The Notorious Mrs. Winston

By Mary Mackey

Book Overview

With the nation on the verge of civil war, Claire Winston becomes a crusading abolitionist. But she takes an even greater risk when she finds herself in love with John Taylor, her husband's nephew. As much as John loves her, his devotion is to the Confederacy-and to the rebellious fighters known as Morgan's Raiders. Separated from him by the war, Claire boldly travels across the war-torn country in search of her lover. Disguised as a male soldier, she suddenly finds herself drafted by none other than General Morgan himself, swept up in the greatest guerilla raid in American history-and caught between her loyalty to the Union and her love for John.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425215121
• ISBN13: 9780425215128
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Terrific Service

Thanks for the book. It arrived in great shape and on time as promised.

Superb!

I loved this story! Truly one of the best Civil War novels I have read. The heroine, Claire marries a man named Henry just before the Civil War begins. Henry proves to be an awful husband and she falls in love with his nephew, John. Unfortunately, Henry proves to be rather adamant that she remain his wife and refuses to grant her a divorce, which is very difficult to attain in that day and age to begin with. Henry actually deceives Claire with lies and manipulations before abandoning her but by then, John is fighting in a war. Despite the fact that she is a staunch Union supporter and abolitionist, Claire loves, frets over, and desperately misses John, who is on the Confederate side. Unable to consult with him by normal means, she does all she can think to do. She dons a Conferderate uniform and joins the infamous "Morgan's Raiders" to find her lover. Find him she does, as well as adventure, prison time, and battlefield drama. She also attempts to warn the north when the south is approaching. Terrific novel full of adventure and historical details. Not to mention, an amazing, unforgettable heroine.

An Absorbing Read

Mary Mackey's attention to historical detail in The Notorious Mrs. Winston creates a convincing character sketch of the determined heroine, Claire Winston. An engaging love tale coupled with a compelling story of the Civil War, Mackey's latest novel celebrates womanhood by staying true to the times the heroine lived in rather than inserting modern ideas into the past. A moving and absorbing read that will no doubt leave modern day readers satisfied and inspired.

The Notorious Mrs. Winston

This is Mary Mackey's best ever. The story line keeps you turning pages. The Historical accuracy is intriguing. The detail she provides gives you a new perspective on the lives of these Civil War soldiers. She hits you with a surprise every time you turn around. Bring on your next book Mary Mackey. Bob Howenstine

deep look at the Civil War

In February 1861, the Civil War is two months away when Claire still on her honeymoon with much older portrait photographer Henry Winston sees the "angel" for the first time. She cannot believe how wanton she must be to desire Henry's nephew John Taylor when she just married. She does not love her spouse having said I do for financial security during troubled times. Besides hiding her reaction the first time ever she saw John's face from him and his uncle, Claire also joins the abolitionist cause without telling her husband. When John, a true believer in the Confederate cause, goes off to battle as a member of Morgan's Raiders, she follows disguised as a young soldier. This enables her to see both sides of the fight especially after Morgan enlists her to his side. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. WINSTON is a deep look at the Civil War from the viewpoint of a feisty independent female masquerading as a male. Readers see up close what happened at battles and other events through mostly Claire's perspective. Though there is a romantic subplot, Mary Mackey uses that in a support catalyst role as this is a strong engaging historical fiction starring a wonderful protagonist. Harriet Klausner