A Dangerous Performance

The Accidental Spy #2

by Stephenia H. McGee

History can change in the blink of an eye...

Annabelle’s bravery unraveled a destructive plot and saved the president, but now the thwarted conspirators grow desperate. While trouble turns more deadly in Washington, Matthew and Annabelle escape to New York, where they have finally succeeded in finding Matthew’s brother. But breaking him out of Elmira prison is about as likely as saving her fractured inheritance.

Protecting Annabelle put Matthew on the wrong side of some very dangerous men, but he’d do anything to save the woman he loves—even if it means keeping her from the truth. With time running out and an unexpected miracle testing what remains of his faith, Matthew must confront his fears or risk losing her heart forever.

★ A Dangerous Performance is a 2020 rewrite of the previously published title Losing Lincoln (The Liberator Series book two)

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

Paperback

First published March 23, 2016

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

[Zelma]

This is my 2nd book of Stephenia McGee. I absolutely love this series. Started with Leveraging Lincoln. and now we continue with book 2 with Annabella and Matthew who are still looking for Matthew's brother in a prison camp in New York. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat and Stephenia McGee is so wonderful at painting a picture that makes you think you are right there. Very descriptive and you can tell she did a lot of research of President Lincoln around the end of the civil war. I love when I can read a book and believe that it really happened. You will find mystery, suspense mixed with a bit of CLEAN romance. I can't wait for book 3.

[Rebecca]

"We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart." - Abraham Lincoln

The events surrounding the close of the Civil War were fraught with danger, desperation, and despondency on both sides of the conflict. Annabelle Ross and Matthew Daniels; thrust together by familial circumstances beyond their control, have managed to make it to Elmira, New York where Matthew's brother, George is believed to be imprisoned. Privy to information about dark intentions towards the president, they have walked a fragile line between hope and despair, while trying to cloak their personal feelings, for it is believed that Annabelle is betrothed to Matthew's brother, should he live.

Enjoy this adventurous trek through our nation's history, as the lost is found, the unthinkable happens, and love never fails. The "Liberator Series" by Stephenia McGee is an outstanding blend of fact and fiction.

[Jill Derrick]

Amazing story line

Love the history included in this wonderful book. Hard to put down after I began reading it. Amazing how she includes the fictional parts with history. A must read and you will not be disappointed.

[Sandra S]

Wonderful Civil War Series

First I have to say I am as obsessed with the old south as the author. This is one of the very best I have read because of the Subject - Abraham Lincoln and it is historically very accurate! Just loved this Series!

[Terri]

I am so wrapped up in this trilogy and can't wait to see what happens in book three. This was book two and our group of wood-be spies have left Washington feeling better about stopping the plot to kill President Lincoln. They are now in New York where they will try to find and save Matthew's brother from a Union prison. There is still danger and secrets and so much at stake. Annabelle is still headstrong and Matthew is still determined for her to be safe and cared for by his brother if they ever find him. His love for her grows but he knows he isn't the one for her future. She will not acknowledge her feelings for him as she believes he does not want her.

When our group arrives at her grandmother's things really get interesting and we have more interesting characters to join our group. The plot thickens and there is more to learn as they move forward on their quest.

This story is so good and well thought out and has enough factual history mixed with fiction to keep you entertained. It is well researched as you can tell by the references and painted a picture that took me back in time as though I was there with Annabelle and Matthew. I love it and highly recommend this trilogy. Remember it is a three part book so you will need to start with book one.

[Lisa]

This is the second of three books in the Accidental Spy series. The artful weaving of the story’s characters, historical facts, personal journal entries of the conspirators, and scenes from the deplorable conditions of the war prison camp make you feel you are there.

I appreciated all of the research that went into writing this book and learning more with the afterward historical notes. In fact, I have spent hour afterwards of reading about those people who took part in the conspiracy to assassinate Lincoln and other key government leaders at that time. If you like historical fiction then this series should be added to your TBR list.

I listened to this as an audiobook on Audible and enjoyed the portrayal of Annabelle's spirited and feisty grandmother, Mrs. Smith by Bryn Austin. You could hear the authority of this powerful matriarch and what she must have been like.

Thank you to the author for an audio version of the book. I was not required to write a review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Loretta Enright]

Suddenly, you're a part of living history! McGee uses historical facts, diaries, and events and intertwines her characters within them. And you, the reader, are a part of the sights and sounds and culture of the time period. The Civil War is winding down, Lincoln has been re-elected, and yet there is war in hearts, enough to plot the death of the President. You go from the deep South to Washington DC, you visit a Union prison camp so putrid you can almost smell it through the pages. From there, the genteel household of those not touched by the ugly world around them. And underlying all of this are people trying to come together to do the right thing. Lies, love, goodness, evil are wrapped into this story making an impact better than any history book could.

[Cindy]

Christian Historical Romance

This second audiobook was fascinating! A look into the people involved in the assassination of President Lincoln was eye opening!!! I had previously read books in the viewpoint of Mrs. Lincoln's black seamstress, and a couple of women who became combat nurses for the North! I now have a much better understanding of the different struggles and even healing that came from the Cival War!! The emotions is this book are so realistic to me! The PTSD the men struggled with, a Southern woman's abolitionist ideals. And the plight of the children who are products of both the slave women and the white plantation owners. Just brilliantly written and expertly performed!

[Jana Johnson]

This was a wonderful second book to the series. McGee weaves a beautiful tale between fictional characters and historical facts.
I actually learned some history in these books that I was not previously aware of.
Be sure to read the historical note at the end of each book to better understand which part of the story is fiction and which is fact. SOO COOL!!
And of course, the fictional characters, the romance, and the adventure add to these books to create a heartwarming tale. Loving this series 🫶🏼
I’m hooked and can’t wait to read the third!

[Anne Wise Pastore]

Strong characters reveal history as it might have been

This author does a fantastic job of weaving fictional characters among the events and people of history. And that is the best recommendation a reader can give for a work of historical fiction. So I’ll leave it at that. Except just let me say that certain historical events make your eyes water and your throat catch no matter how well you know the outcome.

[Cindy Paslawski]

You learn something every day and this whole series about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was full of historical details and puts the reader right there with all the fine details about the location and aftermath. It was excellent in describing the culture in the south and the way people reacted to the Civil War. It wasn't all bad guys and good guys, it was a blending of courage and belief, and opting to do the right thing.

[Susan Hylton]

It drew me in. I thought the first book in this series would be the usual light historical fiction romance. I was ready for an easy read. But it drew me in, this book, the second, absolutely had me hooked. The romance part perhaps is light, but the history, it is rich , well researched, and presented in an intriguing way. Well done , I am ready for book three !

[Carol L]

The second book in the series by Stephania H. McGee. It follows Annabelle and her compatriots through the end of the Civil War and the aftermath of the assassination of President Lincoln. Annabelle's grandmother is a woman to be reckoned with and a great addition to the story. Can't wait for the last book!!!

[Gayle]

Annabelle helps stop the abduction of President Lincoln. With her grandmother, they work to uncover the plan to assinate President Lincoln. Enjoyed the fict ional tale that revolves around actual accounts of the assination and the events surroundng the e.nd to the Cilval War

[rob]

Awesome

This was another good book that kept me on the edge of my seat with a thick plot of twists and turns.

[Valerie Yates]

I have never been into historical Christian fiction. But I will say this.....Stephania brings you in and makes you feel like you are a character in one of the books.

[Leigh Barnett]

LR

These were not my favorites as were the Ironwood Plantation books. However, I treasure the way you connect God and Christianity into your stories.

[D.K. Ricks]

Sad, but great love story!

Hatred is ugly. So many lives lost from Hatred and greed. Grandmother was a great inclusion to the story. True love wins

[Jayne]

Audiobook

[April Bryant]

Slightly better, character development, and the author added a few additional characters that were more interesting. The tension and plot were a little better than book one.

[Ida Hagen]

It's fun and easy to follow! Great blend between action packed Spy adventure and historical romance.

[Sylvia Rodriguez]

Another great story!

Loving this series & can’t wait to read more! I’m looking forward to more adventures with these characters but also will be sad when I get to the end.

[Sharon Wheeler]

Libby. 2nd book in series Killing of Abraham Lincoln.

[Sandy]

This is part of an awesome christian series. This series had me wanting more at the end. There is 3 books in the series and of course, this is the second book. I would recommend this to anyone that loves this time period. This series would definitely one for your wishlist.

Annabella and Peggy are such a great pairing. Then comes along Matthew and he adds to the mix. I don't give away spoilers. But this Civil War story is thrilling. A little redunit in some places, but with the story it doesn't affect it in any way. I really learned more about President Lincoln that I previously knew. Thank you Ms. McGee for penning such a wonderful series.

[Amber]

Great book. I’d have to say I’m very glad I happened upon this author. I enjoy the chacters. I think it would be interesting to hear it read. I have enjoyed reading this series. I started the last book tonight. I will be reading more of her books.

[Dot Ainsworth]

Saving Lincoln

Ms. McAfee entertains us, keeps at the edge of our seats, and teaches us history as she writes this series of Annabelle, a Southern young lady of courage and hope. The Accidental Spy series is engr.

[Crystal Caudill]

Be forewarned, this is not a stand-alone book. It is necessary to read the first one, Leveraging Lincoln, before reading this one.

In this second installment in the conspiracy to capture Lincoln, several new loveable characters are added and the focus on a love story is more prominent, especially in the first half of the book. However, do not fear, the conspirators against Lincoln raise their ugly heads again and Matthew, as well as Annabelle and the new extended cast, must race to save Lincoln.

The first half of this novel is slower paced than the first book, but it is comfortable and an enjoyable walk through the nuances of unadmitted and self-sacrificial love. Matthew and Anabelle go back and forth between working together and obstinately working alone. As the self-awareness of feelings grows, you long to see the two stubborn characters come together.

Right about the mid-point of the book, the schemes of those seeking to capture Lincoln resurface and morph into plans for assassination. It is once again up to Matthew and Annabelle to risk everything to save the man who was once considered their enemy. The pace picks up and the plot continues all the way to its inevitable end.

Without giving too much away, Mrs. McGee does a very good job of bringing all the details of the conspiracy plot together. I must admit, my history knowledge was not as strong as I thought and I learned quite a bit. It was definitely an ending which had me looking into the history books on my shelves to confirm all the details I hadn’t realized existed.

At the end of the book, you have a sense of closure with still plenty of loose ends to be tied up in the third book. I highly recommend this series. The second book did not disappoint and I am eagerly awaiting the third book.

*I received a free copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest opinion, which you have read above.*

[Bhriv]

Losing Lincoln, written by Stephenia H. McGee, is book #2 of the Liberator Series. This is the second book I've read by this author and I was thoroughly pleased with the way that McGee wrote this play off of the life of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and the surrounding fictional events (some non-fiction were actually added too) from that time.

We join this book at the time when Annabelle and Matthew are still looking for where George was imprisoned. I think McGee is great at describing the scenes as I truly could imagine what the prison was like for George--as terrible as it was! We also are introduced to a new character, Mrs. Smith, Annabella's maternal grandmother. We see how Annabella inherited her grandmother's independence and strength.
I look forward to reading the next book in this series to see where this author takes us in the lives of Annabella and Matthew and also other endearing characters that we've been introduced to along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the way that McGee was able to entwine the fiction and non-fiction elements of this time of our country and make it so intense at times. At the end of the book she also states the fiction/non-fiction areas that she used in order for the reader to differentiate as needed. If you are a history buff and like the addition of a touch of suspense and romance, you'll love this book!
I was gifted this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Debbie]

"Losing Lincoln" by Stephenia McGee is book 2 of (The Liberator Series) and just as exciting as the first book " Leveraging Lincoln" and the (Ironwood Plantation Series). I am anxiously waiting the next book in this series.

"Losing Lincoln" picks up where "Leveraging Lincoln" ends. I really recommend reading "Leveraging Lincoln" first to get the full impact of this series.

"Losing Lincoln" is based on history with a little fiction involved. The reader is reintroduced to old favorites from "Leveraging Lincoln" and introduced to new favorites.

Not only is a new plot planned to kidnap Lincoln but the plot involves others and not only is kidnapping in the works but something much more dangerous.

I really like the way Stephenia McGee tells the story of the Civil War and involves the romance between Matthew and Annabelle and in "Losing Lincoln" we are introduced to maybe a new romance, at least this reader hopes so, maybe in the next book it will be continued.

If you like Civil War stories and romances then you will like "The Liberator Series".

I am so glad that Stephenia McGee gave me an arc copy of "Losing Lincoln" for my honest review and these opinions are my own.

I am giving "Losing Lincoln" 5 stars.

[Winnie]

This book is a continuation of the story Leveraging Lincoln by the same author. If you haven't read that book, you will probably be quite lost, as it continues where that book leaves off. I really enjoyed Losing Lincoln and revisiting the characters from Leveraging Lincoln. The characters are well-developed and interesting, and the setting is so intriguing. The author obviously did a lot of research on the Civil War and what was going on in different areas of the country at that time. I would recommend this to those who enjoy historical fiction, but be aware that it is a 3-part series, and it's best to read the books in order or you will probably be a bit confused.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.