The Lady's a Rebel

The civil war has taken its toll, and Vicksburg, Mississippi is destroyed. Fleeing the carnage and the ruins of her family home, Anneliese Tremaine seeks refuge with her wayward older sister Flora, and Great Aunt Charlotte. Unfortunately, the Tremaine family has refused to sign the pledge of loyalty to the Union. With only her servants at her side, Anneliese attempts to board a friend’s steamboat down to New Orleans, when she encounters Captain Ruark McKenzie. Ruark senses immediately that Anneliese needs help, but the Lady Rebel rejects all Ruark’s attempts at aid. Unfortunately, danger awaits Anneliese in New Orleans, as her sister runs a bordello and is not afraid to use Anneliese for her own gain. Is Ruark able to save the southern belle he is coming to admire, or will Anneliese’s hatred of all blue bellies destroy her in the end?

A historical adventure and romance, “The Lady’s a Rebel” is a Romeo and Juliet story of one southern woman’s determination, and a northern man’s willingness to aid her. The setting and drama-filled plot give the story plenty to work with, giving the pair a slow but steady romance. However, the action is minimal, pace slow but steady, and much of the conflict seems to stem from Anneliese’s stubborn determination to hate Yankees, and trust the wrong people. Thus, the story is predictable, and lacks uniqueness. Still, the characters are solid, and the plot has enough mixed in to keep any lovers of civil war romances interested.

Sarah E Bradley