A Rebel Heart is the start of the Daughtry House Series by Beth White.  This is a post Civil War series in the South.  As one might expect in such a story, emotions are running high and only a select few are willing to accept former slaves as real people with value.  These issues are handled nicely, but the author does not try and sugar coat the harsh feelings. 

The book gets off to a quick start and then meanders slowly around the South as the story unfolds.  Yet the pacing does not feel especially slow or drag.  Each of the characters is interesting and all seem to have emotional challenges.  Readers will be grateful to know there are more books planned, because the stories of the other characters demand to be told.

There is an element of mystery in the book.  The author pre-solves some mysteries and others are left for the reader to discover.  Overall, this is an interesting story that depicts many of the common challenges facing Southerners following the Civil War.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Revell

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Multiple instances of gunshots, blood mentioned; deliberate train wreck, injuries and deaths recorded; many references to an event in which a woman was raped and ultimately dies, not graphic, but emotional; character threatens others at gunpoint and with other harm. 

Sex/Nudity:  A woman is assaulted, but it is alluded to and not described; non-married characters kiss and embrace.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of family members, war, slavery.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Report that a person is drunk.