There Is a Season: A Civil War Novel (Christian Series Level III

Shenandoah Valley Saga #3

by Andrea Boeshaar

o onlookers, Carrie Ann Bell Collier might appear to be the dutiful wife, sitting at her unconscious husband's bedside. But she feels like a hypocrite. Instead of trusting her intuition, she allowed herself to believe Peyton was dead. And then she fell in love with his best friend, Eli Kent. Except, Peyton wasn't dead, and now Carrie will do anything to keep him alive. While at City Point, as her husband lay dying, Carrie meets a nurse who claims to be able to work miracles. Hearing her out, Carrie's hope rises. Doctors had given up on Peyton, so Carrie hires the woman and makes plans for all of them to return home as soon as Peyton regains his strength.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Civil War, Christian Fiction

400 pages, Library Binding

Published December 1, 2021

About the author

Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar has been married for more than 30 years. She and her husband, Daniel, have three adult sons, daughters-in-law, and two precious grandchildren. Andrea's educational background includes the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, where she studied in English, and Alverno College where she studied in Professional Communications and Business Management.

Andrea has been writing stories and poems since she was a little girl; however, it wasn't until 1984 that she started submitting her work for publication. Eight years after that, she was convicted about writing for the Christian market. She read books in her genre (Inspirational Romance & Women's Fiction), studied the market, and worked hard to hone her craft.

Reviews

[Becky Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea Boeshaar has done it. She has created characters so real, that I cared about so much, that I found myself praying for the heroine, Carrie Ann. I have an affinity for stories of faith set in Civil War times, and There is a Season will stay on my mind for a long time to come.

While this is the third book in the series, it is possible to read only this novel and not be lost. Boeshaar provides enough backstory that anyone can enjoy this book, but after reading it, I have a hankering to re-read the first and devour the second.

I say devour, because the whole premise of this book had me truly gobbling it down. Colonel Peyton Collier is near death, but his young wife, Carrie, hires a nurse, Hannah, who promises healing with experimental medicine. There are just a few drawbacks: Hannah demands an exorbitant fee and complete control of the sickroom. And the saga begins, plus Boeshaar treats us to another competition that traverses the book, weaving the novel into a complex tapestry.

I loved the different characteristics of various players. Carrie is determined and tenacious once she makes a decision. Eli is loyal to a fault. Aunt Ruth loves beyond bloodlines.

The epilogue makes the book even better, if possible!

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Several Notable Quotables:

“Practicing my faith is going to be more difficult than I imagined.”

“It’s not much of a battle, really.” Peyton knew what the right thing was, but the decision meant death.

“...just because you don’t feel something doesn’t mean God has abandoned you or that His Holy Spirit no longer resides within you.

“I should warn you, dear one, that this idea of yours is like handling a deadly serpent. You may be bitten.”
...”We may both be bitten...and devoured.”

We’re children of the King of kings.” “Which makes us princesses.”

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptive and historical details drew me right into this third book of Andrea Boeshaar’s Shenandoah Valley Saga, which occurs at the conclusion of the Civil War and its immediate aftermath. The unfolding medical storyline kept me turning pages as I wondered how it would resolve. I have not read the previous two books in this series and although enough information is presented to read this book as a stand alone, I would recommend reading books one and two first to gain as much background information as possible on the Bell and Collier families and other notable characters. Inspirational messages presented a beautiful framework for this story. Prayer was mentioned often as well as the personal faith of some characters. The ending felt a bit abrupt to me after all that had transpired with Peyton and Carrie and I would have loved to read a little more of their story in an epilogue. If you are looking for an inspirational romance with lots of historical detail, then you should check out this book and the series. I highly recommend this book to readers of Tara Johnson and Cynthia Roemer and those who love reading books set in the Civil War era.

I received an advanced review copy via Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed here are my own.

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a book that spans across the Civil War as it was coming to an end. It is clear that the author has done extensive research by the accuracy of historical facts. Perhaps some liberties were taken to expand on some things which to me only enhanced the story. I definitely felt like I was watching a movie unfold as we are introduced to outstanding characters.

I first want to address a particular character named Nurse Emory. She is a most unpleasant woman who had this arrogance about her. As she maneuvers a way to get away from her volunteer job as a nurse, I think she took advantage of a desperate woman. Carrie is beside herself seeing her husband so ill and Nurse Emory sees her chance to take advantage of the situation. I’m not sure why Carrie agreed to the nurses’s demands but perhaps she believed her husband would get better with the undivided care Nurse Emory offered. When Nurse Emory says, “A trained and capable nurse and a decent doctor can do anything God can do,” I was shocked. Needless to say she is my all time least favorite character. But isn’t that the point of this character? The author does an excellent job of creating this character with flaws that only God can deliver her from. And therein is a lesson of hating the sin but loving the sinner.

