Dreams of Savannah - by Roseanna M White (Paperback)

This was truly the BEST story! I adored Cordelia and her storyish personality. She is going to be one of my favorite characters ever. Part of what I also loved about her as well as Phin was the character growth through the book. I really appreciate Roseanna writing them the way she did and how their beliefs changed and grew throughout the book. Truly excellent writing. I also really enjoyed the character of Luther. He was a great addition to the story and I loved the banter between Phin and Luther, it was humorous while helping show Phin growing as a character. The story is completely immersive and just flat out wonderful. It will definitely be on of my absolute favorite 2021 reads. Don't miss this one!! I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

Roseanna M. White is a favorite historical fiction author, so I could not wait to read Dreams of Savannah. The book is a standalone novel that takes place in Georgia during the Civil War and gives a unique viewpoint of Southern slave owners. As with all Roseanna's novels, this one was well researched and is filled with characters that the reader cannot help but fall in love with. Cordelia Owens is not the typical well-to-do Southern Belle. I adore her enthusiastic imagination and kindness to others. Her faith and determination while waiting for beau Phineas makes the reader love her all the more. Phineas Dunn, the hero of the story, is my favorite character. I see the most growth of character in him as he deals with injury and unending courage to get home to his girl. The friendship he develops with Luther is inspiring and proof that outer differences matter little as strength of character matters much more. Luther is truly an example of faith and patience. After all he has experienced in life, he still gives care and kindness to someone that he could have chosen to do the exact opposite to. The Christian faith principles shared throughout the book via the characters choices and actions provide fortitude and inspiration. This novel is one I definitely recommend, especially to those that enjoy historical and Christian fiction. Thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of the book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Dreams of Savannah, by Roseanna M. White, is a beautifully written historical novel! Emotionally stirring, wonderfully descriptive, genuinely intriguing, and thoroughly engaging, this book is utterly enjoyable. With a thoughtful blend of history, romance, and suspense, this story is meaningful and remarkably moving. From the historic setting, to the compelling characters, to the riveting plot, Ms. White once again delivers a story that is immensely satisfying! Set primarily in Savannah, Georgia during the first years of the American Civil War, the story captivates with its diverse cast of characters. Living under the shadow and uncertainty of war, the characters attempt to carry on with their lives while grappling with loss, unexpected revelations, and surprising realizations. And in so doing, they must face their fears, address their insecurities, pursue redemption, renew their hope, and nurture their faith even as their dreams and futures are threatened. Dreams of Savannah is certainly a special book! Very well-researched, contemplative, and exceptionally well-written, it is a novel that inspires even as it entertains. Page after page, this novel is thought-provoking, memorable, and worthy. It is definitely a novel I can eagerly recommend. *I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Roseanna White is known for writing excellent historical fiction and Dreams of Savannah is no exception! A Georgia plantation is the setting for this book that covers the early years of the Civil War and I won't soon forget the fascinating characters and their moving story. Cordelia Owens dreams of a life that she and Phineas Dunn can share once he returns from the war. She is both a romantic and optimist and I love that, even though she has always lived with slaves, she truly believes that no one should be judged by their skin color. A startling revelation changes her life, deepens her convictions, and increases her desire to change the world through the stories that she loves to write. I so admire the hope and strength that sustains her as she waits for Phin but his return isn't what she thought it would be. He has changed physically and emotionally, and he questions the cause that he has been fighting for. Has this war forever crushed Delia's dreams? There are many other wonderful characters in this story and White vividly relates the heartaches and struggles of Salina, River, Luther, and Eva. She says that this standalone novel won't turn into a series but I would love to know how their lives change over the years! To say that I loved this book is an understatement! It has sweet romance, an inspiring faith message, and a poignant reminder that the issue of racism that plagued our nation in 1861 is just as relevant today. Oppression still exists and we must continue to fight it in any form! I highly recommend Dreams of Savannah to all who enjoy Christian romance and historical fiction. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was under no obligation to write a favorable review and I am voluntarily sharing my own thoughts.

