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A Disloyal Element
Richmond, Virginia - February 9, 1864
In a City Riddled with Whispers and Watchful Eyes, Innocence is a Liability.
Branded a traitor, Annie Campbell is determined to survive unnoticed. But when an escaped Union prisoner collapses at her door and men who knew her father begin to watch her, Annie is forced into a dangerous game of secrets, suspicion, and coerced allegiance, where loyalty may be the most perilous move of all.
Annie Campbell wants nothing to do with the war that has already destroyed her family. Branded a traitor, she has only three goals: stay alive, find her missing brother, and avoid the shadow world of intrigue tightening around Richmond. Then a letter arrives. Her estranged father has been executed as a Confederate spy in Washington, his secrets tied to lives lost and questions Annie cannot answer. Before she can grasp the truth, a half-dead prisoner escaped from Libby Prison collapses at her door, hunted and desperate. Saving his life draws Annie into Richmond’s hidden war, a war fought with coded messages, false loyalties, and quiet betrayals.
Hiding him marks Annie as something far more dangerous than a sympathizer. It makes her complicit.
Forced into a web of deception she never chose, Annie becomes privy to plans whispered in back rooms and guarded by men who will kill to keep them secret, including a plot that reaches beyond Richmond, beyond the war itself, and toward the fate of President Abraham Lincoln. As suspicion closes in and a dangerous conspiracy unfolds, one that could alter the course of the war, Annie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice everything.
Trust is lethal. Love is forbidden. And every choice Annie makes draws her deeper into a game where innocence offers no protection.
A Disloyal Element is a historical romantic suspense novel of espionage, divided loyalties, and a woman caught between conscience and survival at the heart of the Civil War.
In a City Riddled with Whispers and Watchful Eyes, Innocence is a Liability.
Branded a traitor, Annie Campbell is determined to survive unnoticed. But when an escaped Union prisoner collapses at her door and men who knew her father begin to watch her, Annie is forced into a dangerous game of secrets, suspicion, and coerced allegiance, where loyalty may be the most perilous move of all.
Annie Campbell wants nothing to do with the war that has already destroyed her family. Branded a traitor, she has only three goals: stay alive, find her missing brother, and avoid the shadow world of intrigue tightening around Richmond. Then a letter arrives. Her estranged father has been executed as a Confederate spy in Washington, his secrets tied to lives lost and questions Annie cannot answer. Before she can grasp the truth, a half-dead prisoner escaped from Libby Prison collapses at her door, hunted and desperate. Saving his life draws Annie into Richmond’s hidden war, a war fought with coded messages, false loyalties, and quiet betrayals.
Hiding him marks Annie as something far more dangerous than a sympathizer. It makes her complicit.
Forced into a web of deception she never chose, Annie becomes privy to plans whispered in back rooms and guarded by men who will kill to keep them secret, including a plot that reaches beyond Richmond, beyond the war itself, and toward the fate of President Abraham Lincoln. As suspicion closes in and a dangerous conspiracy unfolds, one that could alter the course of the war, Annie must decide if she is willing to sacrifice everything.
Trust is lethal. Love is forbidden. And every choice Annie makes draws her deeper into a game where innocence offers no protection.
A Disloyal Element is a historical romantic suspense novel of espionage, divided loyalties, and a woman caught between conscience and survival at the heart of the Civil War.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2021
49 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Martinez
1 book12 followersBarbara Martinez, author of A Disloyal Element, is a first-time novelist who turned her interest in American history, and the Civil War in particular, to that time period for her first historical fiction novel. Several years spent volunteering at the local museum and living in a 100-year-old house made her pause to think of those people from another time and put herself "literarily" in their shoes. The interest must run in the family. Her husband publishes a local historical magazine. So far, their four cats aren't impressed.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 21, 2022
War Turmoil
Very well written story about the war between the North and South. Romance was woven into the story very cleverly.
Very well written story about the war between the North and South. Romance was woven into the story very cleverly.
August 30, 2023
huge editing error
What a tragedy. This is a great story, but whoever did the editing committed a terrible miss justice to this book, and in many ways, I blame the author. There are parts of this book that have been highlighted in blue. it is almost impossible to read, and therefore their gaping holes in the story. The characters were great the storyline, unusual theory believable, but whoever did the final proofing of this book made a huge mistake. I would’ve given it five stars I love the story, but I couldn’t read parts of it. Shame on you Barbara Martines for not looking at the final copy.
What a tragedy. This is a great story, but whoever did the editing committed a terrible miss justice to this book, and in many ways, I blame the author. There are parts of this book that have been highlighted in blue. it is almost impossible to read, and therefore their gaping holes in the story. The characters were great the storyline, unusual theory believable, but whoever did the final proofing of this book made a huge mistake. I would’ve given it five stars I love the story, but I couldn’t read parts of it. Shame on you Barbara Martines for not looking at the final copy.
January 15, 2025
Richmond, Virginia
When Union soldier Matthew Cooper, near death, escapes from Libby Prison he collapses near Annie Campbell’s barn. After secretly hiding him in her house and nursing him back to health, they fall in love. But then Annie finds something among Matthew’s belonging that breaks her heart and she marries another man for reasons of her own.
When Union soldier Matthew Cooper, near death, escapes from Libby Prison he collapses near Annie Campbell’s barn. After secretly hiding him in her house and nursing him back to health, they fall in love. But then Annie finds something among Matthew’s belonging that breaks her heart and she marries another man for reasons of her own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2023
Well written! I shy away from anything resembling a "romance novel," but this romance was cleverly woven into the plot, and it offers so much more!
April 1, 2022
A complex story so much more than a Romance, a mystery, historical, thriller and son. A fantastic read. Even after finishing it the characters, the horror of war, and the innocents damaged and yet stand will follow you. I'm so taken with the surprising heroes and loyalty. I look forward to everything Barbara Martinez may write. I wish I had more stars to offer.
August 17, 2023
Good Book
Good story about what happened to some people during the Civil War. Very realistic picture. This is about a young woman who helps an escapee from Libby prison and their relationship. She becomes a spy for the Union. Very good.
Good story about what happened to some people during the Civil War. Very realistic picture. This is about a young woman who helps an escapee from Libby prison and their relationship. She becomes a spy for the Union. Very good.
July 1, 2023
A Disloyal Element: A Civil War Historical Romance
I have read many books, and it was one of the best I’ve read! The characters were true to life with a great story attached. Reach out and read this piece of literature, and I think you will agree it is worth your reading.
I have read many books, and it was one of the best I’ve read! The characters were true to life with a great story attached. Reach out and read this piece of literature, and I think you will agree it is worth your reading.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews