The Soldier's Lady (Carolina Cousins #2) [Paperback]

Michael Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Carolina Cousins Book 2 - The tragic romance of Emma and a wounded "buffalo soldier." When the two fall in love, it poses problems for William McSimmons' political career. Can their love keep them together? From bestselling author Michael Phillips.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Faith, tragedy, courage, and sweet romance combine to make The Soldier's Lady an enjoyable read..." -- Sherri Myers, romancejunkies.com

"Phillips writes an enjoyable tale about healing, prejudice, and salvation in the aftermath of the Civil War." -- Historical Novels Review

About the Author

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles plus serving as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last twenty years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today's reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald's original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time between Scotland and their home in Eureka, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764200429
• ISBN-13: 978-0764200427
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1970, while students at Humboldt State University, Mike and Judy Phillips began what would become the One Way BookShop as a small, informal source of Christian books and materials for their fellow students. Over the next two decades God prospered those small beginnings, and now the bookstore is a thriving part of the Humboldt County Christian community.

Mike's first published book was about his wife's pregnancy and the birth of their twin sons. After several more nonfiction titles, Mike undertook a lifelong dream to renew the popularity of Scottish writer George MacDonald, whose teachings had been central to Mike and Judy's spiritual growth. Mike began editing some of MacDonald's lengthy novels, heavy with Scottish brogue, into shorter and more readable editions, with some of the work being done right at the bookstore counter between customers.

Through the years, God has continued to guide Mike in the production of books emphasizing strong spiritual values and unforgettable characters. In addition to being best sellers in Christian bookstores all across the country, Mike's books have been offered through several book clubs, have been translated into a number of foreign languages, and have been published in over 120 editions in all, with sales of over 3 million. Mike is today recognized as one of the Christian bookselling industry's most prolific and versatile authors.

Family is very important to Mike. He and his wife, Judy, have taught their three sons, Patrick, Robin, and Gregory, at home throughout their education. Home schooling enables the family to frequently accompany Mike in his work-related travels.

It has always been Mike's desire in his writing that all who read his books will find a closer and more real walk with God through the characters and stories. Both he and Judy enjoy responses from readers and find great encouragement from the letters they receive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing Post Civil War Inspirational, May 10, 2006

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Soldier's Lady (Carolina Cousins #2) (Paperback)

Never having read this author before I picked up this book for two reasons; 1) the lovely cover art work and, 2) the brief synopsis provided from the back cover. The setting of this is in North Carolina in the period after the Civil War, and is the second book in the `Carolina Cousins' series. It documents more of the challenges which were faced by the young women of Rosewood and their extended and unusual `family' made up of whites, blacks and half-negroes who emulate what it means to be a true Christian family.

Even though the story is oftentimes told in the first person voice of Mayme Daniels the illegitimate child of a black woman and Katie's Uncle Templeton it is really the story of another young black woman, Emma Tolan whose self esteem had been sadly de-moralized while a slave on a neighboring plantation. Emma was portrayed as a slightly scatterbrained young woman who had arrived pregnant when cousins Katie and Mayme aided her in the delivery of her now four year old son William. After escaping from a cruel white master Emma had found sanctuary and love within the generous and loving Templeton extended family. When the bedraggled and wounded soldier, Micah Duff found his way to Rosewood he too would find that same safe sanctuary as he was soon embraced by and invited into the `family'.

Micah was a remarkable black man from the north. Spiritually aware, educated and speaking more like a refined white gentleman than even some of the Southern men which of course did not endear him to the powers to be in the `new South'. As Micah's wounds healed he became more and more aware of the beautiful black girl Emma, and before he knew it he'd fallen in love with her. Unfortunately, a white man with political aspirations couldn't afford to have his dirty laundry aired in public, and have a black son show up to ruin his chances of glory. While plans were progressing to eliminate his annoying indiscretions, Micah would battle in order to keep both Emma and William safe in order to save his dreams of them becoming a real family.

The story was simple yet complex with numerous secondary characters that took some time in having to sort out the relationships between all of the various members of the `extended' Templeton family. The author kept the lively pace moving briskly along with the intrigue and suspense of the dangers that dogged Southerners who treated former black slaves as equals. If at times my reading slowed it was in trying to decipher the Southern negro patois the author utilized that while adding a level of natural flavor to the story, was at first difficult for this reviewer to understand. Otherwise, I found this to be a well written and well researched novel for the period showing the bitterness and turmoil of the population from those defeated Southern states. More importantly, it was a novel showing true Christian values and of faith in God and how that faith could sustain a body when the most horrible tragedy of loss of a loved one threatens to rip a person's life apart. This was a beautiful story of love and faith both profound and insightful that is sure to please most fans.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a strong book, but ok in series., April 21, 2006

By 

Christina Lockstein "Christy's Book Blog" (Oconto Falls, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Soldier's Lady (Carolina Cousins #2) (Paperback)

The Soldier's Lady by Michael Phillips is book two in the Carolina Cousins series, which is itself a sequel to the Shenandoah Sisters series. Micah Duff, the buffalo soldier last seen in A Perilous Proposal, shows up tired and injured at Rosewood, the North Carolina plantation that has became a haven for both blacks and whites. He meets Emma Tolan, a former slave, and sparks fly. I really enjoyed the first series, but I've been disappointed by the Cousins books. They start with a chapter without names throwing the family into distress. Then the book backs up a few months and tells the story preceding the disaster to come. I don't like books that use this technique; it feels like blackmailing the reader into finishing the book. Mayme telling the story in the Sisters series felt natural, but the jumps between narration in this book seem awkward at times. When Micah tells the story of his childhood, it feels unnatural and a bit forced. The premise of McSimmons wanting to get rid of Emma and William also seems contrived considering that it (I won't go into detail because of spoilers) was common practice in the South before the War. I've really enjoyed reading about the Clairborne family, and it's obvious that there will be more books in this series. I just hope that the others are more rooted in history and plot.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Look at Racism and Relationships in the Post-Civil War South, June 23, 2006

By 

Michael Dalton (Eureka, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Soldier's Lady (Carolina Cousins #2) (Paperback)

Reading a novel set in the post-civil war south about blacks and whites learning to live together is a good thing. How many Caucasians stop to consider how terrible and difficult life was for slaves. Even after the abolition of slavery, it was a long hard road. Books like this provide that awareness and give whites an appreciation for the struggles faced by blacks even today.

This is the second book in the Carolina Cousins series. This new series doesn't suffer from being an offshoot of the popular Shenandoah series. Just like the novels of George MacDonald, a man who has served as a mentor to Phillips, character development is primary. The focus is on relationships and issues.

Phillips follows MacDonald's lead in emphasizing the fatherhood of God, our relationship to him as children, and obedience as the primary way to know and follow God. Though this might be considered light reading, it contains thoughtful spiritual content. Like MacDonald, Phillips provides keen insights into human nature and the nature of God.

He is not afraid to challenge traditional thinking. His views, which are slightly unorthodox at times, can be a little unsettling, but they are also thought-provoking. Some may find them refreshing.

Particularly interesting are the romantic relationships. Jeremiah starts to wonder if Mayme, the woman he planned to marry, is interested in his long lost friend Micah, who comes to live with them on the Rosewood Plantation. Jeremiah begins to wonder if he has more in common with Emma, an uneducated former slave, who has a son named William. Phillips effectively portrays the insecurities and uncertainties typical in romantic relationships. He keeps you guessing as to what will happen.

Blacks and whites living and working together in the post-Civil war south may seem far-fetched but the good writing and storytelling make it believable. That's not to say that this group doesn't experience hostility and danger from others. They do. The story starts with an act of evil and then backtracks to fill in the events leading up to it.

This is a pleasant read, and since it's been shown that whites and blacks have different perceptions on racism, books like this can be a bridge to a more realistic perspective and promote empathy.