The Sword [Paperback]

THE SWORD

By Gilbert Morris

Spanning approximately 10 years, The Sword is the story of Jeb and Flora Stuart, Chantel Fortier, Jacob Steiner, and Clay Tremayne. The story focuses on the years leading up to the American Civil War and the war itself. Seen mainly from a southern view point there are glimpses of Northern thoughts and strategies.

The main story is Jeb and Flora's marriage and love for one another. Woven through out is the story of Chantel, Jacob and Clay. Through it all is the message of God's saving grace and that it is a choice each person must make for themselves. It cannot be forced on a person.

Gilbert Morris is an expert at bringing historical events to life while weaving in the fictional aspects of the story in a seamless flowing pattern. He makes you care for all the people involved and takes you along for the journey.

The Sword shows the illusion that both North and South had about the reality of war. When the truth comes out both realize that war against their brothers will not be a picnic or just few weeks. War will divide them in ways they don't realize and death and destruction will result.

Throughout Jacob is a beacon seeking to draw people to God. His generosity and faith are a source of comfort to all who meet him. Chantel is seen as an angel to the Southern troops and to the Stuart family as she care and ministers to the ill and wounded. Clay is drawn by both Jacob and Chantel but he is a man with a past that includes gambling, fighting, drinking and women.

What they see and experience will lead Chantel and Clay to eventually seek God and His saving grace. But who will be left when the war ends and what will they do?

Advanced Reader Copy provided in Digital edition for review purposes only.

Gilbert Morris in his new book, "The Sword" Book Two in The Last Cavaliers Series published by Barbour Publishing takes us back to The Civil War.

From the back cover: The war between the states becomes a battle for life...and for love. James Ewell Brown Stuart is a brawny soldier with a big heart for young Flora Cooke. Flora is a dainty officer's daughter who can't believe she's falling for any man so quickly. But their love was meant to be...until the Civil War forces Jeb to leave his young family for the fields of battle and both his life and love are at stake.

"Reckless" describes the life of well-to-do Clay Tremayne--a world of gambling and chasing women. Then one disastrous night, Clay nearly becomes a casualty of his own wild ways except for the kindness of a traveling peddler and a beautiful Cajun lady. As the United States erupts into war, Clay joins southern forces under General Stuart hoping to redeem himself, but soon discovers the pain of battle...and of winning the affection of wary Chantel Fortier.

Before Gilbert Morris became the prolific writer that he is he was a history professor. So teaching us about history in a very entertaining manner is second nature to him. He was also a pastor so teaching us Christian principles is also second nature to him. In "The Sword" both second natures become one. I think this is historical fiction at its finest.

"The Sword" is a book of history as it tells the story of General Stuart and his exploits during the war. It is a book of romance as Clay meets Chantel Fortier and they fall in love. It is a thriller as everyone's lives are in deadly jeopardy as the War Between the States rages on. Then there is the theme of God's saving grace, that it is a choice each person must make for themselves and that it cannot be forced on a person. Gilbert Morris is an expert at bringing historical events to life while weaving in the fictional aspects of the story in a seamless flowing pattern. He makes you care for all the people involved and takes you along for the journey. I have been reading everything by Gilbert Morris for a long time and I have to say that this may be his finest work. This is also just plain fun and exciting as well.

If, like me, you have read everything ever written by Gilbert Morris then you are going to love this book. If this is your first reading of anything by Gilbert Morris you are going to love this book. "The Sword" is a very fulfilling read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

If you missed the interview for "Honor In The Dust", a different series from Gilbert Morris, and would like to listen to it and/or interviews with other authors and professionals please go to Kingdom Highlights where they are available On Demand.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Barbour Publishing . I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Barbour ISBN 978-1-60260-908-2
James Ewell Brown Stuart went by the name of Jeb or Beauty. This book is based on many real battles and people. Each section focused on different people or situations. It keeps the reader looking for what will happen next. It also hits the emotions. At one part a young soldier sees his friend die and thinks to himself how he needs to be home and take care of his ma, and next minuted he dies as well. It makes war and death real - and they are.

Part 1 -Flora & Jeb 1861
Flora Cooke lives at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas with her father, the Colonel. She had attended boarding school in Detroit and was planning on going into society in Philadelphia. That was before she met Jeb Stuart at a ball. He believed God created one special woman for him and Flora was her. After a short courtship they became engaged. He would go out a few weeks at a time watching for the Indians who were raiding. He had been shot and was not able to come home for a long while but he did make it before their first daughter was born. After he was shot it became a reality to Flora that she married a man in the army who might leave and not come back. She loved Jeb dearly and accepted that. When the civil war was starting Jeb decided to join and moved his family to Virginia. They now had a small son as well. Before he left for the war he found Chantel, a seventeen old girl who also new nursing. Flora was ill and needed help with the children and herself.

Part 2 - Chantel & Jacob 1859-1861
Chantel Fortier lived in the Bayou. When her mother died she had to leave as her step-father was an evil man and always tried to have her. She was fifteen when she left the only home she ever knew. She has to be careful as she travels through small towns as the men always try and approach her. Finally she finds Jacob Steiner. An older man in a wagon who is very ill. She stops and helps him and begins traveling with him, saying he is her grandfather. This was two years before meeting Flora. They find Clay Tremayne shot along the road and help him. Clay goes with them to Richmond where he joins the war under Jeb Stuart.

Part 3- Clay and the General 1861-1862
Jeb Stuart becomes a General and he has no fear in leading his men. Clay is at his side.
Chantel and Jacob follow the men selling their goods as part of the army and helping the men in the hospitals. The war claims many lives.

Part 4- Chantel & Clay 1862-1865
Clay is injured in the war. Chantel and Clay still struggle to understand God and salvation, but through the faith of others they finally do. This chapter had me in tears both joyful and sad ones.

Received book from NetGalley for review.

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