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Keeping Secrets
What would you do if, after finally finding the woman of your dreams, she suddenly leaves to fight in the Civil War?
It’s 1863, and Elizabeth Hepscott has resigned herself to a life of monotonous boredom far from the battlefields as the wife of a Missouri rancher. Her fate changes when she travels with her brother to Kentucky to help him join the Union Army. On a whim, she poses as his little brother and is bullied into enlisting, as well. Reluctantly pulled into a new destiny, a lark decision quickly cascades into mortal danger.
While Elizabeth’s life has made a drastic U-turn, Charlie Schweicher, heiress to a glass-making fortune, is still searching for the only thing money can’t buy.
A chance encounter drastically changes everything for both of them.
Will Charlie find the love she’s longed for, or will the war take it all away?
It’s 1863, and Elizabeth Hepscott has resigned herself to a life of monotonous boredom far from the battlefields as the wife of a Missouri rancher. Her fate changes when she travels with her brother to Kentucky to help him join the Union Army. On a whim, she poses as his little brother and is bullied into enlisting, as well. Reluctantly pulled into a new destiny, a lark decision quickly cascades into mortal danger.
While Elizabeth’s life has made a drastic U-turn, Charlie Schweicher, heiress to a glass-making fortune, is still searching for the only thing money can’t buy.
A chance encounter drastically changes everything for both of them.
Will Charlie find the love she’s longed for, or will the war take it all away?
- GenresLesbian
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2020
19 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
McGee Mathews
11 books20 followersOriginally from Michigan, McGee Mathews uses her obsession with genealogy to create memorable romance characters.
Her latest novel, You Can't Outrun Your Roots, is a second chance romance with older women set in SC,
The historical novel Keeping Secrets set during the American civil war is available through Sapphire Publishing.
Still a fan of the eighties, she loves the character Robbie in her indie Ladies of Diamond Lake series. Featuring minor characters from these stories, the book Slaying Dragons is a dramatic look into mental illness and how it affects those around them.
McGee and her wife of 29 years raised three children on a farm in South Carolina. Her wife is retired and they are officially RV nomads.
Her latest novel, You Can't Outrun Your Roots, is a second chance romance with older women set in SC,
The historical novel Keeping Secrets set during the American civil war is available through Sapphire Publishing.
Still a fan of the eighties, she loves the character Robbie in her indie Ladies of Diamond Lake series. Featuring minor characters from these stories, the book Slaying Dragons is a dramatic look into mental illness and how it affects those around them.
McGee and her wife of 29 years raised three children on a farm in South Carolina. Her wife is retired and they are officially RV nomads.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 29, 2020
With many men (over 3.000.000) going to fight for the Union or the Confederates, lots of thing became a women’s job and newly defined the dynamics between men and women. Also, women wanted to fight for their cause. Over 400 women (both sides) fought in this civil war, disguised as men. Imagine looking over the shoulder of a woman fighting in this war: meet Elizabeth (EJ)!
EJ goes to the war in a surprising way, also for herself. When it happened I was constantly saying: don’t do it, don’t, don’t… But she did… I must confess that I didn’t like the war parts in this book. That is not the authors fault, this part was well described and not too graphic, so no worries there. Real war just seems to get to me, apparently also when it’s been a long time ago.
“Luckily” EJ gets to go home, read the book to know why I put the “” there ;). She struggles with her sexual orientation, her father, aunt and herself in many ways. Naive as she is her train of thought sometimes is very funny too. The love blossoming between Charlie and EJ is very sweetly described. There are love scenes in this book, but they are not graphic or make you feel like you can’t read them in public. So go ahead and take this book with you on your commute or read while on a lunch break.
Both MC’s are likable and also the secondary are mostly likable. A lot is happening in this book, though the pace doesn’t seem rushed. You’ll get to read from the point of view both Charlie and EJ. I would have appreciated a more in-dept experience in the feelings of both MC’s, but did have a nice time with this book. This book has indirectly thought me about the civil war and this era in American history, I can always appreciate that.
Overall good feelings linger after reading and at the end I felt that Mathews created a possibility for a second book while closing this story in a happy way. If it happens, I would want to read it.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
EJ goes to the war in a surprising way, also for herself. When it happened I was constantly saying: don’t do it, don’t, don’t… But she did… I must confess that I didn’t like the war parts in this book. That is not the authors fault, this part was well described and not too graphic, so no worries there. Real war just seems to get to me, apparently also when it’s been a long time ago.
“Luckily” EJ gets to go home, read the book to know why I put the “” there ;). She struggles with her sexual orientation, her father, aunt and herself in many ways. Naive as she is her train of thought sometimes is very funny too. The love blossoming between Charlie and EJ is very sweetly described. There are love scenes in this book, but they are not graphic or make you feel like you can’t read them in public. So go ahead and take this book with you on your commute or read while on a lunch break.
Both MC’s are likable and also the secondary are mostly likable. A lot is happening in this book, though the pace doesn’t seem rushed. You’ll get to read from the point of view both Charlie and EJ. I would have appreciated a more in-dept experience in the feelings of both MC’s, but did have a nice time with this book. This book has indirectly thought me about the civil war and this era in American history, I can always appreciate that.
Overall good feelings linger after reading and at the end I felt that Mathews created a possibility for a second book while closing this story in a happy way. If it happens, I would want to read it.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2020
I didn't love this, but didn't hate it either. 2.5?
Unfortunately I felt like the plot was just meandering along, and continued on for far too long past when the synopsis of the story was completed.
I do appreciate spending time with characters, but not when not much of anything is happening - and our MC Elizabeth/EJ didn't seem to grow or do anything much in the aftermath. She never did seem to come into her own, or figure out what she wanted to do, or really step up in any meaningful way. Charlie ends up being too perfect, and money is just easily used to make things happen, to get their way.
