Words Heard in Silence [Paperback]

T. Novan (Author), Taylor Rickard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

Historical Drama. Culpeper, Virginia in the fall of 1864 was at a dark time in this once bustling town. Feisty Rebecca Gaines, widowed by the conflict that had torn the nation apart, struggles to single-handedly manage the family farm. Life is hard in the beleaguered South, so when a troop of Union soldiers rides in to winter over on her property, Rebecca is grudgingly glad of the extra income. Their dashing commander officer, Colonel Charlie Redmond, is courteous and gentle in his dealings with her, and she is drawn to this intriguing professional soldier. But he is still the enemy, and Rebecca finds it difficult to come to terms with her feelings. For his part, Charlie is alarmed to realize he is romantically involved with the lovely Southerner, for he hides a secret that, if discovered, would mean social disgrace and the end of a distinguished military career. For Charlie is a woman.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

T. Novan

For years, Theran Novan wrote for her own amusement. A true child of the seventies, she often wrote scripts for television shows, reaching back to classics like "Get Smart" and other comedies. The television and the stories in her head were often her only companions, as she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of eleven, and spent much of her childhood and teens in therapy. Adulthood and remission coincided, and TN, as her friends call her, pursued two careers – first managing major conventions and events in the Columbus Ohio area and then going back to school to become a police officer. Unfortunately, her cancer re-emerged and one day, while undergoing treatment, her friends brought her a computer. At the same time, she became addicted to a new television show – Xena, Warrior Princess. The whole world of fan fiction opened up, and a supportive global community came to recognize her as a real talent.

TN quickly found her own voice, writing original stories and novels. Her quality work, realistic characters, and sense of humor all combine to create quirky, charming, compelling stories. Her works have made both the Open Book and the Lambda Literary Society bestseller lists.

Taylor Rickard

Taylor Rickard, co-author of Words Heard in Silence with T. Novan, grew up a southerner with a grandmother who guaranteed that Taylor knew her southern history. By the time she was twelve, her grandmother had taken her to every Revolutionary and Civil War battle field east of the Mississippi. Where most children were read fairy tales, Taylor got to listen to the likes of Bruce Catton, James McPherson and Douglas Freeman. So when T. Novan first started writing the short stories that eventually became the basis for Words Heard in Silence, Taylor was an obvious choice as a writing partner, where she got to use her extensive knowledge of Southern tradition and Civil War politics and battles to bring reality and historical veracity to this sweeping historical novel.

Taylor has worked in many industries in her life. She says it is because she is easily bored. In her youth, she ran restaurants and bars for a major hotel chain. Becoming tired of that, she served a stint with the Federal Government while getting her college degrees. That was sufficiently interesting that she hung around and got a masters degree as well. More than ten years in the television industry resulted in numerous awards, including a Peabody, two Emmys, a Cleo and several New York Film Critics awards for news, documentaries and public relations productions. Nowadays, she works as a consultant specializing in high technology management for Government and large corporations. She also provides technical consulting for T. Novan’s writing and advises in other areas.

Born and raised a southerner, Taylor resides in Virginia with her partner, her seventeen year old stepdaughter, two dogs, two cockatoos and three snakes.

Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: Cavalier Press (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097462103X
• ISBN-13: 978-0974621036
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,762,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Southerner Couldn't Put It Down..., November 16, 2004

By 

K. Johnson (Twin Cities, MN) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Words Heard in Silence (Paperback)

I am a huge fan of T. Novan's books and have read everything she has published. This one is a definite DON'T MISS!

I couldn't put it down and finished this 550 page book in two days. Colonel Charlie Redmond and his Yankee troops make camp on property owned by Souther widow Rebecca Gaines. Rebecca is impressed by this "gentleman" and is shocked to learn "he" is really a "she." As their relationship develops, Charlie is not sure whether Rebecca has fallen in love with the man or the woman. With the support of the few people who know his secret, Charlie is able to come to terms with his new feelings and accept Rebecca's love for him.

Because this book was loosely based on actual historical facts, I learned some things about the Civil War I had not known before. I even looked up some of the events and people in the book and found the book to be historically accurate. The fiction part of the story was just as good and I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to lose themself in the past.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard to put down, March 24, 2004

By 

Verda Foster (Southern Californa, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words Heard in Silence (Paperback)

A well researched Historical novel, Words Heard in Silence is long, but doesn't feel long. It captures the flavor of the time beautifully. I fell in love with Colonel Redmond right along with Rebecca.

Set near the end of the Civil War, this is more than just a wonderful love story about a Southern Lady and a Union Colonel. So much more. It is also the story of how these two profoundly lonely people deal with the reconstruction of not only the South, but of their lives as well. A truly moving and uplifting story.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Civil War affair, July 31, 2006

By 

B. J. Brown (Waukee, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Words Heard in Silence (Paperback)

I love history mixed with romance.

Colonel Redman's Union troops decide to camp on Rebecca Gaines land. Rebecca and Charlie become good friends and lovers.

The town folks are up in arms about having the Yankees camping out in their territory. Charlie has his troops help the town folk and some of them even end of marrying some of the widowed women folk.

Charlie's disguise is good and with the help of a few friends and Rebecca, he/she continues to fool the US government, the Army, his troops and the enemy.

Fantastic read!!!!!!!!!!!!!