The Civil War Era is one of my favorite to read from. It's not done often, and when it is I feel its just... lacking. But I knew Roseanna would do a wonderful job, and she did not disappoint! Though this had a distinctly different feeling than her past two books, I enjoyed it. Her characters felt real. You watched them struggle with issues you would imagine people of wealth would have had back then. So many times I read books with the same story line. They are against slavery, the woman is tired of the confines of society and doesn't want to be a belle. It's always the same. But in this story, it was different. Wonderfully so. Phin slowly came around to the knowledge, that, yes, his slaves are his equal. Delia was happy with her place in society and I just felt like she thought like a southern belle. And not in a bad way, her character was just so real and believable. I loved her courage, her outlook on life, her positivity. Delia easily became one of my favorite heroines. I enjoyed the side characters and their story as well. But Phin and Delia's romance just seemed a little off. I never felt like they really connected. It felt like they just jumped from being friends and not really knowing each other, to suddenly being in love. And the ending seemed rushed and almost out of character. You never felt or saw the transition of feelings, it was just... there. But all in all it was another delightful read by Miss White, and I highly recommend it! *I received this book from the author for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Dreams of Savannah was so different than I thought it would be. I loved the journey that White took me on, and had a hard time putting the book down. White created a picture of another place and time, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The characters were intricate and unique, and I found myself enchanted by them. This story was so much more than just romance. It has just the right amount of suspense, mystery, and action mixed in. I loved seeing Cordelia’s passion for people, no matter their color of skin or station. Her love for Phineas was true and stood the test of time. I loved the way the Bible was mentioned through out the story, but I won’t give anything away. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’ve always been a fan of Roseanna M. White’s books, especially her series set in England, so this was a change, being a standalone story, set in the Civil War between the States Era, in Savannah, Georgia. I’m used to reading books from this era from the Unionists -Yankee- view, so I was eager to learn more about the southern point of view and to find out if it could be as good as her previous books with so different setting, and characters, and it truly was! I was totally immersed in this novel and the deep growing of characters and absolutely loved it! Cordelia (Delia) Owens is a beautiful blonde southern belle, who you could say she has everything, and is spoiled by her Daddy. Thank God, she has a huge heart, and her friendship with Salina, her “slave” companion, is of a big help to her. First, I thought she was a Scarlet O’Hara type of character, but as the story progressed I was proven wrong. She has fallen in love with Phinneas (Phin) Dunn, a handsome gentleman that has stolen her heart for some time. The story begins when he says goodbye to Delia before joining the Confederate Army, and asks her to wait for him, which Delia sweetly accepts. But things will not be easy for neither as they navigate the war efforts and its consequences. The theme of racism during this place and era is so well described and it helped me so much understand better the southern part, their errors, as well as the good people that didn’t share the view of treating black slaves like a merchandise without dignity or soul. Delia came to me as a wonderful heroine: she was not superficial, and even with her overprotective background, she has her own mind and determination to do what is right for the people that were being abused. Her writing of slave stories was a generous and courageous thing to do in the circle she moved in, but she did it in an honest and compassionate way. The way she and Phin interact with the slaves was inspiring, with love and compassion, as one treats a friend. They both have some growing to do in the story. Delia wakes up from her constant dreams, which made her optimistic and magnanimous, to face a harsh reality. But this makes her act, instead of hiding under her protective family. Phin faces the consequences of war: injuries, trauma, nightmares, but he also has a progressive and struggling conversion to understand what was wrong with the Confederacy’s principles, but made it all the more inspiring. The faith elements were beautiful and never came out as preachy to me. The story has a beautiful message about love, kindness, freedom, forgiveness and bravery to upstand to what’s wrong. The romance was truly sweet and genuine, not the typical easy going relationship. I loved this two characters, they were really made for each other. And the ending was so good and touching! A beautiful soul searching and deep historical romance that you won’t easily forget! Highly recommended! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Dreams of Savannah by Roseanna M. White is a stand-alone story centered around the city of Savannah, Georgia during the early days of the Civil War. Cordelia Owens loves to create stories to entertain her friends and family. When her sweetheart, Phineas Dunn goes missing during a raid on a Yankee ship, she weaves stories of his heroism to help his mother and sister cope. Can Delia and Phin’s love overcome all that the war stands for and bring them a happily ever after? Stories from this time period are always hard for me to read. But I loved Delia. Her ability to turn everything into an adventure was very amusing. And Phin’s change of outlook was certainly commendable. The romance throughout the story was very sweet but predictable; although I felt that after Phin’s return, he and Delia never really got to know each other again. The political issues that were part of the time period were handled in a truthful way that didn’t detract from the story itself. I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt and rushed though. I received this book from the author for my honest review.

