What do you think?
Rate this book
Ursula's Inheritance
In 1864 New York, plantation heiress Ursula Buckley’s inheritance yields secrets of her past, some unknown, even to her. Will her young marriage survive both the civil strife and the anguish embedded in her own heart? ***On the American Civil WarBrides series by Eileen “I learned new things about the Civil War, and the best the author never seemed to be teaching. Instead, the events carried the history lessons seamlessly.“ — David Fitz-Gerald, author of Wanders Far“Through tales of love, comradeship and struggle, these stories illuminate women's hidden role in history by a master at bringing the past to life.” –Joanne Pence, USA Today bestselling author“This intriguing story captures the Civil War era. Spies, secret agents, and intrigue then ensues in a fast moving tale that concludes in a surprising ending.“— Bill Lockwood, author of Gare de LyonIn the tradition of Willa Cather…women carry with them a dignity of purpose as inevitable as the story of civil war enmity and love that flows through their lives.” -- Robert Crooke, author of The Chastened Heart At 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
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2021
2 people want to read
About the author
Eileen Charbonneau
33 books57 followersEileen 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 31, 2022
Great story set during a fascinating time period. Highly recommend.
November 10, 2021
Its intricate engaging plot delivers many surprises
Ursula’s Inheritance is oh, so good. Congratulations to the author on another great installment in the American Civil War Brides series. I enjoyed it so much and heartily recommend both the series and this third book. This carefully crafted story is enthralling.
It took me a little effort to figure out what was happening at the beginning, and then this book swept me away, about 10% into it. In addition to being a romance, this book is also a bit of a mystery, and a story about a troubled country at war with itself. Its intricate, engaging plot delivers many surprises.
Ursula, the widow of Gramercy Park is the star of the book. In fact, she is told, “You are made of stars.” She is also an unexpected heiress as a result of a stipulation in her father’s will that required she marry before she turned thirty. Otherwise, her family fortune would be forfeit. So, she hastily married, and circumstances require that she pretend her husband has died. What will happen when the “bad guys” find out that she’s not the widow that she appears to be? The answer will keep you flipping pages to reach.
As it says in the book, “Ursula’s inheritance has granted her independence, and duties.” I think what makes this book so special is Ursula’s unique character. She uses her ill-gotten fortune to benefit the needy, especially the former slaves that her family owned when she was growing up. She hides in plain sight, behind a paper fan, or within a snood, making shrewd investments and providing charity for the benefit of friends in need. I thought that Ursula’s character arc was impressive in Mercies of the Fallen (book two in the series), and her progression in this book continues. She is a generous champion of people who others don’t accept, a woman ahead of her times, and an example that would be hard to follow in any century.
The cast of Ursula’s Inheritance includes many memorable characters. Captain Rowan Buckley is a one-eyed Irishman who was raised by three French-Canadian nuns. He’s a soldier, a spy, and is known for his “Irish craftiness.” I particularly enjoyed when Ursula challenges him: “Do not you try that Irish trick of answering with questions.” Is their marriage meant to last, or is it merely a marriage of convenience? “It was his overindulgence with a peach flavored intoxicant that had gotten them started...” Will Rowan and Ursula stay together or follow different paths at the end of the war that brought them together?
Meet Penina, a young woman of fourteen, so small for her age that she looks like a child. I didn’t know what to make of her at first. She has an appreciation for herb gardens, paper fans, and ladies’ hats. Other characters in the book refer to her as an urchin and a snippet, but there always seems to be something about Penina, just beyond the readers’ reach. Her fascination with matchmaking brings the fans forward in the story, and the symbolism of the fans works wonderfully too.
Ursula’s brother, Sergeant Jonathan Kingsley, is a devoted brother, friend, and healer. When Ursula learns that her brother is “a uncle man,” it seems like his character will be more important in the story than he ends up being.
And what of the Booth brothers? “Actors are notoriously thin skinned and sensitive.” These actor brothers also don’t share the same opinion about the war. Their appearance in this book is unexpected. It was also surprising to learn about New York City during the Civil War. It is hard to imagine New York City as a “free port” city-state.
