L. J. Dare
Historical Romance and Suspense Writer
The Civil War Series
You can find my books in both printed and E-books on Amazon.
Deadly Secrets Book 1 of the series
Freed from a locked cellar, all hospital volunteer, Beth Chambers wants is to quietly return to undercover work identifying southern spies. All Doctor Miles Alcott wants is to win the research position opening up when the new military hospital is completed. But being found unchaperoned in a locked room, Beth and Miles know marriage is unavoidable. Striking a secret bargain with Beth's guardian, the reluctant Miles agrees to the marriage if he is guaranteed the research position.
After a hasty marriage, they travel to Fort Yuma where Miles has been temporarily reassigned as the fort's physician. Undaunted by her marriage of convenience, Beth continues her undercover work. But when her life is threatened, Beth wonders what will happen if her reluctant bridegroom learns of her secret undercover work.
Whispers of Deceit, book 2 of the series
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After witnessing the murder of a prominent Washington official, all Darcy Gladstone wants is to safely flee the area and return to her undercover work of ferreting out southern spies. Spotting a hot air balloon tethered nearby, she jumps inside and pulls her pistol. All widower, Captain Luke Mathews wants is to demonstrate to the Union Army that balloons can be used to spy upon the placement of Confederate artillery and troops. But held at gunpoint, he sails aloft then lands the balloon for his exhibition, the unchaperoned couple are discovered and forced to marry.
With a hasty marriage behind them, Luke moves his two young sons, his sister, unwanted wife, Darcy, and his balloon west to his new assignment with General Grant. With Luke gone on assignment, Darcy is totally responsible for the welfare of the family. A family that isn't over-joyed that she's now joined them. But after a series of unexplained incidents, Darcy realizes that while she had once been the hunter, she now has become the hunted. Pursued, can she outwit the Washington killer and keep her family safe?
Chased along the Potomac docks, all Union Spy, Rinae Bauer wants is a safe place to hide and evade her Confederate pursuers. Recognizing the steeple of the church she attends, she dashes inside.
On the brink of arresting one of the nation's notorious Confederate agents, all Edward Fletcher wants is to complete his mission while disguised as a church elder. But after he finds Rinae hiding inside the church and they are discovered by the Guild Ladies, they are forced to marry. Vowing not to let the unwanted marriage interfere in his plans, Ed dispatches Rinae to Gettysburg to assist his aging aunt with the promise he'll find a way to dissolve their marriage.
But trapped in the fight between the Union and Confederate Armies, the very foundation of Rinae's belief in the Union is about to be tested. Given the mission of abducting one of Jefferson Davis's sons in order to force the man into surrendering the south, she soon discovers nothing is as it seems when caught in a tangled web of intrigue.
Blackmailed by a notorious southern spy, Confederate Captain Joshua Ryson fears his foster children will find themselves without a roof over their heads and no one to care for them unless he and his band of rebels capture a Union supply train without any snags in his plan. But after commandeering the train, he encounters Sister Mary Amelia who refuses to comply with any of his orders.
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Although wearing the full habit of a Sister of Charity, all Amy Mathews wants is to safely return her elderly companion who is carrying a small cedar box with her to the convent in Atlanta. Only then can Amy take her Novice vows before her brother, a Union Major, can stop her. But with the harsh realities of war raging all around them, will Josh and Amy safely shield those now in their care before their treacherous lies are exposed and bring death to all?
In the works right now for this series is Book 5, "Vows of Revenge". It will be released in 2025-2026.