - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Can't wait for the next book to appear! --Andrea Peterson

[Cryssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercies of the Fallen is exactly my cup of tea. The story strikes the right balance between historical fiction and historical romance where there’s a central love story in a historically meaty era. Loved all the characters and double points for having a French Canadian connection.