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The Livingston Legacy #4
For Home and Country
The Civil War leaves Willow Armstrong and women across the nation to manage the home fronts in their menfolk’s absence. With courage and spirit, these heroines go to extraordinary lengths to defend what they believe in. Some work to preserve slavery while others seek the end of a flawed system to create a new America.
Finley returns with an action-packed, heart-wrenching story in The Livingston Legacy series. For Home and Country is a tale of hardship and sufferance in a time when some sought change and others clutched at old beliefs.
Finley returns with an action-packed, heart-wrenching story in The Livingston Legacy series. For Home and Country is a tale of hardship and sufferance in a time when some sought change and others clutched at old beliefs.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2021
168 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Finley
14 books155 followersNaomi is an award-winning author living in Northern Alberta. She loves to travel and her suitcase is always on standby awaiting her next adventure. Naomi's affinity for the Deep South and its history was cultivated during her childhood living in a Tennessee plantation house with six sisters. Her fascination with history and the resiliency of the human spirit to overcome obstacles are major inspirations for her writing and she is passionately devoted to creativity. In addition to writing fiction, her interests include interior design, cooking new recipes, and hosting dinner parties. Naomi is married to her high school sweetheart and she has two teenage children and two dogs named Egypt and Persia.
From The Author:
When I decided to write my series A Slave of the Shadows, it started from my interest in the antebellum era because many aspects of it were reflected in my childhood.
Though I've studied the antebellum era of US history thoroughly, I certainly don't claim to know every detail and I strive to learn more each day. Over the years, I've visited many plantations and museums across America. I’ve found my visits to be informative and inspirational, but I derive most of the information for my stories from historical books, documents, and maps. Educating yourself by wading through a mass of records can be daunting, especially with so many gray areas and years where documents seem to contradict one another.
Before I started developing characters and plotting A Slave of the Shadows, I visited Charleston, South Carolina. It was at this point I began contemplating if my protagonist Willow would be a plausible main character against a background where the barbaric slave trade was a thriving business in the South. However, it was during this trip I learned of the valiant Grimké Sisters. These two white women were raised in Charleston during the height of the slave trade, and they openly protested cruelties they witnessed against blacks. As a result, they became advocates for abolition and women’s rights. Their bravery in taking a stand against injustice when females didn't have a voice or position of power, ultimately inspired me to pursue my character development of Willow. This courageous account of the Grimké sisters affirmed my dream of painting Willow as I first envisioned her.
My goal in writing this series was to shine a unique light on a period of history where Southerners are generally perceived as abusive slave owners. This simply wasn’t the case because plenty of Southerners were poor, illiterate, and couldn’t even afford slaves. In truth, some owners unleashed unthinkable cruelties, but others worked to keep their slaves content, feeling a better profit would result. In the minority were the Grimke sisters and my own character Willow, disagreeing with the system altogether, despite being raised in a climate supporting its values.
From our vantage point, there is a danger in looking at the negative exploits of the past and generalizing the actions of its participants. It is essential when painting the portrait of an era to shed truth on the dynamic nature of all people involved. My job as a historical fiction writer is to depict a time period with unbiased accuracy and authenticity as much as possible based on documents and records. So, I must find a balance in weaving historical data into a tale while still intriguing and connecting with my readers. I love history, but I don’t want my audience to feel like they're in a history class when they read one of my books or novellas. The beauty of being an author is the freedom to craft stories within a historical context that keeps people turning the pages. These are the stories I gravitate to myself, and I want to share the same experience with my audience.
I also feel it is my duty as a writer to honor and protect the truth of atrocities inflicted on enslaved people during the antebellum era. Many were stripped of their power in dehumanizing way
From The Author:
When I decided to write my series A Slave of the Shadows, it started from my interest in the antebellum era because many aspects of it were reflected in my childhood.
Though I've studied the antebellum era of US history thoroughly, I certainly don't claim to know every detail and I strive to learn more each day. Over the years, I've visited many plantations and museums across America. I’ve found my visits to be informative and inspirational, but I derive most of the information for my stories from historical books, documents, and maps. Educating yourself by wading through a mass of records can be daunting, especially with so many gray areas and years where documents seem to contradict one another.
Before I started developing characters and plotting A Slave of the Shadows, I visited Charleston, South Carolina. It was at this point I began contemplating if my protagonist Willow would be a plausible main character against a background where the barbaric slave trade was a thriving business in the South. However, it was during this trip I learned of the valiant Grimké Sisters. These two white women were raised in Charleston during the height of the slave trade, and they openly protested cruelties they witnessed against blacks. As a result, they became advocates for abolition and women’s rights. Their bravery in taking a stand against injustice when females didn't have a voice or position of power, ultimately inspired me to pursue my character development of Willow. This courageous account of the Grimké sisters affirmed my dream of painting Willow as I first envisioned her.
My goal in writing this series was to shine a unique light on a period of history where Southerners are generally perceived as abusive slave owners. This simply wasn’t the case because plenty of Southerners were poor, illiterate, and couldn’t even afford slaves. In truth, some owners unleashed unthinkable cruelties, but others worked to keep their slaves content, feeling a better profit would result. In the minority were the Grimke sisters and my own character Willow, disagreeing with the system altogether, despite being raised in a climate supporting its values.
From our vantage point, there is a danger in looking at the negative exploits of the past and generalizing the actions of its participants. It is essential when painting the portrait of an era to shed truth on the dynamic nature of all people involved. My job as a historical fiction writer is to depict a time period with unbiased accuracy and authenticity as much as possible based on documents and records. So, I must find a balance in weaving historical data into a tale while still intriguing and connecting with my readers. I love history, but I don’t want my audience to feel like they're in a history class when they read one of my books or novellas. The beauty of being an author is the freedom to craft stories within a historical context that keeps people turning the pages. These are the stories I gravitate to myself, and I want to share the same experience with my audience.
I also feel it is my duty as a writer to honor and protect the truth of atrocities inflicted on enslaved people during the antebellum era. Many were stripped of their power in dehumanizing way
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 25, 2021
Half way through and enjoying every page
August 22, 2022
The Livingston Legacy was wonderful. Sad that it is over. I kept reading till all four books were read. I miss the characters already. Impressed how the author would interweave characters in unexpected ways. I will continue to miss all my friends in this series.
I appreciate the “faith” that was shared by some of the characters. Very important to me.
Mrs Finley has a book about Charles I think I will start reading next.
You will not want to put a book down till you have finished the series!
I appreciate the “faith” that was shared by some of the characters. Very important to me.
Mrs Finley has a book about Charles I think I will start reading next.
You will not want to put a book down till you have finished the series!
September 1, 2021
A dark but enjoyable book.
Finley is a talented author . so, why 3 stars? Because they don't offer 3.5. I have read a lot of Civil War novels but found these (I've read all 4) to be on the dark side. I don't mean just the war parts. Every character seem to come from dark tragedy, including the main characters. You expect that from the slave characters but they all seemed to be haunted souls.
From the bullies to the downright sadistic.
Finley is a talented author . so, why 3 stars? Because they don't offer 3.5. I have read a lot of Civil War novels but found these (I've read all 4) to be on the dark side. I don't mean just the war parts. Every character seem to come from dark tragedy, including the main characters. You expect that from the slave characters but they all seemed to be haunted souls.
From the bullies to the downright sadistic.
August 8, 2021
Sad to see it end.....
I enjoyed reading all four books. I was disappointed that the author chose to cover the entire war with epilogue in one book. It just made it seem rushed to me. It was very well written. I think its just personal disappointment because I've come to love the characters. Even though it seems pretty well wrapped up, I'd love to read another one!
I enjoyed reading all four books. I was disappointed that the author chose to cover the entire war with epilogue in one book. It just made it seem rushed to me. It was very well written. I think its just personal disappointment because I've come to love the characters. Even though it seems pretty well wrapped up, I'd love to read another one!
October 20, 2023
this was a bit too predictable, with the war here, the men fighting and the plantation still surviving. With McCoy wandering around, even though he was shot in the head. Bowden and Knox severely injured but yet can make it home and survive and only losing an arm. BUT wait, Willow gets pregnant and has a beautiful baby and all make it home safley in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2024
The Livingston Legacy Review books 1-4
All the books were a great read and I highly recommend them. The author's ability to draw out each character was amazing. The only suggestion I have is that the author should always note her references at the end so readers can go back to them. Note would have given 5 stars but the lack of historical evidence precluded me from doing so.
All the books were a great read and I highly recommend them. The author's ability to draw out each character was amazing. The only suggestion I have is that the author should always note her references at the end so readers can go back to them. Note would have given 5 stars but the lack of historical evidence precluded me from doing so.
September 22, 2021
A must read series.
If you enjoy history this author brings the days of past history and the struggles that our ancestors endured and suffered for freedom and belief in love between friends & family no matter your skin color.
