Where Dandelions Bloom by Tara Johnson is one of the best historical books I’ve read in a while. Although not normally a historical reader, I really enjoyed this one.
Before you read my review, I want to talk about the photo. The scripture verse came first and I knew the next time we had roiling clouds, I had to photograph them. It didn’t take long for the opportunity to present itself. 🙂
Here’re the cover and blurb:
Cassie Kendrick is on the run. Her abusive father arranged her marriage to a despicable man, but she’s discovered an escape. Disguised as a man, Cassie enlists in the Union army, taking the name Thomas Turner. On the battlefields of the Civil War, keeping her identity a secret is only the beginning of her problems. Especially after she meets Gabriel Avery, a handsome young photographer.
Anxious to make his mark on the world and to erase the darkness and guilt lurking from his past, Gabriel works with renowned photographer Matthew Brady to capture images from the front lines of the war. As Gabriel forges friendships with many of the men he encounters, he wonders what the courageous, unpredictable Thomas Turner is hiding.
Battling betrayal, their own personal demons, and a country torn apart by war, can Cassie and Gabriel learn to forgive themselves and trust their futures to the God who births hope and healing in the darkest places?
My take on Where Dandelions Bloom:
Tara Johnson is a new-to-me author but I will be finding her other books. She did a masterful job of writing Cassie as a woman posing as a boy to join the war. When I first read the concept of the book, I thought, no way! But her scenes were so well written and believable. You were right there with Cassie as she marched, and fought and tended the wounded.
And Gabe was everything a reader looks for in a hero…down to his faults. It was completely understandable how he felt betrayed when he discovered Henry (Cassie) was really a woman. And how he thought it was terrible that a woman would do what Cassie did.
But Cassie really didn’t have another choice. If she stayed with her father, she would have to marry a horrible man she couldn’t stand. She was young and unmarried, so she couldn’t be a nurse; she didn’t have enough education to be a school teacher, but she had what it took to be a soldier–she was a crack shot and she didn’t give up and was willing to work hard.
The supporting characters were great–her grandmother, the men in her company, Jonah. Tara Johnson’s writing is lyrical–the words flowed with a rhythm that drew me in. It’s a book that I won’t soon forget…and even though I’m not a re-reader, I’ll probably re-read this one!
You can find purchase links for Where Dandelions Bloom on Goodreads.
Leave a comment with your thoughts on Cassie joining the war to keep from marrying a cruel older man and I’ll enter you in March’s drawing for a book from my library!
February’s winner is Megan! And I forgot to mention that Lisa Harness won Kelly Irvin’s Her Every Move!
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Comments 37
This is definitely going on my TBR! I feel like I’ve read a book with a similar plot years ago, so it was probably a kids chapter book… It’ll be cool to read an adult version! Hmm, tough choice, but we do have females in our armed forces… Though she did have to lie, so that makes it tough. But then, I might have faked being married in order to become a nurse if I was in her position, so yeah… Interesting question! Makes for a good story, though!
Author
Monique, I think you’ll love this book! I was fascinated with the way Cassie got away with her quest, 🙂 and how she ended it. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh, those clouds, Pat. The storm clouds of life can disturb our hearts, but that Scripture passage gives us the hope that’s needed. God removes those clouds and gives us His Son.
I’m not a big reader of historical fiction, either. A good author can persuade me to read one, however, and Ms Johnson seems to fit that bill. The plot sounds familiar, but from real life I think. I believe I’ve read about young women who have disguised themselves as boys to fight for our wars. In fact, I just found that Sarah Emma Edmonds, Canadian born, also escaped an arranged marriage and abusive father, and fought in the Union Army in our Civil War. Perhaps she was the inspiration for this novel. People in desperate circumstances will try to escape them.
Author
Tim, I think you’d really enjoy this book! And I think it was based on a woman who did exactly what Cassie did. I don’t have the book in front of me right now, but I think I remember reading that in the back. And those were my thought exactly when I everytime I see storm clouds. Always good to ‘see’ you here!
This sounds like one I would certainly enjoy. I need to go look for it :). Thanks for sharing.
Author
Yes, you do, Betti! This was a great story. It kept me engaged the whole way through–something that rarely happens on a historical! Thanks for stopping by.
I have this book in my TBR pile! I’ll have to move it up my reading list. I really enjoy historical fiction and the Civil War is so fascinating to me. Thanks for sharing your review.
