Teresa Mathews Reviews Return To Shirley Plantation by Carrie F. Pagels

Return To Shirley Plantation 

by Carrie F. Pagels

Helping Hands Press  2013

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews

5 Stars *****

In this engaging Civil War Novella Carrie Fancett Pagels takes us back to the year 1862 where the battle between the states rages on.  So many men were taken from their families never to return again, some were even forced against their will to fight for a cause that was not their own. Such was the case of Matthew Scott, a young man that headed a very successful Theatrical Group in Ohio.

The Shirley Plantation in its hey-day is a beautiful place with well treated slaves. Now that war has come to its doors, the Confederate Army is using it for a hospital for the wounded and the woman are being forced to tend the dying soldiers. When a wounded soldier brings a message from one of their own, they are relieved to hear good news.

Matthew Scott was horrified to find that he, the son of a prominent Copperhead had been viciously conscripted into the Confederate Army. Matthew never wanted to fight in this war, but now it seems he has no choice. After being wounded Matthew is sent to Shirley Plantation and there he meets the most beautiful angel of mercy he has ever seen. Would it make a difference in the way he feels if he knew her secret?

Angelina Rose is staying at Shirley Plantation under the guise of being the widow of a Carter relative.  Even though she is a former slave to look at her no one would guess she is of African descent. Angelina had a job awaiting her as a seamstress in Ohio with a Theatrical Group but she couldn't bear to leave her sister's enslaved children behind. Even more she knows God has told her to wait. When the Confederate Army sequesters the Plantation to use it as a hospital, Angelina's hope to leave all but disappears. While helping the wounded Angelina meets a handsome soldier that seems to tug at her heartstrings. Will God use the unfortunate circumstances of a wounded man to bring about Angelina's deliverance?  

Wow! What a truly remarkable story from this new author. I sincerely enjoyed everything about it; it is so rich in history it shows that Ms. Pagels did a lot of extensive research for it. The setting of Shirley Plantation is a real place that survived the war and it's still around today. After reading this I'm convinced that I need to take a road trip to Virginia. Thank you Ms. Pagels for sharing this enthralling story with us, I am looking forward to reading more of your books in the future.