Book Blurb:
The bloody War of Revolution sparks a new democracy in the British colonies and makes household names of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson. As the century comes to a close, legendary rider Paul Revere forges a unique medallion in the fires of Boston. Decades later, another rebellion grips the land, splitting the fledgling country asunder. As the North and South collide in a devastating civil war, the Revere medallion rises from the ashes to spark a new generation of American heroes.
When patriotic fever sweeps the country, Paul's grandson marches into battle with the famed Harvard regiment but he finds the horrors of war a steep price to pay for glory. A Southern belle must decide where her true loyalties lie when faced with the ultimate choice. A young officer struggles to maintain his principles as Robert E. Lee pushes toward Gettysburg, and he must wrestle with the true meaning of freedom. As the battles rage around them, the three must learn to adapt as politics and prejudice undermine Lincoln's hope for salvation.
Uniting the trio in the greatest conflict America has ever faced is the famed Revere medallion and the special strength it gives to those who possess it. Three men and women are tested to their breaking points as they must learn to face their fears and find a way to save their beloved country against insurmountable odds.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/pc1zjK
Author Bio:
Thomas Berry received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Bonaventure University. A lover of history and literature, he has found his true passion in writing historical fiction. When not writing, he enjoys long distance running and has completed several marathons. He currently lives with his wife and five children in New Jersey. You can learn more about Thomas and his historical fiction novels at his website, www.thomas-berry.com.
Editorial Review:
“Fiery sparks flew in all directions with each resounding swing of the hammer. Strong calloused hands gripped the heavy instrument as the small object glowed red as the sun above. Sweat dripped down his cheek and hissed angrily on the hot metal forge. As copper infused with tin, an acrid scent rose in the air. Slowly, the product began to take shape. The man’s eyes widened with anticipation. The boiling metals swirling in the caldron near him cast his face in a macabre expression. “It’s going to be a thing of beauty, Paul.””
“Blue Line to Richmond” immediately immerses the reader in conflict, commencing with the symbolic heat of the forge, shaping a medallion - referencing the momentous nation shaping conflict of the American Revolution – before detailing the Civil War. The story starts in 1792, where the legendary Paul Revere is creating a medallion. The writing style is detailed, but there is much to cover, with the narrative focused on Paul Revere and his descendants, combined with the additional storylines of Morton Tower and Elizabeth Van Lew.
The significance of the medallion echoes down the decades, and the author skilfully combines both the internal and external challenges of the historical figures/characters, their friends and families. The stark toll of the Civil War and the decimation of lives and societies (and thankfully, the end of slavery) is laid bare in “Blue Line to Richmond” with the privations of the battlefields authentically described. References to abolitionist themes are also a welcome addition to the novel, differentiating the book from others that focus only on battlefield conflicts. Here, Berry has crafted a narrative that weaves together conflict that is social, military and personal.
In 1862 the reader meets Second Lieutenant Morton Tower, a commissioned officer in Lincoln’s army. In other hands, Berry’s references to the famous battles of American history could be dry and historical, but instead the author has taken considerable care to give every military development a personal perspective, as Morton Tower loses friends, engages with the enemy, and struggles with the personal reality of war.
“Morton was 21 years of age, a resident of Randolph, a few miles south of the big city. He was a man of medium height, with a strong, athletic frame, but unlike many of his peers in the army, he was clean-shaven which often made him appear youthful and disarming. He had enlisted after the fall of Fort Sumter along with many of his patriotic neighbors and mustered in shortly afterward to what had been expected to be a short war. The order was given to rise and march north along the Hagerstown Pike, further away from the fighting while other brigades joined in the battle. The men were desperately short of ammunition. Morton was shocked to find only a handful of lead balls left in his cartridge box. That wouldn’t last more than a few minutes in a firefight, he realized. His buddies were undoubtedly in the same predicament.”
Elizabeth Van Lew, a complex historical figure, is a fascinating further addition to the narrative. Her concerns and actions as the Civil War draws to a close mirror the uncertainty in society of that time, and the danger inherent in overtly stating beliefs where the war has cost so many so much. It is to the author’s considerable credit that he writes from both a male and female perspective so convincingly, as he successfully sets out the motivations of each historical figure (and secondary character) and provides the reader with a glimpse of their personalities.
“Virginia bluebells and pink rhododendrons were taking bloom in her garden, amid the large gazebo that looked out over the swiftly moving James River and the prison warehouse at the foot of Chapel Hill. She had spent an hour there this morning tending the garden with William, Peter’s father. He was a year past his fiftieth birthday, or so he thought, but there were no estate records to verify it. Dates mattered little to him though. William had worked the grounds of the estate for over 17 years and the Van Lews had been kind to him. It was enough.”
The pacing of “Blue Line to Richmond” is well-balanced, and several of the chapters are headlined to orientate the reader as to the date and place of the content. This is particularly useful in the chapters relating to Morton Tower. The ending of the novel is a poignant and emotionally touching conclusion to the narrative, confirming the ways in which those featured in the novel are inter-connected with each other.
“Blue Line to Richmond” by Thomas J Berry will take the reader on an engaging journey through some of America’s most turbulent times. This historical novel is a standout among others in this genre because of the author’s strong focus on characterisation and the personal motivations of the main characters, set against the emotion and tragedy of such a pivotal era. The battlefields scenes are gritty and realistic, adding to the authenticity of the novel and effortlessly demonstrating the detailed research Berry has undertaken to write such a work. A great read!
*****
“Blue Line to Richmond” by Thomas J Berry receives 4 ½ stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
Comments