Measure of Devotion

Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the American Civil War, this intricately woven novel delves into the life of Susannah Shelburne, a thirty-six-year-old woman residing in South Carolina with her older husband, Jacob. Their son, Francis, defies his parents' wishes by enlisting in the Confederate army, sparking bitter familial discord. In October 1863, devastating news arrives: Francis has been critically wounded near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Susannah embarks on a perilous journey to bring her son home, finding Francis delirious with fever and haunted by the horrors of battle. Their reunion is overshadowed by the conflicts at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, culminating in Francis being captured as a prisoner of war. As the war exacts its toll and tensions escalate between mother and son, Susannah confronts impossible choices amidst harrowing revelations from home. This gripping narrative explores themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the profound impacts of war on family bonds, painting a vivid portrait of one woman's relentless fight for survival and reconciliation in a time of unprecedented turmoil.

Author: Nell Joslin
Publisher: Regal House Publishing
Published: 05/20/2025
Pages: 290
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.98h x 5.91w x 0.71d
ISBN13: 9781646036127
ISBN10: 1646036123
BISAC Categories:
- Fiction | Historical | 19th Century | American Civil War Era
- Fiction | Family Life | General
- Fiction | Southern

About the Author
Nell Joslin is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and received her MFA from North Carolina State University. Besides a fiction writer, she has been a public school teacher, journalist, and attorney. She currently lives in Raleigh.