Book Review: The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

Romance, adventure, and faith swirl together to create a story that will captivate you from beginning to end. The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear continues the Daughters of the Mayflower series: a series said to be for "lovers of history, adventure, romance, and family legacy."

In Book 5, the family of Kate Gruener is preparing to move to the frontier of western Kentucky. Like her father, who fought during the War for Independence, Kate is looking for adventure. She quickly sets her mind to finding out more about their scout, the elusive Thomas Bledsoe.

Thomas has a job to do--get the settlers across the Wilderness Road safely and keep an ear out for news of Shawnee unrest. Kate's inquisitive nature and her penchant for getting into trouble could put all of them in danger. He's not sure he wants to share his story anyway.

As tensions rise, Kate might have to tap into courage she doesn't know she has to thwart a coming disaster.

The Cumberland Bride is a nice addition to a series that I have enjoyed from the start. The history lover in me appreciates the historical detail each author weaves their story around. The character-driven reader in me admires the complex characters each author creates and brings together during some of history's most memorable times. The Cumberland Bride is set during a challenging and dangerous time in our country's history, where the Native Americans were pushed farther and farther west by the American government, which caused tensions that led to deadly consequences on both sides. In the late 1700s, the author draws these two characters together who couldn't be more different.

McNear's story is one of being lost and found again for Thomas. It is also one where Kate taps into courage she never thought she had. The connection between them isn't immediate, but it grows and propels this story forward as much as the wagons move them along the Wilderness Road.

You can read The Cumberland Bride by itself, but if you want to read about the Lytton family from their landing in America, you should start at the beginning. This amazing family saga continues with The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndalll. Look for my review of that story soon.

Series: Daughters of the Mayflower (Book 5)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books; Gld edition (October 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683226917
ISBN-13: 978-1683226918

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.