The Cumberland Bride

Author: Shannon McNear
Genre: Historical Romance

In 1794, when Kate Gruener’s father is ready to move the family farther west into the wilderness to farm untouched land, Kate is eager to learn and live out her own story of adventure like he did during the War for Independence. She sets her sights on learning more about their guide, Thomas Bledsoe. Thomas’s job is to get settlers safely across the Kentucky Wilderness Road to their destination while keeping an ear open for news of Shawnee unrest. But naïve Kate’s inquisitive nature could put them both in the middle of a rising tide of conflict. Is there more to Thomas’s Shawnee connections than he is willing to tell? Is there an untapped courage in Kate that can thwart a coming disaster?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Almost all the authors in the Daughters of the Mayflower series are familiar to me, but Shannon McNear, author of The Cumberland Bride was not, so I wasn't sure what to expect. 

At first, the book dragged horribly and I found myself skimming the pages waiting for something to happen. The action finally picked up around chapter thirteen and McNear kept me intrigued and reading until the end.

Her research was very well done and painted a clear picture of the rigours settlers went through to make new lives for themselves amidst the perils of Indian attacks. Unfortunately it was the details of the trail that bogged the book down for me. 

I did love how she developed the character of Thomas Bledsoe. There is a backstory to him that is slowly revealed and as the story progresses we see his faith in God begin to grow. We also see his relationship with Kate begin to grow and their romance is very sweet.

I look forward to the final book in this series.

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