Eli is a man without a country as he describes himself to others. I thought the way the author used the assassination of President Lincoln as a way to incorporate the reason Eli wasn’t pardoned was good. He was so sure of his freedom until that one moment in history where everything changed for many. I enjoyed following his life and the quiet feelings he has for Carrie. He is an honorable man when he finds out that Peyton is still alive. I kept wondering what him and Carrie would do knowing how they felt for each other.

The story takes us on a journey as we glimpse the lives of people during a difficult time in history. The term “Soldiers Disease” is a way of saying addiction and we find ourselves witnessing how Peyton has been deceived by someone who pretended to care for him. I began to put the pieces together and realized that within this story is another one where soldiers could have become victim to medicine that they thought would help them. The fight to save Peyton is intense as Carrie and others are determined to rescue him from the clutches of darkness. I really enjoyed reading how Peyton longs to return to his relationship with God.

I am disappointed in how the story ended so abruptly. The author seemed to not complete the story in a way that clearly gives readers an indication of what happened to Nurse Emory. I was shocked that I was resting and suddenly without warning the author ended the story. I had hoped to see how the nurse was exposed and a real reconciliation for Peyton and Carrie. It was weird that Eli was such an important character and then suddenly written off in an odd way. I liked the story but with the ending I found myself thinking that the author didn’t write a suitable ending to an otherwise good story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Connie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

There Is a Season is written by Andrea Boeshaar. This is book three in the Shenandoah Valley Saga Series. I have not read the other books in the series and this can be read as a stand alone. The author provides enough information in the book where you will not feel like you are missing anything. I don't know if I have ever read this author before. However she writes historically accurate. This is right after the Civil War.

Carrie Ann is sitting at her husband's bedside. She did not think that he had survived. However, here he lays unconscious. There is a nurse that really grinded my gears. She seemed to act like she held Carrie's husband's fate in her hands. Carrie Ann wanted her husband to get better - so she did everything that Nurse Emory asked her too. There is a lot of faith elements that are woven in. There is also a lot of the aftermath of the Civil War. The author did her research and did a great job.

The characters are well written, storyline is intriguing. I will go back and read the first few books in the series.

I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit Blogging Program, all thoughts are my own.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Fiction is a favorite genre of mine. There Is A Season by Andrea Boeshaar is Book 3 in the Shenandoah Valley Saga. I have not read the first 2 books in this Saga, but the book seemed to flow well.

Carrie Ann Bell Collier sits by her husband's hospital bedside, hoping and praying that he will get better. She initially believed he was dead, but now wants to help keep him alive. Nurse Hannah Emory might be the one to help Peyton, with a secret medicine she is hoping to treat him with. Nurse Hannah created this medicine and hopes to mass market it if it works. Carrie agrees to allow Nurse Hannah to treat her husband. Meanwhile, Carrie begins to write letters to Peyton, although they never reach him as Nurse Hannah is intercepting them and hiding them. Confederate Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Kent is the Executive of Peyton's estate and while believing Peyton has died, he has taken great interest in Carrie, and Carrie in him, although both never really share that with one another. Eli, realizing Peyton is still alive, holds his feelings in even more. Meanwhile, Nurse Hannah, has suddenly convinced Peyton to marry him. There could be a friend in the midst who could tell Peyton the truth about his life for the past 2 yrs. Wil that friend come through and stop Peyton from marrying Nurse Hannah? Will Carrie and Peyton have the life they always dreamed of and happily?

I have to say it took me a couple of Chapters to really get into the book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the time period, Civil War, that the book was based upon. The characters of the book were all very interesting, although Nurse Hannah, was far from a favorite of mine. She had a controlling attitude and felt that her ways and methods were the best. Carrie and Eli were very strong characters and wanted the honest best for Peyton. Eli really showed his friendship to Peyton when he told his friend all about his past 2 yrs of life and how he had a wonderful wife, Carrie, who was sitting by his side while he was wounded. I really LOVE how the author intertwines the Christian message n the book. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes Christian Historical Books! FANTASTIC BOOK!

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel set near to and at the end of the Civil War. I’ll admit that I didn’t really know what to expect. It was interesting to read about what life was probably like during this period of history. I feel like I learned some new tidbits that I didn’t know before (or I did, but it’s been a while since I took U.S. History in college), for example, how Confederate soldiers, including those who surrendered to the Union, were considered non-citizens when the war ended and Andrew Johnson took over the presidency after Lincoln’s assassination.

I liked getting to know the characters and how their lives had been changed by the war. I also liked how we get to see a wife pay any price to se her husband get the medical care he needs, although the price soon becomes a lot more than what she bargained for, and ultimately reaping the consequences.

And then there was Nurse Emory, probably the worst character in the book, not because she isn’t well-written, but because she is so unlikable (which she is supposed to be). At first I thought that she was just an odd bird, but then halfway through the novel, I found myself so infuriated with her that I wanted to throw my book across the room (I didn’t because I was reading it on my Kindle, and that would have had disastrous results). That’s all to say that the author did a tremendous job with writing Nurse Emory and the emotions that she evokes in readers. If I were to compare her to another literary character, I’d say she is like Uriah Heep from David Copperfield, except a lot more arrogant.

Overall, I really liked There Is A Season and I hope to read more of Andrea Boeshaar’s work in the future. 3.5/5 Stars.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review.

[Donna C · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I think you should know:
There is a Season by Andrea Boeshaar is the third book in the Shenandoah Valley Saga. It is Christian historical fiction. While it is the third in the series it can be read as a standalone.

What you might need to know:
Payton develops an addiction to opioids after Nurse Emery gives him a medication that relies heavily on Poppies.

What I think about this book:
I will admit that I was very intrigued by this book because I had an ancestor die in a camp during the civil war. What would have been different in our family if he hadn’t died and had come home. That is exactly what happens in this book, Carrie was told that her husband Peyton had been killed and after months and no sign of him she allowed herself to move on and fall in love with his best friend. When he is found to be alive we start on an emotional rollercoaster as he fights for his life only to come back as a different man than the newlywed who left Carrie to fight for his country. While I rooted for Peyton to heal I felt sorry for Carrie and Eli whose future had changed once again. Nurse Emory was a true piece of work and the perfect villain for this book. I appreciate how much detail and research the author put into creating a story that came to life on the page. I do wish that we had been given a little bit longer of an ending. I will definitely read more books by Boeshaar.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Randi Sampson]

There Is a Season is book number three in the Shenandoah Valley Saga. I personally had not read the previous two books in the series. While it seemed fine as a standalone, I do believe that perhaps I would have connected better with the story and the characters had I had the full background given in the previous books. That said, Civil War stories are also not my most preferred either, so that certainly could have played a part in my connection as well.

Regardless, one thing that was very clear to me is that this was a book that was well researched. There was much detail given to draw readers back to this time and place. This is something that I always appreciate in a good historical fiction novel. I am far from an expert on this particular subject in history so I can't speak to the historical accuracy as well as a history buff would, but it certainly felt authentic to me anyway!

Overall, it was a well written and unique story that fans of Civil War fiction are sure to want to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Civil War time period. It’s one we reenact and so it has an extra special place in our hearts. This book takes you back to the Civil War but also a different bit of the war. A part where you’re neither alive nor dead and don’t know what’s going on.

Eli is in love with his best friends wife. While his best friend still lives. Peyton is alive but has lost two years of his life and doesn’t know he’s married. The nurse caring for him is giving him a special medicine she’s made from poppies. Anyone know what is made from poppies?

While Carrie writes letters to her husband so he will remember her he is never read them. Can they get it all figured out before it’s too late? Will Peyton remember he’s married before he marries again? Can Eli keep everyone safe and protect his own heart?

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Betti · Rating 4 out of 5]

1865 finds the Civil War finally reaching the end. Many have died, some have changed sides, and no one will ever be the same again. The prisoners have not been well treated on either side and some are suffering even more because of the lack of sanitary conditions. Peyton Collier falls into that category - wounded and malnourished, his wife and extended family try to do their best for him.

Hannah Emory is a self-important nurse who has studied under Miss Florence Nightingale. This has given her knowledge that allows her to insist on taking over the care of Mr. Collier. Her questionable pain medication, something she is hoping will lead to becoming famous, requires a very high price. What will become of this young soldier and his family?

The author has delved into the use of habit forming pain medications, something that seems so benign and helpful. But oh the sorrow they can cause…

An ARC was received through Steeple View Publishing. These impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

[Heather Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the last book in the Shenandoah Valley Saga series, the story continues as Carrie comes to take care of Peyton who served during the Civil War. It could definitely be read as a stand-alone, but it is better read as part of the series for a better understanding of the characters and storyline.

With the continuation of the story, Carrie seeks to find a way to help her husband, partly out of the guilt. As she is desperate to find him help, she is blinded by the villain in the story who isn’t doing her any services. Will she find out in time to truly help him?

One thing I love about Boeshaar is the amount of research and care she takes in writing a realistic historical fiction. It helps enhance the storyline for the reader. I love when books take us to new places and makes us want to research even more after we are done!

I would recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There Is A Season is the third installment from Andrea Boeshaar’s Shenandoah Valley Saga. Since, this one is part of a saga, I would recommend readers to read the first two books before beginning this one. You can get read it a stand alone, however, it would flow better if the prior books have already been read. I enjoyed this story and the historical details made me feel as though I was transported back in time.

There Is A Season will be four and a half stars from me. I recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical fiction, especially those set during the American Civil War. I would love to read more sagas like the Shenandoah Valley Saga by Andrea Boeshaar in the future.

I received a copy of There Is A Season from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Ashley Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good one. It is in a series but read just fine as a stand alone. I enjoyed the writers style of writing because you feel like you are there with the characters. It is historical and takes place at the end of the Civil War. You could tell the author knew about the time period and had done her research.

The description made me want to read the book, but the book turned out to be so much more than just the description. There is a tight family dynamic and some bad elements. I liked how the author handled some sticky situations. Overall it was a really good book and I enjoyed it.

4/5

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I began reading this book, I initially had a hard time staying interested. Nurse Emory appears to be an arrogant woman only out for control. Carrie Ann Bell Collier simply wants her husband Peyton to get well. This historical work eventually captured my interest. Eli, Peyton’s best friend, adds an element of interest to this story.

Carrie Ann, Peyton’s Aunt Ruth, along with Carrie Ann’s sister create a family that sticks together and works together. Nurse Emory sets out to steal Peyton by isolating him from his family and by alienating them in his mind. She sets out to control him so she can control his fortune. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting take on what can happen when you think your husband is dead and you fall in love with someone else. I had no idea how Andrea was going to work this all out and I had no idea how I wanted it to work out. I wanted everyone to be happy but I didn’t k know if that could be possible.

And Nurse Emory, yeah, I wanted to trust her at first but as time went on it became clear there was something going on and it wasn’t good. What was she up to? What we her agenda?

This series has been very interesting and I have enjoyed each book. I highly recommend them all.


A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

[Becca (Reflections From My Bookshelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a season continues the story of Carrie. Its the end of the Civil war and she has recently been reunited with her presumed dead husband, Payton. Only Peyton is wounded and under the special care of a nurse with a medicine said to cure. As the Civil war draws to a close, Carrie and her family must survive the changes. I thought this was an interesting book. It started of a a little slow but soon I had to find out what happened. Series are fun because we can find out more of their story and what happened to Carrie and liked reading about what happened to them. I thought the characters were well written and believable. I liked most of them especially Carrie! There were a couple who I wish I could have punched. I didn't like the nurse Hannah at all. I enjoyed learning more about struggles and joys experienced at the end of the war.
I liked how Andrea Boeshaar weaves the Lord's theurh through out this story.

I enjoyed this story and recommend it to my family and friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

There Is A Season has all the historical details of a novel surrounding the Civil War but also has lots of surprises, suspense, and mystery.

I found the main characters to be very relatable and felt their pain and frustration as I turned the pages. Carrie & Payton were married before he went to war. Injured and spending months in the hospital, his health takes a weird turn.

There were twists to the story that kept me engaged, wondering what would happen next. Highly recommended read.

I received a copy from the author and willingly choose to review it.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good way to finish this series. I definitely recommend reading books one and two in the series or you will be very confused as to what is going on between each of the main characters. I liked how this revolves around the civil war and how it was hard for every person on all sides of this horrible war. This will make you laugh and cry and think about many ideas. There is some intrigue and some romance. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book, as I thoroughly enjoyed the previous books in the series. However, it was not as enjoyable. The first part of the book recounts many scenes of the previous two, there is a slight resolution and then it ended rather abruptly. Some of the writing was a bit hard to keep track of and there were also numerous editing errors (missing punctuation and even a misspelling).

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"There Is a Season" by Andrea Boeshaar is the third book in the "Shenandoah Valley Saga" Series. It can be read as a stand alone but I am glad I read the other two first. This book takes place right after the Civil War and is historically correct.

This book has a character that I am not sure I liked at all.

All three books does have faith and inspiration as part of each story line.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the conclusion to this series and it wraps up what happens with Carrie Ann and Peyton as well as Eli. I was a little disappointed in the story and how it played out with Peyt and Nurse Hannah. All in all it is a good series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to this excellent trilogy.

[Linea Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great end to an excellent trilogy.

[Gena Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Trilogy

This was an amazing set of books. I haven’t enjoyed any books like I have these in many years. I am a fan.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

I absolutely loved the first two books of this series. In fact, I went back and read them both in anticipation of this one. I ended up stopping just shy of 50%. I don't want to give any spoilers so I won't be too specific. I don't know what in the world the nurse storyline was about in regard to how the series has been written up until now. I can say as a nurse, I took great issue with pretty much every aspect of her character. To say I disliked her is putting it extremely mildly. It also bothered me how the other characters fluctuated from distrust and dislike to behaving as though she was some sort of miracle worker. I may go back and finish it later, but it has truly struck a chord of annoyance and disgust in me that I just can't go any further. This author is a phenomenal writer and does an amazing job of bringing the characters and story alive. However, I wish she'd taken a different route with Peyts recovery than the manipulative, psychotic "nurse".

[Kim Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting ending to a fantastic series. I loved the suspense and the characters. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction.