A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution

The Russells #3

by Lynne Basham Tagawa

Ruth Haynes uses the pen name Honorius when she writes for her father’s newspaper. Boston has changed beyond recognition, and her Loyalist views soon get her in trouble. With war looming, what will their family do?

Jonathan Russell hides a guilty secret. The Battle of Bunker’s Hill sweeps him and his Shenandoah Valley family into the war. The unthinkable happens, and he’s forced to deal with both his grief—and his guilt.

Lieutenant Robert Shirley is summoned by his godmother and introduced to the Earl of Dartmouth, who charges him to gather intelligence in Boston. He is horrified but must obey.

Gritty, realistic, and rich with scriptural truth, this story features Dr. Joseph Warren, Major John André, Henry Knox, and Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, American Revolution, Fiction, American Revolutionary War, Historical

522 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 13, 2022

About the author

Lynne Tagawa got her start in writing when a small school needed a Texas history curriculum. Later she branched out into historical fiction. She loves to write about both the spiritual and cultural heritage of our country, and this inspired the 18th century series, the Russells. She's a wife, mother, and grandmother in sunny south Texas.

Reviews

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent! I saw somewhere that someone had said it was one of the few books that they’d read which really felt like a true Historical Fiction and not just a Historical Romance and I concur. Not that it doesn’t have romance, just that it it truly did feel like an actual historical read. I LOVED it!
I believe occurrences from the previous two books in the series were hinted at or referenced in this one, but I’ve not read either one, so I can’t say for certain. The story was not hindered in any way by my not having read the two before, but I’m certainly eager now to read them after the fact! I feel like the ending may have been hinting at a book four and, if so, I will be super excited to read it as well!
Being the first book that I’ve ever read by Lynne Basham Tagawa, I am SUPER impressed with both the characters and the unique flow of this story. I loved the mix of ups and downs, the reality of the many physical, mental and spiritual struggles, the variety of viewpoints and personalities expressed by the characters and the distinct prose lending authenticity to the era and locale.
Oh! And the plethora of real historical figures both mentioned and portrayed in depth was astounding! All in all, this was definitely a five star read for me and I’m so happy that I got the chance to read A Fallen Sparrow! Excellent book and excellent author, definitely worth checking out both!

[Betti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The red man’s sun is setting, but the white man’s is rising. - Red Hawk

This very detailed account of the Revolutionary War is seen through the eyes of those who lived and died to bring this great United States to life. Robert is an English soldier who finds himself wishing the specter of war would fade away. His duty has become a heavy weight that he really doesn’t want to carry anymore. Jonathan fights to protect his life and his family - will they all survive? Red Hawk wonders where he belongs. There were many lives lost in this war and yet not one of those fell without the Father knowing.

An ebook was received through Blue Rock Press, BookFunnel and CelebrateLit. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Anna |This Curly Girl Reads| · Rating 5 out of 5]

The American War for independence is something I thought I knew a lot about. This book though… wow! The author researched so many individuals and battles I didn’t know about. Reading “A Fallen Sparrow” was like traveling back in time and experiencing the stress and reality of the patriots (and even loyalists) of American heritage.

The Russel Family! I love them and am sad to say goodbye. Getting to know Jonathan and his siblings was enjoyable. I did have a hard time following the various stories at the beginning (the three POVs were so different and there were a lot of new names and places not in the previous stories), but I am glad I plugged on. Ruth was a realistic and inspiring heroine as was Hannah Russel. By the end though, I think Robert may have been my favorite character. His search for truth touched my heart.

As I mentioned, the history in this book was exceptionally well researched. I learned so many tidbits both about my home state of Virginia and that of Massachusetts. Clearly, we all know the outcome of the war, but I was still shocked at many of the historical events leading up to our independence. People like Nathan Hale, George Washington, and Patrick Henry are all familiar, but it was interesting to learn of some new names and stories on both sides of the war. Tarlton was a horrific man! And the story surround the spy André from the British side was sobering.

I highly recommend the entire Russel Series (and reading them in order.) I do hope the author might revisit this family somehow in a future novel. Regardless I’m sure I will!

Content: war violence

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fallen Sparrow is filled with bittersweet victory. I was moved to tears at times and then filled with pride knowing what the colonists went through to get their freedom from English rule.

The characters are well-developed, and their struggles of war well described. The authors research on the subject of the American Revolutions seemed authentic and the insertion of biblical scripture fitting.

I was engaged in the story from the beginning and held captive until I turned the last page. A great read.

I was provided with a complimentary copy by the author and willingly choose to review it.

[Avellina Balestri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had seen advertisements for "A Fallen Sparrow" for some time, then after meeting and befriending the author, I obtained an audiobook copy. Over the course of the novel which spans the American Revolution from the Boston Massacre to the Battle of Yorktown, I quite appreciated the author's inclusion of the Great Awakening's legacy, as well as the wider influence of religion on Britain and her American Colonies. Her use of George Whitefield as an off-screen spiritual force I think was effective, including the way his death sent shock waves through the colonies. I enjoyed the inclusion of selected hymns from the general era which added religious depth to the world and its inhabitants, punctuated by a cameo of John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace" and many other hymns. I have long loved the story of Major John Andre's religious epiphany nearing his own death, which is rarely included in stories involving him, so I'm glad the author included it here, including the hymn "Hail, Sovereign Love" which he wrote down on a piece of paper and placed inside his coat over his heart before being hanged. I appreciated that when reflecting on the death of one of the fictional characters in the story, it is remarked that he spoke of going to "a better country", and this becomes something of an ongoing theme in the story as the characters ponder whether or not they are going to win the war and get the outcome for their earthly country that they desire. In spite of how worldly fortunes fall, that hope for a better country is held up by the characters as the ultimate reason to go on. I also appreciate the inclusion of British Methodist figures not very well-known to an American audience (or I imagine these days to a British audience) and the representation of the enlightenment tendency to lean more towards Greco-Roman classical philosophy and deism, although sometimes the deeper human hunger for redemption spoke more strongly and caused people to return to their Christian roots. The author managed to incorporate the influence of writings from the English Civil War period such as Lex Rex which involve religious questions of whether or not it is legitimate to overthrow a king, and if so, what would constitute that legitimacy. She also did an interesting job weaving in real personalities and fictional characters. Something to keep in mind, though, is that figures such as Banastre Tarleton and Lord Francis Rawdon are used to fulfill certain roles within the story template (in this case, the villains), and are not reflective of a more nuanced exploration of the historical characters, either in terms of their actions during the war or their lives afterwards, nor indeed, in my opinion, do their personalities and voices entirely fit with what I have learned about them elsewhere. Perhaps it is best to see them as archetypal lightning rods for plot purposes as opposed to characterizations of real people. That having been said, I bow to the amount of detail the author has put in in terms of day-to-day life, ranging from dress material to medical procedures to beverage recipes and beyond. Also, linguistic attention is paid to characters from various backgrounds, particularly the Scotch-Irish characters, who use Ulster Scots words in the just the right amount to keep it feeling realistic but not unduly distracting. All in all, I appreciated getting to enjoy the time machine trip, and look forward to reading more of the author's historical forays in the future.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fallen Sparrow is a captivating story that takes place during the American Revolution. I love a story that teaches me something new, and because I’ve read only a limited number of Revolutionary stories, this one certainly taught me a lot about the war, the difficulties, and the way people coped.

With a theme of faith threaded throughout, the book is not only entertaining, but oh so meaningful. Ruth is easy to connect with and I admire her strength and fortitude, especially during such a disruption in life. I also love that she’s a writer. Stories with writers, book lovers, librarians, and such always add extra appeal for me.

I haven’t read the previous stories in this series, but this works well alone. A wonderful choice for readers who enjoy clean, Christian, historical tales.

First Line: Ruth Haynes scrambled for the first word, the first phrase, but first sentences were always the hardest to write.
Series: The Russells book 3
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Author: Lynne Basham Tagawa
Page Count: 414

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% mine.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bringing the American Revolution to life, this novel is well written and researched. The author does an amazing job of setting the tone and exploring differing opinions during that tumultuous time, I loved how accurate it felt.

The story initially follows Ruth, Robert, and Jonathan in the stirring of the Revolution, and it worked well as a stand alone despite being third in a series. I liked how the books showed different perspectives and character growth, as well as strong themes of faith throughout.

Overall, an excellent read that brings to life the historic events that helped to birth our nation, as well as historical figures that helped shape it. A wonderful novel for lovers of historical fiction!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite the conclusion to the Russell family saga. Tagawa does an amazing job of covering the American Revolution, but bringing it down to how individual people dealt with sending loved ones off to war, justifying rebelling against the king, doing the right thing, developing a relationship with Christ, living for Christ in the midst of all the chaos, and much more. I have really enjoyed all 3 books.

[Emma Sotomayor · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Fallen Sparrow follows two couples amidst the turmoil of the American Revolution. Ruth must decide whether she can morally accept the Revolution's cause when the Bible says to honor authorities. Jonathan harbors a hidden sin from his past even as he fights on the Patriots' side. Meanwhile, Robert attempts to comport himself with honor while being repulsed with the violence in the British army.

Tagawa includes excellent historical details that truly took me on an overview of the American Revolution. She includes well-known characters such as Samuel Adams or Benedict Arnold, as well as introducing the readers to lesser-known Revolutionary war heroes like Henry Knox. On the historical side, this novel excelled. I learned SO MUCH from it and she certainly sounded like she knew what she was writing about.

However, at times it felt that she was jumping around to get in all the facts of the war. The book felt scattered in places because the characters were going from Boston to Pennsylvania to the Shenandoah Valley to Georgia or South Carolina and back. She seemed to have started with too much. It might have been better if she had kept it to one or two locations instead of attempting to include every major battle of the war, even though I did appreciate all the historical knowledge I gained.

As far as the romance went, I was pleasantly surprised. I rarely enjoy romance novels (and would not have picked this up if I'd known it was romance) but the characters seemed relatively realistic and the romance was very sweet. So, bravo for a well-written romance. However, I wish the novel had better plotted out their character development. At times it did not seem very organized as the three main characters were struggling with different issues. It lacked the powerful emotional moment of discovery because the author seemed to brush past their realization of their flaws. I would have liked a more climactic moment where they had a major turning point in their behavior or thought processes.

Finally, that would be my last complaint: lack of a proper climax for the book. While the battles were exciting and kept me turning pages, the book itself sometimes seemed to be all over the place. I was left a bit disappointed at the end because the finale was anticlimactic.

All in all, this is an excellently-researched historical novel, and the characters are likable. And, credit to the author for writing a romance-ish novel that I actually enjoyed. I would have wanted more moving passages and a better thought-out character development, but it was still a read that maintained my attention and taught me much about the American Revolution.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution is the third installment from the Russells series Lynne Basham Tagawa. I loved the first two books from the series, The Shenandoah Road: A Novel of the Great Awakening and
The Heart of Courage. I believe this one is my favorite of the three. I enjoyed getting to know Jonathan and Ruth. It was wonderful to be transported back in time to see what it was like during this time in history. I loved it.

I am giving A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution five stars. Fans of historical fiction, specifically from the American Revolutionary War era, will want to give this one a read. I am curious to see where else Lynne Basham Tagawa’s talents will take her readers to next.

I received a paperback copy of A Fallen Sparrow: A Novel of the American Revolution from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third book of the series, we continue to follow the American Revolution and the Russell family. When we first meet Ruth, she's an English supporter. As time passes, she comes to the realization that America does need to be free from England. Jonathan realizes that this won't stand in their way to fall in love; it's just his being able to accept God's forgiveness for a mistake in his path. Robert comes to America to be a spy; he's not comfortable with this, especially when he meets Hannah. Hannah is drawn to Robert, not knowing he's a spy, but since he isn't a Christian, she refuses to become closer. Through the book, we see how all of the pieces fall together, and how each couple is drawn closer to each other. And, we can see the mysterious ways that God works!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Linda DuPont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I didn’t expect to learn so much about the American Revolutionary War while enjoying a book so much. I realize this is a historical fiction book but Lynne Tagawa did a great job with her research; she brought in so many historical characters and background locations that it shed much light on this time period.

The romantic interest was well done; it didn’t take such prominence as to hide the timeline or story. There was nothing “sappy” or “cheesy” to cover up the plot and yet the book kept me involved.

At the very beginning of the book I was afraid I would never keep up with all of the characters’ names and positions. However, I soon realized that they easily soaked in without consciously realizing it. I was immersed in their lives and eager to find out more.

I wholeheartedly recommend A Fallen Sparrow! I received a free copy of this book but I can honestly say it did not influence this review; I am thankful I had the opportunity to read it!

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing! First of all, I love history and this book really increased my knowledge of some of the details of the American Revolution. It also is a window into what the lives of the people were like on both sides. The loss, the devastation of their possessions and properties, the fear, and so much more. It was heart-wrenching at times to read of the sacrifices made by our forefathers to found this most awesome country of ours. And it is heartbreaking to see the change in direction this country has taken in my lifetime. I am so thankful this author has written this book and I hope the reminder of the beginning of our nation will stir the hearts of those who read it and renew their love and loyalty to America.

I requested this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Ashley (books.uncharted) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so soooo good. I sincerely love historical fiction and have a passion for this era.

This historical fiction had a fantastic fictional plot while being so well packed with historical information. The information it contains is very accurate too. It really is amazing.

The book is super well paced and the characters are interesting. This was a book I didn't want to put down and found myself anxious to come back to over and over again.

If I were to write a book about the American Revolution, THIS would be it. Lynne Tagawa has written a dream book.

If you enjoy historical fiction, and authors like Laura Frantz, you're going to want to pick up this book ASAP!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good historical fiction novel. A Fallen Sparrow is definitely a good historical fiction novel. Actually, I think I’d call it a great one! I immediately fell in love with the characters after starting the book.

Ruth is amazing. She is such a strong woman and full of her own ideas at a time when that wasn’t the normal thing to do. I love that she writes for the newspaper under an assumed name.

I did not realize when I first picked up this book that it is part of a series. In fact, it is book three in the series. I’m normally a stickler for reading series in order and would have read the other two books first had I known. While I did read it without the other books I could tell that there were some references to the other books and I believe some character stories that I would have benefited from knowing prior to this book.

So, now you know it’s a series and have no excuse not to read the series books in order!

I could tell that the author researched her topic for this book and immersed herself in it. It really shows! She did an amazing job of conveying all the different sides and people of the war while also including so much real historical truth as well. Definitely a book I highly recommend!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fallen Sparrow's first pages drops the reader right into the night of the Boston Massacre and doesn't let up as the tensions between Britain and her colonies intensifies. This was a rich historical journey that took us with these characters who mingled with historical ones as the turmoil of this nation was entering its birthing days.

The sacrifices that were made and the tenacity of these thirteen colonies to stand up for their freedom come what may still amazes me. In this story we see how people are still living and still falling in love even with the threat of war and eventually the war occurring and disrupting their lives. These characters, and there were a few, keep marching on for the promise of a better future while living in an uncertain present.

Some of my favorite books that I have read are books that I read with my kids about the Revolutionary War and all the great men and women that lived at that time. The clashes of their opinions that didn't stop the unity of a new county, because they looked beyond themselves. Author Tagawa's research really shows in this volume of historical fiction, and from what I have learned this is third book in the series about the Russell family. I unfortunately did not read the first two, but I hope to change that soon. This was a story that transported me back to the United States early days.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

http://pausefortales.blogspot.com/202...

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cost of freedom

What a glimpse into the lives of those who lived through the American Revolution! Ultimately there were those who paid the supreme price, like Nathan Russell in the story. Others who lost material possessions and trades but counted it all worth the cost. The emotional turmoil in hearts is clearly shown. Which side was right? Was is right to defy the King? What did God and the Scriptures say of the conflicts? Who was now my friend and who was foe? Their worlds (physically, spiritual, and emotionally) was turned upside down.

The Russell family helped and suffered during the course of the conflict. The loss of a son and the injuring of another. Yet they continued to defend what they felt was right in their conscience before God. Robert Shirley’s (Sherman) personal quest to find God and the truth is so true in the hearts of many who seek to know God.

Some parts of this story was not an easy read. I wept, cheered, groaned, and wished war was not the cruel thing that devastates lives and countries. But I was reminded that God does care for His own, whether with peace to “go to a better country” like Nathan or grace to continue to live in the aftermath as is shown in the lives of the rest of the Russell family.

My gratitude for God’s hand of mercy on my country was renewed while reading. My heart’s prayer: may we return to the truths that our Fathers believed, live in the light of God’s truths, and cleanse our hearts of sin and wrong.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Christian Historical Fiction books and I also love to read books by new to me Authors. A Fallen Sparrow by Lynne Basham Tagawa fits both of those. The book is Book 3 in The Russells series. I do feel that the book read great as a Stand Alone novel.

Ruth Haynes writes for her father's newspaper using a Pen name. She has Loyalist views and she is thinking those views might cause trouble for her soon. Jonathan Russell has a secret that he has been keeping. He is soon forced to deal with grief and guilt due to this secret. Lieutenant Robert Shirley is summoned by the Earl of Dartmouth. The Lieutenant is told he must report to Boston and gather intelligence in the War.

These are the stories and people of the Revolutionary War. The book is fiction but it read like real life. I certainly learned quite a bit about the Revolutionary War while reading this book. I really appreciated how detailed the Author was in the stories and relationships in this book. I also appreciate that the author intertwined the Christian faith within the book and the characters. The characters are well-developed and really make the stories come to life. I started reading this book and didn't put it down until I was finished 4hrs later. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction! WONDERFUL BOOK!

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical fiction story is a heavy hitter in its genre. It gives us a realistic look at a time when colonists were fighting for their rights. There is a strong emphasis on historical facts that blend well into the story. I loved how the author is able to insert historical people into the story and how they contributed to a time that was dangerous.

I remember reading about the colonies in school and how hard it was to become independent. There were those who wanted to be in charge and found ways to make laws that at times seemed unfair. The author does such a good job of bringing this time period to life, I forgot that some of it was fiction. It is not surprising to read that perhaps there were spies among the people who risked their lives to get information that was vital for freedom.

In this story we find unlikely people who are “forced to spy” for their family and keep ahead of a war that was sure to happen. I loved the interaction between characters and how faith was weaved throughout the story. If you love historical fiction I highly recommend this book. It has all the makings of a best seller that should give the author recognition that is well deserved.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really a book about the character’s involvement in the war. Yes, I struggled with reading this book because of the subject. I know death is part of life and war but right now this is just a hard thing to deal with right now. I really think if it’s wasn’t something I am struggling with right now this book would have been a little better for me. It is also the third book in this series and I haven’t read the first two. I think this book does a great job as a stand-alone but as for as my own personal preferences I “must” read all the books in a series in the order they are written if at possible. I really think if a reader like to read Historical Fiction that is really more Historical than fiction then they need to read this book. This book really helps a reader understand more about what people lives where really like during war times. Yes, I admit the tears fell when certain characters dies of wounds inflicted in battle.

I am going to give this book a rating of 5 stars even through it was a hard book for me. The book is a realistic look at lives in war time.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

[Courtney Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th book I have listened to (included book #2.5) and when I say I am sad that I am finished, I truly am.

This series starts by introducing you to the Great Awakening and ends with the American Revolution. The author does a fantastic job of developing the characters, including the ones you don't want to like but end the end you do (Mr. Robert Shirley!) Her knowledge of historical events and understanding of life at the time help to set the stage so that you feel like you are right in the book with the characters. I absolutely love how the author includes actual people from history as characters in the story as well, and as she continues to write and bring characters from her previous books back. The only think missing from this book was a visit from Susannah and Jamie.

I am not ready to leave the Russell Family after I have spent the last month listening to the books spanning their lives over 30 years. I am wondering if maybe the author plans to continue writing about the Russell's offspring as they move into the 19th century. I have already thought that a story line set during the Civil War might be perfect...

[Robin Willson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This takes place in1770 at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The people living in Boston, Virginia and the rest of the country originally had come from England and had been loyal to their king. Then things changed. When they rebelled against unfair laws, the Brits attacked them and their homes. Very real characters with time taken to develop them in the story. You can really feel how they felt, their struggles with their changed world. Ruth had stayed loyal to the King but as they fled his men, she was looking at sewing a flag for the patriots, embedded as her family was in the movement. A couple of romances here too, crossing the patriotic line for a time, adding to the tension/trust relationships. Excellent read! Part of a series, but reads fine as a stand alone.

I received this book free from Celebrate Lit and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#CelebrateLit #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #LynneBashamTagawa #HistoricalFiction @celebrate_lit

[J.M. Hochstetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fallen Sparrow by Lynne Basham Tagawa is the third book in the Russell family saga. I haven’t read the previous books, but this installment can easily be read as a standalone. I loved how Tagawa showed her fictional characters being drawn into the actual historical events of the American Revolution and interacting with many of the real people of the time, while enduring the vicissitudes of a bitterly fought war. The way she gradually developed the relationships between Ruth Haynes and Jonathan Russell and British Lieutenant Robert Shirley and Jonathan’s sister Hannah was also believable and affecting. I especially appreciated Tagawa’s sympathetic depiction of those who remained loyal to the king, a point of view that isn’t often explored, much less honestly portrayed. Conflicted emotions and allegiances were common on both sides, and there were often good reasons for the choices people made. A strong faith thread uplifts the narrative as it shows God sustaining his people even through the most perilous and conflicted times.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Was this book packed with history! When I read Ms. Tagawa's books I’m amazed at what I don't know. The research she does to pack a wonderful story within such rich historical events is mind-boggling.

The difference with this book and many other books about people on both sides of the war was the one character, Robert Shirley, who was ordered by the Earl of Dartmouth to put on hold his commission as an officer (a red-coat) to observe and report (spy) on the Americans in Boston, to fit in with the families he would befriend and gain intelligence. The idea of being a spy was repugnant, but he felt he had no choice. Then to be responsible for deaths of people he'd come to care deeply for was too much to bear. So this book shows not all people on one side as good and the other as bad, but duty, responsibility and deep regrets.

But that's just one part of the book, and a good one. There is so much more in this rich novel.

If you read this book expect to be immersed in war, loving families and friends, and a spiritual depth that is so inspiring.

[Connie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fallen Sparrow is written by Lynne Basham Tagawa. This is book three in the Russell series. This is the first book that I have read by this author. The author does mention previous events in the book but gives enough back story to not feel lost. The book is well written and the characters are well developed. The author did a great job with research to bring the history of the American Revolution alive. I love that the author showed the struggles that they would have faced. Suddenly Boston is not what it used to be - there are friends pitted against friends, family members versus family members and those who rebelled against the King had their home destroyed.

I hope to read more from this author. You will be drawn into this story within the first few chapters. The book is a good read. I love reading books that I can learn from also. Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a work of Christian Historical fiction, A Fallen Sparrow takes place during the time of the Revolutionary War. With mentions of various places I have either lived or visited, I appreciated this story. Ruth Hayne, using the pen name Honorious. writes for her father’s newspaper. Living in Boston, her Loyalist vies serves as an impediment to her.

Jonathan Russell and his family reside in the Shenandoah Valley. The Battle of Bunker Hill draws his family into the war. Filled with Spiritual truths and people like Dr. Joseph Warren, Major John André, Henry Knox, and Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, this book captures pieces of our country’s history.

I loved watching the characters and storyline develop through the pages of this book. So if you enjoy Christian works of historical fiction, check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book. I have to be in the mood for historical fiction and while I wasn't totally, this book was amazing. It had romance so it was a historical romance, but had so much history in it that I was truly impressed.

I loved how the author wrote and how it made me feel like I was there and truly connected to the characters. History was never my strong suit in school, but the author made it feel real here (I know it was always real and this is fiction) but she wrote to where I could feel connected to it. Just a really good story that I enjoyed start to finish.

5/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

[shelby stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both sides of the story...

I loved These stories about the revolutionary war. I found The characters Drawn from both the British and patriot sides to be especially illuminating as to motivation. I so appreciated hearing stories of places that we know and loveI so such as Staunton and rockfish gap and Charlottesville... I have ancestors who lived fought and died in these beautiful places. I love the saying that history without geography is meaningless and that geography without history is even worse. Because this author has done such a skillful job of presenting both the history and geography of the revolutionary war to us she
has allowed us to time travel. I reluctantly leave this fascinating time and its characters.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave a wonderful glimpse into the lives of people who experience the Revolutionary War. I thought it was interesting to see how the people changed through the things they experienced. I thought this author did a good job with her research and with helping to transport us back to that time. I also liked the characters and thought that they were relatable. I thought this book gave a great glimpse into this time period and what people might have felt and how their ideas may have changed with the things they experience.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[Pat Works · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in Time and Truth Today

I liked the Scriptures used throughout the book, the former pastors of the times seeing the Gospel was preached everywhere (the great awakening) as well as the War between British and American colonies. Good history to remember. Also the characters, families, Indians. All around good series. I have recommended it to several people. What I did not like was the brutality of the British yet know that is part of history and both sides had such black-hearted men.