Love, War and Hazardous Unions

The wartime romances of Maggie and Matty Becker in HAZARDOUS UNIONS, Two Tales of a Civil War Christmas are fraught with danger and intrigue... possibly more so than was usual at the time. But real war brides also faced danger and hardship, particularly if they were in the South where battles literally could be on their doorstep.

An estimated 300 women fought as men, often following sweethearts or brothers. Most were only found out if they were wounded or died in battle. Some came forward after the war, but most probably kept quiet about their masquerade.

Southern women, in Union-occupied regions, passed information to the Confederates and even smuggled escaping prisoners under their broad skirts. The ladies were not encouraged to work as nurses, but did the work as needed.

In the North, women formed committees for proper hygiene. Nursing was an acceptable profession for a woman... as long as she wasn't too young or too pretty. The Army Nursing Corps had its start in the Civil War.

Women also fell in love and married during the war. Despite the shortages and hardships of the time, the tradition of the white wedding gown started during the Civil War. Though most brides likely settled for clean gown.

In light of what many of the real women of the American Civil War faced, Maggie and Matty's adventures aren't so fantastical after all.

Twin sisters separated by war, bound by love…

After the death of their father, twin sisters Maggie and Matty Becker are forced to take positions with officers’ families at a nearby fort. When the southern states secede, the twins are separated, and they find themselves on opposite sides of America’s bloodiest war.

In the south, Maggie travels with the Hamiltons to Bellevue, a plantation in west Tennessee. When Major Hamilton is captured, it is up to Maggie to hold things together and deal with the Union cavalry troop that winters at Bellevue. Racism, politics and a matchmaking stepmother test Maggie’s resourcefulness as she fights for Bellevue, a wounded Confederate officer and the affections of the Union commander.

In the north, Matty discovers an incriminating letter in General Worthington’s office, and soon she is on the run. With no one to turn to for help, she drugs the wealthy Colonel Cole Black and marries him, in hopes of getting the letter to his father, the governor of Michigan. But Cole is not happy about being married, and Matty’s life becomes all about survival.

Two unforgettable stories of courage, strength and honor

Authors: Alison Bruce (www.alisonbruce.ca) & Kat Flannery (www.katflannery-author.com)

Publisher: Imajin Books (www.imajinbooks.com)

Purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/Hazardous-Unions-Tales-Christmas-ebook/dp/B00EXA735I