If you enjoy history this author brings the days of past history and the struggles that our ancestors endured and suffered for freedom and belief in love between friends & family no matter your skin color.
July 6, 2022
Exciting ending!
This series, Books 1-4, were very enjoyable and I think the 3rd one was probably my favorite. Book 4 brought closure to those who fought in the Civil War. I would have liked to have read about 1 year later and the Reconstruction process…
This series, Books 1-4, were very enjoyable and I think the 3rd one was probably my favorite. Book 4 brought closure to those who fought in the Civil War. I would have liked to have read about 1 year later and the Reconstruction process…
July 24, 2022
Great historical fiction!
Well at times my mind had a hard time keeping things straight! The outcome was in question!
Now I just like it.
Well at times my mind had a hard time keeping things straight! The outcome was in question!
Now I just like it.
October 27, 2024
Enjoyed This Book
What an interesting book! Full of humanity quirks and insanity during the Civil War. Mystery, love and life - you should read it
What an interesting book! Full of humanity quirks and insanity during the Civil War. Mystery, love and life - you should read it
March 23, 2025
A great book to end the 4 series!
April 17, 2025
For Home &Country
Great series r about slavery during the civil war. I love each of characters & their role in this book.
Great series r about slavery during the civil war. I love each of characters & their role in this book.
July 30, 2025
Livingston Legacy Books
I loved the series. I couldn't put it down. I would recommend this to everyone ! Really enjoyed the books.
I loved the series. I couldn't put it down. I would recommend this to everyone ! Really enjoyed the books.
April 10, 2025
4.5 out of 5 stars
For Home and Country by Naomi Finley is a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion (or near-conclusion) to a sweeping historical saga that has followed Willow Hendrick from the plantations of the antebellum South to the turbulent days of the Civil War. In this installment, Finley brings her characters—and readers—into the heart of the national conflict, where every choice carries weight, and every life is touched by sacrifice.
Willow continues to be a compelling heroine: deeply principled, morally driven, and braver than her time would have allowed most women to be. As the war escalates, she is forced to confront the consequences of her beliefs—not only to her family, but to the people she’s grown to love and protect. The strength she displays isn’t just in her actions, but in her resolve to stand firm in what she knows is right, even when the world around her is crumbling.
Finley’s writing shines here, particularly in how she captures the tension, grief, and resilience of life during wartime. The characters—especially the formerly enslaved individuals who continue to fight for their freedom and dignity—are written with depth and compassion. Their stories feel earned, never tokenized, and they are given the agency and emotional complexity they deserve.
The emotional beats are strong, the historical detail feels authentic, and the story continues to balance personal journeys with the broader, brutal realities of war. If there’s any critique, it’s that at times the pacing slows with some repetition in internal conflict—but it’s a minor flaw in an otherwise rich and moving narrative.
For Home and Country is a fitting continuation of a story rooted in courage, conscience, and the long, painful path to justice. It’s a story about what we fight for—and who we become in the process.
For Home and Country by Naomi Finley is a powerful and emotionally charged conclusion (or near-conclusion) to a sweeping historical saga that has followed Willow Hendrick from the plantations of the antebellum South to the turbulent days of the Civil War. In this installment, Finley brings her characters—and readers—into the heart of the national conflict, where every choice carries weight, and every life is touched by sacrifice.
Willow continues to be a compelling heroine: deeply principled, morally driven, and braver than her time would have allowed most women to be. As the war escalates, she is forced to confront the consequences of her beliefs—not only to her family, but to the people she’s grown to love and protect. The strength she displays isn’t just in her actions, but in her resolve to stand firm in what she knows is right, even when the world around her is crumbling.
Finley’s writing shines here, particularly in how she captures the tension, grief, and resilience of life during wartime. The characters—especially the formerly enslaved individuals who continue to fight for their freedom and dignity—are written with depth and compassion. Their stories feel earned, never tokenized, and they are given the agency and emotional complexity they deserve.
The emotional beats are strong, the historical detail feels authentic, and the story continues to balance personal journeys with the broader, brutal realities of war. If there’s any critique, it’s that at times the pacing slows with some repetition in internal conflict—but it’s a minor flaw in an otherwise rich and moving narrative.
For Home and Country is a fitting continuation of a story rooted in courage, conscience, and the long, painful path to justice. It’s a story about what we fight for—and who we become in the process.
May 7, 2022
Finley is one of my go-to authors; definitely a favorite. I loved this series so very much! Historical fiction par excellence. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews