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About the Book
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Title: When Heaven Thunders
Series: West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm, Book 2
Author: Kendy Pearson
Publisher: Pear Blossom Books
Released: October, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
A RIVETING CIVIL WAR NOVEL INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS
A captivating read!—Lynnette Bonner, USA TodayBestselling author
Brimming with heart, When Heaven Thunders is an emotionally charged journey for characters and readers alike.—Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author
Award-winning-author Kendy Pearson “brings to life the Kanawha Valley’s explosive Civil War history.”—Laura Frantz, Christy Award-winning author
WHEN THE DEVIL WEARS BLUE AND GRAY, DOING THE RIGHT THING CAN BE A THORNY MATTER.
His family is missing. Bushwhackers are sleeping in his bed. This war just got a heap more personal for Union Sergeant Fin Dabney.
Fighting guerillas in your own neck of the woods comes at a high price. Neighbors, kin, and even Fin’s best friend are on the wrong end of a rifle. But not all battles are fought amid smoke and blood. When Fin faces a murderer from his past, flesh and spirit collide, but only one can prevail.
Melinda Jane has waited a lifetime for Fin to declare his intentions. But now she has moved on to other interests—with disastrous results. Her choices have cost her Fin’s love and possibly her life.
Why was it he could draw down on the enemy and look death in the eye, but he could not bring himself to deal plainly with Melinda Jane? He never told her how he feels. Now he may never get the chance.
The Award-winning series, West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm:
- WHEN THE MOUNTAINS WEPT
- WHEN HEAVEN THUNDERS
- IN TEMPEST WINDS (spring 2025)
Kendy Pearson’s devotion to history and faith shines through every chapter of this novel. While addressing struggles unique to the American Civil War, this redemptive story translates well to the inner battles we all face within ourselves. Exploring soul-level choices—between faith and fear, self-preservation and sacrifice, forgiveness and resentment—are themes both timely and timeless. A must-read for fans of well-researched, immersive Christian historical fiction. —Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of The Metropolitan Affair
Pearson pulls back the curtain on war-torn America in this moving story of love and sacrifice. Loyalties are tested, hidden motives unearthed, and danger lurks for more than just the enlisted soldiers in When Heaven Thunders. This story will have you rooting for Fin and Melinda Jane, and on the edge of your seat to see if good will triumph over evil. —Erica Vetsch, author of the Of Cloaks & Daggers Regency Mystery series.
This Civil War romance (When Heaven Thunders) beautifully weaves historical detail with deep emotional resonance. The characters are richly drawn, and the narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the era and the heart-touching journey of the protagonists. A captivating read!—Lynnette Bonner, USA Today Bestselling author of the Wyldhaven, The Shepherd’s Heart, and Oregon Promise series
Kendy Pearson is a gifted author who can bring the past to life with her character development and descriptive scenes. It is refreshing to read a Christian based storyline that has the courage to step out of the caricature expectations of faith-based writing and be real about war, human nature, romance and Christian living.—Ken Pratt – Author of the Best-Selling Matt Bannister Series.
When the Mountains Wept takes readers on an emotionally layered journey, both heart-stirring and redemptive. Pearson pens a moving tale of family loyalty, complex devotions, and hope amid the turmoil. A delight historical fiction fans won’t want to miss!—Stephenia H. McGee, Award-winning author of The Accidental Spy series
About the Author
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Kendy Pearson is a veteran high school teacher and an accomplished musician. She is also a music instructor, worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast.
When she discovers a pocket of American history omitted from the schoolbooks, she enjoys digging in and turning that pocket inside out. Her novels lead fictitious characters through real historical events and settings, engaging with period personalities—and she always includes a romantic thread to warm the heart. Every story is a journey through tragedy, secrets, regrets, and God’s undeniable grace. She is the recipient of five Cascade Awards, two Genesis Awards, and a Crown Award.
Kendy enjoys public speaking and teaching writing workshops. She also relishes ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and Maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds.
My Impressions
“He was wrong,” Fin rasped…“My pap.” He lifted his eyes. “He said this isn’t our war to fight. It is. My family. My home. My war.”
I’ve always loved historical fiction. I have found Civil War times are somehow so interesting to read about. Yet, Kendy Pearson forces you to do more than read *about* the Civil War in her we’ll-researched and beautifully expressed book, When Heaven Thunders ( book 2 of West Virginia: Born of Rebellion’s Storm). No, Pearson forces you to *live* the horrifying times of the war. So many scenarios are tied together to make one tight narrative. We see that young Fin Dabney has joined up with the Federals. He leaves behind several siblings and his secret love, Melinda Jane. She has lived with the family since she was young- yet Fin wishes Melinda Jane viewed him as more than a brother. We watch the difficulties the Dabney family faces in an area that holds both Reb and Union sympathies, but where letting one’s true colors show can mean shunning, jail, or death.
We see Fin and his army friend, Noah, as they participate in scouting out land and bushwhackers. We see examples of family pitted against family, friend against friend. Pearson makes this divide both very real and very painful.
We get a healthy dose of history lessons on the birth of the state of West Virginia. Plus the Civil War battles that hotly contested who would control this area of the country. Pearson doesn’t shy away from some of the atrocities that were committed by greedy, cruel humans towards their brothers and sisters in the name of war. Will Fin see the war as an excuse to vengefully purge the earth of those who so spitefully misuse power, or will he follow his superior’s opinion of him: “You have a keen sense of justice, but you don’t count yourself the judge.”
Will Fin and Melinda Jane ever both be able to admit their love for each other before it’s too late- one way or another?
I loved how Melinda gives so unselfishly of herself to everyone around her. She gives until it hurt, then gives some more. Only her understanding of who she and others truly are, could cause her to care so much for others. many less fortunate than herself. “Did they not share the same Father? Doesn’t that same Father hurt for us and love us the same?” I had to ask myself, in this situation, would I have gotten this involved, knowing it could be so dangerous to my own person?
A fave secondary character is probs Col. Joe. He is so spot-on with his faith and refusal to become mercenary as a soldier or vengeful. He encourages the troops to belief. He fights to win- yet he is fighting a best friend and close relatives.
Do read the prologue and author’s notes for the best understanding of this insightful novel. Definitely read these three novels in order!
I received a copy of the book from JustRead Tours. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“He gave me a second chance. A chance to live the life He wants me to live—one tethered to His grace instead of my own bitterness.” -Doc James
“The cannon blasts had increased, pecking a hole in her peace like a woodpecker on a tree trunk.”
“Izzy taught me we’re all born into bondage. It matters not a whit what color a man’s skin is or the color of his horse or house—we’re all in shackles and only Master Jesus holds the key.”– Melinda Jane
“We are in a war, yes, but it needn’t strip a man of his humanity or God’s favor.”– Col. Joe
“God is bigger than all our problems rolled into one big riled mess. He’ll make a way…”
“There’s wicked men on both sides, brother. We got ’em, you got ’em.”
“Seems this entire war has brought with it a waterfall of misery.”– Fin
“But regret was a lone hawk, forever circling above.”
My Rating
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Magnificent!! One of the best Civil War sagas I’ve read, with haunting truths for today’s divisions!