The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – Review

I’ve been looking forward to this installment of the Daughters of the Mayflower installment for a couple reasons. (besides the fact I am loving this series). First, while the story is set near my current residence, I knew very little about the Wilderness Trail. Another reason I wanted to read The Cumberland Bride is that Shannon McNear is a new-to-me author.

About the Book

Thomas Bledsoe and Kate Gruener are traveling the Wilderness Road when conflicts between natives and settlers reach a peak that will require each of them to tap into a well of courage.
A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

Love and Adventure Are Discovered on the Wilderness Road
In 1794, when Kate Gruener’s father is ready to move the family farther west into the wilderness to farm untouched land, Kate is eager to live out her own story of adventure like he did during the War for Independence and to see untamed lands. And she sets her sights on learning more about their scout, Thomas Bledsoe. Thomas’s job is to get settlers safely across the Kentucky Wilderness Road to their destination while keeping an ear open for news of Shawnee unrest. But naïve Kate’s inquisitive nature could put them both in the middle of a rising tide of conflict. Is there more to Thomas’s story than he is willing to tell? Is there an untapped courage in Kate that can thwart a coming disaster?

Amazon // B&N // Book Depository // Christian Book // Goodreads

Other Books in the Series

In My Opinion…

Although I’ve lived in Tennessee for over twenty years, I have not yet visited the Cumberland Gap and pretty much all I know about it is that when the weather turns cold, the forecasters warn that those in that area should expect snow.

In The Cumberland Bride, author Shannon McNear brings to life the majesty and the danger of what could arguably be called the first gateway to the west (before Lewis and Clark forged their trail). The author draws readers in with the dangers surrounding Kate Gruener, her family, and the others in their traveling party. Even something as inconsequential as crossing a river can become deadly in the blink of an eye.

As if the land and weather isn’t enough, the group must also contend with rising tensions between the Indians and the white man. McNear doesn’t skirt the issue of what travelers faced when attacked.

As Kate digs for their guide’s story, he is determined to put distance between them while at the same time desiring to protect and care for the young woman with golden hair like the sunshine.

Another winner in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, and a solid novel from McNear (who is now an author I’ll be watching for more from).

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.