Everyone in town was entirely too forgiving and open minded for the time period, and various situations bled into unbelievability.
I found myself not really caring as much for the main characters and love interests, because there was a disjointed disconnect from them, and like they never really had to fight for anything.
It all just fell flat to me, and I was kinda longing for it to be over for a good hour before it ended. Which is never a good sign.
Unfortunately I felt like the plot was just meandering along, and continued on for far too long past when the synopsis of the story was completed.
I do appreciate spending time with characters, but not when not much of anything is happening - and our MC Elizabeth/EJ didn't seem to grow or do anything much in the aftermath. She never did seem to come into her own, or figure out what she wanted to do, or really step up in any meaningful way. Charlie ends up being too perfect, and money is just easily used to make things happen, to get their way.
Everyone in town was entirely too forgiving and open minded for the time period, and various situations bled into unbelievability.
I found myself not really caring as much for the main characters and love interests, because there was a disjointed disconnect from them, and like they never really had to fight for anything.
It all just fell flat to me, and I was kinda longing for it to be over for a good hour before it ended. Which is never a good sign.
August 17, 2020
EJ (Elizabeth Jane) finds herself in a sticky situation when she accompanies her brother to the recruiting station. She didn’t plan on being called into service herself, but the story behind her enlistment is what you have to read. She meets Charlene (Charlie) at her aunt’s business and the two of them hit it off right away. Charlie has a secret and has to decide if she wants to tell EJ or wait to see if her interest is in her heart or her money.
EJ’s journey into war ends abruptly at a battlefield and she is sent home. Her secret is disclosed and now as she returns from war, she hopes Charlie will still accept her as she is and see where love might take them.
McGee has done an outstanding job writing this historical romance. The characters are easy to fall for and her storytelling is on point. If you’re interested in history and curious about women’s roles during the civil war, this will be a good read for you. Take an afternoon and visit Fitchburg Kentucky. I know the characters will welcome you with open arms!
EJ’s journey into war ends abruptly at a battlefield and she is sent home. Her secret is disclosed and now as she returns from war, she hopes Charlie will still accept her as she is and see where love might take them.
McGee has done an outstanding job writing this historical romance. The characters are easy to fall for and her storytelling is on point. If you’re interested in history and curious about women’s roles during the civil war, this will be a good read for you. Take an afternoon and visit Fitchburg Kentucky. I know the characters will welcome you with open arms!
March 27, 2023
3 stars
Decent historical romance. Sometimes I felt like the story was going in circles, but it was well written and the MCs were nice, if a bit unrelatable to me.
Decent historical romance. Sometimes I felt like the story was going in circles, but it was well written and the MCs were nice, if a bit unrelatable to me.
August 15, 2020
I was unsure if I’d like this as it’s a historical romance novel, but Elizabeth, also known as EJ, captivates you. We see her as this unsure of herself girl to being this confident person known as EJ who falls in love with Charlene also known as Charlie. It’s such a great read and written very well. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
April 5, 2021
For a historical fiction book I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. At some points it felt like an emotional rollercoaster and sensitive parts were dealt with quite well. I enjoyed getting to know the MCs (Charlie and Elizabeth) and the secondary characters really added positivity to the story.
However, I somehow felt like the couple didn't really have proper hurdles together and the things they dealt with separately also didn't amount to much personal and relationship growth. Everything seemed to get resolved far too quickly and easily. But it was still an interesting read and I didn't mind reading until the end
However, I somehow felt like the couple didn't really have proper hurdles together and the things they dealt with separately also didn't amount to much personal and relationship growth. Everything seemed to get resolved far too quickly and easily. But it was still an interesting read and I didn't mind reading until the end
September 20, 2023
Delightful telling of a young daughter!
The author has created a story that covers multiple characters. A brother and his sister joining the Union Army. The brother taught to use a cannon and his sister taught to drum to lead them into battle. The horrors and the aftermath, the field Hospital with no antiseptic. Being sent back to her aunt who runs a bordello and learns what means behind the facade. Enjoyable reading. Enjoy!
The author has created a story that covers multiple characters. A brother and his sister joining the Union Army. The brother taught to use a cannon and his sister taught to drum to lead them into battle. The horrors and the aftermath, the field Hospital with no antiseptic. Being sent back to her aunt who runs a bordello and learns what means behind the facade. Enjoyable reading. Enjoy!
January 18, 2024
Good Historical Read
I found this to be a good historical read. I did think it got a little long winded toward the end, but overall it was pretty well written. EJ goes to war with her brother then comes back to her Aunt Bell's in Kentucky. Read to get the full story.
I found this to be a good historical read. I did think it got a little long winded toward the end, but overall it was pretty well written. EJ goes to war with her brother then comes back to her Aunt Bell's in Kentucky. Read to get the full story.
August 20, 2020
I recommend this book
This book is very good. The characters are very likable and well developed. The story is very well and very good read. Thanks for a very good read.
This book is very good. The characters are very likable and well developed. The story is very well and very good read. Thanks for a very good read.
November 3, 2020
Loved it!
I love historical fiction and this book hits all the bases! EJ and Charlie love each other and war can't stop it.
I love historical fiction and this book hits all the bases! EJ and Charlie love each other and war can't stop it.
January 2, 2023
A good historical read
Well written, interesting historical background during the Civil War. Good development of each character. Sweet love story with some heat.
Well written, interesting historical background during the Civil War. Good development of each character. Sweet love story with some heat.
January 9, 2024
Great Read
Absolutely loved this book great love story set during the American Civil War, fabulous romantic story great cast of characters well worth a read
Absolutely loved this book great love story set during the American Civil War, fabulous romantic story great cast of characters well worth a read
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews