A Heartbeat Away

Title: A HEARTBEAT AWAY

Author: S. Dionne Moore

Publisher: Abingdon Press

May 2013

ISBN: 978-1-4267-5270

Genre: Historical romance

A quilt and a hidden message bring together enemies during the Civil War.

When a band of runaway slaves brings Union-loyal Beth Bumgartner a wounded Confederate soldier named Joe, it is the catalyst that pushes her to defy her pacifist parents and become a nurse during the Battle of Antietam

Her mother's mysterious goodbye gift is filled with quilt blocks that bring comfort to Beth during the hard days and lonely nights, but as she sews each block, she realizes there is a hidden message of faith within the pattern that encourages and sustains her.

Reunited with Joe, Beth learns his secret and puts the quilt's message to its greatest test—but can betrayal be forgiven?

A HEARTBEAT AWAY is book #7 in Abingdon Press’ Quilts of Love series. The books are each stand-alone. Beth is not a nurse, but spurred by Clara Barton she goes to join her grandma and starts caring for wounded soldiers in the family’s spring house.

Historical details are rich. Ms. Moore is a great writer, able to bring scenes to life. Some details were a bit too gory and gross (splattering blood, lice infected mattresses, etc.) but they were realistic for the time period and the events. I didn’t realize that Pennsylvania was a battle ground for the Civil War (other than Gettysburg) so it was interesting reading about places I thought of being more Revelotionary War as being also Civil War.

Fans of historical romance, Civil War romance, and S. Dionne Moore will definely want to read A HEARTBEAT AWAY. Recommended. $12.99. 240 pages.