My second most favorite era, the Civil War. I don't generally care for books that switch back and forth between time periods, but this one transitions easily. This is the first book I've read by either of these authors, but surely won't be my last. ( )

My Daughter’s Legacy is the outstanding conclusion to Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould’s 3-book series, Cousins of The Dove. All three combine history, mystery, romance, and a family saga that spans several centuries. This novel continues the present-day mystery for the four Talbot cousins and introduces the Civil War tale of courage, faith and conviction of their great+-grandparents. I found the history surrounding the waning days of the Civil War fascinating and the mystery puzzling and surprising in the end. My book club has read the first two books of this series, and I can’t wait to share My Daughter’s Legacy with them. It is one I can highly recommend!

Nicole Talbot has completed her rehab and is pursuing her degree in order to become a therapist. After a successful first year, she is looking forward to reconnecting with family and working as an assistant to an equine therapist. The murder scene she and her cousins discovered when small children is a shadow that has impacted her whole life. But new clues and a new endeavor point to a promising future for Nicole. Photographs from the Civil War connect the mystery from her childhood and the present and reveal a legacy none of the Talbot cousins were aware of.

I really like dual story lines, and Clark and Gould do an excellent job of weaving the two different yet compelling stories together. The stories are told in the first person voice of Nicole and the third person perspective of Therese — present and past juxtaposed believably. While I always enjoy a good mystery (and this one has been good through all three books), I liked Therese’s story the best. The two authors really did their homework as they brought the tension of the last days of the Confederacy to life. Richmond is on the verge of being overrun by Union troops, the many hospitals are full of the wounded and dying, and spy networks are doing their best to bring an end to the conflict. There is a lot going on in Therese’s world, and I felt right in the thick of things. Photography was new at the time of the Civil War, and the book incorporates that to document the realities of life in the South. Therese is a young woman of strong convictions, yet is pulled by family loyalties and obligations. In the end she leaves a legacy of speaking for those without a voice.

A great ending to a great series, My Daughter’s Legacy could probably be read as a standalone novel. But don’t do it! All three are available for you to binge read right now! Get them and enjoy!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

Great for book clubs.

(Thanks to LitFuse for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Title: My Daughter’s Legacy (Cousins of the Dove #3)
Author: Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould
Pages: 397
Year: 2017
Publisher: Harvest House
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
After meeting Nicole in book one and reading about her continued trouble with addiction in book two, now readers get to hear her story in book three of the series. She has just completed her first year of college successfully. She has been substance free for the whole time and has no intention of going back to her former life. She is healthier than ever and with summer approaching she is going to live with her sister and intern at a local ranch that uses horses for rehabilitative therapy. However, before she can begin her summer break, she decides she must share a secret she has kept at her grandfather’s request since she was six years old. The secret sheds a little light on the mystery of the disappearing dead body that has plagued Nicole, her sister and her two cousins for years. As the four cousins come together once again, can they finally discover what really happened all those years ago?
In alternating chapters, readers are taken to the past of 1864 and learn about Therese Jennings. Therese lives in Virginia, which is a Confederate state, but she is anti-slavery. Her father was from the North and taught his daughter that slavery was wrong. Her mother is from the South, but abided by her husband’s wishes. Now that Therese’s father has died, her mother returns to the family plantation, refusing to free the slaves as her grandfather requested in his last words. Therese can’t live under these conditions so she takes a job in Richmond as a governess and begins volunteering at a local hospital to nurse wounded soldiers. Therese must decide if she can stand firm in her beliefs as well as who is trustworthy as all is not as is appears.
I so enjoyed this final book in this interesting series! The authors did a great job of blending the story between past and present to make it easy to read and follow each timeline. The look at the past in each book was especially captivating. I liked learning about Richmond near the end of the Civil War and what life was like in this southern city. The romantic angle for both Therese and Nicole was also one that piqued my interest. I do recommend reading these books in order. For an intriguing look at history and mystery, this is a series that will fit the bill!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

I really enjoyed how this book went back and forth between the past and present to tell the story. It gives you the background and lets you know the outcome. I did not find it hard to keep up with the story as it was written. There are also two other books in this series, but you don't have to have read them to understand this story, but it will help with the present day story. I also enjoy learning history in the context of a fictional story and this one was no exception.
The story tells about Therese Jennings in the 1860's and Nicole Talbot in present day. When Nichole comes home she finds out much about her family's legacy some good and some not as expected, but with help, she is able to get it all sorted out.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the review is entirely my own. ( )

This conclusion to the Cousins To The Dove series will have you page turning right to the end as answers begin to unfold.
When this book opens we are with Nicole as she has completed her college year and is heading home to again live with her sister, and life is looking so much brighter.
The story in all three books are about strong Talbot woman, and this like the former books spans generations, with one being current time and the other during the Civil War.
As we span the centuries we are caught up quickly in each of the stories that come together and conclude over an artifact, but how it ends is amazing. I was quickly absorbed in Therese life and her beliefs against slavery, and how she played a part in fighting the injustice.
Then we have current day Nicole, she has fought and will continue to take her life back from her addiction, and this summer she is an intern at a horse stable. Loved how the horses are used to help people, and will this hold answers for Nicole, and will she be able to offer help to the horses?
There is a bit of romance, as we cross the centuries and we hope with some trepidation that these women will pick the right man, and one will have you wondering.
This is a book that will be lingering long after the last page has been turned.
I received this book through Lit Fuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )