A Widow’s Salvation

The first battles of the Civil War took Pepper Brown’s husband from her. Though wealthy, she was left with two sons and another baby on the way.  When her mourning period is done she is determined to continue living, knowing that Michael would want that. She decides to join her mother in helping out at MacDougall Hospital. Army surgeon Colonel Elijah Williams has been widowed as well.  He is also not getting enough sleep, thanks to the trains and wagons of wounded coming back to New York from the battles.

Unlike many Civil War era stories, the main characters of this novel are not soldiers.  It's not set in the south, nor is it about the after effects of war.  "A Widow's Salvation" shows the reader the damage done from the first moments of the first battle. Stuffed full of history, but never to the point of being a research paper, daily life, morals, and the pain of war are blended brilliantly into the story of two people instantly attracted to each other, but becoming friends first by just being there for each other, whether emotionally or physically. Some places drag, with unneeded explanations or too much inner dialogue, though overall the pacing is good. Pepper is a strong woman, even though she fully follows societal conventions. Elijah’s stamina and heartache as a Civil War trauma surgeon and his subsequent nightmares will resonate with many, and be eye opening to others. His determination to never let anyone down, tempered with his willingness to let Pepper care for him is a refreshing look at an alpha male. A tale of those not on the front lines, yet still directly affected, Becky Lower's latest is not to be missed!

Julie York