Customer Reviews

Then Came Faith

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"Then Came Faith" was my first Louise Gouge novel, and what a treat! Maybe it's my obsession with "Gone With the Wind" and any story related to the era. Or maybe it's the fact that Louise Gouge has crafted a deep and moving novel about this country's turbulent times following the Civil War and the after effect on the lives of a beautiful but stubborn abolitionist and a handsome but embittered Southern gentleman. The richness of the writing, the depth of historical research, and a magnetic love story laced with haunting spiritual truths makes this book a must-read for historical romance lovers.

I LOVE the way Louise's books are so easy to get into. From the first page it's like stepping from my world and being swept into the one she has begun without missing a beat. The story has interesting historical information. I found myself sitting on the edge of my chair as the plot progresses. Mystery, excitement, suspense, suspicion, hate, love and more all intertwined into one book! A must read book.

Louise Gouge delves deep into the post-war affects of the Civil war and treats the three sides of this conflict with great balance. She has taken the Northern viewpoint and expressed gently the needs of men to be free, as well a sympathetic look at the destruction and pride of the South. Then with an equal ability, Gouge stresses the post-war affects on the new found freedoms and issues of those slaves who've known nothing else but captivity.
This romance novel takes twists and turns that press the reader into hyper-drive, forcing them "read faster" until the book is done. In her novel filled with conflict, Gouge has done a beautiful job in this intense and historically accurate battle between the North and the South. Emerald Pointe has found a successful novel in this first of a series by Louise M. Gouge. Holding true to her form she brings to life the turmoil of a sensitive and volatile time, showing the reader that God is always in control.
In this "can't put it down until it's done" book, you'll be sure to have a greater appreciation for love in a war-torn era. Does Juliana and Andre's love survive? You'll have to turn the pages for the answers.

Reviewed by Cindy Sproles
[...]

Although the Civil War has officially ended, the hearts and minds of the people who lived through it haven't changed. Juliana Harris is a staunch abolitionist who came to New Orleans to help teach slaves to read and write. Although such learning was once against the law, people long denied the opportunity for an education are testing the new waters of freedom.

Andre Beauchamp was a Confederate naval officer in the war. He's come home to a very different world. The slaves have been freed and only Aunt Sukey, Gemma, and Cordell remain. His father is dead, and his mother is withdrawn and mentally confused. His wealth is gone and people who were once slaves now feel they are his equal.

Cordell and Gemma, former slaves, chose to stay with Andre, but they too are facing changes in their world. Some whites refuse to accept that the old ways are gone for ever. Life is dangerous for a freed slave.

Slavery is a terrible blot on our nation's history. It was a sin against man and against God. Louise M. Gouge does a great job of telling the story from all three viewpoints. The reader will agree with Juliana, and worry about Gemma and Cordell. Andre's attitude is disgusting at times, but the writer shows him growing and changing. Then Came Faith is not a sweet, sentimental story about how we all just need to get along. It's an honest portrayal of what slavery was really like and the effect it had on both blacks and whites. Once in a while I find a book I can't forget. For me, Then Came Faith is that book. It has a permanent place on my bookshelf.

The Story of Julianne and Andre in "And Then Came Faith" hooked me, drew me and captivated me.

Then Came Faith and Then Came Hope were excellent books. I enjoy the history that was in both of them.

Yes, there was life after the Civil War. Those coming home like Andre found that it was not like what they left. Everything thing was gone with the majority of the Confederate soldiers. Andre's father was gone and his mother was not herself. Cordell, Gemma, Aunt Sukey had stayed with his mother. Andre had difficulty grasping the situation. He was of the old way of life and it's hierarchy. Change does come with the help of Julianna. This is a good book to sit down with and forget what you need to do. By the Author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River"

Road to Romance Reviewer's Choice Award-winning author Louise M. Gouge presents Then Came Faith, a historical romance novel set in the aftermath of the devastating American Civil War. Andre burns with the desire for revenge to the North, after what they did to his family; Juliana wants to help the South heal and repent of its transgression of treating human beings as property. When they meet, they feel a strong attraction, yet their dramatically different values and beliefs set them at odds. Yet despite his all-too-frequent conflicts with Juliana, Andre is impressed by her courage and tenacity. From three former slaves, Andre learns of a hidden secret in his family's past that brings him to confront his own views on the value of human life. An enthralling, at times passionate, at times somber tale about learning to become aware of and set aside personal prejudices.

Louise Gouge's Then Came Faith is a valiant novel set in the aftermath of the Civil War. Juliana dreams of helping the South rebuild by reaching out to it's people in love and forgiveness. Andre is bitter and refuses to forgive what the North has done to his family and friends. He has little use for any Yankees. Juliana and Andre are brought together by an undeniable love and a need to put the past behind them.

I'm impressed with this book. I'll tell you why. I remember growing up in the 1970s and watching several "mini-series" at that time. One was The Holocaust, and the other two were Roots and North & South. Remember those? I also read the books Roots and Queen by Alex Haley at the time. They were fabulous.

Then Came Faith brought all of those memories back and with them came the emotion that coexists with reflecting on such trying times. I loved Juliana and Andre. They made an interesting couple--especially because of their extremely conflicting beliefs--even though they were apart for the majority of the book. The author did a fabulous job showing the hearts of both abolitionists and confederates at the time of reconstruction in the deep south.

This story had some grit, yes, but it wasn't overly done. I especially loved it when Juliana went to confront the slimebag Dupris in his bawdy house and tried to help Gemma escape. That was priceless. Of course, the Civil War era books aren't realistic without a few Klan scenes. Those guys in the white hoods just make me sick, but without them the story doesn't feel as authentic. There was just enough to give you a sense of the internal and external conflict the characters experienced, but not enough to seem excessively dramatic.

I thoroughly enjoyed Then Came Faith and am looking forward to the next book in the series. This is one of those stories that you hate to have end. The faith element was very well done and the change of heart amongst many of the characters was heartwarming and sincere. I also must add that I really enjoyed getting to know Andre and experiencing the doubts regarding his culture and the way he grew up believing that "chattels" as he referred to them, were not equal to whites, yet he loved Cordell like a brother, so he saw the contradiction even within himself.