The story opens in Feburary 1862 in southwest Missouri. A terrible battle happened there in August 1861. Cyntha Favor, and abolitionist, has been told by an erring Union colonel that her husband, Joseph, was killed in the battle. She is accompanied by her dear friend and freeman, Josiah Reynolds. She believes fervently that she can invoke the "spirit world" to tell her where her husband is buried. She finds nothing. However, a member of a Marauder gang tails the two who ride in a carriage from the battle site.

The story goes back in time to the battle. Joseph is heavily involved in the intense battle and, because of all the smoke of battle, is knocked unconscious by one of his fellow soldiers.

Sara Reeder believes strongly in the dignity of Southern heritage and in defending their homeland from Yankee invaders. In trying to warn the Confederates of the approaching Union army, she is caught in the carnage of the battle. Her father, a disabled mostly deaf veteran, fought bravely in the Mexican War.

After the batlle, she and her father find Joseph on the battlefield and nurse him back to health with the aid of a Union traitor, turned Rebel, named Dred Workman.

The war wages on, but the home is now a field hospital. Workman, Sara, Lucas, and their aged slave, Abram, tend to all the wounded. Her father and Abram are best friends. Lucas wants to free Abram, since he no longer believes in slavery.

Sara begins to have feelings for Joseph, and he for her. He has no memory of his former life. Workman convinces him and everyone else that Joseph is actually a Confederate soldier. (Record keeping in those days were substantially incomplete.)

Cyntha and Reynolds are held captive by the Union army, but plan an escape. She meets with a soothsayer who misleads her about her husband, so she wants to meet the Fox Sisters, who are making a lot of money convincing whole crowds they can speak with the dead.

The story continues with the Marauders becoming even more of a threat. They burn and pillage. Lucas tries to keep the family safe, but the war encroaches. Whom will Joseph choose as his love? Will his memory ever return? Can Sara come to grip with so much sadness and loss? Asunder is the first book of the trilogy. Splintered is the second, Reconciled is the third.

Top Picks

Fiction Books

advertise

book promo ebook

publishing

BooksShelf

Like, follow and subscribe

© 2026 BooksShelf. All Rights Reserved