Secrets and Sacrifices
The Confederate army is starving and badly in need of clothing. Add to that the mounting numbers of battle casualties, a lack of medical supplies, and army surgeon, Captain Daniel Reid, of the Twenty-Fifth Virginia, knows he has to take action, no matter the consequences.
Charlotte Garrett loses her husband and her identity when she takes on the guise of a Southern soldier. Learning to march, fight, and even spit like a man is to be expected. But what she doesn’t expect to find is a situation that leads her into the arms of a new man and into big, big trouble with the North and South!
Praise and Reviews
This chance meeting connects the lives of not only Daniel and Charlie but also of their families. He smuggles drugs and supplies from the North and she's involved in the Underground Railroad. There are renewed requests to re-enlist in the conflict and betrayal from someone unexpected.
—Donna M. Brown
Secrets and Sacrifices unfolds with Charlie disguising herself as a man to fight in the Civil War. She wants to be near her husband, Joshua. When he dies, she takes up a reckless abandon and uncaring attitude, seeking revenge as a sharpshooter in the 25th Virginia. A terribly unfortunate rape attempt turns into something more. It leads Charlie to a new love, growing a fond relationship with the surgeon. They share some comforting moments amidst the horror-filled results of Civil War battle.
This is a dazzling romance novel, with incredible characters and detail. It teaches that no matter how heart-breaking a turn in life is, with bitter sweet memories, there can always be hope and better days ahead!"
4 Pearls
Reagan Rothe, Author of Misanthropy: Book I: The Tower, Creator of Black Rose Writing
CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Rating: 5 Shamrocks
Since her stunning award winning debut novel MY ENEMY, MY LOVE [reprinted as JENNY'S PASSION], this author has impressed me with her richly detailed emotional storytelling talent. She has taken the Civil War, thoroughly researched her facts of battles, conditions and written powerfully complex characters interacting in a powerful tableau to engage the readers emotions. With Charlie you are introduced to a marvelous unforgettable heroine, where the author has the reader feeling her abject grief as she holds the lifeless body of her beloved husband, then details her struggle back to living and finding love once more with the wonderfully honorable and stalwart Dr. Reid and the sacrifices they would make to be together. Woven throughout Wylie describes it all including the blood, the gore, and the shameful inhuman treatment that was faced by all in one of the costliest wars of human suffering and death of one of the most horrific times in the history of America.
This is a stunning and powerful read that I most highly recommend from an author who displays a rare talent and leaves you wanting more.
Diane Wylie is definitely a new author that is headed to the top!
I became an instant fan after reading her first book, ‘My Enemy, My Love’ [reprinted as JENNY'S PASSION], and have anxiously waited for more.
‘Secrets and Sacrifices’, her second book, is just as powerful and entertaining as her first. From the beginning, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the entire book.
Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Garrett, the heroine, is a gutsy, dare-taking, and determined woman who puts others welfare before her own. She dangerously fights side by side with the soldiers, never once complaining. Her dedication and loyalty to the men she loves motivates her beyond what most women of the period could tolerate. She discovers how difficult and unfair life can be, but it can also unexpectedly give her a second chance, especially with love in the arms of one Captain Daniel Reid.
Diane has a way of instantly connecting the reader to her characters. Her Civil War historical romances are filled with adventure, hardship, and love. She has a magical way of entwining her main characters with the secondary ones, to create a fascinating plot. Diane breathes life into her unforgettable characters and weaves the stories in a refreshing way that totally grabs and sucks you into the worlds she creates. I always feel as if I’m watching a movie while reading Diane’s books. Her love scenes are tender and spicy, filled with deep emotions, while her descriptive writing style hurls the reader right into the action of the Civil War.
I would love for Diane Wylie to continue this series with her previous secondary characters. Daniel’s brother and sister, Brad and Nora, and Daniel’s friend, Major Will Mattingly, definitely need their own love story.
Reviewed by Deborah A. Hymon, from Historical Passions
Coffee Time Romance
Rating: 5 Cups
Ms. Wylie has crafted an amazing novel set during the worst time in United States history. She sweeps you into the battlefields right along with the characters. What stands out about this story is that it is not a fluffy romance novel. It makes you feel the raw emotions of the struggles and sacrifices of the characters. SECRETS AND SACRIFICES is a stunning novel of bravery, hope, and love.
Reviewed by Bonnie-Lass
Reviewed by: Lena C.
Fresh Fiction
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=13105
SECRETS AND SACRIFICES is Wylie's second historical novel. Like her first, My ENEMY, MY LOVE [reprinted as JENNY'S PASSION], Wylie expertly brings the reader back in time as she weaves the perfect web of history, lust, and intrigue. Her attention to detail as well as the accurate depiction of the Civil War enables Wylie to draw the reader in and keeps the reader coming back for more. An absolute must-read! SECRETS AND SACRIFICES is a sure winner.
Reviewed by: Jennifer Vido
...Secrets and Sacrifices by Diane Wylie is a creative and wonderfully accurate depiction of the Civil War. Readers will find themselves drawn into the story from the very beginning. This is a story readers will remember and return to read again. I highly recommend it to the readers that enjoy historical romance.
Sensuality rating: Very sensual
Anita
January 11, 2007
MyBookCravings.com
Rating: 5 roses
Charlotte Garrett, known as Charlie by her family and friends, disguised herself as a boy to join the Confederate Army. Charlie followed her husband, Joshua, to war since she could not bear life without him. She was trained as a sharpshooter. Charlie had never shot a man before, but she knows this war is about to change everything. Her life will never be the same.
Captain Daniel Reid is a surgeon for the Confederate Army. All Daniel wants to do is ease the pain and suffering this war has caused. Another comrade named Clarence comes to Daniel for help. A young boy in his unit has suffered the loss of a loved one in the war and seems to be taking it very hard. Daniel is drawn to Charlie immediately. He will be shocked when he discovers Charlie’s secret.
Ms. Wylie has written a wonderful story filled with emotion. As you read this book you will feel like you are reliving life in the south during the Civil War. The emotions that both the Confederates and the Yankees must have felt during the war are described in perfect detail. As you read about the pain and suffering endured you will discover that many secrets and sacrifices were made on both sides. This book will show you that even though the pain and heartache seems more then anyone should have to endure, love can help you to overcome tragedy and become whole again. This book is a keeper.
4 and a half roses
Charlie has a secret; she has followed her husband into battle. She has learned to be a solider alongside her husband. Because of her skills she has become a sharpshooter...
Captain Daniel Reid is sick of the war, sick of the dying, sick of not having enough medicine to help the wounded...
Enjoyable book. The characters are strong, likable. Charlie had strong beliefs; she also questioned them, which made her grow as the story progressed. Daniel was a true gentleman; he didn’t force himself on Charlie in any way.
Reviewed in October 2006 by Pat.
http://www.aromancereview.com/reviews/index.php?app_state=show_event&bookid=9158