Georgia, 1861. As the tides of war sweep south, Aidan MacAlister is drawn north like water up a reed by the inexorable pull to defend his land. After tragedy strikes at Gettysburg, Aidan spirals into unfamiliar, dark places of unbridled fury, earning him the nickname, the Fourth Horseman.
A hero to his fellow soldiers, Aidan’s self-loathing consumes him, and every lesson his family taught him crumbles to dust beneath its weight. Aidan returns to the farm to find it ravaged by Yankee patrols. War has taken all—perhaps even his soul. Aidan’s one chance at redemption sends him West to fight the Native people who, like him, are defending their land. His sympathies lie with the people. His lieutenant demands he kill them all. But Aidan’s encounter with the Lakota begins his transformational passage to a different life.
When love offers Aidan renewed hope, will his past thunder across the plains and steal everything from him again?
Dances with Wolves meets the story of Job in this gripping historical epic of tragedy, loss, and redemption.
Donna E. Lane is an award-winning, multi-genre author with a passion for exploring all aspects of the human experience. As a Christian counselor and spiritual director, Dr. Lane has dedicated herself to guiding individuals on their spiritual journeys, offering solace and wisdom through her integrated approach. Her 46 years of experience in this field have provided her with insights which she seamlessly weaves into her writing, delving into the complexities of relationships and the depths of the human heart.
With a boundless imagination, a fervent devotion to Jesus, a love for history, and a fascination with time, she crafts stories that resonate deeply with readers, offering the opportunity to embark on unforgettable journeys to other worlds, across time, and into space.
A devoted wife of 44 years and mother of three, she now cherishes her role as a grandmother and mom to her new puppy, a little white furball named Rosie Cotton.
This is an absolutely wonderful book! It's full of hope and inspiration and will stay in your mind long after you've turned the last page. It's full of emotions and you can feel every one of them. I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a review. all opinions expressed are my own.
Like ants followin' after a trail, we march out single file. That's it. I understand now. I'm nothing more than a worker ant. I have no individual value. I have no life beyond the brigade. I only have my task. I march without thought, one foot in front of the other in an endless drone of thuds, movin' through dense woods and across ridgelines.
As a reader and reviewer, I always highlight the most captivating and moving passages throughout a novel, and when the pages and pages of yellow glows in an endless stream, I know I've found something extraordinary. “This Hallowed Ground” is one of those remarkable and rare treasures you find in the mound of your to-read pile.
Mac's heartbreaking journey and his struggle to survive in the chaos of the American Civil War, leading to a very “Gone With the Wind” moment when he protects a true Southern Belle and her daughters as Richmond burns, onward to his capture by the Lakota Indian, where he becomes a member of the tribe... well, what can I say? This is a stunning and epic page-turner with all the elements of Outlander except for the time travel bit – you have an incredible story of love, grief, extreme trauma of seeing loved ones die, and soul-stirring redemption. If this book doesn't move you to tears, I'm not sure what will, for Ms Lane reached down into her soul and pulled out the words and feelings of a soldier on the battlefield, of the crushing agony of post-traumatic depression, plus the breathtaking details of not only the horrors of the battlefield but the unbelievable will that the human body has to keep living.
Mac vacillates between wanting to stop breathing and to fight on, and sometimes his rage becomes so powerful that it scares him... not to mention makes him question God and all the beliefs his mother instilled in him growing up. And this book delves deep into a person's inner spirituality, even with the native tribes and how their roots resonate in culture quite unlike the mainstream Christianity that Mac is raised on. In other words, every single page of this book will leave you enraptured with plenty of moments of pause to consider not only how Ms Lane wove such beautiful passages, but it also causes you to reflect on your own life. This is what great historical fiction with a clear literary halo does for the reader... and when that happens, a book stays with you for days, weeks, perhaps forever after.
All the elements of fine fiction is present, with incredibly fleshed out characters with their Southern drawls and Scottish brogues, wrapped in a compelling storyline. This book should be savored over a period of time. Don't rush through this book. Even though I read the book in one sitting, my sitting lasted a couple of days with me eating, sleeping, and well... doing very little else. Books like this one are a joy to read... but you must be prepared for tears. Plus, you will be simply astounded at the amount of research that Ms Lane put into the book, and I found myself shaking my head at moments and trying to figure out how in the world she described some of the scenes (especially the battle scenes) with such clarity. You feel as if you are sitting there in a rocking chair on the side lines watching every single bullet rip through the mounding and dying soldiers. I am reminded of one of my favorite novels - “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier – and Mac is another character that you follow through the story and pray that everything turns out all right for him. By the time you finish this novel, you know this character inside and out – and you love him for his honesty and insight about the world around him, and the confusion sometimes filling his gut.
At one point, the author refers to the biblical story of Job, and that is exactly what Ms Lane has done. She has taken the question of faith, of hope, of love, of despair, and fixed it firmly in the tumultuous savagery of the war between the States. And you start to understand why the book is titled “This Hallowed Ground” since Mac is fighting for his beloved land... and yet, the scripture of “Thou shalt not kill” makes him question everything. He has blood on his hands... how will God ever forgive him? When everything is ultimately taken from him, he has to make choices that he might have never made before the war. Step by step, he travels a lonely path, up and down, from hero to deserter to slave to warrior, all in an attempt to cling to the hallowed ground he loves.
There are so many passages that I would love to share, but I'm only going to share a couple since I highly recommend you read this book and let the words soak through to your bones. Here are a few of my favorites:
The cannons thunder until my ears bleed. Several men on horseback pound along the line of trees, wavin' swords and screamin' out, but I can't understand a word of it. It brings to my mind the Lord God's challenge to Job: “Hast thou an arm like God? Or canst thouh thunder with a voice like Him?” I guess we decided to try.
What I'm discovering is laughter is a very short step away from tears.
*****
“This Hallowed Ground” by Donna E. Lane receives five stars and the “Highly Recommended” award from The Historical Fiction Company
5 things from This Hallowed Ground By Donna E. Lane 1)Mac fights for causes he doesn't believe in for the South, the North and the Lakota 2)He is wounded and spends time in Richmond recuperating with Mary's family who adopt him as a brother. 3)After the war, Mac enlists for the North to earn back his family land where he is captured by the Lakota 4) Civil war, Richmond Fire, Western expansion, Native American territory 5) I bend my face to my knees and clutch handfuls of hair. “Please Dear Lord, spare me this torment! I don’t know what to do. Help me. Help me, please.” I realize I’m moanin’ aloud, so I wrap my arms over my head. I don’t wanna think about what others are thinkin’ of me. We have to sort this out, the two of us. I need answers. I’m Jacob, grapplin’ with God. I’m Job, demandin’ an explanation. I don’t want to need Him, but, Lord help me, I do.
Another fantastic book by Donna E Lane!! This book plunges you deep into grief and despair many times. And just as many times, drags you onto the shore of hope to let you to let you bask in the sun to heal. If you enjoyed the tv series, Doctor Quinn Medicine woman, you should read this! This story is real and raw. You will need tissues.
I received a copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my review. All opinions are my own.
I like a good historical western most of the time and I don't mind reading books by a Christian author but this was the most boring book I ever tried to read! I couldn't find a way to like or relate to the main character or any of the peripheral characters. The main character was just wishy-washy. I know how war can affect a soldier and this guy was torn between killing and not killing but his wishy washy attitude nearly got a couple of his fellow soldiers killed for no reason. I also got real tired of all the biblical quotes between the characters. I absolutely have no problem with characters who believe in God, or pray or throw in a verse from Scripture. But that is all the main character could do; quote the Bible! And the crybaby family he is sent to live with got on my nerves, but then those simpering Southern Belles always did. I tried to finish the book, I liked the historical nature of it but if I wanted to read Scripture, I'd pick up the Bible. Can there not be conversations between characters without every other sentence a biblical quote? I wish she could have just told the story instead of preaching throughout the book.
An absolutely unforgettable story of grit and determination in a war-torn land. This Hallowed Ground will take you on an epic journey reminiscent of Tolkein's tales with the vengeance and resolution of a story you won't be able to put down. Mac is a rare character who suffers through insurmountable odds time and again in search of the one place where he can be at peace. This take on Job's story will run you through the gamut of emotions all while cheering for Mac to keep pressing on. I don't often call a story gut-wrenching, but this one calls for it and it's in no way a bad thing. Donna Lane draws you into the time period with excellently crafted details and keeps you there. I received an ARC of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This wonderful historical novel effectively immerses the reader in the painful, complex world of the Civil War-era US and in the sometimes tortured thoughts of the main character Mac.
The secondary figures were also well-developed and interesting, including the Lakota characters. As a Native American, I’m often annoyed by stereotypical, insensitive portrayals of indigenous people on screen and in books, but I did not feel that way about this story. There was plenty of nuance, sympathy, and detail that gave a glimpse of both the beauty and hardship of the tribal experience during this time period.
I found Mac’s faith journey to be realistic and moving. It was easy to feel the things he was feeling as events happened to him. That also made the overall message of grace and hope all the more powerful.
Donna Lane has penned a story that will leave you thinking of and pondering on this story long after you have finished reading it. It is Mac's story and takes place during the period of and after the Civil War. It will remind you of Job from the Bible as Mac struggles with his many human emotions while trying to deal with his fears and hopelessness and regain his faith and find peace, grace and hope. The story also deals with some secondary characters and chronicles some of the struggles the Lakota tribe is endured during this time period. The historical facts the author has brought out are very interesting and compelling. I highly recommend this book. Grab some tissues, a comfy chair and get ready to keep turning the pages until finished. I know you will enjoy it as much as I did.
‘This Hallowed Ground’ is a remarkable story of love, grief, trauma, and redemption. The reader will be captivated by Mac’s journey from the Civil War to becoming a member of the Lakota tribe. The historical aspect was thoroughly researched and woven seamlessly into the storyline. It is a page turner that the reader will find hard to put down. Mac’s story stirred up my own grief making this one of only three books I’ve ever cried in. The author’s level of research and ability to captivate the reader makes ‘This Hallowed Ground’ a must read and a Ted Dekker, Angela Hunt caliber book. If your view of God is limited to the American Church then get prepared to be enlightened. God has revealed Himself to indigenous groups and cultures in ways that are specifically relevant to them even if it doesn’t ‘sit well’ with our theology.
I'll admit, when I first started reading I had trouble with the old English dialect it was written in and thought I was going to struggle through the whole book but to my surprise I was breezing right through it within a chapter. This book is so well written with vivid descriptions, lovable characters and a story that takes so many twists and turns you'll never be able to guess what happens next. I love the faith throughout the book and I especially appreciate the historically accurate information about the Native Americans and the horrible things that they endured so that we could have this country. It was eye opening because you really feel like they are family in this story. Just read it. You won't be able to put it down! I received an advanced copy from the author and this is my own opinion.
This is such an inspiring story! We follow Mac from his time in the Civil War, to his time in the West living with Native Americans, to his coming back home and finding a new life with a woman he loves. Through it all, we watch as he tries his best to be a man of God, as he reads the Bible on his own and tries to understand it and God's ways with no one to teach him. He then tries to share His love with others and reach others for God. We follow one man on a journey of forgiveness, learning, and love.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
Unforgettable! In this superbly written story, you'll be drawn in to deeply care for Mac to see him through to the end. So much tragedy, yet his faith pulls him through the darkest of times and spiritual torment. This is a perfect reflection of the story of Job. But be assured, there are many beautiful moments and it has a satisfying ending.
This is one of those stories that doesn't leave you and is thought provoking. Not only does it give you compassion for what happened to the natives in this time of history, but several principles can be applied to our lives today.
I received an advanced copy from the author and this is my own opinion.
A very readable & thoroughly enjoyable book. A conflict of religious beliefs but it's winding path throughout the book makes it obvious that irrespective of which path one takes or what your beliefs are it eventually achieves the very same goal of life's journey where good prevails but evil lurks not too far behind. Thank you Ms. Lane for a wonderfully gripping tale, one that twists & turns throughout its chapters of the unexpected, but believable story, thereby making it a book that could have possibly been a factual incident in the years & times gone by in the wild West. Captain Dady J. Mody
This is a religious book dealing with a young man losing his faith. The American Civil War was a horrible time in history for the soldier, both sides, and the civilians who they came in contact with. Our young man is encouraged to be a Reb along with his father. The horrors of war about destroy him. He runs into carpet bagers when he tries going back home. He allows himself to be put in Union army and being sent to Indian wars. Again the horrors involved with his time play havoc with his mind and his faith. A long but good read even if you don't agree with his religion.
I was transported and felt like I was there with Mac every step of his journey. I experienced his fear, anger, desolation, bravery, joy, loss, sadness, love, and Redemption.
His struggles with the darkness in him and his honor even when he felt unworthy. His relationship with God and how he overcame so much.
Thank you, this story increased my faith, and made me aware to listen for the Still soft Voice of Calm.
This author did a lot of research in history on the Civil War battles and the Lakota Sioux. It was amazing how much she knew about the Lakota language! I especially loved the spiritual lessons Mac learned through all his atrocities and losses, battles with good vs evil. It had a great ending. Very recommended reading and hope she writes more historical novels with Spiritual lessons.
I have found this book an amazing read. From cover to cover you feel like you're living this historical story almost as lively as being there or watching it happen live. The imagery is detailed and vivid, the characters really come to life. The life and tragedy that Aiden McAlister suffers pulls at our heartstrings. Aiden ultimately turns to his faith in his darkest moments. This is a read that has action, tragedy, romance, education and of course faith.
A true life cycle. As others have been in similar situations, it's easy to understand the trials and tribulations this man went through. Granted we are no longer at war for fertile lands but death and destruction is still with us. Also the friendships and loving relationships can also be understood in our own way. This is an amazing chronicle of one such person.
The heartbreaking - and heartwarming - story of Mac, a Confederate soldier who after the end of the Civil War tries to get back home to his family. What he finds on arrival sets him on a long-winded path, full of dangers, heartbreak, and love, and his way back to Faith. Although this book had me in tears regularly, especially in the second half, I found it difficult to put it aside. I need more from this author.
This inspiring story was Amazing and brought me on multiple unexpected emotional rollercoasters which included tears. This story is full of battles, worries, strength, and faith. This is not a book I would normally read but I was so glad I did. Took me on a realistic and moving journey that will stay with me always. I would highly recommend this book by the very talented author Donne E. Lane.
Great book. Shows how badly the white people treated the native Americans!
A wonderful story and well written. All white people should be ashamed of how their ancestors treated the native Americans. They were here first and the whites selfishly took their land, killed their families. All because they didn't worship the white mans God!
This is a wonderful story, so well written I must say instead, brilliantly shared. It deepened my relationship with Jesus like no other book I've read. I think it even healed places in my heart I hadn't even realized were there. Now, on to the second book! Beau Carson
This is an exceptionally well written story of love, loss, and pain with lots of action and suspense. This book will not leave you wanting. It is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! Will be looking for more from this author.
What a wonderful story with many different characters. Some you really enjoy and others you dislike. Mac was quite the main character and he definitely lived through some harrowing experiences. A definite read.
On the American frontier a young man struggles to find his way in the changing times of war and peace. The author masterfully places you back in time right along side him as he struggles to become the man his family can be proud of.
Great story, almost an epic as it included the different stages of his life and how they are intertwined. The characters were interesting and developed.