About the Book
Book: The Blue Cloak
Author: Shannon McNear
Genre: Christian Historical/Suspense
Release Date: March, 2020
Evil Incarnate Leaves a Trail of Destruction across the Frontier
Book 5 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History
Rachel Taylor lives a rather mundane existence in 1797 at the way station her family runs along the Wilderness Road in Tennessee. She attends her friend Sally Rice’s wedding only to watch the marriage dissolve into horror has the groom, Wiley Harpe, and his cousin Micajah become murderers on the run, who drag their families along. Declaring a “war on all humanity,” the Harpes won’t be stopped, and Ben Langford is on their trail to see if his own cousin was one of their latest victims.
My Thoughts:
I have been reading all of the True Colors stories and each one has been dark and creepy. But this one I think was the hardest one to read. It deals with a murdering spree of two brothers/cousins who think of no one, not even their "wives" or children, as they terrorize the country.
The author does a very good job pulling the reader in and giving the reader a romance to root for, though the backdrop is very disturbing and chilling. I will warn the reader that there is murder, of course, but also abuse of women and children. In horrendous ways. I will have to say that parts of this true story shocked me and bothered me. I did appreciate the notes in the beginning and at the end the author gave us with more of the actual history.
If you have the stomach for it, the author does weave hope in a very dark tale but I would certainly recommend not reading before bed. This story is not for everyone.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
About the Author
Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When she’s not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies. Connect with her at www.shannonmcnear.com, or on Facebook and Goodreads.
More from Shannon
How dark is too dark for a Christian to write?
That was the question I wrestled with when deciding whether or not to take on the story of the Harpes. The histories in Scripture itself aren’t rated G, but writing fiction requires a level of detail and depth of emotion I wasn’t sure would be wise, or helpful, to explore in this case. But as I prayed and sought the counsel of those whose discernment I trust, the answer came back, overwhelmingly …
Is God stronger than the darkness, or not?
Well, of course He is. And nothing in human history has ever escaped His notice, or taken Him by surprise.
So, was there something redeeming to be found in the tale of the Harpes?
For the first few weeks of research, I walked around in a state of shock at the horror of the historical accounts, but details surfaced that helped me shape my fictional characters Rachel and Ben. With Rachel working in her family’s trading post near the wild frontier town of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Ben a lawyer who recently passed the bar, the real-life Hugh Lawson White provided a handy connection point between them. Many other details fell together in ways I had not foreseen when I began developing the story. Sally Rice Harpe, however, rose to the forefront. This was more her story than anyone’s, but realizing I couldn’t properly write the book without using her point of view? That was scary. I knew the moments I’d have to visit, some of them in real-time.
Despite the tragedy, however, I could see an overarching story of spiritual warfare. Felt a growing conviction that prayer must have played a vital role in bringing the Harpes’ reign of terror to an end. So it is my hope that against the backdrop of one of the most chilling episodes of our country’s early history, the hand of God shows clearly, and that yes, the reader finds it redemptive.
Blog Stops
Just the Write Escape, March 24
Texas Book-aholic, March 24
Inklings and notions, March 25
Girls in White Dresses, March 25
Emily Yager, March 25
Godly Book Reviews, March 26
Genesis 5020, March 26
Remembrancy, March 26
Among the Reads, March 27
Through the Fire Blogs, March 27
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 28
Christian Bookaholic, March 28
Inside the Wong Mind, March 28
For the Love of Literature, March 29
For Him and My Family, March 29
Betti Mace, March 30
Older & Smarter?, March 30
deb’s Book Review, March 30
Robin’s Nest, March 31
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 31
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 1
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 1
Stories By Gina, April 1
By The Book, April 2
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 2
Blossoms and Blessings, April 2
A Reader’s Brain, April 3
Connie’s History Classroom, April 3
Artistic Nobody, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 4
Back Porch Reads, April 4
Daysong Reflections, April 4
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 5
Pause for Tales, April 5
Britt Reads Fiction, April 5
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 6
Hallie Reads, April 6
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Shannon is giving away the grand prize package of a copy of The Blue Cloak and a $25 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Thank you so much for braving the story, and for your kind words! I hugely appreciate the time everyone has put into reading, reviewing, and featuring the book on this tour. ❤❤❤
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