This book is full of surprises. I’m glad I had time to finish it quickly because it is hard to set down.
Ursula’s Inheritance is oh, so good. Congratulations to the author on another great installment in the American Civil War Brides series. I enjoyed it so much and heartily recommend both the series and this third book. This carefully crafted story is enthralling.
It took me a little effort to figure out what was happening at the beginning, and then this book swept me away, about 10% into it. In addition to being a romance, this book is also a bit of a mystery, and a story about a troubled country at war with itself. Its intricate, engaging plot delivers many surprises.
Ursula, the widow of Gramercy Park is the star of the book. In fact, she is told, “You are made of stars.” She is also an unexpected heiress as a result of a stipulation in her father’s will that required she marry before she turned thirty. Otherwise, her family fortune would be forfeit. So, she hastily married, and circumstances require that she pretend her husband has died. What will happen when the “bad guys” find out that she’s not the widow that she appears to be? The answer will keep you flipping pages to reach.
As it says in the book, “Ursula’s inheritance has granted her independence, and duties.” I think what makes this book so special is Ursula’s unique character. She uses her ill-gotten fortune to benefit the needy, especially the former slaves that her family owned when she was growing up. She hides in plain sight, behind a paper fan, or within a snood, making shrewd investments and providing charity for the benefit of friends in need. I thought that Ursula’s character arc was impressive in Mercies of the Fallen (book two in the series), and her progression in this book continues. She is a generous champion of people who others don’t accept, a woman ahead of her times, and an example that would be hard to follow in any century.
The cast of Ursula’s Inheritance includes many memorable characters. Captain Rowan Buckley is a one-eyed Irishman who was raised by three French-Canadian nuns. He’s a soldier, a spy, and is known for his “Irish craftiness.” I particularly enjoyed when Ursula challenges him: “Do not you try that Irish trick of answering with questions.” Is their marriage meant to last, or is it merely a marriage of convenience? “It was his overindulgence with a peach flavored intoxicant that had gotten them started...” Will Rowan and Ursula stay together or follow different paths at the end of the war that brought them together?
Meet Penina, a young woman of fourteen, so small for her age that she looks like a child. I didn’t know what to make of her at first. She has an appreciation for herb gardens, paper fans, and ladies’ hats. Other characters in the book refer to her as an urchin and a snippet, but there always seems to be something about Penina, just beyond the readers’ reach. Her fascination with matchmaking brings the fans forward in the story, and the symbolism of the fans works wonderfully too.
Ursula’s brother, Sergeant Jonathan Kingsley, is a devoted brother, friend, and healer. When Ursula learns that her brother is “a uncle man,” it seems like his character will be more important in the story than he ends up being.
And what of the Booth brothers? “Actors are notoriously thin skinned and sensitive.” These actor brothers also don’t share the same opinion about the war. Their appearance in this book is unexpected. It was also surprising to learn about New York City during the Civil War. It is hard to imagine New York City as a “free port” city-state.
This book is full of surprises. I’m glad I had time to finish it quickly because it is hard to set down.
December 8, 2021
I was very excited to read this book, the third in Eileen Charbonneau's American Civil War Brides series and the sequel to Mercies of the Fallen. It is a wonderful tale of love, intrigue, and family ties. Many who read Mercies of the Fallen, myself included, wanted to know what happened to Ursula which led Charbonneau to write the sequel. In this delightful story, we get our answer which comes with quite a surprise. We also get a new character, Penina Selby, a spunky young woman whose story I hope is continued in the next book in this series each of which just get better and better.
April 20, 2022
In 1864, Ursula Buckley, a union sympathiser, flees from her plantation in the South to New York. This is an intriguing novel about danger, false identities, race prejudice, romance, secret marriage, and the heroine’s concealed fear and torment.
The major and minor characters and the historical details are interesting.
In Ursula’s Inheritance Ms Eileen Charbonneau introduced me to aspects of the American Civil war I was unfamiliar with.
I recommend the novel to historical fiction fans.
Rosemary Morris Historical novelist.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews