Beyond These War-Torn Lands by Cynthia Roemer

Beyond These War-Torn Lands by Cynthia Roemer
Series: Wounded Hearts, Book One
Publisher: Scrivenings Press (July 25, 2021)

Review by Kelly Goshorn

Beyond These War-Torn Lands centers around Southerner Caroline Dunbar, an aspiring nurse who stumbles across a wounded Union sergeant. Unable to ignore his plea for help, she chooses to hide him in an abandoned shed where she can tend his injuries in secret. However, she doesn’t expect her heart to become attached to the handsome soldier.

When Sergeant Andrew Gallagher is forced to flee his place of refuge, he and Caroline promise to write one another and he vows to return for her after the war. After President Lincoln is shot, Drew is assigned the task of tracking down the gunman. A chance encounter with Caroline revives his hope that they will be together after the war until he learns she may be involved in a plot to aid the assassin.

Cynthia Roemer always delivers a story that combines rich historical details with a strong faith arc. Beyond These War-Torn Lands is no exception. From the Battle of Monocacy Junction (Frederick, MD) to the Battle of the Crater (Petersburg, VA), readers are swept up in the action of Civil War battles to life in our nation’s wartime capital. She also mixes in real-life historical figures such as General Grant, John Wilkes Booth, and President Lincoln. She adeptly infuses the historical timeline into the story so the reader doesn’t feel they are getting a lecture nor do they slow the pace of the plot.

As for the faith arc, the story delves into such powerful themes as forgiveness, mercy, extending grace, and leaving vengeance to God instead of taking it into one’s own hands. Caroline and Drew consistently strive to choose love over hate, and faith over fear. They learn to trust in God’s will over their own, knowing that nothing escapes His notice.

Whether her act of benevolence had saved the injured sergeant’s life remained to be seen, but Yankee or Confederate, men were men, souls in need. Loved by God. All the atrocities and hostilities of war could not erase that truth.

Cynthia Roemer, Beyond These War-Torn Lands

Caroline and Drew are flawed, yet strong characters. I felt their struggles and rejoiced in their hard-fought victories. Their sweet romance will have you alternating between anxiety and relief as you follow their journey across the pages. Each of them operates with admirable integrity and strength, despite the fallout, and it was encouraging to see through them the reminders of God’s personal care for His children.

I thoroughly enjoyed Beyond These War-Torn Lands, a sweeping tale of romance and forbidden love set against the backdrop of America’s Civil War.

I’m pleased to give Beyond These War-Torn Lands five well-deserved fish.

I purchased a print copy of Beyond These War-Torn Lands.