Review: Heart of a Dove by Abbie Williams

Heart of a Dove

by Abbie Williams

Publisher: Central Avenue Publishing

Pages: 336

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The Civil War has ended, leaving the country with a gaping wound. Lorie Blake, a southern orphan sold into prostitution at fifteen, has carefully guarded her aching soul from the disgrace forced upon her every evening. Two years have passed, leaving her with little hope of anything more. Meanwhile, three men – longtime friends – and a young boy with a heart of gold are traveling northward, planning to rebuild their lives in the north and leave behind the horrors of their time as soldiers in the Confederate Army.

Fate, however, has plans of its own, causing their lives to collide in a river town whorehouse. Forced to flee, Lorie escapes and joins them on the journey north. But danger stalks them all in the form of a vindictive whorehouse madam and an ex-Union soldier, insane and bent on exacting revenge. At last, Lorie must come to terms with her past and devastating secrets that she cannot yet bear to reveal.

Kritters Thoughts:  An epic story that starts right as the Civil War is ending and animosity is still in the air.  Lorie has lost her entire family and at a young age is sold to a whorehouse where she learns to be very independent at a very young age.  As soon as she thinks that this will be the rest of her life something drastic happens that takes her on a different sort of journey.

When Lorie was in the whorehouse, I had a hard time reading because it felt so real.  I appreciated the authenticity, but it really was hard to read.  As I had read the synopsis I knew she was going to leave and I found myself hoping page after page that she would get rescued and I loved how it happened - right out of the blue!  

After she leaves the book takes a turn and she is on this journey that will hopefully end in a safe and happy home.  Right as I thought that the book was lagging a few things really turn it upside down and sold the book for me.  

I am not sure if I have read a book that focuses on the feelings that are still lingering after the Civil War ends and how both sides feel like cheated on a little by the other and it will take some time to trust each other.  I was completely educated on how even though the war was done and there was a winner that both sides were having issues with the other.  

If you are a fan of historical fiction and have read most of the books involving Civil War, don't pass this one off as just another - it was more than I could have imagined.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2014 Challenge: 69 out of 100

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Central Avenue Publishing.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.