Author
Megan, I believe you’ll love this book! Thanks for dropping by.
You’ve whetted my appetite for reading this book! I can’t blame Cassie for fighting in the Civil War if the alternative was marrying a terrible person. I’m sure she felt that at least she made the choice of fighting in the war rather than having been forced to do so.
Author
Suzanne, I think you’ll really enjoy it. I plan to get Tara’s other books, too. Thanks for stopping by!
I recognize the book title but have never read it. I guess she decided that fighting in a war was no more dangerous than what sounds like an abusive situation. Makes you wonder why a parent would make their child do that.
Author
Her father was essentially selling her to the man for a gambling debt. Yeah, he was that kind of man. Thanks for stopping by, Gloria!
Pretty picture!
I loved Dandelions, too. I have more of Tara’s books in my TBR. Civil War is a favorite time period and Tara brought the reality right up front. The struggles of Cassie and Gabe were very real. It was interesting that he was a photographer under Matthew Brady. Great book!
Author
I love the Matthew Brady part, Paula! And she really brought the struggle up front and center. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love the picture. Psalm 27 is a favorite.
I also don’t tend to historical fiction, but this sounds terrific. I can’t imagine how a woman can disguise herself as a man and get away with it for very long, especially as a soldier, but it seems that Tara Johnson has done a good job with it. It’s on my TBR list now.
Author
I thought the same thing, Kay, but her writing is so good and the way Cassie goes about it is so believable. I think you’ll enjoy the book. Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoy historical fiction. I don’t remember specifics but I recall a few other stories of young women disguising as men to fight in the Civil War. I can’t think of the TV show from years ago that had a young woman posing as a boy to ride for the Pony Express. I particularly like stories about the Old West and the Civil War era. Some of my favorite books in grade school were biographies of early settlers like Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, “Swamp Fox,” and so forth. I enjoy action and suspense whether historical or contemporary.
Good picture and verse selection.
Author
Growing up, Edward, James Fenimore Cooper was a favorite of mine. After I read the Last of the Mohicans I pretended for weeks to be an Indian, roaming the woods with a bow I’d made from an ash sapling. Growing up in the country was fun! I think you’ll like Where Dandelions Bloom.
Edward, there was a TV series from 89-92 called The Young Riders which featured a girl posing as a boy riding for the Pony Express. Could that be it?
I can list three or four historical fiction authors that I read, and that’s all – but this one has me interested!! Thanks for the review!!
Author
I’m the same way, Regina. I think you’ll really like the book! Good to ‘see’ you!
What an absolutely beautiful review! I cannot thank you enough, Patricia!! Blessings to you…
Author
You’re welcome! I’m not sure if you knew, but the ACFW book club just finished reading and discussing Where Dandelions Bloom. You can check out all the wonderful comments on their website. 🙂
It sounds like a Great read, and I think I would do whatever it took also to keep from marrying someone I didn’t want to marry. Have a Great weekend and stay safe.
Author
Me, too, Alicia! And I hope you have a great weekend as well.
I’ve seen other reviews for this book and it’s a very intriguing sounding one. I also see I can borrow it through KU. She also has two other books out that I really want to read…”Engraved on the Heart” and “All Through the Night”. So many books, so little time! 🙂
Congrats Megan & Lisa on winning the books, happy reading!!
Author
I know, Trixi! I want to read the other two, but I MUST whittle my TBR list down first. lol It has gotten out of hand! I think you’ll enjoy Where Dandelions Bloom! Thanks for stopping by.
sounds like a great book! I love books set during Civil War! also if you need a great mystery, check out Standoff by Patrica! It is awesome!
Author
Aww, thank you, Shelia! I think you’ll enjoy Tara Johnson’s book! Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve had this on my wish list. I admire that she joined instead of letting a man be cruel to her. Blessings
Author
So do I, Lucy. I love the way Tara Johnson wrote Cassie. Tara is such a talented writer. Thanks for stopping by.
Love the scripture and photo! Where Dandelions Bloom sounds like a must read. Thank you for sharing.
Author
I think you’ll really enjoy Where Dandelions Bloom! Thanks for stopping by.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
Diana, it’s one of the best historical novels I’ve read in a long time! Thanks so much for dropping by!
Intriguing premise!
Author
Sally Jo, it is! I think you’d really enjoy the book!