Book Review: The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

Shannon McNear is a new author to me.  I enjoyed her style of writing.  The story caught my attention within a few pages and strongly held it until the end.  Her style is easy to understand, flows smoothly, and I could tell this book had been well researched.  I love a book that teaches me things, and this one did just that.  Another thing I want from a Christian book is inspiration.  This one provided that, also.  The descriptions were detailed without being overlong.  This book swept me back in time to 1794 and I was able to go on a journey in the wilderness.  It took me through some twists and turns, emotions were raw at times, but I loved this captivating book.

The Cumberland Bride is the tale of Kate Gruener.  Kate her family are venturing from Bean’s Station, Tennessee, through the Cumberland Gap into the wilderness of western Kentucky.  It is also the story of Thomas Bledsoe, the scout for their party. Thomas has experience with Indians.  As one might think, their journey is filled with adventure, danger, thrills, and peril. It is also filled with faith, hope, love, trust, and prayers to God.

The author has done a wonderful job with her characters.  They are relatable, well rounded, and feel like friends.  I could feel their emotions coming through the pages.  Conversations sounded authentic. The love story was one of the best I have read in a while.  All in all this is a charming book that begs to be read in one sitting. If only life would have cooperated, I would have done just that.  It took me two days to read it, and I set it down begrudgingly.