About the Book
Book: Loyalty’s Pursuit
Author: Shannon McNear
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: October 13, 2026
She needs a husband to survive. Right now, a wife is the last thing he wants.
August 1780. After the Battle of Camden leaves British camp follower Bess Eaton widowed, expecting a child, and stranded in enemy territory, she faces two impossible choices: a return to an England that offers her nothing…or marriage to a stranger before the army marches on without her.
Backcountry loyalist Rob MacFarlane has already buried a wife and son and has no intention of marrying again at this moment. But he can’t ignore the vulnerable widow in his path. What begins as an act of duty quickly becomes something far more complicated when he offers Bess protection—and a name.
As war rages and the British cause begins to crumble, their fragile alliance is tested at every turn. Loyalties fracture. Faith is questioned. And the lines between enemy and neighbor blur. To survive, Rob must decide what allegiance truly costs—and Bess must choose whether she can trust not only the man she married…but the God she’s never fully known.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Transplanted to the far north after more than two decades in the Deep South, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s the author of twenty-one novels and novellas, not all of them in print, but her favorite roles are retired military wife, pastor’s wife, mom-of-many, mother-in-law, and grammie. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, hanging out with her grandbabies and basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.
More from Shannon
I’m so honored to be part of yet another Celebrate Lit tour! This story especially is near and dear to my heart, because it was my very first long historical after writing fantasy for decades, the book I still had in process when I submitted the proposal for my first novella, Defending Truth, and the one which gave me the courage to try that story (and genre) to begin with.
The first draft of this story took five years to complete, in between other projects and real life. It was a hard sell to start with, I knew, being set within the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution but from the British and Loyalist viewpoint. Still, it eventually netted me both of my agents (Defending Truth’s RITA® nomination didn’t hurt there, either) while garnering interest from various editors—but didn’t actually sell until last summer. That means this story languished for more than 10 years—and then the Lord Himself practically dropped this contract in my lap.
The first story of how the concept came to me can be found here:
https://colonialquills.blogspot.com/2014/07/dispelling-colonial-myths-reenactor.html
It was on my heart from the beginning to portray the romance, such as it is, in a rather unconventional way—something closer to what I imagine real life must have been for such a situation. And I deliberately steered away from the usual flowery declarations of love between my main couple, while hoping to present them in such a way that the reader has no doubt by the end of the story that they do absolutely care for each other. My dear editor with Wild Heart Books helped me shape and refine the characters and story from what might have been a more straightforward historical fiction read into more of what a historical romance reader might expect. I hope those expectations are now met, but also that my readers also come away with a fresh appreciation for how our country came to be.
My Review
This was quite the read, I really can't imagine following my husband in a war zone, no less. This is the Revolutionary War, and they are walking in South Carolina.
A young women, follows her husband from England, and he is now fighting for the Crown. I really can't imagine!
Life is sure hard here, can't imagine having a baby under these conditions, and then continue marching.
This is the Brittish side of the war, different, in that most books that I've read are the patriot side. We know who wins, but this was rather like the civil war, in that some family, and neighbors were on different sides.
Looking forward to the next book in this series!
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 27
Holly’s Book Corner, October 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28
Inkwell Inspirations, October 29
Betti Mace, October 30
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 30
Texas Book-aholic, October 31
For Him and My Family, November 1
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 3
Pause for Tales, November 4
Devoted To Hope, November 4
Jeanette’s Thoughts , November 5
Maureen’s Musings, November 6
Books You Can Feel Good About, November 7
Lyssa Loves Books, November 8
Simple Harvest Reads, November 8 (Guest Review from Donna)
Cover Lover Book Review, November 9
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Shannon is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://gleam.io/AJy7n/loyaltys-pursuit-celebration-tour-giveaway
Helen Moore was devastated when she learned her husband was missing and presumed dead in the Civil War. Fortunately, Uncle Henry invited her and her son, Aaron, to apprentice with his photography studio in Marietta, Ga, after the war. However, while planting herbs on his property, she unearthed a body no one could identify. Who put the man there? Was her uncle involved in his death? As she unravels the mystery, she finds unexpected companionship and learns every moment in life matters.
Cynthia L Simmons and her husband have five grown children . She loves hot tea, orchids, and adores historical research. Her ragdoll cats often sit by her when she writes. Cynthia has written historical fiction, mysteries, Bible studies, homeschool curriculum, devotions, and hosts Heart of the Matter Radio/podcast, posts History Chats, and shares history stories to encourage women.
When chronic pain invaded Carolyn Dale Newell’s life, it didn’t just attack her body—it attacked her faith.
Carolyn Dale Newell is a bestselling and award-winning Christian author, certified speaker, andcontributor to iBelieve.com. Despite living with chronic pain, she empowers women to break free from emotional strongholds and embrace lives transformed by faith. She resides in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with her husband and their two loyal Black Labrador Retrievers.
In 1830s Cornwall, Grace Bayly faces unimaginable events that threaten the survival of her family. Her father and half of her large family are an ocean away and her mother and remaining siblings are poised to follow. As hardships close in, hopes of a new beginning grow distant. She must summon fortitude borne of love and sacrifice to hold her family together. Amid the unyielding grip of loss and grief, Grace steels herself to persist as she faces the ultimate challenge that threatens to break her.
Jane’s love of God and family permeates her life, including her passion to share stories rooted in genealogy and history. She weaves the theme of family into the fabric of her historical fiction and dives deep, by writing about true events and people.
Just because your cousin jumps from a train in the wilderness doesn’t mean you should too.
Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series, Dream Pony Riders Series, and Texas Boys Adventures.
The recipe for joy? A grateful heart and helping hands!
Fay A. Klingler is an accomplished author and illustrator known for her award-winning work in both creative and technical writing. Her literary contributions span a wide range of subjects, with a particular focus on empowering women, promoting effective grandparenting, and guiding individuals through betrayal recovery. In addition to her inspirational works for adults, Fay is also recognized for her captivating children’s books, weaving together heartwarming stories that spark imagination and impart valuable life lessons. Her insights and expertise have made her a sought-after motivational speaker.
Ever made apple juice by pressing apples through an old wooden apple press? One of my favorite scenes in The Secret Sauce came about because it happened to me in real life—swallowing a fly! I was just a young teenager helping a neighbor press apples for juice. I opened my mouth and in flew a fly. Just like Harper in the story, I coughed and coughed to expel the insect, but instead I swallowed it! I’m the one taking this picture at my neighbor’s home.
To celebrate her tour, Fay is giving away the grand prize of an eBook copy of the book!!
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