Whenever I learn that Roseanna M. White has a new book coming out, it immediately goes on my must-read list. This very skilled author has an amazing talent for crafting historical fiction that makes me feel like I have stepped back in time into the era she is depicting. In Dreams of Savannah, I was transported to Savannah, Georgia, deep in America’s South, in the early part of the Civil War. In all of White’s books, her characters are complex, multi-dimensional people with strengths and flaws, making them both believable and relatable. Her characters in Dreams of Savannah are certainly not exceptions. The story follows Cordelia (Delia) Owens, a member of the city’s high society who enjoys writing and telling stories, and her love interest, Phineas (Phin) Dunn, who goes off to fight for the Confederacy. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow throughout the book as they came to rely more heavily on their faith in God while struggling with moral issues impacting their long-held beliefs and way of life. The book beautifully illustrates how all people, regardless of race, creed, or color, are equal in their desire for freedom and have a right to pursue their dreams. As in all her books, White skillfully paints the setting with rich detail, in this case with vivid descriptions of the homes, trees, and gardens of the era that make you feel as if you are right there. The depth of her historical research is readily evident. The book’s pacing is also perfect, with a storyline that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I recommend Dreams of Savannah to adults who enjoys historical fiction told from a Christian perspective. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers but was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Dreams of Savannah is another good read by Roseanna M. White. I enjoyed this story of faith, hope and love. I loved Cordelia right from the start. The historical details of her story made me feel as though I was living with her. She was a brave and courageous woman. I was not sure what to think of Phineas at first but he quickly grew on me. After reading about the first 50 pages, I was completely hooked and could not put it down until I read the last page. Dreams of Savannah is getting four and a half stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading full of faith and clean historical fiction. I look forward to more like this one from Roseanna M. White in the future. I received Dreams of Savannah from the publisher, but was not required to write a review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

What a beautiful love story! I enjoy Roseanna White's books, and when Dreams of Savannah came along, I was thrilled to read it. White's masterful writing quickly drew me into Cordelia and Phineas' story and never let go until the satisfactory ending. The characters are believable and relatable, strong and vibrant--people I'd like to know and be friends with--well, except for one or two! Cordelia and Phin both mature as the book progresses. I loved that Delia, Daddy's princess, begins to realize that everyone, even the slaves her family owns, has a story that is worthy of telling. The setting is early in the Civil War in the South. I enjoy Civil War stories, and this one gave a perspective I hadn't known much about as Phin sets off to fight in the Confederate's maritime efforts. White seems to have done well in her research. History, faith, slavery, family relationships, and a romance full of loyalty and love, yet fraught with tension, Dreams of Savannah has it all. Readers of historical romance will not want to miss this engaging novel. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

4.5 stars "Cordelia bolted upright in her bed . . . . What a terrible dream. Hissing flames and acres of water, darkness pressing in on every side. Then - what had it been? More water. A storm. Something bad, something dangerous. Pain, searing and throbbing. Then the gritty taste of sand in her mouth." Troubled by re-occurring dreams after her barely intended young suitor, Phineas Dunn, takes to the seas on behalf of the Confederate Navy, Cordelia Owens is terrified that Phin has experienced life-threatening circumstances. Living in their Savannah, Georgia home while Yankee troops encroach closer and closer along the coast, Cordelia's family encourages her to pursue a match with a wealthy cousin whose attentions Cordelia continues to spurn. Using her gift of story-telling , Delia chooses to regale Phin's family with her combinations of delightful words, conjuring up grand adventures before his eventual return as a celebrated hero. Thankfully for everyone, Phin does return home, but as an entirely different type of hero than Delia could have ever imagined. "The water enfolded him, warm as a dream, and silenced the thunder of traitors." When a mutiny aboard his ship goes terribly awry, Phineas Dunn finds himself sinking to the bottom of the sea, his last thoughts being those of a beautiful blonde belle promising to wait for him, forever. He can only pray that it won't take that long. Washed up upon an unfamiliar shore, barely clinging to life, Phin is at the mercy of an imposing black British freedman, Luther Bromley, whose search for his beloved wife had stalled on this remote Cuban island. Luther has the means to give Phin aid, but he asks a nearly impossible favor in return. Ushering in a panoramic view of the complexities of the Civil War's impact upon the South, "Dreams of Savannah" debates the moral issues of the day using the thoughts, dreams and actions of its characters as a landscape. And what wonderful characters they turn out to be; each allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to mold their thoughts and intentions, while wielding the sword of courage and carrying the banner of compassion. Phin and Cordelia allow their less than ideal circumstances to change them for the better, so that they too might echo those words hummed that day along the sandy shore, "O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home." I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

The cover of this book is absolutely lovely, and the title is perfect! The story inside is one to treasure. This book really has everything-Savannah's high society, the horrors of war, and loves lost and found. The best thing about the novel is that it presents hope. Delia hopes for Phin's safe return and is able to encourage his family. Luther relies on the promises of Scripture and transmits that to Phinneas through near-constant Bible reading. Most of the characters had their hope in the Lord, and were rewarded for their trust in Him. Delia was such a sweet, highly-imaginative girl, whose gift of words were a blessing to those around her. Phinneas was a man of honor, initially untested, who came through with a deep faith and concern for his fellow man. Their desire to be together was tested throughout the story. This stand-alone historical fiction novel is one of great depth. It was also quite a page-turner, as the tension grew and I was unable to put it down! Historical romance fans will love this book, as well as Christian fiction readers, Civil War buffs, and fans of White's work. I highly recommend it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, for review purposes. The thoughts expressed here are my own.