Read Messenger by Moonlight Online
Authors: Stephanie Grace Whitson
Tags: #Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, #Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, #Fiction / Christian / Historical, #Fiction / Christian / Romance
Messenger by Moonlight (33 page)
A Captain for Laura Rose
Daughter of the Regiment
Available from FaithWords wherever books are sold
DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT
“An inspiring story of discovering courage and friendship through tremendous adversity. Drawing on the actual histories of women who found ways to work on the battlefront during the Civil War, this outstanding historical will attract fans of Janette Oke, Lisa Wingate, and Tamera Alexander.”
—
Library Journal
, starred review
“Based on true events, this story will capture the hearts of historical fiction fans.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“The author’s gift for multidimensional characters and tight plotting shines through. Romance, family drama, immigrants, and dueling factions in the same town add action and intrigue.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“An entertaining historical tale of faith, action, and romance.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“This stand-alone novel has all the makings of a great romance: love, intrigue, mystery, and unforgettable characters. Whitson’s historical details on female riverboat captains are incredible.”
—
RT Book Reviews
“
A Captain for Laura Rose
is a novel rich with exciting details of riverboat life during the nineteenth century and the well-drawn characters will steal your heart. Don’t miss this exceptional read.”
—Judith Miller, award-winning author of the
Home to Amana
series
“As usual, Stephanie Grace Whitson skillfully weaves unforgettable characters with an unforgettable time in history. Step aboard the
Laura Rose
. You will definitely enjoy the ride!”
—Nancy Moser, bestselling author of
The Journey of Josephine
and
Mozart’s Sister
“Whitson has a wonderful knack of storytelling.… I highly recommend
A Captain for Laura Rose
. It is wonderfully crafted and thoughtfully written.”
—RadiantLit.com
1. When you first meet Annie, she’s thinking about the twenty-third Psalm and apologizing to God because “I shall not want” doesn’t seem to apply to her. She thinks
I do want. So much.
How would you answer Annie’s question about the deeper meaning of those words? Is she failing in some way because she wants a different way? How can a believer reconcile contentment and desire?
2. What character flaw does Annie hope to help Frank overcome by encouraging him to “think good thoughts”? What do you think of her approach?
3. At the beginning of the book, Annie describes her idea of “home” in detail. When you think of “home,” what kind of place to you envision? Have you had to learn to adjust expectations in regard to the place you call “home”? What challenges did you face on that journey? What or who helped you most?
4. Do you think Lydia is a good friend to Annie? In what ways does the friendship benefit both women?
5. Did you learn anything new about the Pony Express or some other aspect of history from
Messenger by Moonlight
? If the story sparked any new questions about
American history, share those—and the answers (assuming you sought them out).
6. What spiritual themes did you see woven into this story? Do you think the author was successful in her treatment of those concepts? Why or why not?
7. It’s always fun to think about a film version of a story. Did any current actors’ faces appear in your mind’s eye as you read the story?
8. If the author were to write a sequel, when would you want it to begin? Whom do you want to know more about—besides George and Annie?
9. It’s always important for a writer to know the backstory of each character. In fact, writers usually know a lot more about their characters than they can put into a relatively short book. Play with the idea of creating backstories for some of the minor characters. What kind of background would you create for Ira Gould? What about Luther Mufsy? Cinda Collingsworth?
10. If you had lived in 1860, would you be an Annie or a Lydia? Fearful or excited about going west? How do you think the reality of living in the “untamed West” would have challenged and changed you? What would you have loved the most? What would you have hated?
11. Frank responds to the parson and his message in a life-changing way. Have you ever known anyone who experienced a radical change as a result of someone else’s personal testimony?
Irish immigrant Maggie Malone wants no part of the war—until her brothers join Missouri’s Union Irish Brigade, and one of their names appears on a list of wounded soldiers. Desperate for news, Maggie heads for Boonville, where the Federal army is camped. There she captures the attention of Sergeant John Coulter. When circumstances force Maggie to remain with the brigade, she discovers how capable she is of helping. And while she doesn’t see herself as someone a man would court, John Coulter is determined to convince her otherwise.
As the mistress of her brother’s Missouri plantation, Elizabeth Blair has learned to play her part as the perfect hostess—and not to question her brother Walker’s business affairs. When Walker offers his plantation as the Center of Operations for a Confederate brigade, Libbie must manage a house with officers in residence and find a way to protect the people who depend on her. Despite being neighbors, Maggie and Libbie have led such different lives that they barely know one another—until war brings them together, and each woman discovers that both friendship and love can come from the unlikeliest of places.
Available now in print and electronic formats from FaithWords wherever books are sold.
Laura Rose White’s late father taught her everything he knew about piloting a Missouri River steamboat and even named their boat after her. Despite that, it seems that Laura will forever be a “cub pilot” to her brother Joe, because in 1867, a female riverboat captain is unheard of. But when tragedy strikes, Laura must make the two-month journey from St. Louis to Fort Benton and back in order to save her family’s legacy, her home, and the only life she’s ever known.
But to overcome these nearly insurmountable odds she’ll need the help of Finn MacKnight, a skilled pilot with a terrible reputation. Laura loathes having to accept MacKnight as her co-pilot, especially when she learns she must also provide passage for his two sisters. Straitlaced Fiona has a fear of water, and unpredictable Adele seems much too comfortable with the idea of life on the untamed river and the men who ply it. Though they are thrown together by necessity, this historic journey may lead Laura and the MacKnights to far more than they ever expected.
Available now in print and electronic formats from FaithWords wherever books are sold.
Digital.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Whitson, Incorporated
Cover design by JuLee Brand
Cover photograph by Dean Dixon and Getty Images
Cover copyright © 2016 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
The author is represented by Books & Such Literary Agency, Inc., 5926 Sunhawk Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 www.booksandsuch.com
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First ebook edition: May 2016
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ISBN 978-1-4555-2907-0
E3-20160321-JV-NF