Rating: 
Summary: For Love or Honor Bound
Review: Never before have I been so engrossed in a novel pertaining to the American Civil War!The character development is so very rich, and the complexity of each relationship illustrates that no matter which side one represents, each is "fighting the good fight". The author moves the reader from battle ground, to deep, territorial waters and back again, weaving the tale of two brothers. One fights for the Confederacy, the other for the Union. Throughout their respective journeys, each falls in love with Countess Bario, is honored as a powerful and effective leader, and learns that there are more similarities than differences between them. Every possible emotion is exercised when reading For Love or Honor Bound, and upon turning to the last page, the reader is compelled to think of friends with whom to share this wonderful novel. Well done, Derek!
Rating:
Summary: Civil War Action + Hot Brazilian Spy!
Review: Okay, now I admit it, I'm not a romance reader. The only reason I bought this book was because a friend recommended it for the Civil War historical fiction angle.
However, was I in for a very pleasant surprise. This book is a page turner. I was hooked right away.
There are 3 major characters - Sophia Bario, a Brazilian diplomat who is also a Confederate spy, Ian (I like his name) Norton, who commands USS Superior, a Union blockade ship, and Robert Norton, a dashing Confederate cavalry officer. Their lives get entangled for a number of reasons and the Nortons are brothers divided by the war.
However, it's Sergeant Lowe I liked best. I wanted more. He was the perfect aide for Confederate Norton and had a great sense of humor and loyalty.
Then there's the research that went into this book. I'm a Civil War reenactor and I checked on some of the stuff in this novel. It was written with an eye to accuracy, while still propelling the story along. Sherman's March to the Sea took on a new perspective for me, since I've always looked at it from the Yankee side.
Okay, let's get to the romance. I like the fact that Countess Bario was hot and choosey. With all the eligible men chasing her, she falls for the guy on the soon-to-be-losers side. I understand from my mother thant most romances take almost 2/3 of the book for the main characters to fall in love. Well, not here. It's pretty much love at first rescue!
Here's a novel for just about anybody. If you like Civil War books, get it. If you like historical fiction, get it. If you like romances, get it, because there's plenty of torrid romance. But especially get this book if you like novels where you care about the characters and the action moves you right to the end.
For Love or Honor Bound may not make it on any best-seller list, but if you like a solid story, read it.
Rating:
Summary: Author Notes
Review: One hundred and thirty-seven years ago, the Countess Isabelle Sophia Bario, diplomatic representative of Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil, sailed to war-ravaged America, to negotiate with President Lincoln to allow Brazil to trade with the Confederate States of America. In fact, she was a Rebel spy and instead of treaties, Sophia was after Union secrets. What she found instead was intrigue and murder. Fleeing for her life, Sophia was rescued by Captain Robert Norton, a Confederate cavalry officer. Thus began a torrid love affair with strategic implications. Countess Bario's story comes from Marietta, Georgia author Derek Hart. For Love or Honor Bound is a Civil War historical novel based in large part on the author's ancestors, who fought on both sides during the conflict. 'My relatives were from South Carolina and Pennsylvania,' stated Mr. Hart. 'The attic was rich with letters and diaries - tales of valor and sacrifice for causes each believed in.' Derek Hart has been writing fiction and studying military history for over 26 years now, but the War Between the States has always been close to his heart. 'Ever since childhood I was intrigued with the Civil War,' the author said. 'but when you discover your ancestors actually fought in it, well that makes it personal and real. I write fiction, so it was just natural to spin tales about the Nortons and Oetzels and how the Civil War changed their lives.' Taking the genealogical research seriously, Mr. Hart delved into state and county records, read scores of Confederate and Union regimental histories, and even employed a Brazilian friend to help translate Portuguese and advise on Brazilian customs. 'The book is fiction, but I made every attempt to blend fact with literary license, especially concerning family roots,' Hart said. Derek Hart's passion is writing action/adventure fiction, with over 10 novels, 3 screenplays, and hundreds of short stories to his credit. Mr. Hart resides in Marietta with his wife and son, where he is the Director of Training & Development for a major corporation.
Rating: 
Summary: Saucy and provocative
Review: The Countess really steals the show. Yes, the other characterizations are very good, but Sophia can really capture a man's heart. The tryst on the boat had me in a feverish sweat. I've never considered the War of Northern Aggression in such a light. Thank you, Derek Hart!
Rating:
Summary: Saucy and provocative
Review: The Countess really steals the show. Yes, the other characterizations are very good, but Sophia can really capture a man's heart. The tryst on the boat had me in a feverish sweat. I've never considered the War of Northern Aggression in such a light. Thank you, Derek Hart!
Rating: 
Summary: Everything but a worthy heroine.......
Review: The history is excellent, the reality of the battles and the strategy planning, etc. is incredible. The hero's Ian Nortin, the union commodore and his half brother Robert, confederate cavalry are so different and yet each is the star of this book!
They are the stuff hero's are made of and that makes this book a page turner. Our heroine is Countess Sophia who is a spy, murderess, adulterer and brazen . Why 2 men of such integrity and honor would fall hopelessly in love with her still leaves me confused. And for that reason I would rate this a 4-.....such a shame really because it is excellent in all other respects. The 'romance' part is also unreal because sophia and robert meet once and are hopelessly in love for the rest of the book...Kind of like the author thought there should be a love interest and threw it in. He even has her young daughter condoning her adulterous affair......The more I think of this, I'm only rating it a 3......sorry.
Rating:
Summary: It's the Little Things
Review: This book is set in the South - not only the Confederacy but South America. What makes this book special is the attention to detail the author brings to the topic. Many books have been written about this traumatic time in US history but this one examines the political involvement of other countries. Using a brother vs brother tale as his vehicle, Hart records the impact one foreign concern had on even the smallest confrontations. Be prepared to be amazed at all you will learn while enjoying the exploits of the Norton brothers.
Rating:
Summary: It's a Winner
Review: This is a high quality, gripping, action-packed novel set in the time period of the War Between the States, from November 1863 through the end of hostilities in April 1865, on to post-surrender migration to Brazil by many disheartened Confederate
soldiers and sympathizers. The story line is written from the
perspective of three major personalities, a Brazilian Countess
who comes into the North as a diplomat but is in reality a spy
for the Confederacy, and two brothers, one having chosen to serve
in the Union Navy while the other has committed to serve in the
Confederate cavalry. The Countess becomes involved in a murder
of a high-ranking Union naval officer that forces her and her
family to seek refuge in the South. They are rescued from their
pursuers by a troop of Confederate cavalry commanded by the
brother, Captain Robert Norton. This rescue sets the stage for a
torrid romance between the Countess and Captain, even as the South is being decimated by Union General Sherman's invasion of
Georgia and the torching of Atlanta on his march to the sea. All
of the story's characters are vividly created against the back-
drop of accurate time-line events. The author's historical re-
search is superb, which enhances the story and prompts the reader
to keep turning the pages to read what the next battle skirmish
or narrow escape will be, with the action constantly intense and the outcome not resolved until the very last page.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: This is one that can be read over and over. It has plenty of action, romance, accurate depictions of Civil War battles and places and events that happened during that time. This novel is a real "page-turner." You'll lose sleep because it's hard to put down. I've read it once but plan to read it again and again! I hope Derek Hart writes another Civil War novel!
Rating:
Summary: Very Engrossing Novel
Review: This novel showed a lot of knowledge and research about the Civil War...a sad time. Derek Hart has a way with words! It was a very good book.
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