A thrilling tale of two women longing to follow God’s leading, make the most of second chances, and find true love at last
Virginia, 1864
Therese Jennings cannot abide the thought of owning slaves. When her widowed mother inherits a plantation, Therese flees to Civil War Richmond, where she works as a governess by day and tends to wounded soldiers at night. But when trouble befalls her family, can she reconcile her obligations with her beliefs? And will love—whether with an old beau or a handsome new suitor—ever fit in her broken world?
Virginia, present day
Nicole Talbot’s life is back on track after years of substance abuse. Home from college for the summer, she’s finally ready to share a shocking secret, one that raises new questions about a traumatic childhood experience. But when facts she uncovers cast doubt on her family’s legacy, she must risk all that she’s gained—her fresh start, her family’s trust, and her growing relationship with a new man—to unlock the secrets of the past.
Mindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 20 books, both fiction and nonfiction, with over a million copies sold. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live in Pennsylvania.
Find out more about Mindy Starns at http://mindystarnsclark.com.
Leslie Gould, a former magazine editor, is the author of numerous novels, including Beyond the Blue and Garden of Dreams. She received her master of fine arts degree from Portland State University and lives in Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children.
Find out more about Leslie at http://www.lesliegould.com/.
My Impressions:
My Daughter’s Legacy is the outstanding conclusion to Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould’s 3-book series, Cousins of The Dove. All three combine history, mystery, romance, and a family saga that spans several centuries. This novel continues the present-day mystery for the four Talbot cousins and introduces the Civil War tale of courage, faith and conviction of their great+-grandparents. I found the history surrounding the waning days of the Civil War fascinating and the mystery puzzling and surprising in the end. My book club has read the first two books of this series, and I can’t wait to share My Daughter’s Legacy with them. It is one I can highly recommend!
Nicole Talbot has completed her rehab and is pursuing her degree in order to become a therapist. After a successful first year, she is looking forward to reconnecting with family and working as an assistant to an equine therapist. The murder scene she and her cousins discovered when small children is a shadow that has impacted her whole life. But new clues and a new endeavor point to a promising future for Nicole. Photographs from the Civil War connect the mystery from her childhood and the present and reveal a legacy none of the Talbot cousins were aware of.
I really like dual story lines, and Clark and Gould do an excellent job of weaving the two different yet compelling stories together. The stories are told in the first person voice of Nicole and the third person perspective of Therese — present and past juxtaposed believably. While I always enjoy a good mystery (and this one has been good through all three books), I liked Therese’s story the best. The two authors really did their homework as they brought the tension of the last days of the Confederacy to life. Richmond is on the verge of being overrun by Union troops, the many hospitals are full of the wounded and dying, and spy networks are doing their best to bring an end to the conflict. There is a lot going on in Therese’s world, and I felt right in the thick of things. Photography was new at the time of the Civil War, and the book incorporates that to document the realities of life in the South. Therese is a young woman of strong convictions, yet is pulled by family loyalties and obligations. In the end she leaves a legacy of speaking for those without a voice.
A great ending to a great series, My Daughter’s Legacy could probably be read as a standalone novel. But don’t do it! All three are available for you to binge read right now! Get them and enjoy!
Highly Recommended.
Audience: older teens and adults.
Great for book clubs.
To purchase, click HERE.
(Thanks to LitFuse for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Giveaway!
Celebrate the release of Mindy and Leslie’s new book by entering to win the $75 Visa Cash Card Giveaway (details below) and by attending their author chat party on August 1!
One grand prize winner will receive:
- One copy of My Daughter’s Legacy
- One $75 Visa Cash Card
Enter today by clicking HERE. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 1. The winner will be announced at the My Daughter’s Legacy Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Mindy, Leslie, and other readers, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!
This series sounds sooo good! Thanx for the giveaway!!!
It really is! 🙂