Michael Phillips newest novel, The Soldiers Lady, begins just after the Civil War when a racially-mixed Southern family adopts Micah Duff, a wandering Union veteran and educated black man, into their fold. Micahs new friends, Mayme, Katie, and Emma, begin to share their faith journeys with him while in the background a conspiracy is brewing. As Micah shares Christs love with his new family, Emmas former master plots to murder Emma and her son to cover up a scandal.
Although the book does have some excitement and good points, these are, unfortunately, few and far between. Several insignificant subplots trample the main plot, centering the novel on the characters emotions instead of their actions. Characters are well-developed, but the plot cannot display this character growth. For half of the novel, a pseudo-love triangle is the only thing supporting the storyline.
The novel does have a good message, but stretches on for far too long to be a worthy story. Younger teen girls might enjoy the books characters but will be disappointed with its thin plot. Jennifer Opperman, Christian Book Previews.com