Books For The Road - The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis

It's almost time to start looking for those easy reads and admit it, when you're sitting by the pool or at the beach you really want a romance, right? Here is one of interest--The Last Heiress. Mary Ellis writes many Amish stories but I really like her historical novels better. This one takes place during the Civil War. Here is the teaser:

Amanda Dunn set sail from England for Wilmington, North Carolina, hoping to somehow restore shipments of cotton for her family’s textile mills, which have been severely disrupted by the American Civil War. But when she meets Nathaniel Cooper, her desire to conduct business and quickly return to England changes.

Amanda’s family across the sea deems the hardworking merchant unsuitable for the lovey and accomplished heiress. And when Nate himself begins to draw away, Amanda has her own battle for a happy future on her hands.

As the War Between the States heats up, Nate’s brother, a Confederate officer, comes for a visit. Nate begins to think about joining up—not in support of slavery but to watch his brother’s back. Yet will this potentially life-changing decision put the union between him and Amanda she so wishes for in jeopardy?

I like that it's not a boy-meets-girl-instant-flame type romance. This one builds and amid the backdrop of the South during the Civil War, it presents quite a struggle between the characters and their opinions and beliefs. It would make a good book for the road. . .or the beach.